Shauna Thornhill, O.D., is an independent leaseholder of two Walmart locations in Amarillo, TX. Named Walmart’s Optometrist of the Year in 2018, she practices in one of her Amarillo Vision Specialists offices and has an associate optometrist at the other. She’s also passionate about giving back.
1 SOUL-SEARCHING.
I grew up in poverty. We lived in 17 communities and ended up in Amarillo. After optometry school, I joined a dream practice in a wealthy section of town, but it didn’t feed my soul. When the opportunity at Walmart near my high school came open, I knew that’s where I could best serve.
2 RELATIONSHIPS.
I hear about corporate seeing one-and-done patients. I find the opposite. I’m more than their eye doctor. They stop in when shopping, and I try to help with other things.
3 GIVING BACK.
We do free eye exams for a day each year, and people donate a toy in trade. It’s our eighth year of Sight Before Christmas and donating to Toys for Tots in the area. We did about 220 exams last year.
4 CORPORATE MYTH.
Walmart is compassionate and incredibly supportive of the program and my practice. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t try corporate optometry. COT!
—Stephanie K. De Long
