Bruce Hillman, O.D., joined For Eyes shortly after graduating from optometry school in 1988. In addition to his practice as an independent sublease optometrist at For Eyes in Allentown, PA, he is one of 12 members of the company’s Optometric Council.

1 WHY CORPORATE?

I looked at private practice, but this opportunity gave me the time to do other things, too. For example, besides my practice here, I mentor other doctors and work with regional managers on some of their challenging situations. It’s great that For Eyes counts on our leadership.

2 OUTSIDE OPS

I run [local hospital] St. Luke’s Vision Van once a month, taking care of about 12 schools. It will be extremely important after this, as it was after disasters like Hurricane Maria.

My other pet project involves another hospital in a town where I am a subclinical investigator for drug studies. I look at the eye-related effects of the drugs.

3 COVID-19 CLOSURE

Our Optometric Council met. It was very intense and trying to make good business and personal decisions for the company and its employees. Most offices were already closed, but in PA we weren’t yet, so that made the decision pretty simple. I met with my staff—three technicians and another doctor—and we closed.

4 THE DECISION

It comes down to money and lives, and it depends on which side you want to be on. For us, it’s about taking good care of our people and our patients, so closing down was the best choice. Often a first sign of coronavirus is what looks like pink eye. That puts us in the thick of it and makes me really want to get back to work!

5 THE FUTURE

Keep your eyes open. For example, I was involved in a remote eye exam recently. My staff asked why, and I said that I can walk into the intersection blindfolded or I can take the blindfold off and see what’s coming. The bottom line is that you are the doctor. That means you take care of patients wherever they are. COT!

—Stephanie K. De Long