College of Optometry - The Visionary Fall 2015

20 • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY So-Yeon (Sharon) Lee , O.D., FAAO, who grew up in Vancouver, Canada, became interested in pursuing a career in optometry while in high school. “Growing up, the only eye exams I had were the vision screenings provided by the school nurse, so I didn’t know much about the field of optometry until I got to high school,” she explained. “One day in science class, as I was flip- ping through my textbook, I found interviews of people with various careers related to science. I came across an interview with an optometrist and decided I wanted to explore this field.” Lee then approached her high school counselor, who had a list of optometrists Lee could observe, but recommend- ed she observe his own optometrist. Much to her surprise, on her first day of observing the optometric physician, Lee discovered that she was the wife of the optometrist who was interviewed in her science textbook. Lee had a chance to meet him in person a few days later. “He encouraged me to pursue optometry,” she said. After earning her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of British Co- lumbia in 2002, she received her O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006. Following grad- uation, she completed the Low Vision Rehabilitation Residency Program at Southern College of Optometry and then joined its faculty in July 2007, where she was involved in both didactic and clinical education. Lee, who serves as an NSUCO assistant professor and specializes in low vision rehabilitation, said she was excited to join the college because of its multifaceted clinical program and nationally recognized faculty members. She also appreciates the opportunities to collaborate with other NSU health care professionals in terms of both patient care and research. u Spotlight on New Faculty Member