Please share with us your background.

Growing up in Louisiana shaped me into who I am today. My childhood was spent on the outskirts of New Orleans at our home on Bayou Bonfouca with my two younger siblings. We lived on a large, remote piece of property nestled near swamp land and a bird sanctuary. My father loved teaching me about the wildlife on our property. We caught bugs, snakes, and turtles, and put lizards on our earlobes. We had several dachshunds. One got too curious about a nutria (a common water rodent in south Louisiana) and, after a scuffle, ended up with braces (the dog, not the nutria). My grandparents, who lived on the same bayou, used to pick me up from our dock to take me for boat rides. They taught me to water ski when I was 6 years old. My siblings and I would eagerly await their calls in the summertime, ready to run down to the dock to catch a ride.

While those things might be normal for kids growing up on the bayou, there was something unusual about my house: Every now and then, someone would stop by and get stitches while sitting on our kitchen counter. My parents are both surgeons and cared for many members of our community throughout my childhood. I was always fascinated by their work, and since many of my other family members were physicians too, I never considered another career path. My siblings and I often worked in our parents’ private practice, putting stamps on mail and filing paper charts. We watched them leave the house late at night if my dad had to deliver a baby or my mom had an emergency on call.

When I graduated from high school, I left home to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where I met my now husband. I brought him home to meet my parents and to show him where I grew up. Sadly, a week after we left, Hurricane Katrina hit, upending my parents’ medical practice and flooding my childhood home with 8 feet of water. While my parents dealt with the aftermath of the storm, I spent the next few years finishing my undergraduate degree, getting married, having my first baby, and starting medical school at the Florida State University College of Medicine.

After my first 2 years of medical school, I took a year off to have my second child. My husband started his aerospace engineering degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. There, I spent the year taking care of my kids and working in the cardiothoracic surgery department under an amazing surgeon, Robert Cerfolio, MD. He was an early adopter of and a pioneer in robotic thoracic surgery, and his mentorship proved pivotal in my career. I transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine the following spring, where I completed my last 2 years of medical school and had our third child, 1 month before I started the ophthalmology residency interview trail. I went to all my interviews with a newborn in tow, and very few people knew it.

I was honored to match into an ophthalmology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, my family’s alma mater and the same school where my parents met more than 30 years before. I completed a transitional year in Birmingham before starting at Tulane. During residency, I met Rob Weinstock, MD, and Neel Desai, MD, at my second MillennialEYE Live meeting in 2019, and I later matched into their private practice anterior segment fellowship in Largo, Florida.

It’s been a unique experience having three children during medical school and residency, as well as training during the pandemic and weathering the challenges that come with working in medicine. Life gets busy with a private practice and a family, and I’m very grateful for the mentors I met along the way who encouraged me, trained me, and believed in my potential for success.

What drew you to ophthalmology and, specifically, to your field of interest?

With my mother being a pediatric and adult strabismus surgeon, it was only natural for me to explore alternative avenues in medicine rather than dive right into ophthalmology. I embarked on a quest to find a surgical specialty that would allow me to practice microsurgery, one that wouldn't be too repetitive and blood-soaked, and one where the outcomes wouldn't be as disheartening as they often were in endovascular neurosurgery, where one sees gravely ill patients and frequent fatalities. While I contemplated various specialties, I found that general surgery failed to ignite my enthusiasm. It was during this time that I came astonishingly close to pursuing cardiothoracic surgery, only to have a last-minute change of heart, much to the chagrin of my mentor. I can vividly recall his incredulous reaction when I informed him of my decision to apply for ophthalmology instead, as he quipped, "That's not real surgery!" It brought a wry smile to my face when he reached out to me a few months ago, seeking assistance in escaping the clutches of reading glasses.

Please describe your current position.

I currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama, where I recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art office under the aegis of EyeCare Partners. I take pride in being the pioneer of a private equity–backed de novo solo private practice within the company. This groundbreaking endeavor represents an innovative business model that heralds the prospect of future expansion and offers a distinct avenue for supporting aspiring young surgeons in establishing independent practices.

Who are your mentors? 

Foremost among those who have had a profound influence on my journey is Dr. Weinstock. He has been the guiding force that has shaped both my surgical skills and my character. I have tried to absorb his many invaluable virtues: unwavering patience, thoughtful introspection, operational efficiency, humility, kindness, and empathy.

Dr. Desai, my co-fellowship director, is another luminary in my surgical training. His mentorship instilled in me an unwavering commitment to being meticulous and setting the bar exceedingly high in every surgical procedure. He ignited the spark within me to chase perfection with each operation.

In addition to these mentors, I am indebted to my parents, Jason Collins, MD, and Candace Collins, MD, whose wisdom, and guidance have been a constant pillar of support. Bill Wiley, MD; Jim Loden, MD; Steven Dell, MD; Neda Shamie, MD; Joe Gira, MD; and Elizabeth Yeu, MD, have generously shared their knowledge and lent a compassionate ear when needed. Furthermore, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a close-knit group of peers who share my passion and commitment. They not only have been colleagues but also have become my dearest friends, providing encouragement and camaraderie throughout this journey.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career thus far?

I've been fortunate to have a career filled with a multitude of memorable experiences, each contributing to the overall narrative of my professional journey. It's challenging to pinpoint a single standout moment, as my path has been marked by a series of significant milestones and accomplishments. From the very beginning, my journey was unique, starting with the transition from college to medical school while raising a child, which was a remarkable feat. My career continued to evolve with the birth of two more children during medical school, highlighting the power of determination and time management. Matching into ophthalmology was a pivotal moment, and operating alongside my mother during residency was a truly special and personal experience. Matching into my dream fellowship was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, a testament to my pursuit of my professional passion. Learning how to collaborate with the industry, exploring new surgical techniques, and expanding my skill set have been continual sources of growth and excitement.

Another significant milestone was establishing my own practice from scratch. The process of building an office and assembling a dedicated team around me has been a rewarding one. Witnessing the success and the positive impact we make on our patients’ lives on a weekly, if not daily, basis has been a deeply gratifying aspect of my career.

While I can’t single out just one memorable experience, my career has been defined by a series of remarkable moments and a continuous pursuit of growth, learning, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.

What are some new technological advances that you have found particularly exciting? Which advances in the pipeline are you most enthusiastic or curious about? 

One of the most exhilarating technological advancements in the field is the emergence of 3D heads-up surgery. I had the unique privilege of training under the guidance of one of the pioneers of the development of 3D surgical platforms. During my fellowship, I had the opportunity to contribute by providing feedback on various 3D platforms and software that had not yet reached commercial availability.

I am particularly interested in the agnostic digital integration systems, most notably the groundbreaking initiatives by Cassini Technologies and Serj Instruments, both led by the visionary Mark Maire. Their seamless integration of clinic-to-OR workflows and digital diagnostics, combined with the immersive 3D heads-up technology, represents a milestone in this domain. My association with Mark dates back to my time in fellowship, and I eagerly anticipate the innovative strides he'll make with these companies.

Furthermore, I'm enthusiastic about my role as a beta tester for the EyeTelligence (Bausch + Lomb) platform, a revolutionary software currently in development under the guidance of Mark Lobanoff MD. This digital surgical planning software promises to be a game-changer in terms of IOL selection and co-management with our optometry partners.

Another captivating venture in its nascent stages is Aurion Biotech, led by Greg Kunst. Their pioneering treatment for Fuchs dystrophy holds tremendous promise, and I eagerly await the realization of this innovative approach.

What is the focus of some of your research? 

My current objective is to position my practice as a distinguished hub for FDA trials and investigator-initiated trials. I have been an active participant in numerous research endeavors, and I am committed to expanding our role as a pioneering research site. My primary areas of focus are in the realm of ocular surface disease, innovative cornea rehabilitation techniques, precision astigmatism correction employing cutting-edge femtosecond laser technology, research and development for 3D heads-up platforms, and the advancement of state-of-the-art technology IOLs.

What is a typical day in your life? What keeps you busy, fulfilled, and passionate?

My daily routine begins at 5:30 AM, when I kick off the day with a gym workout. Upon my return home around 6:30 AM, my husband and I tag team the morning routine of preparing ourselves for work and ensuring our three children are ready for the day. My husband takes on the responsibility of dropping our kids off at school while I make my way to the office.

My schedule is currently organized with clinic 3 days per week and surgery 2 days per week. After wrapping up my responsibilities at the office, I pick up my oldest from football practice and return home or see consults at the hospital when I'm on call. My evenings are occupied with virtual meetings or calls at least twice a week.

At home, my focus shifts to quality family time, including preparing dinner for my children and making sure homework is completed, lunches are made, and outfits are put out for the next day. My day typically concludes by 10:00 PM.

What advice can you offer to individuals who are just now choosing their career paths after finishing residency or fellowship?

Build a strong support team of like-minded individuals. I have a core group of people I lean on for advice about patient care, surgery options, and life decisions. I was fortunate to hand-select my office staff, which is a vital component of achieving long-term practice success and, by extension, personal success.

Tell us about an innovative procedure you are performing or new imaging/diagnostic tool that has improved your practice.

I am genuinely thrilled to present my patients with a comprehensive array of refractive procedures. I find I can now cater to the unique needs of every patient, offering them the potential to liberate themselves from the constraints of glasses, whether with a corneal refractive procedure such as LASIK, PRK, or SMILE, the ICL, or a refractive lens exchange. The addition of the ICL (STAAR Surgical) enhances the breadth of my refractive surgical offerings, allowing me to treat a diverse range of age groups and individuals who may not meet the criteria for certain procedures. The results I've achieved with ICL are truly awe-inspiring, and the enhanced quality of vision my patients experience is life-altering. I'm deeply appreciative of the ability to provide such a diverse range of procedures to my community.

Financial disclosure: Speaker (Alcon); Consultant (Bausch + Lomb)