Our Valuable Team Members

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

My aspiration always was to become a doctor as a way to help others. I studied for it, volunteered at various doctor offices, then worked in every position of a medical office, even shadowed surgeons in operating rooms, and eventually trained other staff and managed a medical group. Towards the last months before applying to medical school, I had an epiphany: I enjoyed management much more! Healthcare management not only allows me to indirectly assist others, but it also provides the excitement and challenges of running a corporation. After having gotten my BS in mathematics from UCI, I obtained my MBA from Paul Merage School of Business at UCI. Ever since, I have been as passionate about my career as the first day I managed a small office. I eventually got more into ophthalmology and optometry, partly because the wonderful woman I married is an optometrist. When this leadership position at Insight Vision Center opened up, it was a great opportunity for me to display and put into action all the knowledge and tools I had gained over the years.

What do you love most about your job?

I greatly enjoy working with my team members, as they are warm, courteous, and professional. Most importantly, everyone has the patient’s best interest in mind. Decisions, regardless of size or importance, are first judged on the following two questions: Is it safe for the patient? Does it help the patient? A company with such a caring staff that is this patient centric will always succeed, and I love being a part of its exciting future.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I was born in Astoria, New York. I was raised and educated on Long Island. I attended The State University of New York @ Stony Brook (1989-1993) majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child Development. Simultaneously, I worked at the front desk of a new concept “super optical’ which staffed Optometrists, Licensed Opticians, optometric technicians, lab technicians and a full service surfacing laboratory. I grew with that company for over 26 years. Along the way, I became an American Board Certified Optician (certified to practice in over 20 states- A.B.O.C. 1996) and a New York State Licensed Optician (1998). I am still licensed accordingly.

I recently relocated to Southern California to join my immediate family, who have all been here for almost 30 years.

What do you love most about your job?

My profession affords me wonderful opportunities daily. I enjoy meeting and talking with interesting people from all over the world. I love the diversity here in California, as I did in NYC.

Working with Dr. Lam and Dr. Mai has already been an “eye opening” experience. They have shared with and educated me in the latest advances in Optometric medical technology and procedures in managing Myopia, slowing the progression of Keratoconus and the huge advances in Vision Therapy succession.

I am so proud to be a member of such an elite team of Specialists!

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I was born and raised in New England. I have been enjoying living in SoCal for over a decade. I am one of 28 Certified Optometric Vision Therapists in California. I enjoy being a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development where one can focus on prevention, enhancement and rehabilitation of vision. I earned my undergrad Bachelor’s Degree from UMASS Amherst. I have continuing education credits for Concussion and the Optometric Considerations from the series held at Western University of College of Optometry School in Pomona.

What do you love most about your job?

I am also credentialed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to teach all grade levels from preschool to adults. I became interested in the field of vision therapy through my experience teaching. I enjoy working where the goal is direct patient care and enjoy working where vision therapy is achieving extraordinary outcomes for the people we serve. I love that I can deliver life-changing care that impacts humans of all ages with better sight.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

PCC by day, actor at night. I graduated college with a degree in theatre and while I am constantly auditioning for new material, I want to fill my time up with helping others as well. The entertainment industry can get self-absorbed and mentally challenging, in my free time I wanted to place my energy into assisting people and providing patient care, which led me to Insight Vision Center Optometry.

What do you love most about your job?

I enjoy working with coworkers who are just as passionate in helping others out. In this chaotic world, it is refreshing to work with others who are genuinely interested in providing the best care to patients.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I was a patient of Dr. Mai’s six years ago when Insight had just opened, and when I heard there was an opportunity to apply my administrative skills from my time in Chicagoland to helping the practice, I knew I had to take it – thankfully my qualifications were reviewed favorably, and now I am here in sunny California working with even sunnier people!

What do you love most about your job?

The energy at Insight Vision Center Optometry is one of a kind, and I am so happy to be at a workplace where everyone who walks in and out the door – doctors, team, and patients – does so with a smile on their face. If I had Insight growing up, I would have looked forward to every visit with its positive environment and constant support, and so I am glad and grateful to contribute to it for the next generation of patients.

My name is Mitchy. I am a registered nurse here in the Philippines. I practiced my nursing profession as a Ward Nurse and Emergency Room Nurse for 3 and a half years. I also became a Customer Service Specialist for 3 years in a Health Insurance company wherein I was assigned to assist all inquiries of our clients.

It is my great honor and privilege to be part of Dr. Mai and Dr. Lam’s great team! Our doctors are very kind and appreciative. I really felt how everyone loves doing their jobs and the way they take care of each client is really amazing! Their passions are overflowing. The positive vibes in this clinic are contagious.

As a Healthcare Visual Assistant, I could not ask for a better client than Insight Vision Center Optometry! Truly I am blessed to be here.

I know I will be forever grateful to this team.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I started out working in food service and while I enjoyed my time working those jobs, I knew I wanted to do more. I went to college at UCI and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in June of 2022. I spent some time over summer travelling and deciding what I wanted to do for work. After a few months I still didn’t have a specific field in mind but I knew I wanted to help people. I began applying to jobs in healthcare and local government. I was always interested in anatomy and brain systems so I was very excited to get an interview at Insight Vision Center Optometry! It has been very rewarding helping patients over the phone and doing my best to make sure they receive excellent service.

What do you love most about your job?

The 2 things I love most about my job is that I get to be the first stepping stone in helping our patients receive care for their vision! It makes me happy knowing I can provide an easy and convenient service for our patients. The second thing I love most about my job is the staff that I work with. It is really great to work with such friendly and helpful people!

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

Having been raised by a pharmacist mom and a radiologic technologist dad greatly influenced me to become a healthcare professional myself. Growing up, I was able to see how their service and skills had improved the lives of many. After earning my bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology, I worked at a government facility for 3 years here in the Philippines. During my clinical experience, I met people from different walks of life along with their own stories. My curiosity and interest to explore more on my career had reached its peak which led me to train as a healthcare virtual assistant. After training, I was able to land this position, and am now working with an excellent team. Fun fact! I was celebrating my birthday during my first workday at the clinic, can you call that meant to be?

What do you love most about your job?

This opportunity to work at Insight ignited my passion for discovering and gaining more knowledge in the medical field. Since day 1, I have genuinely admired the commitment and dedication of each member of our team to providing the best healthcare services to our patients. I am proud to be a part of this growing family. It’s me! Thea, your healthcare virtual assistant at your service from across the globe.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I really had no idea where my life would take me next… When I found out that the service provided by Insight was on par with Disney’s – having just come from working at Disneyland myself, I knew it was the right fit. I don’t miss making magical vacations because I get to help improve the rest of the lives of people with my work here. Seeing patients smile, knowing I had a small hand in creating that smile, those are the moments I live for.

What do you love most about your job?

This job is so rewarding in every aspect, making a difference in someone’s life while leaving them with a smile. The team I work with is welcoming and friendly. Being completely fresh to the world of optometry, I get to learn new and exciting things every day.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

After decades of struggling with double-vision, I had just about given up hope on ever being able to see the world clearly. Finally, I was recommended vision therapy in 2022. I was amazed at my results! Just over 7 months of vision therapy here at Insight accomplished for me what years of prescription changes and specialty lenses could not. It completely changed the way I see the world, and now I want to share that change with others.

What do you love most about your job?

My favorite part of my job is working one-on-one with patients and watching them experience the same joy and pride that I felt when they unlock their full visual potential, and see the world clearly for the first time.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

After graduating from UCI, I found myself looking for ways to use my organization skills, positive attitude, and administrative training in a field where I get to help others day-to-day. Lo and behold, Insight Vision Center Optometry! Now I get to use my skills to help people first hand!

What do you love most about your job?

I love being able to spread a positive attitude and vibe to those I’m around and to part of the welcoming nature of the office. Everyone is so lovely here and I’m happy to belong in this family.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I worked as a Behavior Therapist performing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) with kids on the autism spectrum. I was looking for an opportunity to still give back to my community but at a full-time setting. I think Insight Vision Center is a great fit for me, with a potential home in Vision Therapy. So here I am! 🙂

What do you love most about your job?

I love being able to make a difference in people’s lives. So knowing that I am able to help people is a great feeling, because building strong relationships with patients is very important to me. I am very excited to join this company, where they truly care about patients.

Joyce is eager to take care of her patients through annual comprehensive eye exams as well as specialty contact lenses and myopia management with the help of the doctors on this team. She is passionate about myopia management and early intervention because she started as an orthokeratology patient herself in early childhood.

She is currently a fourth year optometry student at the Southern California College of Optometry. Prior to this office, she trained under doctors at a veteran’s hospital and community eye clinic. In the future she hopes to work in private practice and continue serving the visual needs of those around her.

What do you love about your job?

I love being able to connect with patients to learn their daily visual needs and then help to find solutions and improve their quality of life. Vision is so important to everyone, and I have seen many cases where patients stop doing something they used to love because they cannot see well enough. With today’s technology, there are many solutions and I enjoy playing a small part in preserving and protecting vision for others.

How are you involved in the community and what do you hope to contribute to the future?

During my time in school, I have volunteered at various vision screenings in the community to help the underserved. In the future I hope to continue learning and stay up to date with the latest innovations to improve vision and quality of life for my patients.

What’s an interesting fact about you? What are you doing when you’re not checking eyes?

I love to paint and capture nature’s beauty. When I am not seeing patients or studying, I enjoy spending time with my husband and exploring new ice cream shops.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

I started as an ICU nurse in a private hospital for 4 years. I then moved to a new place and worked in a healthcare call center for 8 years. Concerned about my family’s safety, I returned to my hometown during the pandemic. It was not an easy decision but I remained open to change. I thought of exploring virtual jobs. I underwent training and the virtual road led me to Insight.

What do you love most about your job?

Though thousands of miles away, I have always felt comfortable working with the Insight team. I love being in an environment where people see work not as an obligation but as a passion to fulfill the company’s vision. I love that our values match and that every team member is being understood and treated fairly. I thought I would never experience being in this kind of environment again with a virtual setup, but the universe has been kind enough to have made me meet people I can call FAMILY.

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

When I became a pharmacist I worked for 2 different drug stores. A local one within our area and another one known throughout the Philippines. During my time working as a community pharmacist I have had the privilege to work alongside various healthcare professionals that I enjoyed a lot because of the new knowledge and experience it provided me. I was able to work alongside doctors, dentists, and phlebotomists. Here at Insight, you get to work with amazing people who would love to serve their patients with care and patience. My training has brought me here to be a part of a team that will make you love the way you see!

What do you love most about your job?

Everybody here works as a team and they never make you feel like you are indifferent. They would always choose to offer you help. That speaks volumes to the kind of services Insight Vision offers and the kind of environment that patients can also experience. Thank you and have a wonderful evening!

What’s your journey that brought you to Insight Vision Center Optometry?

As an aspiring Physician Assistant, I consistently wish to broaden my horizon and learn about multiple medical specialties. Optometry/Ophthalmology has always piqued my interest! I’m excited to learn and assist in providing beneficial services like vision therapy here at Insight Vision Center Optometry.

What do you love most about your job?

I appreciate the team culture and how everyone is dedicated to learning and growing, both in, and out of the office!