Alumni Focus: Abigail (Almomar) Glick (OD'22)
DR. GLICK'S STORY
Hometown
Temperance, That State Up North
Which institution did you attend for your undergraduate degree? What was your major?
Ohio State, Biology
Which degree(s), related to optometry, did you earn at Ohio State?
OD'22
Who were your mentors at the College of Optometry? Who had a positive effect on your education?
When I started at Ohio State my freshman year of undergrad, my roommate happened to be Dr. Joan Nerderman’s daughter. Throughout undergrad I volunteered at Faith Mission and was so inspired by Dr. Nerderman and the Ohio State students who were interning there! Dr. Nerderman played a significant role in my passion for service and interest in ocular disease.
During optometry school, I was fortunate to work closely with Jen Bennett. She helped me grow as a leader and I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent learning from Jen. Dr. Dawn Goedde was also an influential mentor to me and I strive to be such a great leader and instructor like her!
I had so many great attendings during school, but especially Dr. Bethany Army. She modeled the type of office I wanted to work in, and how to be a leader in a private practice and the community. I learned a great deal from how I wanted to be an attending and how to create both a productive but fun learning environment for students.
DR. GLICK'S CAREER IN OPTOMETRY
Name of your employer(s) and title, including location.
Optometric Management Group - Miamisburg Vision Care
The Ohio State College of Optometry - Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice
Give us a glimpse of your typical day as an optometrist.
At Miamisburg Vision Care, I work with fourth-year students from Ohio State and PCO during their advanced practice rotation. During a typical day, I do dry eye evaluations and IPL treatments, scleral lens fittings, and full exams for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic patients. I love working with students and seeing their excitement! I also love spending time with my coworkers and making them listen to my crazy stories/ideas.
On Tuesdays, I work with third-year students in the Primary Vision Clinic (PVC) at Ohio State. I enjoy getting the third-years ready for their fourth year and watching their progress throughout the semester! PVC is fun because you never know what kind of ocular condition will show up in your chair.
Which optometric issues concern you the most?
I think my main message I try to convey every year to patients is the importance of a yearly comprehensive exam! Also, scope of practice. I am very excited for SB36!!!
Why did you choose a career in optometry?
I remember trying contact lenses for the first time and how great it felt to not have to wear glasses! I also learned at a young age that optometry wasn’t just about glasses and contacts, so in fourth grade I was set on becoming an optometrist, and I never looked back!
Where do you hope to see your optometric career in five years?
I still have not had a Kardashian as a patient, unfortunately, so that is a top goal of mine. I hope to continue to make an impact on students, grow as an educator, and build my patient base at Miamisburg Vision Care.
What is one piece of advice you can give OPT-IV students as they prepare to graduate and begin their optometric careers?
Studying for boards is stressful, but enjoy your fourth year with your friends! Before you know it, you’ll be graduating and your friends will be moving all over the country! It’s nice to have cool places to visit, but I still miss the walks to class, taco Tuesdays, and coffee shop study spots.
What do eye health and eye care mean for you?
I love to make each patient’s visit an experience, and make them feel like they’re visiting with family. I am always trying to give them the best of the best and newest technology, while providing the highest quality of care. When patients leave, I want them feeling that they saw the fanciest optometrist!
DR. GLICK'S OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE
What were your most memorable moments at Ohio State?
My favorite memories from Optometry school include tailgates at the EYE house and football games, going to Orlando for Academy, and almost getting stuck in Jamaica when we went for a service trip in March 2020.
What do Ohio State and the College of Optometry mean to you and your family?
Ohio State means so much to my family! The obsession started after I won a full scholarship for undergrad. My little sister Jenna came to visit me in my dorm freshman year and stayed the night with me. At the time, I was 18 and she was 11. I remember her saying “I love it here,” after I gave her the tour of campus, took her for a late night slice at Sicilia’s, and ordered Insomnia Cookies when we got back. Jenna also graduated from Ohio State undergrad and is now a first-year student in the Occupational Therapy program here.
The College of Optometry is so important to me as it’s helped me achieve my dreams of becoming an optometrist and introduced me to friends who have become family!
How do you stay connected with the College of Optometry?
I love meeting up with my optometry friends at conferences, especially at East West every year. Also, working with students helps me stay connected, I learn from them and stay up to date on the newest advancements in optometry.
DR. GLICK'S FUN FACTS
What are your current hobbies, volunteer work and interests?
My husband Adam and I are big sports fans, and we have season tickets for both the Buckeyes and Detroit Lions. Many weekends in the fall we are in the 'Shoe on Saturdays, and then drive to Ford Field on Sundays. We have a chow chow pup named Sir Barkley and his instagram is @sirbarkleyglick. We hope to raise more chows so we can call them our “chowdren.” I also love to travel and shop for clothes and anything optometry related!
What is your nickname?
Dr. Kardashian
What’s the best eye pun you’ve ever heard?
That’s how eye roll.
If not an optometrist, I would be …
A reality TV star.