Alumni Focus on Jake Sander (OD/MS'20)

DR. SANDER'S STORY

Hometown

Sylvania, OH

Which institution did you attend for your undergraduate degree? What was your major?

The Ohio State University, Biology

Which degree(s), related to optometry, did you earn at Ohio State?

OD/MS'20

Who were your mentors at the College of Optometry? Who had a positive effect on your education?

Dr. Don Mutti helped to emphasize the human element in optometry. Dr. Nick Fogt guided me through my master’s thesis and taught us when to REFER.

DR. SANDER'S CAREER IN OPTOMETRY

Name of your employer(s) and title, including location.

Park Nicollet Health Services, Optometrist, Saint Louis Park, MN

Give us a glimpse of your typical day as an optometrist.

I typically see 17–20 patients per day with a primary care focus, with emergency and follow-up appointments scattered throughout the day. I see patients of all ages, but a significant portion are geriatric and non-English speaking. We are also a referral site for other specialties within the hospital system and receive consults from urgent care, primary care, rheumatology, etc.

Which optometric issues concern you the most?

The explosion of private equity buying and corporatizing smaller private practices.

Why did you choose a career in optometry?

I have seen optometrists since I was six years old for patching amblyopia treatment. I enjoy, for the most part, being able to instantly make a quality-of-life improvement for my patients with a new pair of glasses. People really value their eyesight, and it is rewarding to care for their most important sense.

Where do you hope to see your optometric career in five years?

I hope to still be working with my current employer and have a well-established patient base. I would also like to complete a few service trips overseas.

What is one piece of advice you can give OPT-IV students as they prepare to graduate and begin their optometric careers?

At this point in your education, you’re no longer learning to pass tests—you're learning to be the best doctor you can be. Learn from your mistakes and ask as many questions as you can while you have the opportunity.

What do eye health, and eye care, mean to you?

People experience the world through their eyes, and having their trust to maintain their eye health is very important to me. The eyes are often a puzzle piece in systemic health, and that provides a rewarding challenge with complex patients and problems.

DR. SANDER'S OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE

What were your most memorable moments at Ohio State?

Going on two SVOSH trips (Peru and Ghana), and late nights studying at the school, playing foosball, taking down a Buckeye-sized Sicilian from Adriatico’s, and watching live cams of pandas in the zoo.

What do Ohio State and the College of Optometry mean to you and your family?

I’ve been a Buckeye since I was very little and couldn’t imagine going to any other school. “How firm thy friendship” may sound cliché, but once you're in the club, you're a Buckeye for life!

How do you stay connected with the College of Optometry?

Our class remains pretty close, and we’re in frequent contact. I try to make it back for Alumni events or game weekends at least once a year.

DR. SANDER'S FUN FACTS

What are your current hobbies, volunteer work, and interests?

I try to stay active outside of work. I enjoy biking (recently broke my clavicle—ouch!) and traveling with my fiancé and dog for hiking trips. I’ve also dabbled in sourdough and gardening.

What is your nickname?

JAK

What’s the best eye pun you’ve ever heard?

An Irish optometrist walks into a pub. The bartender asks, “Want a Guinness, big fella?” To which the optometrist replies, “Eye.”

If not an optometrist, I would be ...

Probably in computer software engineering or IT.