Alumni Focus on Shane Mulvihill (OD/MS'16)

DR. MULVIHILL'S STORY

Hometown

Cleveland, Ohio

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

Xavier University, I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and Theology

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

I earned my OD in Optometry and my MS in Vision Science in 2016

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

So many people from the College of Optometry have impacted me in a positive way that it is hard to narrow it down. Thank you to my first optometry friend and roommate, Dr. Phillip Yuhas, for showing me the way.

Every attending I had was fantastic and challenged me in different ways. Going through residency, all of the BVP crew were very influential in my development as a clinician. Thanks to Drs. Early, Buckland, Toole, Morrison, Widmer, and Mattson. As a MS student, my thesis committee helped me tremendously. Thanks to Drs. Hartwick and Walline.

Finally, I want to highlight a couple people who are most responsible for who I am as an optometrist today. Dr. Cayti McDaniel and Dr. Don Mutti. Cayti was my first attending in second-year clinic and from that moment on has been there for me every step of my career. She helped nurture and expand my love of pediatric optometry and challenged me to be the best clinician I could possibly be. Every time I do MEM retinoscopy, I think fondly of her. If Catyi pushed me to excellence, then Don pulled me. As a master's advisor, he pulled me into the world of clinical research and coached me on how to make science an integral part of my career. He did so with his trademark kindness and patience. I could not be more thankful to have worked with Cayti and Don!

DR. MULVIHILL'S CAREER IN OPTOMETRY

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

EyeXcel in Knoxville, Tennessee

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

I think one of the best parts about being an optometrist is that no two days are the same. In my practice, I see a diverse set of patients that cover primary care, emergency care, pediatrics, myopia management, vision therapy, and sports vision. About 75% of the patients I see are pediatrics, so I’ve got to be on my toes all day (unless I’m doing retinoscopy from the ground haha). We have a large therapy/sports vision space, and I will sometimes get to work with patients there too. We’ve even worked with some future—and current—MLB players.

Which optometric issues concern you the most?

As someone who sees a lot of pediatric patients, one thing that is always top of mind for me is access to care. No child chooses their upbringing, and all children are deserving of the same access to care. There are so many barriers to some children making it to see me in my office. Some are financial, some are cultural/language, some are insurance. There are so many systems that need reform, but healthcare is so often used as a political tool and patients, especially children, pay the price. I hope to see a future with more equitable and just access to care.

Why did you choose a career in optometry?

I chose a career in optometry because as a young myope, I spent many a day in my optometrist’s office updating my glasses. I learned what an optometrist did and the power they had. I loved (and still do) the importance and complexity of the eye. I felt like optometry would give me a chance to use some of my best skills in a career that fit my personality. I could not be happier with my choice!

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

My five-year goals are to continue to provide excellent eye care to all of my patients and continue to grow in leadership in the profession. I’d like to incorporate more research into my practice and give more lectures.

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

I had the privilege of addressing my own graduating class (2016) during our convocation and I would give the current OPT-IVs the same advice I gave our class. Becoming an optometrist is an amazing accomplishment, but it is still just a single part of your identity. Grow as a clinician, but don’t forget to grow in your relationships, your family life, your hobbies. Living an enriching life outside of those four walls is essential for the type of fulfillment that this career can provide.

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

Eye care, for me, means the ability to change the course of someone’s life, forever. Literally! I can easily imagine a student who is struggling, possibly labeled as a class distractor, always talking to their neighbor. After an eye exam, we may find out that the patient needs glasses and was simply having difficulty seeing. Now they can comfortably read, they participate in class, and grades improve. What a big difference for that child! What we do is so important because even a basic pair of glasses can change the trajectory of someone’s life. What an amazing and awesome responsibility!

DR. MULVIHILL'S OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE

What were your most memorable moments at Ohio State?

There were so many memorable moments at Ohio State. Some of the best times I had were with the student organizations. I had a blast at academy meetings with SAAO. I also loved participating in Pelotonia with the Rolling Eyes. It was also exciting that the Buckeyes won the football National Championship while I was in school. And who can forget the Polar Vortex that was so cold that it closed the clinic?! 🥶

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

Ohio State and the College of Optometry mean so much to me. It will always be the place that I made life-long friendships and kick-started me in my profession. Ohio State breeds a sense of community and belonging that is unrivaled. Buckeyes always support other Buckeyes, and I am proud to be a part of that community.

How do you stay connected with the College of Optometry?

I stay connected with the College through a variety of events, especially the Academy meeting every year. That is always my time to catch up and connect with colleagues and friends from Ohio and across the country.

DR. MULVIHILL'S FUN FACTS

What are your current hobbies, volunteer work and interests?

I’ve got three small children at home, so sometimes hobbies or interests of my own feels like a lofty goal. I spend a lot of my free time coaching youth soccer, which is a blast and is something I can do with all of my kids. I still occasionally like to cycle when I’m able to. Our family loves Disney, and we love when we get to take trips to Disney World. We are also planning to take a Disney cruise in the future. I also am obsessive about Cleveland sports, especially my beloved Browns!

What is a fun, random fact about you?

I was captain of my high school quiz bowl team, and I would love to try out for Jeopardy one day.  

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

Not exactly a pun, but this is the best optometry poem I’ve heard:

My face in the mirror
isn't wrinkled or drawn;
my house isn't dirty,
the cobwebs are gone!
My garden looks lovely
and so does the lawn;
I think I might never
put my glasses back on!

If not an optometrist, I would be …

First grade me would have said NBA player, but realistically I’d have to say NBA hall-of-famer.