Making a Difference at Ohio State
Many Ohio State Optometry Alumni contribute to the advancement and prosperity of the college and the university at large. Meet Heather Bowen-Jones (OD’11), one of the newest members of The Ohio State University Alumni Advisory Council. The council is a diverse group of individuals representing various colleges and groups across The Ohio State University, and Dr. Bowen-Jones represents the College of Optometry.
Before coming to Ohio State, Dr. Bowen-Jones graduated from Illinois State University. She grew up in Quincy, Illinois, a small community six hours southwest of Chicago.
When asked about what drew her to optometry, she said, “From a young age, I was drawn to careers that involve helping others and making a tangible impact. Optometry caught my attention because it provided the patient interaction I craved. It was a way for me to help the community by improving people’s quality of life through better vision. During my time at Illinois State University, I had the incredible opportunity to study Mix Metal Catalysis under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa F. Szczepura. She encouraged me to dream big, be accountable, and continually strive for improvement. Under her guidance, I learned to accept failures gracefully and celebrate successes humbly, which solidified my passion for optometry and working with others.”
At Ohio State, her mentor was Jacqueline Davis (OD’81, MPH), ocular disease instructor and preceptor at Lower Lights Christian Health Center. “Dr. Davis inspired me to continue to work hard at every turn, even when I doubted myself. Her talks, guidance, and supportive nature were inspirational to me obtaining my optometric degree,” said Dr. Bowen-Jones.
Dream big, dream big enough that your dreams not only impact yourself but also the community that you will serve!
Dr. Bowen-Jones says she has always been passionate about being actively involved in various groups and organizations. She said, “I love being around people and pushing myself to explore beyond my comfort zone. In high school, I was the co-president of the All-School Student Council, a cheerleader, a member of the marching band, and I also held a job at Shopko. This involvement continued through my years at Ohio State, where my drive to engage with diverse groups and contribute to the community only grew stronger.”
At Ohio State, she was part of the black graduate/professional student caucus, stating it was instrumental in making cross-disciplinary friendships, colleagues, and making her experience at Ohio State more enjoyable. She was involved in AOSA, NOSA, Student Ambassadors for the College of Optometry and the Wexner Medical School Project Professionalism. She stated that volunteering with community outreach organizations and church groups, as well as participating in various social and athletic activities, remains important to her, in addition to continuing to spend quality time with her husband, Dameon, and their daughters, Avery and Brynn.
She enjoys her role on Ohio State’s Alumni Advisory Council. She explained, “The council serves in an advisory role to the president of the university and the Alumni Association board of directors. Our mission is to promote the general welfare and interests of the university. We act as a sounding board for the university and association leadership, providing ideas, suggestions, and feedback to further the alumni club and ensure the prosperity of future Buckeyes."
I was honored to be asked to join the Alumni Advisory Council by Dr. Karla Zadnik. Her invitation was a significant milestone for me, as it allowed me to give back to the university that had given me so much.
Dr. Bowen-Jones continued, “It’s been an eye-opening experience (no optometry pun intended), that it’s been interesting to hear the perspective of different colleges and understand what resources are available in the various colleges to all students, whether they are undergrad, graduate or professional students. They’ve also discussed the transition to the new president, Ted Carter, and what that means to each college. They develop thinking points and look at how they can collaborate to improve the university overall, the student experience and more specifically the college or area they represent.”
She has set ambitious goals. She said, “As part of this group, my goals are to serve as an advocate and ambassador for my respective unit and the university, ensuring that the voices of all alumni are heard and represented. With 31 representatives, each from different colleges or units across campus, we strive to foster a strong, supportive community for all Ohio State alumni.”
Professionally, Dr. Bowen-Jones recently transitioned from her positions at Divine Family Eyecare and Northwest Eye Surgeons. She wanted to focus on a different level of care and is excited to begin her new position at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. She will be working in the Primary Care Clinic at the college as well as Lutheran Social Services clinic where she will help optometry students provide comprehensive eye exams. She said that her goal is to keep learning and growing, both personally and professionally, while making a positive impact on her patients and community. She shared her motto, “Dream big, dream big enough that your dreams not only impact yourself but also the community that you will serve!” She is living it!
