Alumni Focus on Kelley Sedlock (OD'19)

DR. SEDLOCK'S STORY

Hometown

Northern Cambria, PA

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

I attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, the home of Mr. Rodgers, Rolling Rock and Arnold Palmer. My major was Biology.

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

OD'19

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

I was so incredibly lucky to have the professors and attendings I did at Ohio State. I could say something positive about every single one. I would have to highlight Drs. Aaron Zimmerman, Greg Nixon and Lisa Lex as having the most impact on my career.

DR. SEDLOCK'S CAREER IN OPTOMETRY

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

I currently work at Horizon Eye Care in Manahawkin, New Jersey. Our practice has multiple locations down the New Jersey shore. We are a small OD/MD private practice with our own surgery center.

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

Throughout my workday, I see as many as 35-40 patients. Some are primary care while others are medical visits, mostly walk-ins or same day emergency calls. I also see a good amount of post-operative care patients. I treat a lot of anterior segment disease as well as glaucoma, so I’ll have multiple follow-up visits throughout the day as well.

Which optometric issues concern you the most?

I practiced in Kentucky from 2019-2023; thus, I became proficient in expanded scope procedures and management such as SLTs, Yag capsulotomies, Yag iridotomies, chalazion removal, lid lesion removal/biopsy, suturing, etc. When I moved to New Jersey in 2023, I was no longer able to practice the way I was trained since graduating. Where I live should not change the way I practice and this is the issue I am currently advocating hard to change. Moving to New Jersey allowed me to join the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) and advocate for scope expansion in this state. The bill has been introduced to the Senate and I testified in favor of optometrists once already with more testimony planned as the bill continues to pass through the Senate Committees.

Why did you choose a career in optometry?

I chose a career in optometry after learning my late uncle was diagnosed with metastatic cancer through an eye exam. I knew there was more to optometry than just prescribing glasses and I wanted to be a doctor that could save lives through eye exams. Which is coincidentally how I became interested in ocular disease and pursued my residency as such.

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

Over the next five years, I hope to see more states pass expanded scope laws for optometrists. From my graduation year of 2019 to present day in 2024, the number of states allowing expanded scope more than doubled; I hope to see that trend continue. Who knows, in five years I may not be practicing in New Jersey anymore. However, while I’m here I hope to be a powerful voice and a positive influence on fighting for New Jersey optometrists to practice to our fullest potential.

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

I would advise them to very strongly consider a residency in a specialty they have interest in. Residency doesn’t pay as much as a job after graduation, but the experience you gain is invaluable and helps to further your career. I wouldn’t have the career I have today without my residency experience, nor would I have the friends/colleagues I gained. Especially in private practices with optometrists and ophthalmologists, they are more inclined to hire someone who’s residency trained, and you are more qualified to make negotiations based on the extent of your training.

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

To me, eye care is teamwork. There are so many aspects that go into a routine eye exam and thus many specialties within the scope of optometry. I have a group of four friends that I graduated with; we often discuss cases and ask for opinions because we all have different interests within the field. In my opinion, you can be a stronger doctor by surrounding yourself with the right people and not being afraid to ask for help from other specialties.

DR. SEDLOCK'S OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE

What were your most memorable moments at Ohio State?

I’m not biased but the Class of 2019 was superior; I graduated with the nicest, most genuine, smartest people I’ve ever met. The best memories were those of us getting together as a class - whether it be at the EYE house tailgates or Bar Vergences - we always had a good time all together.

Why did you choose Ohio State?

I know it sounds cliche but as soon as I stepped foot onto campus, Ohio State felt like home. Obviously, Ohio State is a massive school. Up until that point, I had attended very small schools in comparison; my high school had a graduating class of about 90 kids and then college was about 350. Ohio State was like getting the best of both worlds - a small optometry class while enjoying being a part of a much bigger school overall. I chose Ohio State because I felt they were the best fit to help me achieve my dreams.

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

Ohio State will always hold a special place in my heart. I am so proud to tell people I attended the college of optometry there because of its incredible reputation. Since I grew up in Pennsylvania and now work in New Jersey, all the optometrists I meet went to Salus. I feel Ohio State sets me apart, and I feel truly blessed to have my degree from there.

DR. SEDLOCK'S FUN FACTS

What are your current hobbies, volunteer work and interests?

My hobbies include reading novels and golfing. I also love traveling; weekend getaways are my specialty. I volunteer my time with the NJSOP as mentioned above for expanded scope advocacy.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

Behind James Cameron, I know the most about the Titanic.

If not an optometrist, I would be …

I always wanted to be a journalist in high school, then I started out as a marketing major in college. Now, if I weren’t an optometrist, I’d be a pilot.