Occupation: Optometric Physician (Optometrist), Magruder Laser Vision

What I do: I provide eyecare.

How I got started: I have wanted to be a doctor since I was a child. I had terrible eyesight growing up, so I visited the optometrist two times a year. I noticed that the staff was always happy and upbeat. When I was 21, I decided to go to UCF for premed. In 2014 I was accepted into optometry school in Ft Lauderdale, Florida so I moved down south for four years. I started practicing in 2018 in primary eye care and now I focus on refractive cataract surgery and LASIK.

I’m passionate about oral surgery because: I love interacting with people, teaching them about their eyes and of course providing brilliant, crisp vision!

My biggest accomplishments so far: Professionally, I was voted ‘Best of the Best’ Optometrist in both 2023 and 2024 in Lake and Sumter Counties.

When I’m not working on improving peoples’ vision: I love my Peloton, and I enjoy going to Disney with my two small children: Audrey, 5 and Everett, 1.

My first job: I was a bagger and cashier at Publix.

My local mentor: Pastor Justin Miller of Real Life Christian Church. It’s easy to learn more about Christianity and God and strengthen your faith in Jesus through him. He makes it so easy to have a relationship with God.

The best advice I’ve received: “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

Fun fact: I am a huge Outlander fan. Also, I first met my husband, Michael Walsh, when I was 2 years old, and he was 3.  We went to school together, so we’ve known each other forever, then finally, when he was in college and I had to take some time off for financial purposes, I ended up asking him if he wanted to go out to lunch and he said yes. He’s a pharmacist in an emergency room.

If I had a million dollars to give away: The Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation. I had both my babies there and I feel drawn towards them and all the good they did for our family and so many others.

Life after 40: I will continue to serve and glorify God. I will continue to raise my sweet family and be present in the lives of my loved ones. I will also continue to grow professionally. Once you become an optometrist, there’s an academy you can enter to work towards a fellowship, which is what I am doing. The whole thought is that if you become a fellow, you’re working toward the promise to always remain academic; never stop learning… and I think I will expand my shoe collection while I’m at it.