Poonam Bhavsar - National Board Spotlight

What are you doing today and how did joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. prepare you?

I'm a fourth optometry student, anticipating my doctorate in May 2021. As an intern, I rotate through optometry and ophthalmology sites that specialize in different fields to get the best well-rounded education and experience.

During my eight years in Kappa Phi Gamma -five of which I've been on the National Board- I learned a lot that helps me in every day life and allows me to better myself. Because of all my experiences within the Sorority, I am more comfortable asking for help, communicating effective and efficiently with people who have different personalities, and conflict resolution that takes all perspectives into consideration.

What is your favorite part of your career?

The eyes are truly one of the most fascinating organs in the human body. I've learned so much about them in school and continue to discover more through independent studying. These tiny organs contain a universe of information to keep me interested for a lifetime. Similarly, optometry itself has many diverse fields ranging from pediatrics to contact lens, brain vision rehab to oculoplastics, ocular disease to pre-op/post-op care, and many more. There are so many ways to specialize in this career that I can have fun while taking care of my patients. There is so much to learn, but it has no function if I can't apply it. Listening to my patients and working with them to ensure they have healthy eyes and lives is the most gratifying part of my career.

What are some community engagement/volunteer services you have partaken with after undergrad?

I became a part of the Executive Team of Student Volunteering Optometric Services at the New England College of Optometry. During my third year, I led the organization as its President. S-VOSH NECO provides eye care locally through screenings, edges lenses to make glasses, and raises over $20,000 a year to provide care to those in need in Guerra, Dominican Republic. We work with a local organization and serve patients by providing eye exams, prescription glasses, medications. It was a humbling experience as we faced unfamiliar situations – performing exams in Spanish, communicating with deaf patients, and encountering eye conditions/diseases not as common in the US. As a team, we developed greater respect and gratitude for our patients, preceptors, and profession.

What were your biggest challenges and struggles?

When I started optometry school, I made new friends, got involved with school organizations, explored the city, and started a part time job while keeping up with studying. At this point of my life, I was already comfortable balancing most aspects of my life. However, three weeks into the semester, my aunt passed away from cancer. I had no idea how to cope while being far away from my family. There were weeks I couldn't get out of bed to go to class, make dinner, meet friends. I lost more loved ones during the next year, leading to my leave of absence. During my time off, I discovered how to reconnect with reality by taking care of myself, physically and emotionally. It was my biggest challenge, but eventually became my biggest strength. I thank my family/friends for being there

for me.

What is your work/life balance?

Clearly, I fill my schedule with a lot, so I always make time to take care of myself. There are days where I'm in clinic for 10 hours followed by a night of studying, research, KPhiG tasks, and household work - it can be physically and mentally exhausting. To have energy, I make sure to eat healthy meals and work out before clinic. I also make the most of my time by listening to lectures on my drive to clinic and then putting on audiobooks or calling a friend on my drive back. It's important to take time for myself and do the things I enjoy after interacting with so many people, or else I'll be too drained to do anything else. I used to live by lists and schedules, but I find myself producing more quality results only when I'm in the mood to work on a project - so I only do what I like now.

What advice do you have for women that are attempting to follow your career path?

Optometry is a female dominated career, yet it seems that our male counterparts unknowingly have an advantage as it's easy for professors to become more familiar with the small group of them. Women have to work harder at making themselves known and still may have reservations when it comes to asking for help and advice. I advise women to make connections with professors and upper years early on while encouraging them to share their resources to uplift and empower their female classmates. You can be strong and compassionate at the same time. I also ask any woman entering optometry to actively fight for more diversity and inclusion in our career. The career has too long been led by people of the same demographics and progress will only come from diverse leadership.

What do you perceive are the benefits of joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.?

The biggest advantage of joining Greek Life in general is meeting people who have common goals/interests and sharing ideas on how to turn our visions into initiatives. Through collaboration, you make lifelong friends who will be there for you. Since Kappa Phi Gamma is a close-knit organization, I've met sisters from almost every Chapters/Charter across the nation and now have someone to visit no matter where I travel. Creating relationships with people from other organizations is also something I cherish. At conferences such as NAPA Annual Meeting, I've made friends who I consider my own brothers and sisters. They supported me throughout my time as National President, in optometry school, and through other matters of life.

How do you measure your success?

As a doctor, success is being competent, having empathy, and effectively communicating how can best manage their health. By continuously educating myself, I can integrate new research with current practices and personal experiences to best manage my patients. As a Soror, my goal is to create a sisterhood that serves as an environment for positive growth and development for oneself and the community. As a person, I love making people smile and laugh so if I can manage to do that every day, then that's enough. I don't let anyone else's definition of success define me -I know what my contributions and achievements are and I'll continue working toward helping others and doing what makes me happy.

Do you have a website/social media you'd like us to promote?

My personal Instagram is @poonamkbhavsar and I post about books I read on my IG page @winniethepoonam