Spotlight on OD
An interview with Tracy Williams, OD
Since 1986, Dr. Williams has served as the Executive Director of the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation in Illinois; a nationally accredited not-for-profit agency that provides low vision rehabilitation. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at Loyola University and Chairman of the American Optometric Associations Low Vision Rehabilitation Section Executive Committee.
Dr. Williams is a Board Member and Vice Chairman of the National Accreditation Council (NAC) for agencies serving the visually impaired and blind. He is also a member of Joint commission of Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) Low Vision Task Force as well as having an appointment with the National Eye Institute/ National Eye Health Educational Program and is Co-Chair of the Low Vision Committee.
Dr. Williams is a frequent national and international lecturer in the field of Low Vision Rehabilitation and also participates in annual mission trips to third world countries. He is well known for his comprehensive “Head, Heart and Eyes” approach to low vision rehabilitation with his efforts to “lift human spirits” and advance independence for people with vision loss.
We were grateful to have Dr. Williams agree to be our first SPOTLIGHT interview
1. Dr. Williams, what are the three most important factors to your success?
Good mentors, a multidisciplinary approach to low vision rehabilitation.
Constant growth as a humble servant.
2. What marketing advice can you give other professionals?
To attract consumers you need get out there and talk to groups.
To attract referrals from other professionals you need to visit other doctors, follow-up with correspondence often.
3. Why did you go into low vision rehabilitation?
I realized at an early point in my professional career that low vision rehabilitation was an important “treatment modality,” just as eye surgery or drug eye therapy, that greatly impacted the lives of people with vision loss. I caught the “fever” to do this work and sought out the best possible teachers and was lucky to have Eleanor Faye, M.D., Gerald Fishman, M.D. and Alfred Rosenbloom, O.D., as my mentors. After nearly thirty years of practice, I can honestly say that I still have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for this specialty work. I have been fortunate to experience many success stories, have made many life long friends along this journey, been often emotionally touched and had lots of satisfaction. Low vision rehabilitation has provided a lot of adventure, many opportunities and a life truly enriched.
4. Do you practice low vision rehabilitation on a full-time or part-time basis?
I have been a full-time low vision practitioner from the start. I find that my primary eye care skills remain sharp as a low vision practitioner as well.
If you would like to suggest a low vision professional to be featured in SPOTLIGHT please email us at info@LowVision.com
