Part 3: Where Are They Now? Featuring Dr. Erick Henderson
written by Jannah Said
ASCO intern
At AOA’s Optometry’s Meeting ® ️ 2017 in Washington, D.C., ASCO asked 14 current and former optometry students the golden question: Why Did You Choose the Field of Optometry?
The question was met with 14 unique perspectives and personal testaments to the factors that make optometry the wonderful profession it is. Watching the video now 7 years later as a pre-optometry student and soon-to-be applicant, the collective passion stemming from different experiences and backgrounds kindled my own excitement. I sought out the original interviewees to learn their updated stories.
In the Where Are They Now? series, I aim to take away a key lesson from the stories shared with ASCO spanning more than 7 years. By connecting the past and present, I hope to compile a master list answering an essential question: Why Do We Love Optometry?
Where Are They Now Part 3: Dr. Erick Henderson on Flexibility
Seven years after he told ASCO why he chose optometry, I had the chance to ask Dr. Erick Henderson where he is now. Dr. Henderson was first introduced to the field due to the positive impact of his own childhood optometrist. “He enjoyed his life so much,” said Dr. Henderson in the interview.
In 2024, Dr. Henderson also enjoys the personalized schedule and work-life balance that optometry provides him. In our interview, we chatted about his work experience over the past several years, as well as the summer sabbatical he has recently taken as he and his wife prepare for a baby. “We didn’t have any children in 2017,” Dr. Henderson laughed. “Now, we’re expecting our second child on the way.”
The key lesson I took away from hearing Dr. Henderson’s personal story was the freedom that optometry offers and the flexibility to live life to its fullest.
“The most rewarding thing is the flexibility to be able to live life how you want to, and being able to enjoy all the different moments that present themselves.”
“Optometry is really great because you can enjoy your job and go to it excited everyday, but when you’re not at work, it allows you the opportunity to have a family, have fun. If you want to work a lot, you can, and if not, you don’t have to. I have a choice in how I live my life.”
An average day in his life involves experimenting with fun household renovation projects and spending quality time with his family. He recently put up new wallpaper in his daughter’s room and successfully mounted shelves.
In October Dr. Henderson will be starting a new job in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. He’s looking forward to the commute and plans to try to learn Spanish over the course of his daily drives.
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Part 1 Where Are They Now? Dr. Christopher Lopez
Part 2: Where Are They Now? Dr. A. Philip Aitsebaomo
