Jackie Nguyen
Every optometrist I’ve met, shadowed, and worked for all have one thing in common – they loved what they did. Choosing optometry was easy, but the journey toward becoming an optometrist has been anything but. I come from a family full of doctors – my brother is a gastroenterologist, my sister-in-law is an anesthesiologist, and my sister & soon-to-be brother-in-law are both pharmacists; I put a lot of pressure on myself to be good at what I do.
Since college, I’ve found the gym to be my safe place, my therapy, and the one place I feel the most relaxed, confident, & myself. Exercise is one of the very few things that has helped me through this COVID-19 pandemic, the stress of optometry school, and my bad mental health days. I challenge myself in the gym, mentally and physically, in hopes of it translating into my everyday life!
I’m an avid believer in balance and carving out time for yourself. I used to believe that if I didn’t put every ounce of myself into my studies and career, I wasn’t going to become a good doctor. In reality, I’m able to get through grad school because I take the time to do the things I love!
”#withoutthewhitecoat I am a daughter, sister, fitness enthusiast, coffee addict, foodie, and a learner who is smiling through it all!
Jackie Nguyen
OD | Class of 2022
Illinois College of Optometry
