Meet Jennifer Verrett, Class of 2021
“I'm pretty highly nearsighted, so I had to get glasses,” said Verrett. It was during these visits that the seed of becoming an optometrist was planted. “I ended up seeing my optometrist a lot during my elementary school days, learning a lot about how optometrists help to improve their patients’ lives,” said Verrett.
Verrett says she has always had a desire to pursue a career in health care, and after taking the opportunity to shadow an optometrist in high school, she officially made the choice to pursue optometry – feeling that the profession would offer a nice balance between home and work life. After completing three years of her undergraduate degree at the University of Regina, Verrett was accepted to Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science, with the goal to study and practice in Canada.
Now, four years later, Verrett is ready to enter the profession after receiving her Doctor of Optometry. As Verrett reflects on her time at Waterloo, she says ultimately what she is most grateful for is the life-long friendships she’s made with her classmates. “My classmates have made my experience at Waterloo the best it could possibly be,” said Verrett. “I think I can base a lot of my success on their support, and I am so grateful to know they’ll always be there for me throughout my career.”
In
addition
to
being
a
strong
student,
Verrett
was
an
active
volunteer
within
the
program,
serving
as
a
student
liaison
for
the
College
of
Optometrists
in
Vision
Development
and
welcoming
new
students
to
the
program
during
Orientation
week.
Verrett
also
participated
in
an
optometry
mission
trip
with
Volunteer
Optometric
Services
to
Humanity
(VOSH)
in
2019,
travelling
to
Senegal
to
set
up
clinics
and
provide
eyecare
to
underserved
communities.
During
this
trip,
Verrett
provided
eye
exams
to
many
people
who
had
never
had
the
opportunity
to
experience
an
eye
exam
before
–
an
experience
Verrett
says
only
reaffirmed
her
passion
for
helping
people
through
the
profession.
When asked to share any words of wisdom with new students, Verrett says she hopes students don’t get too overwhelmed by all the textbook material, and instead take the time to focus on how they can deliver exceptional patient care. “In my fourth year, it really clicked for me that we don't have to know absolutely everything. Optometrists engage in lifelong learning throughout their career, and we’ll have many opportunities to engage in new learning and research,” said Verrett. “I think where I really grew during my time at Waterloo was to learn how to become a good clinician.”
While board exams have been delayed due to COVID-19, Verrett is looking forward to launching her career at Olds Eyecare Clinic in Olds, Alberta – the clinic where Verrett completed her first clerkship rotation.
“During my clerkship, I really fell in love with the town,” said Verrett. “Starting my career in a small town where we don’t have immediate access to ophthalmologists, I know I will have an important role to play in treating and managing disease for many of my patients.”
Congratulations Jennifer!