Sheila Lam and Mandy Huynh
Colourful Asian lion dancing and vibrant drumming mesmerised more than 100 people at the recent launch of Eye Definition Optometry in Sydney’s multicultural suburb of Wolli Creek.
The traditional ceremonial dance symbolizes and encourages good luck, abundance, and prosperity. Boisterous clanging, which accompanies the dancing lions, is believed to drive away bad luck and evil spirits.
We wanted to go through the journey of starting a practice from the ground up
Following the dancing, people were invited to tour the greenfield practice where they met the team and received practice-branded fortune cookies and sweets.
Eye Definition Optometry is the venture of Sheila Lam and Mandy Huynh. Ms Lam graduated from UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science in 2019.
Having previously worked in both independent and corporate clinics, she has developed a keen interest in myopia control and management of ocular disease.
Ms Huynh, who also graduated from UNSW in the same year, is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority credentialed optometrist, which enables her to conduct vision assessments on pilots to ensure they meet the required vision standards.
Along with performing comprehensive eye assessments, Ms Lam said their new practice has special interests in myopia management, ocular disease, contact lenses and advanced contact lens fitting for diseases such as keratoconus and orthokeratology, as well as children’s vision, vision training and collaborative care with ophthalmologists.
Drawing On Experience
Owning an independent practice has been a long-held ambition for the colleagues.
“Both Mandy and I wanted to open an independent practice because we wanted to focus on comprehensive eye care and providing patient-centred care,” Ms Lam explained. “We both believed that opening an independent practice would allow us the freedom to best assist patients with their visual requirements. We would also have the flexibility to provide services and products to cater for individual needs without making compromises.”
Ms Lam acknowledged the external support and expertise received from ProVision.
“We began in the ProVision Associate Program and received mentoring support from ProVision Business Coach, Kelvin Bartholomeusz. He provided us with the information we needed to start our own practice. We knew we wanted to go greenfield. We wanted to go through the journey of starting a practice from the ground up, whilst being supported by the distinct advantages that only a network like ProVision can offer.”
To access continued coaching on all aspects of the business, as well as the benefits of buying power, the pair decided to join ProVision’s Comprehensive Member program.
“We are really happy to be finding fulfilment in our careers through independent practice ownership and are excited about delivering premium quality eye care and visual solutions to the Wolli Creek Community long into the future,” Ms Lam said.
