Iva Hoxha, OD, spoke no English when she first came to this country. She was just 16 when her family immigrated from Albania and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her classmates affectionately called her “dictionary girl,” as she carried a dictionary everywhere, looking up words and underlining them as she learned the language. It was a nickname that reflected her determination, not only to learn the language but to thrive in her new life.
She attended Clark University on a full scholarship. Dr. Hoxha shares, “I worked hard, but having the right support and mentorship helped me achieve what I have today.” And that dedication to studying, reflected by her very well-used dictionary, helped her, as did her determination to reward her parents’ sacrifices to come to the U.S. for better opportunities for their children.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Hoxha attended the New England College of Optometry and did her residency in ocular disease at the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center. She now works at Atrius Health, a nonprofit health care organization that focuses on comprehensive patient care, where she sees patients with complex conditions and co-morbidities.
WALKING, THEN RUNNING
During her residency, Dr. Hoxha’s running journey began with baby steps—literally. She would walk to the clinic, preferring the 40-minute walk over driving. “At first, I could barely run a mile, but over time, I got better. I went from running a mile in 15 minutes to 10, then 8 minutes. I’m not the fastest runner, but it became something that meant a lot to me.”
Dr. Hoxha explains how running helped her unwind after a long day of clinic. “It became a way to clear my mind and reconnect with myself. By keeping up with it, it became my favorite part of the day. Running helps me destress and boosts my productivity. It’s almost like meditation.”
GOAL: BOSTON MARATHON
Today, Dr. Hoxha is training for one of the most prestigious events in the running world—the Boston Marathon—and she has set a goal to raise $10,000 for the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital.
Her passion for running has grown over the past two years. She’s completed three half marathons, with the most recent one right after Halloween this year. She set her sights on running the full Boston Marathon next year not just to challenge herself but also to raise funds for groundbreaking research at Mass Eye and Ear Hospital, a cause close to her heart as an eye care provider.
“This is not only the biggest challenge I’ve taken–even harder than learning English-but it’s an opportunity to give back to my patients and eye care community. This is a way to bring my three passions together: patient care, the profession of optometry and fundraising for a better future in eye care,” she explains. “Mass Eye and Ear is doing such important work in vision research, and I want to do my part to support that. I run for all my visually impaired patients, striving to raise awareness and support for their vision needs every step of the way.”
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Running is more than just a way to stay in shape, says Dr. Hoxha. It’s an important form of self-care. “We often neglect how important it is to take care of ourselves, not just others,” she says. “Running doesn’t take much time, and it’s so manageable with my schedule. It’s a way to stay disciplined, which spills over into other areas of my life.”
Training for the Boston Marathon will require even more dedication. Dr. Hoxha plans to start her 20-week training program now that she’s finished her third half marathon. She’ll fit runs into her busy full-time patient care schedule. “It’s going to take some more training, I’m nervous but even more excited,” she says. “I’ve had to make mindful choices—like giving up my glass of red wine—to better my running and improve myself as a whole.”
Dr. Hoxha’s commitment to running mirrors her dedication to her patients. “I see patients every day, and that’s my life – it makes me happy. Eye health is so important,” she explains. “Coming from Albania, I’ve seen how people don’t always prioritize their eye health. I’ve watched family members ignore simple cataract problems, thinking it’s just old age. I decided to dedicate my career to helping people take care of their eyes.”
As she prepares for the marathon, she’s grateful for the opportunity to give back through her fundraising efforts. “I have a long way to go, and it can feel daunting, but I know I can do it. It’s the longest distance I’ll run and the most money I’ll raise—but it feels like the right thing to do.”
She encourages others to find something that brings them joy the way running does for her.
“Women are a powerful force, and we can achieve great things when we work together and support one another. I encourage everyone to find a new passion and stick with it. I’ll be their biggest fan”
