Jade Coats, OD, FAAO, of McDonald Eye Associates in Rogers, Arkansas, knows that in the fast-paced world of health care, where compassion, precision and time pressures collide, the value of a work-life balance is crucial. Still, the idea of a balanced life can seem like a distant dream. But for Dr. Coats, an optometrist at McDonald Eye Associates in Rogers, Arkansas, work-life balance isn’t just a goal—it’s a core value shaped by both professional experience and personal challenge.
Dr. Coats, who has spent nearly a decade in practice, understands the emotional investment that comes with patient care.
“Every day that we show up, we strive to try our hardest delivering the best patient care,” she says. That commitment, however, doesn’t end when the last patient leaves the clinic. For many health care providers, the emotional weight of the job lingers well beyond working hours. “It has taken me time to learn how I value my work-life balance.”
FINDING YOUR UNIQUE BALANCE
Dr. Coats is quick to acknowledge that balance looks different for everyone, but for her, it means ensuring that her career supports—rather than overshadows—her health, happiness and relationships.
Unlike a strict 50/50 division of time between work and life, Dr. Coats frames balance as alignment: making daily choices that reflect her values. That could mean bringing her full presence to the exam room but also having enough energy at the end of the day for personal passions.
“It’s not just about clocking in and out. It’s about being intentional with how I allocate my time and energy,” she says.
HEALTH SCARE REFOCUSES PRIORITIES
That intentionality deepened in 2018, when she was diagnosed with a chondrosarcoma tumor in her tibia bone—a rare and life-altering moment that changed everything. Facing the possibility of losing mobility, Dr. Coats had to confront life’s fragility and re-evaluate what truly mattered.
“It forced me to evaluate what matters and understand that we are not promised tomorrow,” she says.
For Dr. Coats, she discovered that what brings her joy is travel, which she describes as essential to her fulfillment.
“Being able to come back [refreshed] helps me be a better doctor because it helps me maintain my physical and mental health,” she says.
THE SMALL, EVERYDAY CHOICES
Of course, work-life balance isn’t all about vacations and big-picture revelations. It’s also found in the small choices we make every day. Dr. Coats stresses the importance of setting professional boundaries: limiting after-hours work, resisting the urge to check emails late at night and building in breaks to avoid burnout. Still, she admits it’s not always easy.
“Sustaining my passion for optometry never ends. It’s a 24-hour job, even when I sleep,” she laughs.
But within that reality, she’s found ways to create boundaries that preserve her mental health and nurture her relationships. Dr. Coats also highlights the importance of mutual understanding with her husband—also an optometrist and private practice owner.
“Our definitions of balance are different, and we’ve tailored our careers to reflect that,” she says.
She admits she’s still working on improving self-care during the workday. While she admires colleagues who sneak in lunchtime workouts, she often finds herself too focused on patient care. Still, the inspiration is there, and she believes that seeing patients—especially those regaining vision after cataract surgery—provides a constant reminder not to take health for granted.
“I hear patients say they wish they had prioritized their vision and health sooner,” she says. “They’re not wrong. It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, and it continues to guide how I live now.”
LIVE FULLY, CARE DEEPLY
For Dr. Coats, success isn’t measured in patient volume or financial gain, but in the ability to live fully and care deeply—both in and outside of the clinic. “You can’t die with your money,” she says. “But you absolutely can die with happiness.”
By choosing to lead with empathy, prioritize joy, and advocate for sustainable practices in her career, Dr. Coats is setting an example for others in healthcare—and beyond. As she puts it, “Give yourself permission to prioritize yourself.”
To hear more from Dr. Coats, listen to our podcast episode about work-life balance here.
