In her third-grade classroom, young Stephanie Thai-Fernandez, OD, wrote on her “About Me” worksheet that when she grew up, she wanted to be an eye doctor. She knew her path long before optometry school, shaped by an immigrant grandmother who encouraged her to open her wings and fly far.
Growing up, Dr. Thai-Fernandez imagined several ways she might practice optometry. At one point she pictured herself owning a practice; at another she saw herself working in pediatrics and special-needs care. Even as her ambitions changed, running a clinic remained part of the picture. These clinical interests were honed through hands-on experiences—high school after-school programs and college work with the Huber Learning Community at James Madison University, a program for students interested in a career in the health care field. Those early exposures shaped her clinical style and what she looks for in a clinic.
CHOOSING NATIONAL VISION
Dr. Thai-Fernandez first heard about National Vision during optometry school. “Commercial versus private practice is a conversation always thrown around in school,” she says. After graduating from Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2021, she started job searching and found a position affiliated with America’s Best. “It was the right choice then, and it still is,” she says.
At America’s Best in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, Dr. Thai-Fernandez is the primary doctor and works with a supportive team: Cliff, her general manager; Cindy, assistant manager; Alejandro, a technician; and several sales associates.
She says the structure at America’s Best allows her to focus on patient care without the admin or logistics that come with ownership. “Private practice just doesn’t fit my lifestyle, especially as a first-time mom,” she says. “I’m fortunate to have the flexibility to do what I love while balancing life outside of work.”
SUPPORT FOR WORKING MOMS
Settling into motherhood has been smoother thanks to accommodations from her local team and the broader National Vision organization, Dr. Thai-Fernandez says. “Whether my son wakes up with a fever or his daycare calls to pick him up because he’s not feeling well or if I just need a vacation, I can take time away without worrying whether I’m abandoning my patients or scrambling to find coverage,” she says.
Another major comfort as a new mom has been the practical support to pump at work. “It was one of my biggest anxieties about returning to work from maternity leave, but the team has been a huge help,” she says. After a quick text to her area doctor about her concern, time blocks were added to her schedule for regular pumping breaks. “I’ve read countless stories about women who don’t have the same experience, so it’s something I don’t take for granted,” Dr. Thai-Fernandez says. The support has been a real relief during what can be a stressful time for clinicians juggling patient care and infant care, she says.
In addition to National Vision’s accommodations, she says that her husband, Jake, has been an indispensable anchor through every professional transition—from optometry school and early career shifts to the exacting demands of parenthood.
AN AMBASSADOR ROLE
Beyond the exam room, Dr. Thai-Fernandez embraces opportunities to represent National Vision and educate those in or entering the profession. As a National Vision ambassador, she creates content for other optometrists, including a “Day in the life of an OD” video that follows her from morning routine through the workday, a blog post about what she enjoys at work and an upcoming holiday blog about toys and eye safety.
“These resources are geared toward both optometrists and future optometrists,” she says. “I enjoy writing the blogs, and the video turned into a fun project for the whole office.” This role allows her to promote National Vision’s practice model while sharing practical advice as a passionate OD about career choices, work‑life balance and patient care.
BUILT FOR QUALITY AND CARE
Dr. Thai-Fernandez highlights workplace conditions that matter to both clinicians and patients. “I’ve worked at multiple America’s Best clinics, and they have all been clean and safe spaces,” she says. These factors gave her a sense of security when returning to practice during the pandemic and after becoming a mom.
The combination of her supportive team, scheduling flexibility and premium operational resources has allowed Dr. Thai-Fernandez to focus on her favorite part of practice: the people. “America’s Best and the National Vision Doctor of Optometry network give me a platform to pursue my career goals the way I want without giving up what I need off the clock,” she says. For Dr. Thai-Fernandez, that balance keeps her dream alive while fitting the demands of a family and busy clinical life.
