Dawn Kamin-Butler, OD, always wanted a career where she could help people. Inspired by her mother, who was a nurse, she considered the medical field until a high school course in vision science shifted her direction.
“I loved that nursing was all about helping people,” she says. “But when I learned about how eyes work, I realized optometry was a great way to make a positive impact. I love helping folks see—sometimes for the first time in years. It changes their world.”
After graduating from Southern College of Optometry in 1994, she spent 25 years in private practice. “I did it all—frame repairs, billing, checking in patients,” she says. But she started to feel the pull to focus more on patient care and less on business management.
That’s when a friend told her about the National Vision Doctor of Optometry network. “They said, ‘I know you’re looking for a change. National Vision’s core values are totally in line with who you are as an OD.’ And they were right,” she says. “The motto—‘See your best to live your best life’—is exactly what I believe in.”
A SUPPORTIVE, TECH-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT
Dr. Kamin-Butler now practices at Nashville Regional Eye Care, P.C., an independent practice with offices next to America’s Best, focusing fully on clinical care. “I don’t have to worry about staffing or billing,” she says. “I just get to do what I do best.”
She appreciates the support she receives if she needs time away. “If I want to take a vacation or need time off, they do the heavy lifting to find coverage,” she says. “That kind of support is rare.”
Her daughter, who recently had a baby, reminds her of that often. “She says, ‘Mom, you’re so lucky you have a job with balance.’ And I agree—I’m so grateful.”
She also participates in the network’s remote care model. “If my office is slow, I can log in and support other locations throughout Tennessee,” she says. “And I can have a remote doctor support me, too.” Plus, the techs at her location are cross trained, and her office is equipped with the latest equipment, including touchscreen autorefractors and retinal and anterior segment imaging.
“The techs can handle most of what goes on in the office,” she says. “We’re all working toward the same goal—a happy patient. My husband calls it ‘the dance’—everyone doing their part to make sure things flow smoothly. We have that dance perfected.”
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MENTOR AND GROW
Dr. Kamin-Butler also values being able to spend time educating patients. “I don’t have to rush patients out. If they have questions about cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, I can take the time to answer them,” she says. She can also refer to local medical practices when needed. “We’ve built a relationship with a local ophthalmology office. The handoff is seamless, and it allows us to better care for our patients.”
As she’s continued to grow her patient base and practice, she was recently named an Ambassador for the network. “I’ve helped onboard other doctors and talk to them about the tools and support that are available. I want them to have the best experience possible, and this role allows me to share my great experiences with doctors outside of the network, too,” she says.
She also meets with other Ambassadors and Area Doctors in her practice and across the network to share feedback and ideas. “We talk about what’s working and what we could improve. It’s nice to feel heard and know that our practices are always looking to grow for everyone’s benefit, doctors and patients included.”
