In May 2024, the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham School of Optometry celebrated the first graduating class from its Advanced International Optometry Degree Program (AIODP). The AIODP offers non-U.S. trained optometrists the opportunity to earn a doctor of optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, according to the school’s website. Candidates can apply either with a doctorate degree in optometry/ophthalmology or with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in optometry from an accredited recognized international school/college of optometry and/or an international medical school.
Women In Optometry spoke with two inaugural graduates of the AIODP about how the experience helped them transition to a new step in their careers.
EMBRACING CAREER GROWTH WITH INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Shivali Sharma, OD, was drawn to the medical field, inspired by the legacy of her grandfather, an MD, and her father, who began his own journey in medicine as an MD before transitioning into eyecare, and then eventually business. She started working in the optical industry at age 16 in Toronto, where she was born and raised. Then she relocated to Birmingham, England, to earn her four-year bachelor’s degree in optometry at Aston University.
Dr. Sharma gained invaluable experience in both corporate and private practices across the UK. This exposure to different practice types, including the challenges and rewards of patient care, broadened her understanding of the profession. However, after spending several years practicing, Dr. Sharma found herself at a crossroads. While patient care was fulfilling, there were limitations to what she could offer in terms of diagnosing and treating diseases.
This sparked her desire for further growth, and she sought opportunities that would allow her to provide more comprehensive care. During her search, she stumbled upon the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) international optometry program. Dr. Sharma reached out to UAB and quickly found herself in communication with Gerald Simon, OD, a pioneer of the program. His enthusiastic guidance and the program’s promise of a streamlined transition into the U.S. optometry field inspired her to submit an application.
In May 2022, Dr. Sharma began her studies at UAB. The transition from the UK to the U.S. was challenging, but not for the reasons she expected. The academic curriculum, while different in some respects, was not as daunting as the cultural shift. Arriving in the South, Dr. Sharma initially felt nervous and out of place. However, with the support of her family, who visited from Toronto to help her acclimate, she began to feel more comfortable in her new surroundings. “It was a big shift,” Dr. Sharma admits, “but the faculty and the program made the transition smoother than I anticipated.”
UAB’s AIODP was exactly what Dr. Sharma needed. The faculty, from the admissions team to the professors, were consistently supportive, ensuring that every international student had the resources they needed to succeed. “It’s a great program; there are not many opportunities for students in my shoes to translate this type of craft and expand their field,” she says. “The faculty members are consistently there for support, and it’s so nice and empowering as a student at UAB and graduate now.”
Dr. Sharma is eager to begin the next chapter of her career. Her experience in primary care has shaped her professional goals. “I’ve always enjoyed working in primary care, you just never know what the next patient will bring,” Dr. Sharma shares. “I think it’s the element of mystery, and I’m excited to be on that journey in terms of my career.”
Dr. Sharma says that she’s thrilled to start her career with a renowned private practice. “I’m excited to learn and grow with such a dedicated team,” she said. Her long-term goal is to open her own private practice. Although Toronto will always hold a special place in her heart, Dr. Sharma feels her career in the U.S. is just beginning and she looks forward to seeing where it will lead. “The world is an open canvas,” she added. “I’m eager to paint this new chapter of my career.”
SMALL PROGRAM OFFERS CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY
While her goal was to eventually practice in the U.S., Shankari Jaitly Garcia, OD, chose to study and start her career close to her family who lives in the UK. Dr. Jaitly Garcia earned a Bachelor of Optometry with honors from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge in 2018 and a Master of Science in Clinical Optometry from Salus University in 2021.
Dr. Jaitly Garcia, who is originally from the Washington D.C. area, says that she found herself wanting to return to the U.S. sooner than she had expected. She found the UAB program as an opportunity to continue her career back in the U.S. “I reached out to UAB, and they were incredibly responsive,” she recalls. “Dr. Simon and the staff were so helpful throughout the process. It immediately felt like the right fit.”
In May 2022, Dr. Jaitly Garcia began the UAB program, joining its first cohort of international optometry graduates. The program’s emphasis on clinical experience was particularly valuable, helping her refine her skills in managing conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. “The clinical training at UAB gave me a strong foundation,” she explains. “The faculty were always available for guidance, and that personal attention made all the difference.”
The smaller size of the program fostered a strong sense of community, which helped Dr. Jaitly Garcia feel supported. “Everyone at UAB felt like family,” she says. “There was a real sense of connection, and the staff genuinely cared about our success.”
Dr. Jaitly Garcia is eager to practice in the New York metropolitan area, where she’s currently based. Her externships in Connecticut and New Jersey gave her exposure to a wide range of clinical cases. “I’m excited to apply everything I learned at UAB to help my patients in a diverse and dynamic environment,” she says.
Dr. Jaitly Garcia’s experience at UAB not only prepared her for the U.S. optometry field but also gave her the confidence to embrace new challenges. “I would highly recommend the program to any international graduate looking to transition to U.S. optometry.”
