The partnership between Jennifer Chinn, OD, and her father, Stephen Chinn, OD, exemplifies the unique blend of power and a shared passion.
After earning her degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry in 2015, Dr. Jenn Chinn explored diverse practice modes, unsure of her path. “My dad said, ‘I’m waiting for you if you want it,’ but I wasn’t sure if I was cut out for private practice,” she says. “I dipped my toes in group practice, multiple medical offices and corporate.” Eventually, she realized that, for the level of care she wanted to provide, private practice was the right fit for her. She joined her father’s practice three years after graduation and purchased the practice in August 2024.
Today, the father-daughter duo practice together at Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care in San Diego, California. Dr. Jenn Chinn describes her father an as immediate mentor, someone who has witnessed the evolution of the field. “He’s seen all the changes in optometry over the years, and I’m lucky to say I’ve learned so much from him,” she says.
While they try to keep work discussions in the office, some conversations naturally carry over into family time. “Sometimes we’ll be at dinner, and I’ll catch myself asking him about a new technique or patient case,” Dr. Jenn Chinn says. “But it’s nice to know that we both have the best interests of our patients at heart.”
The practice is truly a family affair. Dr. Jenn Chinn’s mother also occasionally contributing as a consultant and practice manager. “It’s very much a family practice,” Dr. Jenn Chinn says. Together, they work on elevating the patient experience and honing their skills as clinicians.
Read more stories about multi-generational ODs below.
