Rachael Wruble, OD, an accomplished optometrist based in Belmont, North Carolina, took on significant leadership roles early in her career. After graduating from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2009, she quickly stepped into prominent positions within the North Carolina Optometric Society. “I always wanted to be involved in leadership, and it just started way faster than I expected,” she says.
Dr. Wruble’s leadership journey began unexpectedly at a local district meeting in Charlotte, where she was nominated for a board position. “I thought, ‘Okay, this could be a good way to start to get to know people,” she says. This initial step led to an 11-year commitment, culminating in her presidency in 2020. Over a decade later, she says that her engagement in these organizations is what truly fulfills her. “It’s what makes me want to go get my computer, put the kids to bed, and really dive into how I can help,” she says.
CHALLENGES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Dr. Wruble’s presidency coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was an interesting year,” she says. “We had to pivot and figure out what is the best way to really have a successful organization in our state.”
Despite the difficulties, she embraced the learning curve. “I don’t think I would change my timeline looking back now,” she says. Her experiences during this tumultuous time not only shaped her leadership skills but reinforced her commitment to her community.
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
Dr. Wruble understands the importance of building relationships through her leadership roles. “My involvement in the organization started out as a networking opportunity,” she says. “I wanted to meet other local optometrists. I wanted to know who could help me, who I could refer to and who was in what practice.”
Her involvement in her optometric community has benefited her own practice, too. She has connected with other professionals while attending state and national meetings, fostering a sense of community beyond her local North Carolina network.
MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION
Dr. Wruble is passionate about mentoring young optometrists, particularly women, and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the field. “There’s a large need for optometrists, so I felt that it’s important to really focus on how everyone can be included,” she says.
During her presidency, Dr. Wruble recognized the need for inclusivity within the North Carolina Optometric Society. She established new committees to address the diverse subsets of doctors in the state, including a diversity and inclusion committee. “I look at the executive board now and I see diversity, and it’s wonderful,” she says.
THE BELMONT BUBBLE
Dr. Wruble’s practice, Belmont Eye, which she co-owns with her husband, reflects her dedication to community care. She has fond memories of visiting her local mom-and-pop dentist and optometrist during her childhood, and she was determined to bring that same sense of comfort to her practice. “We live less than half a mile from the office, and our kid’s daycare is in between the practice and our home. So, we live in a Belmont bubble, and we absolutely love it,” she says.
The practice focuses on dry eye, specialty lenses and pediatric care. “I have a wonderful patient base that is a bit more seasoned and have more eye issues. So, I’m able to take care of them,” she says. “I’ve built relationships with my patients because I see them every month, every three months. So, it truly becomes family within the practice.”
BALANCING FAMILY AND CAREER
Dr. Wruble has successfully balanced her professional responsibilities with family life, having three children during her leadership tenure. “I had two kids throughout my whole leadership from 2010 to 2021, but then I had this third child that snuck up on us in 2022,” she says. This new addition prompted her to reassess her commitments, allowing her to focus more on her practice and family after stepping down as president.
“It’s okay if optometrists don’t want to work seven days a week, eight hours a day,” she says. What matters most is that optometrists serve their communities and see patients in a fulfilling capacity. She advocates against blindly adhering to the cookie-cutter mold of what new graduates should do after earning their degrees.
Dr. Wruble remains actively involved with the North Carolina Optometric Society and her local optometric community. “When you’re passionate about something, it’s easy to jump on calls and focus on topics and help make things better,” she says. Her ongoing involvement reflects her dedication and desire to contribute to her optometric community.
Her experiences in leadership and her commitment to inclusivity and mentorship highlight the evolving landscape of optometry. Her journey has not only shaped her professional identity but has also provided her with valuable insights to share with the next generation of optometrists. “I want to tell my kids, ‘Hey, this is what I was able to do,” she says. “You may not be successful, but you work hard and fight for what you believe in.”
Would rather listen to this content? Listen to a WO Voices podcast featuring Dr. Wruble here.
