Nobody knows optometry like this three-generation family of women optometrists. Brenda Montecalvo, OD, and her daughter, Natalie Maiorca, OD, proudly follow in the footsteps of Dr. Montecalvo’s mother, Marilyn Brenne Heinke, OD. Dr. Montecalvo was introduced to optometry during high school while working at her mother’s clinic. She began her college studies in political science, but the inspiration she drew from her mother’s work led her to make the switch to optometry.
“My mother introduced me to a lot of people in the community, so I had special opportunities to network and tour successful practices,” Dr. Montecalvo says.
She was pleasantly surprised when her daughter, Dr. Natalie Maiorca, told her she wanted to pursue a career in optometry while planning for college. Dr. Maiorca was inspired by her mother’s work-life balance and eager to help others in out-of-the-box ways. She earned her master’s degree in vision science from the Ohio State University in 2019. The following year, she earned her OD degree from the Ohio State College of Optometry.
The mother-daughter duo worked together at Nova Vision Care in Beavercreek, Ohio, for a year and a half before Dr. Maiorca moved to Rocky River, Ohio, with her husband, Francesco Maiorca, OD, where they currently work in separate optometric practices. “Even though we no longer work together, we’re always texting each other about new treatments and protocols,” Dr. Montecalvo says.
Dr. Montecalvo and Dr. Maiorca take a flexible approach to separating their professional and personal lives. “Together, we represent six practices, so pieces of work always come up outside of work,” she says. “But at work, we treat each other as colleagues, and at home, we treat each other as family.” She also notes the importance of recognizing and managing those deeper emotions that may surface when working with family. Outside of work, Dr. Montecalvo cherishes the time spent with her grandchildren, and Dr. Maiorca enjoys riding horses.
Both Dr. Montecalvo and Dr. Maiorca share a joy in their optometry careers. Dr. Montecalvo continues to work at Nova Vision Care in Beavercreek, Ohio. She is also sharing her expertise globally through lectures and her book, Visual Secrets for School Success. Dr. Maiorca works at Madison Eye Care in Westlake, Ohio. “We love doing something that nobody else in medicine can do,” Dr. Montecalvo says. “It’s extremely rewarding to see patients return to the office with better grades and no more headaches, knowing we played a part in helping them.”
Read more stories about multi-generational ODs below.
