Sandra White, COT
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Sandra White, COT, is our newest Member of the Quarter. The theme that runs through Sandy’s career is teaching, training, and service. You will see that theme as we look at her work in ophthalmology.

Sandy was first introduced to the ophthalmic field by Debra Baker, COMT, MA, Director of the Ophthalmic Technology Program at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. Debra explained what a career as an ophthalmic technician would mean in terms of schooling, job duties, and employment opportunities for graduates. As a result, Sandy enrolled in the program in 1989. After graduation and certification, she joined the University of Illinois at Chicago, Eye and Ear Infirmary and found the academic setting a perfect fit. Sandy took advantage of the educational opportunities such as Grand Rounds and resident lectures that were readily available. The technicians at U of I were eager to share their knowledge and skills and Sandy was eager to learn. When her family relocated to Wisconsin, she was excited to find a position at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, once again in an academic institution with wonderful co-workers. Eventually her family moved “back home” to Minnesota where she joined the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

While in school at Triton College, members of the local technician group, the Society of Ophthalmic Medical Assistants in Chicago (SOMAC), recruited Sandy to help at their continuing education meetings. Jamie Putz, Marty Lindeman, and other SOMAC members were great mentors with a zeal for teaching, and Sandy followed their example, sharing and teaching others. She started assisting at local workshops and has continued teaching in some capacity throughout her career.

Sandy joined ATPO three years ago and got involved right away, collaborating with ATPO colleagues on the Communications Committee and assisting at the ATPO certification review courses. Sandy has logged many, many hours as a volunteer, training, encouraging, and reassuring the technicians in her class who were preparing for their certification tests.

Several years ago Sandy attended a lecture entitled, “Delivering Eye Care in Third World Countries” given by William White, MD and fellow ATPO member, Deborah McDonald, CRA, COT. Their passion for the people of Haiti inspired her to participate in her first medical missionary trip to Haiti. Sandy said, “Every member of the “iTeam” sacrifices to participate and most return to Haiti. These journeys are a labor of love and an unforgettable experience.”

When asked about her current position, Sandy said, “Mayo is a great place to work, with many opportunities to learn and grow professionally. I have been here for 15 years. Currently, I am the Operations Coordinator and my responsibilities include participation in committee work, equipment purchases, process improvement, staff development and the many details of a busy practice that arise from day to day. It’s an exciting time to work in ophthalmology and I still learn something new every day!”

Sandy’s hard work and dedication to her fellow OMT and the people of Haiti are an inspiration and some of the many reasons she was named the ATPO Member of the Quarter.

Interviewed and written by Mona Carpenter, BS, COMT, Kentucky Eye Institute, Lexington, KY.

Photo credit: Photos courtesy Ray of Hope Eyecare, Inc.