Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Candice Moore.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey to where I am today was not an easy or straightforward path. I always knew I wanted to be a Doctor at a very early age. I’m the first Physician in my family, so I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA by Ghanaian parents. I attended Georgia State University as a Psychology Pre-Med major. After graduating from college, I worked in Registration for the Emergency Room at Piedmont Fayetteville Hospital for three years, which also allowed me to get more experience in the medical field. When I decided to pursue my career in medicine, I kept receiving rejection letters from medical programs. My undergrad GPA was not the greatest. I completed post-bacc classes to redeem some of the science classes I took in college. I then obtained my Master’s Degree in Vascular Sonography and Health Sciences to make me a better-qualified candidate before applying to the Optometry Program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Even still, I had to complete a Pre-Optometry Program designed for non-traditional students in order to prove if I could handle the intense workload before being officially accepted into the program. So yes, it took me 15+ years to get to the position that I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
Optometry school was not a walk in the park. I had a lot of things stacked up against me and at times I would often question myself as to whether or not I was made out to become an Optometrist. Optometry is heavily emphasized on physics and math, the two most difficult courses that I struggled with in undergrad. And I ended up in a career that deals with both, funny how life works. I had to take the OAT (Optometry Admissions Test similar to the MCAT, but more emphasis on math and physics) twice. When I was finally accepted into Optometry school after the 1-year pre-optometry program, I have experienced many failures. One, in particular, was the unexpected passing of my father three days before I was scheduled to take Part 1 of National Boards in order to become a Board Certified Optometrist. Part 1 is considered to be the hardest out of the 3 part series of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Despite the passing of my father, I still decided to take the exam, and guess what? I failed tremendously. I had to deal with five other deaths of other family members and friends all in a span of 5 weeks at the time. I was not allowed to move on to Part 2 and 3 or even receive my degree until I passed Part 1. Talk about the pressure! However, I did not give up!
After a full day of clinic, I would head to the library to study until 12-1 am and repeat the cycle every day including weekends for three months. So, I missed many special events and barely had a social life. In addition to our surprise, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child. But it paid off, I ended up passing Part 1, and then Parts 2 and 3 on the first try. I like to think my son is my good luck charm since I was pregnant with him the entire time taking my intense board certifications.
To someone starting out on their journey in their careers, school, or business, I would say you will experience failures, however, it’s how you learn from those failures in order for you to become successful no matter how long it takes. It’s not a straightforward path, there will be many highs and lows but you will get there!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As an Optometrist, I am a primary eye care doctor. I diagnose, manage, and treat eye conditions by prescribing glasses/contact lenses, medical treatment which includes drug or vision therapy and collaborating with other doctors. Optometrists do so much more than just prescribe glasses and contacts! We are medically trained to treat and manage ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, and cataracts, to name a few. We often find many systemic diseases as well including cancers and autoimmune diseases through a comprehensive eye exam. There are also specialties in optometry such as low vision, specialty contact lenses for conditions such as keratoconus and ocular surface inflammatory disease, pediatrics, and even sports vision.
In the field of optometry, there are not of minority doctors. African American Optometrists only make up approximately 2.7% out of the total field of optometry. One of my goals is to help increase that number by bringing awareness to other minorities to show that optometry is a great career choice. In addition, people tend to take their eye health for granted until something goes wrong. So, I’m an advocate for preventative eye health for all ages.
What sets me apart, is that I’m relatable and easy to talk to. At the end of the day, I’m still a regular human trying to make a positive impact in the field of Optometry. Because of my life experiences, I know how it is to be a wife, mother, sister, friend, etc. and the challenges and rewards that come along with these various titles and I believe my patients/staff appreciate that. I believe in working in a positive environment which ultimately translates to better patient care.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Keep going! Life has a way of throwing curveballs that may seem to deter your goals. There will be many closed doors, failures, disappointments, setbacks along the way, but all of those will help to shape you into the person that you will need to be. Failures will show you how to be successful. Never give up!
Contact Info:
- Address: 860 Peachtree Street, Suite F
Atlanta, GA 30308 - Phone: 404-853-5008
- Email: drseemooreod@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dr.see.moore
Image Credit:
Ron Hill Photography
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