Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy.
Dr. Nwamaka, before we jump into specific questions about your practice, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a proud Nigerian American, born and raised here in Atlanta. Growing up, I always said I wanted to be a doctor. This led me to apply to and attend Xavier University of Louisiana a Historically Black College and University best known for helping African Americans enter into the healthcare field. I initially thought I would go to medical school and practice family medicine but my MCAT score turned me in a different direction. After retaking the MCAT and also taking the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), I applied to medical school again and also applied to optometry school. I got waitlisted for medical school and admitted to Optometry school. After much deliberation and praying, I decided to go with my Plan B– and I can say without hesitation it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. I attended optometry school at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, PA. I then completed a Residency in Ocular Disease at OMNI Eye Services of Atlanta through the University of Alabama.
During my residency, I learned a lot of things about treating and managing Ocular diseases and systemic diseases with ocular manifestations, but more importantly, I learned I wanted to work for myself and march to the beat of my own drum. Optometry is one health care profession where we have the unique opportunity to become business/practice owners relatively early in our careers. After determining I wanted to operate my own practice, I reached out to some previous connections and established a lease in a retail location. I began my practice Eye Totally Care DBA EyeServe in July of 2013, I now lease space in the Walmart on Cleveland Ave where I proudly provide superior ocular care services in an affordable and easily accessible location. These services include prescribing glasses and contact lens as well as treating a wide variety of eye diseases, and systemic diseases with ocular manifestations. We also treat ocular emergencies including red eyes and removal of foreign bodies. Recently we have increased the scope of our Dry Eye Treatment. Our new approaches provide our patients with relief from the increased symptoms associated with dry eye that we are seeing more and more as a result of increased screen time. Being a part of the optometry industry has also allowed me to explore some other interest I have in style and design of eyewear. This career has combined three of my passions, patient care, style, and entrepreneurship.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every great journey has challenges. When I first started my business, my only intention was to own a business. As I’ve grown in this journey, my intentions have expanded– it becomes more and more apparent that intentions determine outcome. I sought a mentor in the industry who helped me expand my business. His expertise also helped develop my approach to treatment of dry eye and ocular surface disease. As dry eye becomes more and more prevalent, I’m able to provide significant relief for patients who have been suffering from this chronic condition. I believe this approach sets me apart in this field and adds value to my practice and, therefore, to this community.
We’d love to hear more about EyeServe.
EyeServe is a primary care optometric practice. We provide comprehensive eye exams where we examine the eye and give recommendations for glasses and contact lens prescriptions. We manage and treat ocular diseases that do not require surgical intervention, such as glaucoma and dry eye disease. We can also diagnose and manage ocular manifestations of systemic conditions such as hypertension and diabetic eye disease.
What were you like growing up?
I have always been a leader and had a take-charge personality. Growing up as a Nigerian and Igbo in America had its challenges. Luckily my parents made it a priority to surround us with people who shared our culture. I enjoyed volunteering and participating in cultural events through the Nigerian Youth Alliance Inc., Otu Ummune Cultural Organization and Igbo Union of Atlanta. I have always been outgoing and am known for my ability to connect people, even at a young age, I did a lot of community event planning. Besides that, I was the life of the party, I’m still friends with people that I’ve known since elementary school and we still talk about parties I had growing up. I was confident and self-assured, even at a young age. I attribute this to a strong family support system. I was very close with my siblings and continue to be so. Collectively we have built a tribe and as I’ve grown, that support system has been unwavering.
Contact Info:
- Address: 844 Cleveland Ave SW East Point GA 30344 (Located inside of the Walmart Optical)
- Website: www.TheEyePro.net
- Phone: 404-460-6163
- Email: contact@theeyepro.net
- Instagram: @EyeServeAtl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEyePro/
Image Credit:
https://www.nicolebrody.co/
IG @nicolebrody.com
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