Provider Spotlight: Dr. Nadine Forche of Five Points Eye Care
Dr. Nadine Forche Sees the Big Picture
Dr. Nadine Forche of Five Points Eye Care has "opened our eyes" to the impact one person can have on the lives of so many. Read our interview with Dr. Forche to learn how she became involved with the Clinic, what she's gleaned from her work with AWC's staff and patients, and why she makes giving back to the community a regular part of her medical practice.
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Read our interview with Dr. Forche of Five Points Eye Care below!
Interview with Dr. Nadine Forche of Five Points Eye Care
What inspired you to become involved with Athens Wellness Clinic (AWC), and how did you first hear about the Clinic?
I believe Stephanie Witt, NP, reached out to our office, Five Points Eye Care, to see if any of our doctors might be able to partner with them for a vision clinic with Prevent Blindness Georgia. We had a few emails back and forth and the AWC Vision Clinic was born!
What do you find most fulfilling about offering your optometry services to patients who might not otherwise have access to eye care?
It is so fulfilling to practice at the Athens Wellness Clinic! The patients are so grateful, and I know I am making in difference in that person’s day-to-day life with better vision. I also diagnose many patients with cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, and we can work to get them further treatment.
Can you share a memorable experience or patient interaction from your time working at AWC that has particularly impacted you?
My very first patient waited many months for our first clinic there. He had a pair of very old glasses that only had one temple, sat crooked on his face, and weren’t the right prescription. He had also five times more nearsightedness that the average nearsighted person, so his glasses were very thick. We got him new frames, thinner lenses with the right prescription and it made such a difference in his appearance and ability to read and drive. We were also able to check his ocular health and make sure he did not have any retinal problems from his high nearsightedness.
Is there anything the community would benefit from learning about the patients you treat at AWC?
Being uninsured and having limited funds for health care creates a large amount of stress in people’s lives who are already struggling. These patients are working hard, trying to improve their health and their lives. The AWC treats them kindly, with respect and truly cares about them as people. That can be very hard to find in a medical setting.
In what ways do you think work at AWC has influenced your perspective on healthcare or your approach to patient care?
I love working with the other providers and friendly staff at the AWC, as well as DeAndria Nichols from Prevent Blindness Georgia. We have a wonderful team there and I realize how fortunate we are to have that amazing teamwork. Working with the AWC also reminds me to be grateful. I’m grateful to be able to give back to my community, the profession of optometry, and the patients the AWC serves.
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Want to know more about Dr. Forche and Five Points Eye Care? CLICK HERE!
