ROMONA DAVIS

I am a comprehensive ophthalmologist (EyeMD) in an academic setting, which is the best of both the doctoring and teaching worlds for me. I take care of a wide variety of well patients providing glasses and annual exams. I also care for patients with surgical and nonsurgical eye conditions. The teaching takes place with resident eye doctors who receive one-on-one training in the operating room or clinic while medical students and undergraduate students (OMTs) spend time in clinic caring for patients under my supervision.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB:

Saving vision and restoring vision in my patients is most rewarding. Patients are able to continue driving, working and doing the things that are important to them.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES OR OBSTACLES YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR CAREER:

As a single mom who works full-time outside of the home, the challenge for me is finding balance. I schedule time off work to attend school functions and activities and fun time with family and friends.

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

Meaningfulness. I ask: Have I nurtured a relationship with my family and friends? Have I supported my patients, students and colleagues? Am I making a difference in the world? If the answer is yes, then I am successful.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

From my best friend, a physician, as I decided on medical school: “If you can be happy doing ANY OTHER thing, then do that because the process and dedication required for this path is so daunting.” It was REAL talk.

BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

I’ve been so fortunate to have so many great moments. Being honored by my OMT students as the “Faculty of the Year,” and having patients express their heartfelt gratitude for regaining vision after surgery are some of the best.

IF YOU COULD LUNCH WITH ANY WOMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

Oprah Winfrey. I would thank her for the phenomenal makeover and experience that my friends and I had on her show. I would have grilled salmon (or lamb) on mixed greens.

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF:

Listen, 18-year-old Romona. You are enough. You are smart enough; strong enough and tough enough. Trust God; trust your gut. Live fully and worry less. Friends, true friends are hard to come by, so cultivate and cherish yours.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

My mom. She did not allow her circumstances to dictate her outcome. At 78, she is a living example of love, dedication, strength and grace.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB:

BIGGEST CHALLENGES OR OBSTACLES YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR CAREER:

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

IF YOU COULD LUNCH WITH ANY WOMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF:

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

NEIGHBORHOOD:

West Little Rock

Hometown

Southwestern Louisiana

LAST GOOD READ:

“Where the Sidewalk Ends,” Shel Silverstein

FAVORITE FOOD:

Avocado

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT:

Ya Ya’s Eurobistro

FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE OFFICE:

Greet everyone

LATEST SPLURGE:

Anne Fontaine blouse

THINGS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK:

Bike and enjoy my son

DREAM VACATION:

Biking Italy, ending with Mediterranean cruise

FAVORITE SONG:

“Kiss,” Prince

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