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From the bottom to the top

I got there by using several skills I learned during my long journey in ophthalmology.

BY PATTI BARKEY, COE

In 1978, I graduated high school and had absolutely no idea where I belonged.

My first job at Hardee’s during high school was a rude awakening. As a “front line” worker, I took and added up orders on a pad of paper. I learned that people wanted their money’s worth while also receiving the most courteous and efficient service possible. These lessons carried over into many facets of my career.

Back to school

Most important, my Hardee’s experience taught me that I needed more education, so I enrolled in a medical assistant course and took some business classes at a local junior college.

With some luck, I ended up with an externship at a local ophthalmology practice. My amazing mentor, Dr. Ernst Nicolitz, spent valuable time teaching me a lot about ophthalmology, including how to be a surgical technician and a work-up technician. Also, I became extremely proficient at billing and insurance. This externship gave me many valuable lessons for which I am eternally grateful.

Joining the ophthalmic work force

I was too young to lead but too stubborn to be led, so I moved on to another practice. I learned to refract and could do a patient work-up, A-scans, assist surgically, and fit contacts. I never wasted an opportunity to take on a task or learn a new skill.

Patti Barkey, COE (left) and Frank W. Bowden III, MD, have worked together to build a premier practice at Bowden Eye & Associates.PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTI BARKEY, COE

After several years, I needed more and was offered an opportunity to become an apprentice optician. This ultimately landed me a position in an optical superstore. With the help of another amazing mentor, Marshall Reddy, I created one of the largest accounts with the sale of disposable contact lenses as they hit market.

Moving on up?

My final destination was the best ophthalmic entity in town. Within this practice I came across an amazing surgeon and person: Frank W. Bowden, III, MD. No other doctor I worked for demonstrated the compassion for his patients that he did.

After I was hired as a technician, I soon learned the practice was far from perfect. Shock set in as I saw all the practice’s flaws: poor administration, no structure, no compliance, you name it. The practice, part of a large group at that time, did not work collaboratively.

I called Dr. Bowden my first week and tried to quit because of the lack of structure. But, after our discussion that afternoon, I realized that he desperately wanted structure and organization in his practice. He convinced me that we could work together to make things better.

The summit

I have had the good fortune to help build a premier practice at Bowden Eye & Associates. Our staff is a family, and the team always rises to the top when presented with a challenge.

I am a partner in Bowden Eye Care Services Management Organization and have created Dry Eye University and Dry Eye Partners within that organization. The sharing of lessons learned is one of my favorite parts of my ophthalmic experience.

I know others out there have taken a similar path. I don’t have a sexy MBA or Ivy League business degree. I literally started at the bottom while using all of the skills taught to me over the years, and I add to them every single day. OP