Full Name: Jennifer Chinn
Name of Practice: Dr. Chinn’s Vision Care
Setting: Private Practice
Location: San Diego, CA
High School Attended: Torrey Pines High School
College Attended: Cal Poly State University-San Luis Obispo
Optometry School Attended: University of Missouri, St. Louis College of Optometry
Tell us something interesting about yourself: I love to travel, experience and immerse myself in other cultures, and try new foods.
Tell us about your family: I am an only child.
Tell us about your parent’s occupations: My father is also an Optometrist. My mother is a Healthcare Quality Executive.
Why did you choose optometry as a career? I knew I always wanted to be in healthcare, because of my passion to educate and to care for people, but I didn’t know what path I wanted to take. I started shadowing other medical professionals and spending more time at my father’s practice. Then I finally realized why Optometry was the perfect career for me. The ability to provide optimal care, own your own business, and the direct ties with fashion through eyewear made me realize Optometry was the perfect profession for me.
What aspects of your professional life do you find most rewarding? Educating my patients and my community, and mentoring the future leaders of Optometry.
What aspects of your professional life do you find least rewarding? Dealing with HR and employee drama!
How did you end up working where you are now? I am extremely lucky to have my father who is also an Optometrist, so I can follow in his footsteps and continue to positively impact our community through eyecare.
What professional conferences do you like best? Growing up my father would take us to conferences as family trips. Vision Expo was always the conference we went to and it is very nostalgic and fun for me.
What advice do you have for young people considering optometry as a career? Network, get involved in your profession, and advocate for it. It’s important to understand why you chose Optometry as a career and what impact it makes in your own communities, and around the world. Optometry is a legislated profession. Stay up to date with news and technology revolving around it, in order to provide the best care you can.
Follow me on social media at @dr.chinnchinn
