{"id":54221,"date":"2023-10-02T15:47:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T19:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=54221"},"modified":"2023-10-02T16:25:56","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T20:25:56","slug":"utc-grad-credits-biology-professors-pre-health-staff-for-optometry-school-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2023\/10\/utc-grad-credits-biology-professors-pre-health-staff-for-optometry-school-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"UTC grad credits biology professors, pre-health staff for optometry school inspiration"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"May

May 2023 graduate Ashely George chose UTC because of the biology program\u2019s academic rigor and the ability to stay close to home.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ashely George graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in May 2023 with a degree in biology, but her academic journey is far from over\u2014thanks to her plans to attend optometry school.<\/p>\n

George\u2019s path is a testament to the power of tenacity and commitment to making a meaningful impact in society.<\/p>\n

Raised in Chattanooga most of her life, George chose UTC because of the biology program\u2019s academic rigor and the ability to stay close to home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to save a lot of money,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n

During her time at UTC, she was active with the University\u2019s Pre-Health Professions Advising program, leveraging its resources to support her pursuit of optometry school.<\/p>\n

Under the guidance of Dr. Ethan Carver, George\u2019s passion for optometry flourished. Carver, a biology professor and associate dean of the Graduate School, provided mentorship that significantly influenced her career aspirations, said George, who also was a UTC Honors College student.<\/p>\n

George took advantage of every academic opportunity possible while an undergraduate.<\/p>\n

She was involved in innovative research at Erlanger Hospital, studying newborns affected by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The publication of her findings underscored her dedication to scientific exploration and its applicability in health care and served as a feather in her cap.<\/p>\n

A significant turning point in George\u2019s career trajectory came when she shadowed a local Chattanooga optometrist who provides care for economically disadvantaged patients when not working in his primary practice. She said by witnessing firsthand the transformative power of eye care, she found her calling in optometry.<\/p>\n

With a clear career path in sight, her ultimate goal is to establish a free eye clinic in the future, maybe even Chattanooga.<\/p>\n

A combination of George\u2019s research interests and her commitment to community service distinguishes her as an exemplary representative of UTC\u2019s biology students.<\/p>\n

Now a doctorate of optometry student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, George offered the following four tips to success at UTC:<\/p>\n