#MYFOL Newsletter Issue 13 2021

#MYFOL Page 7 ISSUE 13
11
eleven
Questions
w i t h
Lauren
Robinson
T.T.O.A. President
How would you describe
yourself?
First born of four to primary
school teachers, mother of an
amazing daughter, a loyal friend,
occasionally stubborn but willing
to heed advice.
What drove you to become
an optometrist?
Good parental guidance, research
and the desire to serve.
How long have you
practiced Optometry?
Over 30 years, 28 years at Ferreira
Optical.
Having practiced
optometry for 30 + years,
what would say has been
the highlight of your
career?
Having the opportunity to make a
difference in so many persons’ lives
by helping them to see clearly is
extremely satisfying.
Congratulations on your
presidency of the Trinidad
and Tobago Optometric
Association (TTOA). What
do you hope to accomplish
in your new role?
To make the TTOA the source of
relevant and accurate information
about your eyes. To encourage
persons to take the COVID-19
vaccine by posting photos of TTOA
members receiving the vaccine.
What are some of the key
responsibilities of the
TTOA?
The TTOA represents the
Optometrists on the Trinidad and
Tobago Opticians Registration
Council (the governing body),
ensuring that the Optician’s
(Registration) Act is updated to
allow Optometrists to practice to
their highest standards. Providing
internationally approved continuing
education programs and hosting
annual trade shows to keep
Optometrists abreast of world
practices.
What milestones you would
say have helped shape you
professionally?
During my gap year I taught
(with my parents) at Curepe
Presbyterian School. Following
their example, I planned and
prepared the lessons for my
students in a way they would
learn and understand. Mandatory
attendance at weekly Q&A sessions
with Consultant Ophthalmologists,
Residents, house officers, nurses
and techs. during my Pre-
Registration year at the Kent County
Aural and Ophthalmic Hospital in
England. It taught me to always
be well prepared and on top of my
game. I also learned how important
it is to contribute and listen to the
perspective of other team players.
What does Lauren do on
her off-days or down time?
Any special hobbies or
interests you practice?
I also
learned how
important it is
to contribute
and listen to
the perspective
of other team
players.
word games like Scrabble. My
daughter, Sarah is my pride and joy
and many of my interests involve
her e.g. cricket matches at the Oval,
choir concerts and live musicals.
What keeps you driven
daily?
God’s word - I can make a
difference in Trinidad and Tobago.
Love for my profession makes it
extremely easy to get up every day
to go to work. I have never woken
up and felt like not going to work.
My responsibility to Sarah to help
her become all she can be as a
responsible, respectable person.
What was your greatest
lesson in life?
Perseverance, dedication, hard
work, education, and treating
everyone with the same respect
regardless of their station in life.
What advice would you
give to persons interested
in the optical field?
Having the
opportunity to
make a
difference
Cooking! From chicken tikka masala
to walnut cranberry bread. I am a
local board member of the Curepe
Presbyterian Church where I am
also a choir member and have
oversight of COVID-19 protocols.
My me time is when I work out
whether it is weight training, Tabata,
army fit or just reading and playing
Optometry is a profession where
the patient is engaged at all stages
of the process. Love of people is
a must. Be humble, respectful and
patient, have a positive attitude,
actively listen, use choice words, be
knowledgeable by keeping updated
with peer reviewed, evidence based
scientific papers.