Presbyterian College student interns at local ophthalmologist’s office

Presbyterian College student interns at local ophthalmologist’s office

Ashley

Ashley Roberts, a junior chemistry major and biology minor at Presbyterian College, from Buford, S.C., is completing an internship at Montgomery and Riddle Eyecare, an ophthalmologist’s office in Laurens, S.C.

She has chosen to spend about seven hours each week performing various tasks at the office, which include shadowing technicians, and optometrists. However, Roberts particularly enjoys shadowing the ophthalmologist and watching his surgeries.

“I have the chance to watch some of the best eye surgeons in the state and am learning a lot about the eye and how to fix associated problems, such as cataracts,” she said.

Roberts appreciates how the office performs surgery at their own private location, whereas other institutions typically conduct surgery at a hospital. “It’s less expensive and better for the patient since hospitals have so many protocols,” she said.

Roberts has enjoyed being a part of many such internships, but particularly enjoys the staff at Montgomery and Riddle Eyecare because they are “willing to teach me and don’t mind taking the time to explain things.”

She feels that her time is beneficial to both her and the staff and that she is developing and honing skills that will be used later in her own professional life. “I am fascinated by all of the doctors’ knowledge and can only hope to become as intelligent as they are.”

Roberts’s love for the medical field began during her sophomore year of high school when she volunteered at her local hospital in Lancaster, S.C.  Her passion then became specific to the practice of optometry.

“Once I was given the opportunity to watch surgery at the eye center, I knew that it was I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Roberts said.

Since then, she has been participating in numerous internships of a similar nature, as well as being a part of many medical-oriented clubs on PC’s campus, and being a member of the Provost’s List for the entirety of her college career.

Learn more about our Career Development and Student Success »


 

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.
Written by Libby Fowler, a junior English and French major from Salisbury, N.C.