At Lucens, we believe that every medical professional has a unique story worth sharing. Our "Behind the Scrubs" series pulls back the curtain on the diverse journeys of remarkable individuals in healthcare. Through candid interviews, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shape careers in medicine.
These stories embody the Lucens philosophy: there's no one "right" way to build a fulfilling medical career. By showcasing various paths, we aim to inspire, guide, and connect the next generation of practitioners. Whether you're a student, resident, or established professional, these insights offer valuable lessons and fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving world of medicine.
Join us as we go "Behind the Scrubs" and discover the human stories that make medicine such a rewarding field.
Why did you want to be a doctor?
I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I was good at science and math, and I liked the idea of being my own boss—much like my father, who ran his own business. Doctors always seemed to have that autonomy, making their own decisions and being at the top of the pyramid.
Growing up, I was also surrounded by family members in the medical field. My grandfather was a dentist, and I had three uncles who were doctors—a podiatrist, a dentist, and an ophthalmologist. Seeing their lifestyles and how they carried themselves professionally made a big impression on me. It just felt like the natural path for me.
How did your relationship with your family members shape your interest in medicine?
When I was around three to five years old, my grandfather, Papa Sol, was a dentist who took Thursdays off from his practice to spend time with me. I thought it was really special, especially since, back in those days, doctors often worked four days a week.
I remember when I was five, he had cataract surgery. One day, he asked me to put eyedrops in his eyes. I was shocked—“I’m only five, Papa!”—but he insisted, saying, “What are you going to do, screw it up?” I did it, and that small act gave me confidence. It showed me I wasn’t squeamish and that I could handle medical situations. That moment stuck with me as a positive experience at my core.
As I grew up, my interest in medicine kept growing. In high school, I volunteered as a physical therapist assistant at a hospital. I helped patients learn to use crutches or walkers, and it was my first real experience in a hospital setting—one that was both positive and formative.
Then when I was 16, I spent time with my Uncle Fred, who was an ophthalmologist in Miami. He lived an incredible life—he was a bachelor with a successful practice, and I got to hang out with him, even driving his Mercedes SL around Miami. His patients adored him; they even called him "Los Manos Del Dios"—the Hands of God—because of his skill. Seeing the impact he had, I knew that if I was going to be a doctor, I wanted to be an eye doctor. It combined patient care, surgery, and long-term relationships with patients.
My grandfather and my uncle were two significant role models in my life. My grandfather, who at five years old asked me to put eyedrops in his eyes, and my uncle, who showed me the impactful life of an ophthalmologist, really shaped my direction.
"Growing up, I was surrounded by family members in the medical field... It just felt like the natural path for me."
What about college?
I knew I wanted to run my own business and practice, so when I was applying to college, Duke was my top choice. My college advisor suggested I go into the engineering school since I was good at math and science. I started as a biomedical engineer, but in a meeting with the Dean, she laid out my curriculum and said, 'You get three electives in your entire college career.' I was stunned
She asked why I wanted to be a biomedical engineer, and I told her it was because I wanted to be a doctor. She said, "There are easier ways to be a doctor. You don't need to be a biomedical engineer and learn computer programming and building artificial limbs." She suggested I transfer to the Trinity Arts School at Duke, and that’s when I switched. I chose economics as my major because I figured doctors are notoriously bad with money and business, and I wanted to learn those skills. Economics, after all, is just math with graphs and a human element, which made sense to me. Plus, at Duke, most of the econ majors were headed to work for their parents’ companies and didn’t need to get top grades. But I knew I needed A's to get into medical school, and that motivated me to excel academically.
What are some common misconceptions about ophthalmology, particularly among other doctors?
Some people think that because we don’t use a stethoscope daily, we’re less medically involved. The reality is, while we might not practice general medicine day-to-day, we certainly know enough to recognize and respond to critical situations, like when a patient is having a heart attack. Another misconception is that ophthalmologists don’t build long-term relationships with their patients. However, I’ve had patients for nearly 20 years, maintaining ongoing care and building meaningful relationships.
"Some people think that because we don’t use a stethoscope daily, we’re less medically involved. But we certainly know enough to recognize and respond to critical situations."
What emerging trends or challenges do you see in ophthalmology that other doctors should be aware of?
One growing challenge is the increasing prevalence of macular degeneration due to an aging population. It used to be a very hopeless diagnosis, but now we have more treatments available. However, as people live longer, this will place a larger burden on the healthcare system. It’s something that all doctors should be aware of, as it will likely impact many areas of medical care.
I’d love to see advancements in genetic markers that could predict the likelihood of developing conditions like macular degeneration. Imagine if we could identify a 90% chance of developing the disease and then reduce that risk to 10% through specific vitamins or preventative measures? Predictive analytics could be a game-changer in preventive care.
Can you share a particularly rewarding patient experience?
I had a patient whose cataracts were progressively worsening, but he had an overwhelming fear of anyone touching his eyes. The idea of cataract surgery terrified him. Despite his fears, we recently completed the surgery, and the results were remarkable. He went from barely being able to see objects right in front of him to reading 20/20 on an eye chart, just with reading glasses.
In ophthalmology, there’s a saying: you don’t always need to achieve 20/20 vision, but you want your patient to be 20/happy. Some people can end up with 20/30 or 20/40 vision and be thrilled, while others might see 20/20 and still find something to complain about.
But this patient, despite all his fear and anxiety, was so appreciative of the outcome that he made a significant gesture. He donated enough money to sponsor a seeing-eye dog in my name and the name of the practice. He was so grateful for the care and kindness from our team that he also donated enough for another dog on behalf of the surgical center.
This experience reaffirmed for me that no man is an island. What I do is a team effort. The care and comfort my team provided made all the difference, turning a procedure this patient dreaded into a positive experience. His donation to the seeing-eye dog charity, which is quite well known in the Morristown, New Jersey area, was a touching way for him to express his gratitude. This happened just a couple of months ago, and it’s still fresh in my mind as a reminder of why I do what I do.
"In ophthalmology, you don’t always need to achieve 20/20 vision, but you want your patient to be 20/happy."
You do a lot of public speaking. Were you always confident as a speaker?
I’ve always had a connection with the industry, but public speaking wasn’t something I saw myself doing. Then around 2011, a pharmaceutical rep started encouraging me to become a speaker and give talks. I was really insecure at first because the speakers I’d seen at dinners were big names—gurus who had written chapters in books and were considered experts. I thought, “Who am I to speak?”. I’m an ophthalmologist with experience, sure, but I never saw myself as an expert.
She spent nearly a year convincing me to give it a try. Eventually, I caved and gave it a shot, and I haven’t looked back since. Public speaking, which once made me anxious, quickly became something I grew comfortable with. I found myself walking around with more confidence, sharing my knowledge, and actually enjoying the process. I even started giving talks to new sales reps for Bausch & Lomb, teaching them how to approach and communicate with doctors.
It was a challenge I had to overcome, but once I did, I found that I could excel in it. Looking back, I’m grateful for that push, as it opened up a whole new area of my career that I never imagined myself pursuing.
"Public speaking, which once made me anxious, quickly became something I grew comfortable with."
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received, and how has it influenced you?
The best advice came from my grandfather, Papa Sol, who was a dentist. He said, ‘If you take care of people, the money will come. But if you chase the money, you’ll never have people to take care of.
That advice has stuck with me throughout my career and drives my approach to medicine and business. It’s all about being genuine and authentic in what you do.
"If you take care of people, the money will come. But if you chase the money, you’ll never have people to take care of."
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I’d tell young Eric to find his passion and pursue it wholeheartedly. It’s great when your passion can also provide a livelihood. But beyond that, I’d advise him to be honest with himself about his strengths. It’s important to find that balance between what you love and what you’re good at.
For example, I love playing the piano, but I’m not great at reading music. If I had pursued it as a career, I’d probably be an unemployed piano player. Passion is important, but so is recognizing where your true skills lie.
