August 2017 Veteran of the Month: From Army to Corporate Optometry
We are excited to introduce our August Veteran of the Month – Rhett Veater, O.D.!
Dr. Veater is an Area Doctor with America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Midvale, Utah. He started at America’s Best in 2013 and was promoted to Area Doctor in 2015.
Dr. Veater received his undergraduate degree in biology from Southern Utah University and attended Optometry School at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Originally from Panguitch, Utah, a small town located near Bryce Canyon National Park, Dr. Veater is the proud father of three great kids and enjoys spending his free time with his family.
Dr. Veater also served our country in the U.S. Army from 2004-2008. After being awarded the Army Health Professions Scholarship in 2000, Dr. Veater was commissioned as a First Lieutenant while attending optometry school. He was then promoted to Captain when he went into active duty upon graduation in 2004.
Dr. Veater was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he worked as an optometrist. He also deployed to Iraq from 2005-2006 with the 101st Airborne Division.
We recently chatted with Dr. Veater to learn more about his path in life and what has led him to where he is today as a veteran optometrist.
What have you done since getting out of the Army in 2008?
“Since getting out of the Army I have practiced optometry in corporate settings. I like working in corporate optometry because it allows me to focus on patient care and not have to worry too much about the business aspect of optometry.
I’ve been with National Vision (NVI) for four years now. I love working for NVI because they truly value their doctors and provide us with the opportunity to practice primary care with the latest technology. I also appreciate the great benefits NVI offers to our doctors. I enjoy practicing in a fast paced, busy office so NVI has been a great fit for me.”
How did your time in the Army help you in your career as an optometrist?
“The Army provided me with a great opportunity to hone my skills as an optometrist. I was exposed to a wide range of ocular diseases and injury as well as a lot of primary care. I loved taking care of our service men and women and providing them with quality eye care. The experiences I gained have helped me in my professional and private life.”
What are your thoughts on National Vision’s commitment to continue to hire veterans?
“I think NVI should continue hiring veterans to show appreciation for those who have sacrifice for all of us. Also, NVI gains from having the knowledge and skills veterans bring to our organization – making this a win-win for everyone.”
Last year National Vision made a commitment to hire a minimum of 500 veterans and/or veteran spouses over the next 5 years across all of our retail brands. Within those 500 positions, we have committed to hiring a minimum of 100 military veterans and/or veteran spouses in technology-focused positions as part of the Joining Forces initiative. We are proud to announce that we now have 420 self-identified veterans as part of our NVI family.
Thank you Dr. Veater for your service to our country. It is an honor to have you as part of our National Vision and America’s Best family!
Jessica Altamirano
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