Dear Team OCB,

I hope that you are enjoying the summer season! After a rocky start, our New England weather finally seems to be cooperating. Whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, we are lucky to live in an area that has some of the most popular vacation destinations in the country!

I want to encourage you to take a summer vacation if you have not yet planned one. You take outstanding care of our patients, and you must also take good care of you! Taking vacation can reduce stress, help prevent burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance. Having said that, I would love to see where you all like to go and what you all like to do when you take a vacation. Winston (left) prefers the ocean :). Please share a favorite vacation picture @ _staffnews and we will share your photo in the staff newsletter!

If there is ever a time to enjoy ice cream with co-workers, it is summertime! We encourage you to take a break and attend one of the ice cream socials that are planned the week beginning August 7th. See details below!

Also in this week’s newsletter, we honor those celebrating milestone anniversaries. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to each one of you on the list below for your long-standing commitment to OCB and the patients we serve. Thank you for your dedication to excellence.

Sincerely,

Laura Fine, MD

OCB President and Medical Director

OCB congratulates the following staff members who celebrated work anniversaries during the second quarter of 2023 through the end of July.

25 years

Pat Howley, Business Manager, Pembroke

Karen Ritchie, Senior Ophthalmic Technician

20 years

Martha (Marti) Erbe, Business Manager, Plymouth

Helen Hamilton, VP, Revenue Cycle 

Alison Nowak, Practice Director, Boston Research Study Group

15 years

Patricia Choquette, Epic Trainer Clinical

Cameo De Santis, Administrative Supervisor

Nick Pannoni, Director, Information Technology

10 years

Marlene Peralta, Credentialing Assistant

Lindsay Orellana-Barrera, Ophthalmic Technician

John Bourque, Ophthalmic Technician

Heidi McDonald, Administrative Assistant

Eric Sumner, Central Scheduling Supervisor

Please join us for an ice cream social, an opportunity to socialize with your OCB colleagues while enjoying a sweet treat! Ice cream socials are being held throughout the week of August 7th.

Please see the attached SCHEDULE and spread the word!

Dear OCB colleagues,



With a heavy heart, I am announcing my transition from OCB. My last day will be December 8, 2023. I will be starting a new position at Spindel Eye Associates in Londonderry and Derry, NH. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work in such a collaborative environment. I have valued the mentorship, guidance, and professional growth opportunities I have experienced during my 4 years at OCB. Many of you have become close friends over the past few years. Working with the patient-focused team here has been a tremendous privilege. As I move forward in my career, I will remain indebted to experiences this position has afforded me. I wish each of you continued future success.

It has been an honor to work alongside such dedicated staff and colleagues who always prioritize patient care. I will carry the lessons I have learned during my time at OCB with me throughout my career.

All the best,

Mina Farahani, MD

Dr. Snebold received a warm send-off from his OCB team who gathered at Precinct 10 in Weymouth to celebrate his long career in ophthalmology. NGS had his last day on June 23rd.

Where are you from originally?

I was born and raised in Wareham, MA and I now live on Cape Cod with my husband Ron and our three adorable cats (Turkey, Shelby, and Kyber!) I’m a hometown girl!

What was your career path at OCB ?

I’ve been with the company since 2010. I began working on the front desk in West Yarmouth, then traveled to the other Cape offices as they began opening. I eventually transitioned to the clinic, and started learning all aspects of the field. I was one of Dr. Morley’s scribes for over 7 years prior to his retirement. I am currently the Lead Technician for the Falmouth office.

What do you like best about your job?

I like the feeling of making a difference, whether it’s helping a doctor assist with high quality care, or making a nervous patient feel less anxious about an exam. Sometimes the smallest word or gesture can go a long way to help someone. You don’t always have to move mountains; “No Act of Kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”.

What inspired you to pursue the healthcare/eye care field?

Healthcare has always been in my blood. My mother worked at many healthcare facilities, and I studied health careers starting in high school at Upper Cape Technical High School. There was no question from the beginning that I wanted to work in healthcare and be a part of something bigger than myself.

A fun fact or two about you?

In additional to my Disney addiction (most co-workers can tell you I know way too much on the subject); I am also a big nerd. By that I mean I am the Commanding Officer of the MA, RI, and CT division of a Star Wars Costuming Community (called the Mando Mercs), and I'm also a member of several other cosplaying groups. We get invited to events, charities, and conventions, to appear in costume and raise money for amazing charities that help both children and cancer patients. It’s a very fulfilling side hobby that is also fun in the process! (For those unfamiliar with the term cosplaying, it is basically “next level costuming." A person not only dresses as a well know character (from a movie, tv show, book, or video game), but also acts the part as well.)

"Yesterday,(7/17/23), Epic was down temporarily company wide. Katie is a technician who was working with Dr. Hsu in the Weymouth office. Pam Oliver, a front desk staff member, reported that since Katie's Epic was still working, she was checking in patients for the front desk while they were unable to. We are impressed with Katie! She is always going above and beyond without being asked and this is a glimpse into how hard she works."

-Kristin Brett, Cape Clinical Manager

Send your Shout Out to _staffnews!

Congratulations to Quincy Business Manager Erica Vinton, on the birth of her daughter Olivia Jean Vinton, who was born on June 30th !!!!

Reminder: OCB MDs, OD's, staff and patients are welcome to attend to an upcoming glaucoma educational event on August 16^th sponsored by the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Dr. David Friedman will discuss Advances in Glaucoma Research. If you are interested in attending this in-person event, please register HERE



If you know of any glaucoma patient who would like to attend, please forward this information and they can register too. 

July is UV Safety Month. Please remind your patients and families to not only protect their skin but to also protect your eyes from the sun!

August 7 - 11 - Ice cream social week. See SCHEDULE.

August 16 - Innovations in Glaucoma event

August 18 - Red Sox vs. Yankees - Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite Red Sox gear.

Sept 4 - Labor Day, OCB closed

Sept. 21 - 5 p.m.

Dr. Rizkalla Livestream talk "Corneal Topography and Astigmatism"

October 6 - NEOS Ophthalmic Medical Professionals Meeting