Travel Optometrist in Newfoundland: Year 1 Recap
Prior to my work, I didn't know anything about Newfoundland. As a travel optometrist, I've had the pleasure of working in five different Newfoundland towns over the past year.
Here are three things that surprised me.
1) Mountains, open plains, and oceans as far as I could see
My very first trip to NL was in a cozy town called Clarenville. As soon as I arrived, I saw big differences from Toronto. It was a beautiful blend of water, mountain, and nature. My flight landed during a snowstorm, which I thought was weird because it was mid-April. I later learned that NL is infamous for having unpredictable weather. So much so that there's a Newfoundland saying: if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes."
After work, I fell into my routine – hunched over my laptop, watching YouTube, and replying to non-urgent emails. And then a thought hit me:
"What the heck am I doing?"
This was my first time in Newfoundland, and I was cooped up in a hotel room. So I threw on a jacket and stepped outside.
The winter air was crisp. The streets were quiet. And above me? A sky full of stars.
Not one or two. There were hundreds sparkling in the night sky. And as my eyes adjusted, even more stars became visible.
Having only lived in big cities, it was like seeing the real night sky for the first time in my life. I stood there in silence, wondering when was the last time I really took the time to observe the night sky.
Oceanside cabin
On my second work trip, I found myself in an oceanside cabin in a beautiful place called Bonavista. Watching the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean just a footstep away from my cabin. Every morning, I sipped coffee on the deck overlooking the Atlantic. Ocean and coastline as far as my eyes could see. I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time.
View from the porch
One of the many reasons Newfoundland is so special is that it’s one of the best places in the world to see icebergs from land.
During my lunch break, I wandered into a charming little gift shop and told the local shop owner I had just seen an iceberg for the first time.
She smiled and shared that Newfoundland is known as Iceberg Alley—a nickname for the stretch of ocean where massive chunks of ice drift down from Greenland each spring.
Her father was a fisherman, and she remembers her father waiting weeks (sometimes months!) for the ice to thaw before his fishing boat could head out.
She said iceberg sightings have become rarer over the years—a quiet reminder of the changing climate.
We may never see Iceberg Alley the way it once was, but it lives on in the memories of those who grew up here—and I thought that was kind of beautiful too.
Bonavista
2) Vibrant culture and kind people
NL has a vibrant culture - they even have their own dictionary!
My very first work trip, I heard Sandra (one of the staff) say "thanks, my love" to a patient. I thought, "I guess they're close friends or family." But when she started saying it to everyone, I realized it must mean something different.
After my university talk, a student from Newfoundland extended her hand and said “Whaddaya at?” To which I responded, uh… I’m from Toronto. She chuckled and said it’s a friendly Newfoundland way of saying “how’s it going?” (I later learned you respond with “Dis is it, b’y.” That is not a typo, by the way.)
And above all, the people! I've met so many wonderful people through travel optometry – opticians, staff, patients, hotel staff, baristas, etc. It always struck me how genuinely friendly people are here.
Notable memories
- Colleen sent me to Bare Mountain Trail because "you couldn't get lost even if you tried." Spoiler alert: I did in fact get lost.
- Crissie coming to work with full energy despite bears in her backyard keeping her awake all night.
- Mark gifting me a Newfoundland dictionary.
- Gayle sharing her incredible stories and mishaps on her ATV.
- Paula treating all of us to Mary Brown's (my first time!)
Corner Brook & Deer Lake
Screech-in!
Screech-in is a tradition where a newcomer becomes an honorary Newfoundlander, involving reciting local phrases, drinking Screech whiskey, and kissing a cod.
On my most recent work trip, Terri and Yvonne were gracious enough to host a Screech-in party. It was made even more special by the people who came out to celebrate with me.
We shared drinks, enjoyed amazing food, and played darts (Yvonne absolutely destroyed my score).
Screech In
3) Lack of healthcare access
The Maritimes have the least number of optometrists per capita in Canada, and NL has it the worst. But it's not just optometrists. Nurses, doctors, specialists. There's a critical healthcare shortage all across the board.
Yet, the statistics and graphs can't truly grasp the severity of the healthcare access issue in Newfoundland.
I often have patients who take ferries or drive four hours through a snowstorm just to get their eyes checked.
I saw a patient who came in for glasses, but whose retina showed signs of dangerously high blood pressure. A patient who had severe inflammation for a month because he couldn’t get in to see an eye doctor. Or a child who had been complaining of blur for years, but whose parents couldn’t get her seen.
It shouldn’t have to be this way.
As a travel optometry consultant with Vogue, I'm building a growing team of travel optometrists to help underserved areas in the Maritimes.
There are also others tackling the eyecare access issue.
I recently connected with Dr. Nofal, an ophthalmologist. Her husband has family and friends in Newfoundland. When she saw just how severe the lack of eye care access was, she piloted a passion project to make corneal transplants more accessible for NL. Just last year, Dr. Nofal performed the first corneal transplant surgeries in decades in Newfoundland—a milestone moment for eyecare in the province.
In the near future, I hope the people of NL can get the healthcare they deserve.
Closing Thoughts
That's a wrap on year 1 of travel optometry! I learned a lot about Newfoundland, travelled to beautiful towns, and met amazing people. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.
Travel optometry rekindled my passion for optometry, and I'm forever grateful to everyone who was a part of my journey.
Thank You!
Thank you Juanita, Gladys, Penny and Vogue Optical for giving me the travel optometry opportunity.
Thank you Crissie, Jessica, and Judy for always bringing fun and positivity.
Thank you Mark, Ruth, Heather, Corwin, and Paula for your professionalism and always making me feel welcomed.
Thank you Colleen, Heidi, Sandra, Heather, and Cyril for an amazing first clinic.
Thank you Tammy for sharing the best spots for stargazing.
Thank you Gayle, Amanda, and Melanie for your stories and mummering ornaments.
Thank you Noubar, Loretta, Andrea, Dohan, and to everyone I got to meet on this wonderful journey thus far.
See you all soon!
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