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In this episode of the Play Chess Not Checkers Podcast, Dr. Melissa Barnett joins Dr. Adam Ramsey to reflect on her evolution from a shy student into an internationally recognized optometrist, educator, author and coach. Their conversation explores how mentorship shaped her career, why individualized patient care matters, and how community, coaching and thoughtful leadership can help eye care professionals build sustainable, meaningful careers.
Topics Covered :
From Shy Student to Global Educator
Dr. Melissa Barnett did not always picture herself as a leader in eye care. Once a deeply shy child, she began finding her voice at Smith College before attending the UC Berkeley School of Optometry, where she valued the program’s strong academic, research and clinical foundation. Mentors including Mark Andre, Craig Norman and Pat Caroline recognized her potential and encouraged her to speak and write. Their support helped launch a career that now takes her around the world as an optometrist, educator, author and professional coach. Her journey also reinforces a message she shares with others: professional growth can begin at any stage of a career.
Building Expertise in Specialty Contact Lenses
Barnett’s passion for scleral lenses began when Norman visited her practice and taught the team how to fit them directly with patients. That experience showed her that specialty lens success depends on more than lens design; staff training, billing, prior authorizations and workflow all matter. She later co-authored Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application with Lynette Johns and contributors from around the world, and she continues to train practices in fitting and integrating specialty lenses.
Choosing the Patient, Not the Trend
For patients with keratoconus or irregular corneas, Barnett emphasizes individualized care. Corneal tomography, topography and scleral profilometry can guide fitting, but advanced technology is not always essential. A slit lamp, fluorescein and a strong understanding of one diagnostic fitting set can still provide an effective starting point. She also cautions against defaulting to scleral lenses when corneal GP, hybrid or custom soft lenses may better match a patient’s ocular surface, vision needs and ability to handle lenses.
Preventing Burnout Through Community and Coaching
After 25 years of mentorship, Barnett became credentialed through the International Coaching Federation and founded Alpine Blue Coaching. Her work focuses on reducing burnout, mindful leadership, wellness and effective communication. In one example, she helped a client recover more than eight hours each week through better charting, delegation, priorities and boundaries. Outside eye care, she restores balance through yoga, hiking, time outdoors and cheering for her sons at water polo.
Collaboration Over Competition
Barnett believes optometrists do not need to master every specialty or purchase every new technology. Instead, they should build confidence in core skills, invest thoughtfully and refer to trusted colleagues when another clinician is better positioned to help. As a founding member of the Intrepid Eye Society, she sees professional community as a way to elevate both patient care and the profession.
A Vision for Greater Impact
Looking ahead, Barnett’s goal is simple: help as many people as possible while enjoying the journey. Whether through clinical education, coaching, books or her TEDx message about seeing who is missing or unheard, her career reflects one central belief: meaningful leadership begins with connection.
