OEPF Fireside Chat Interview with Dr. Montecalvo and Dr. Habermehl
Course Description
In this engaging fireside chat, Dr. Brenda Montecalvo shares the personal and professional experiences that shaped her remarkable career in optometry. Growing up in Seymour, Wisconsin, Dr. Montecalvo was deeply influenced by her mother, who practiced optometry for nearly 70 years and inspired her passion for the profession.
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Montecalvo highlights the transformative impact of vision therapy and behavioral optometry in improving patients’ lives. She emphasizes the continued importance of clinical techniques such as retinoscopy—both static and dynamic—as essential diagnostic tools that provide deeper insight into how patients process visual information, even as the industry increasingly relies on automated technologies.
Dr. Montecalvo also reflects on building a successful practice from the ground up, sharing lessons on practice management, marketing, and the importance of hiring the right team. She discusses how strategic scheduling and strong leadership allowed her to grow her practice while maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and family life.
Instructor Bio
Dr. Brenda Montecalvo is an accomplished optometrist, author, lecturer, and leader in behavioral optometry and vision therapy. Growing up in Seymour, Wisconsin, she was inspired by her mother, who practiced optometry for nearly 70 years. This early exposure sparked Dr. Montecalvo’s lifelong passion for helping patients through vision care.
After earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University, Dr. Montecalvo established a successful private practice in Ohio in 1992, where she specialized in vision therapy and developmental vision care. Her practice quickly grew through community outreach and developmental vision screenings, ultimately expanding through partnerships with other established practices. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care.
Dr. Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FCOVD
Courses Details
Course Duration
30 Days
Continuing Education Credits
1 hours
Course Price
Free
Course Description
The conversation also explores mentorship, continuing education, and the role these experiences played in shaping her clinical approach. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Montecalvo has made significant contributions to the profession through writing and education. Her publications—including Visual Secrets for School—and her ongoing work to preserve historical vision therapy techniques demonstrate her commitment to advancing and protecting the field.
Looking ahead, Dr. Montecalvo discusses key challenges facing optometry today, including the need for greater political involvement, preserving the scope of practice, and encouraging new graduates to embrace pediatric and behavioral optometry. The discussion concludes with updates from the Optometric Extension Program Foundation and plans for its 100th anniversary celebration in 2028.
Overall, the conversation offers valuable insights into the evolution of behavioral optometry, the importance of mentorship and clinical expertise, and the dedication required to build a meaningful and lasting career in the profession.
Bio
Dr. Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FCOVD
Dr. Montecalvo is widely respected for her expertise in behavioral optometry, particularly her use of both static and dynamic retinoscopy to better understand how patients process visual information. She has studied with many influential mentors in the field and has remained deeply committed to advancing professional knowledge through study groups, mentorship, and continuing education.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Montecalvo is an author and educator dedicated to preserving and sharing the principles of vision therapy. Her book Visual Secrets for School helps connect visual skills with academic performance, and she is currently working on The Lost Art of Vision Therapy, which aims to preserve important techniques developed in the early decades of the field.
Dr. Montecalvo has lectured internationally and continues to contribute to the advancement of behavioral optometry through education, mentorship, and leadership. She remains actively involved with the Optometric Extension Program Foundation and supports efforts to preserve the profession’s clinical scope while inspiring the next generation of optometrists
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OEPF Fireside Chat Interview with Dr. Montecalvo and Dr. Habermehl