Path to Pediatric Ophthalmology
Herce always wanted to work with children and had plans to become a pediatrician. She imagined herself in her own clinic with a treasure box of treats to pass out to her patients, watching them grow up. It was in medical school where she developed a love for ophthalmology.
Herce debated between ophthalmology, urology, and vascular surgery but ultimately realized she was happiest during her ophthalmology rotations and decided to pursue it fully. While in residency at Ohio State, Herce considered specializing in retina or cornea. The ophthalmology program had a strong pediatric focus which encouraged her to combine those two passions in pediatric ophthalmology.
“I love that I can do surgery, and I can do procedures, and I still have the cerebral brain of medicine. I get to do retina, I get to do ROP, I get to do cornea, I get to do peds, and so I love it. It's also great for work-life balance.”
Practicing Pediatric Ophthalmology
Herce is an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine. She is also the fellowship director, lovingly referring to her fellows as her “big kids.” She believes that pediatrics is a medicine you will never bore of. In pediatric ophthalmology, there is the freedom to focus on specific conditions and a plethora of opportunities to collaborate with other subspecialties.
“Every day is always just fun. I tell the kids, I get to just play the whole day, because I'm not the one who does the eye drops. I get to play and be silly the whole time and so, it's always fun.”