Honoring the Women of Atwal Eye Care – Dr. Sara Sirkin
Dr. Sara Sirkin has been with Atwal Eye Care for eleven years, and an Ophthalmologist since the early 70’s. Her practice is in the heart of the Town of Tonawanda and she says some of her older patients have been coming to her since they were children. It’s a profession she is passionate about because she knows the importance of eye health and vision protection.
Dr. Sirkin is committed to serving her community by providing quality eye care through the Atwal brand. Hear more about this dynamic powerhouse in honor of International Woman’s Day in March!
Q&A with Dr. Sirkin:
Share the power of International Women’s Day and the month honoring it.
Women should feel empowered to do anything – whatever they want to do in life, they should never be held back by their gender, background or story. If you want it… go get it!
How do you think young girls who are interested in a STEM-based career (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) should feel about a career, like ophthalmology? What is the key to success?
Since I have a granddaughter who is applying for med school, I can tell you that you have to just keep plugging away. Study hard, stay out of trouble — and keep focused. No one, boy or girl, should ever feel held back. It takes a lot of hard work, but you can do it.
What do you like best about being in eye care and serving patients?
I love meeting new patients. I love to talk to them, and get to know them. It is my goal that patients will come to me and stay with me for decades because they trust and believe in my skills and expertise.
How does it feel to work alongside a group, like Atwal Eye Care?
Oh, it’s excellent. Makes my job that much easier. Now that I am no longer doing surgery, it’s nice to refer them out to Dr. Atwal and the professionals over at the surgery center, who I trust with all of my patients.
Did you always want to be an Ophthalmologist?
Actually I didn’t. I initially went into anesthesia and I thought I was all set. I was accepted into the residency and everything. But then I met the amazing Dr. Jones who told me to go into Ophthalmology. I took his advice and ended up exploring eye care, talking to several residents and decided I would give it a try. The eye is fascinating to me, and it just made sense. That was back in 1969 and in those days we took internships, where it reaffirmed that eye care is where I needed to be.
Do you have any children?
I do – a son and a daughter. I also have grandchildren.
What’s a message you want to leave readers with about International Woman’s Day – especially being a mom of a woman yourself?
When you hear the words ‘no’, or ‘you can’t’, don’t let it stop you. Keep going. Feeling accomplished is the best feeling in the world.
You can find Dr. Sirkin at our Sheridan Drive office several days a week where she is the lead Ophthalmologist.