Optometrist Kathryn Chehade has had eye care close to her heart for virtually her entire life. “I had contacts and glasses while I was in middle school and I also had three optometrists in my family growing up. So I was familiar with the profession,” she explains. “Later, I actually shadowed an aunt of mine who was an optometrist and I just fell in love with the profession and that was the difference for me.”

In her work as an optometrist at Reliant, Kathryn likes to look at the patient as a whole. “I just don’t think about their eyes, I look at their overall health and their specific concerns. I like to use my skills to help people enjoy better vision in all the different aspects of their lives, including their work and leisure activities.”

Kathryn sees patients for all manners of problems pertaining to the eye. “I view myself as kind of a primary care doctor for the eyes,” she explains. “Just like a primary care doctor, I can refer a patient to a specialist if they need additional care. I love collaborating with other providers. One of the great things about Reliant is that we can offer so many types of specialty care for patients.”

Kathryn says that the best part of her job is being able to help people. “It’s always been my dream to help people in some way and I am very glad that my career in optometry allows me to do that every day.”

When she is not busy helping patients, Kathryn enjoys crafting and traveling to Vermont. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and their two dogs, Buck and Ned.