Seeing You Through the Pandemic

April 28, 2020

The World Turned Upside Down

To Our Patients,
 
Many of you know me as "The Daughter."  I am proud to be a local second-generation optometrist and the progeny of Dr. Joann Helmus and Dr. Mark Helmus. A family of three optometrists is a rare and special thing. My dad founded Helmus Optometry 34 years ago when I was just a toddler. Not only is optometry in my DNA, but I also grew up with this business. As a child, I'd sit in the break room and eat peanut butter from the jar. As a middle-schooler at Emerson Junior High, I'd stamp recall postcards. In 2015 I became "Dr. Julie" and learned what ownership really meant. When my father retired last year, my list of responsibilities skyrocketed. While I miss having my Pops in the exam room next door, I have relished the opportunity to upgrade and dive into every facet of practice management. I love and know this business like it's my third child (I also have two energetic little boys, Hank and Casey).
 
Before this public health crisis, we were booming! Phones were ringing, staff in white lab coats zipped the halls, patients browsed our gallery of designer frames. There was a real buzz of productivity. I miss the energy and purpose. I often turn to my parents for guidance, but this pandemic is new for them, too. One thing that's clear: we must come together as a community. That's why I recently joined the Board of Directors for the Downtown Davis Business Association (DDBA) and I'm cultivating new synergies with local optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Your eye health and vision are essential. We've implemented new procedures and we are ready to safely deliver care in the COVID-era (review our new practices and policies here: https://helmusoptometry.com/covid-19-policies).

We are emerging from this pandemic better trained, organized and energized. My promise is that Helmus Optometry will always be cutting-edge and vibrant. Now and always, I am grateful for the foundation laid by my parents, the camaraderie of my team, and for your continued patronage.

Your passionate local optometrist,
Dr. Julie Helmus