Influential Woman · Ophthalmology

Elizabeth Wagner

Surgical Director, Insight Eye Center

Mentor, OH

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor of Science in Education Degree Bowling Green State University

Her Story

About Elizabeth

My career journey has been quite unique. I started with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University, and my dream was to be an educator. I taught early childhood education for several years before being offered a director position at a private school at a very young age, which I held for about 3 to 4 years. During that time, I made a midlife career path change and connected with an ophthalmologist in the Cleveland area who was seeking someone to manage the marketing aspect of his practice. We both took a leap of faith on each other about 10 years ago. Over the last decade, my role has evolved from marketing to patient counseling to practice manager, and finally to surgical director. Today, my role encompasses all of the administrative responsibilities of the practice. I do all the physician liaisoning for the doctor, coordinating all of his work both in-office and out of office. I manage everything surgical, meaning I calculate all of his lenses and educate all of his patients about the different types of intraocular lenses each patient is a candidate for. My biggest goal within the practice, and the role I'm most proud of, is the upselling of premium lenses. Here at our practice, we are well above the national average of premium lens conversions. My conversion rate with patients is at about 72% - 72% of the patients I speak with on a daily basis convert from the standard lens covered by Medicare to a premium implant, which really fills the gap with revenue within the practice.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Elizabeth

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would attribute my success to my surgeon, Dr. Michael Rohm (R-O-M). He took a great chance on me a decade ago and has invested in me and my education. He saw something in me that he knew would not only benefit him and his practice, but also would benefit me and my career long-term. I am forever indebted to him and very grateful for everything that he has put in my path. I attribute my success in ophthalmology to Dr. Michael Rohm.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say take the chances. Take the risks. And do not be afraid of failure. You have to fail in order to succeed. And there's nothing wrong with that.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say the biggest challenges, specifically in the role that I enjoy the most of upselling the intraocular lenses, would be the financial climate that the entire world is experiencing right now. It's a great challenge to sit and talk to a patient population that is primarily elderly, that is most likely living on a very fixed income, and explain to them the benefit of investing this type of money. That can be a great challenge. So when I'm able to make them feel comfortable and educate them in the sense that they see that value, that is very rewarding to me.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Integrity is very important to me in both my personal and professional life. Honesty is very important to me. And gratitude is very important to me. I'm very grateful across the board, in both my professional and personal life. Those three values - integrity, honesty, and gratitude - I would say would be what I would consider my fundamental values in both my personal and professional life.

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