Ashley Porter, O.D., focuses on ocular disease management and specialty lens fitting.
Born and raised in a small town in Northern Connecticut, she received her undergraduate degree in biology from the State University of New York at Albany. She then went to the Illinois College of Optometry, where she was inducted into the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society.
Growing up, she knew she wanted to work directly with people who needed help. In college she developed an interest in science and knew that a career in medicine would perfectly combine those two interests. It was through her volunteerism with the Lion’s Eye Bank where she had the opportunity to experience ocular tissue transplants. Vision and the anatomy of the human eye seemed so fascinating, and it led to her career in optometry.
During a training rotation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam she fell in love with Hawai`i. After graduating from optometry school, she returned to provide eye care to patients in Hawai`i. Dr. Porter’s commitment to giving back is evident in her continued participation in medical missions to Guatemala where she provides optometric services in addition to teaching and working alongside optometric students from her alma mater. An active member of the Lions club, she’s given several presentations on promoting eye health and education on diabetic eye disease, lazy eye and the aging eye.
Like the rest of the JEC ‘ohana, family is very important to Dr. Porter, and although she is far from them, technology helps keep her biggest support system one click or video/phone call away. She takes her role as aunt seriously and visits her nieces and nephew as often as she can. While she’s not volunteering, working or aunt-ing, she enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking and traveling to help keep her healthy and centered.
Education:
- College: State University of New York at Albany
- Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry
Externships:
- WG Hefner VA Medical Center – Kernersville, NC
- Hickam Airforce Base – Pearl Harbor, HI
- Vision Care at the Brown Center – East Providence, RI
- Illinois College of Optometry – Chicago, IL
Professional Affiliations:
- American Optometric Association
- Hawaii Optometric Association