Tyler ThomasTyler Thomas, 26, of Oneonta, Alabama, is blazing a path on many fronts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This May, he will earn three degrees from UAB: Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science in Vision Science degrees from the School of Optometry, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Collat School of Business.

Passions shaping educational path

Thomas has been a Blazer through and through. Growing up, he always knew that medicine was his calling but was not sure exactly where his interests lay. When choosing a college to pursue a medical path, UAB was the “perfect fit” for Thomas because “UAB was always known as a great school for medical professions,” he said.

Thomas joined UAB as a chemistry major and has stayed ever since because of its unique offerings, including small class sizes, which allow students to build relationships with professors.

Thomas came to UAB to become an oncologist, inspired by the loss of his mother to cancer when he was young. Her influence became a constant driver in his academic pursuits.

“Everything I do is to make her proud,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ interest in optometry was piqued after a visit to his optometrist during his sophomore year.

“I was drawn to her ability to maintain a healthy family-life balance and her love for her job,” Thomas said. “This conversation led me to explore the field of optometry in depth. As I did more research and shadowing, I realized how optometrists change lives while maintaining a schedule that is more conducive to a work-life balance.”

With aspirations to open a practice after graduation, Thomas enrolled in the OD/MBA dual degree program offered through the School of Optometry and the Collat School of Business. However, after a year in the program, he realized that he was a researcher at heart and decided to pursue a master’s degree in vision science as well.

“I chose the UAB School of Optometry because of its dual-degree offerings, which allowed me to pursue my optometry and business interests simultaneously,” Thomas said. “For an optometrist, research is crucial for advancing treatments and practices, and I wanted to contribute to that through my M.S.”

The combination of studying research and the principles of business simultaneously provided Thomas with a unique educational experience, he says. His M.S. complemented his optometry career with insights into translational research, and an MBA prepared him to lead and advance.

“My research experience has prepared me well for clinical research after graduation,” Thomas said. “The MBA program has taught me about professional interactions and teamwork, which are essential in a successful clinical environment. It has also prepared me for future managerial and administrative roles.”

Thomas has been a blazer for eight years and has earned four degrees from UAB.Thomas’ determination to complete three degrees was supported by faculty and staff from both schools. While Christy Manning, academic advisor at the Collat School of Business, ensured Thomas stayed on track for his degree by signing him up for all his MBA classes, Kelly Nichols, M.D., Ph.D., O.D., dean of the School of Optometry, and Kathy Weise, O.D., professor and pediatric optometry service director in the School of Optometry, mentored him along the way.

“Tyler is a contemporary role model of old-school goodness,” Weise said. “He volunteers selflessly, he works tirelessly, and he inspires others with his optimism, heart and big brain. I have always told him I hope my sons turn out like him.”

In addition to academic interests, Thomas was always passionate about his extracurricular ventures because he saw them as opportunities to drive purpose and connect with like-minded individuals, he says.

Throughout his graduate studies, Thomas held leadership positions in the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, Spectrum Club and the UAB Graduate Student Government Association. He was also a UAB School of Optometry Ambassador, and member of the National Optometric Student Association and the UAB Student Health Advisory Board, among others.

Thomas’ favorite memory as an optometry student at UAB is traveling to Talladega to provide eye exams at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.

“It was a truly rewarding experience because we got to be a small part in the lives of these students,” Thomas said. “Additionally, the eye and systemic conditions we encountered at AIDB created a great learning environment.”

While Thomas brilliantly aced three demanding courseloads and cultivated an extraordinary involvement portfolio simultaneously, the journey was not one without challenges.

Thomas is waving goodbye to UAB with a decorated email signature: “Tyler Thomas, O.D., M.S., MBA.”“Pursuing three degrees at once was not always easy because I wanted to ensure my academics didn’t affect my involvement in clubs and my personal life –– something I hold dearly,” Thomas said. “I managed to complete this with the support of my family and friends, along with my strong time management and organizational skills.”

During his time in optometry school, Thomas explored a variety of clinical specialties; but pediatrics consistently stood out to him as the most fulfilling.

“The diversity of cases — from prescribing corrective lenses to identifying systemic conditions — continues to fascinate me,” Thomas said. “I am especially inspired by how pediatric optometrists can transform a child’s developmental path through improved vision.”

Thomas is waving goodbye to his academic career with all his goals accomplished: a pediatric residency lined up at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and a decorated email signature: “Tyler Thomas, O.D., M.S., MBA.”

“Earning three degrees in four years has been my proudest accomplishment,” Thomas said. “Everyone thought I was crazy for attempting this feat, but I am so thankful that I did it. It has been a tough journey, but it has all been worth it.”