Extol June-July 2019 | Page 76

EXECUTIVE through VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services To Humanity) with her father changed her life. “We went to Honduras and that stuck with me,” she explained. “My dad would spend hours operating, and I’d work in the dispensary, giving out glasses.” She made her way to Butler University, where she kicked around studying genetics and childhood education, but when a sorority sister went into optometry, it all clicked. “I realized I’d been preparing for that my whole life,” she said. As she focused on optometry, she also made another fateful connection. “Jessica and I met at Butler when several friends piled into a minivan for a short trip,” laughed Dr. Kristopher Pugh. “I got to know her then.” As they dated, they discussed their medical studies and naturally, Jessica talked a lot about her dad. “We went to different cities for medical school,” explained Kristopher, who had a goal of becoming a hospitalist. “I was influenced by her dad, who is really gregarious and fun to be around, and that combo and a surgery rotation my 3rd year made me decide to switch from medicine to surgery.” The couple was married shortly after graduation and moved to South Carolina for Kristopher’s surgery residency. While they were there, they welcomed their first two children. But, the tug of returning home to Indiana always remained. In 2007, with other job prospects on the table, the couple moved home. “We had offers to consider and it didn’t take us long to realize we had an opportunity you just can’t recreate – both our families are in Indiana,” said Kristopher. “Dr. Black is so well-known and has such a great reputation that the chance to come back here and learn from him, and for me to rev up as a surgeon and Jessica as an eye doctor, was as good as any fellowship or job that existed elsewhere.” VISION AND GROWTH “We didn’t come here thinking my dad was on his way out,” said Jessica. “We’d love it if he’d Goodbye Junk. Hello Relief! Get rid of unwanted items without lifting a finger. We show up on time and clean up when we’re done. 1-800-468-5865 | 1800gotjunk.com When you prefer the best Samantha Huber Owner By choosing us you help save billions of pounds of junk from the landfill. * To redeem this offer, present this ad at time of pickup. Cannot be combined with any other offer and is not redeemable for cash. Not valid on single item or minimum charge pickups. 74 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2019 7617 Old State Rd 60 Sellersburg, IN 47172 812.246.5930 www.preferredmeatsinc.com