Her 10+ years clinical experience spans building a solo private practice de novo, working in private practice, for private equity and for a large managed care organization. She earned her medical degree from the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and completed her ophthalmology residency at the Kresge Eye Institute. She finished a glaucoma fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Barte is a published author, national speaker and former key opinion leader. Outside of medicine, she enjoys Pilates, travel, delicious food (especially when paired with wine), karaoke, and weekly dance parties to the K pop demon hunters soundtrack with her daughter.
Service to people is in my DNA. My parents grew up in very provincial areas in the Philippines, and both became physicians. My parents have organized medical missions to the Philippines, in the communities where they were raised, since I was in high school. I have participated in three of my family’s medical missions to the Philippines, in addition to missions to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
My mother always told me, “You will need to work twice as hard because you are a woman.” Still, with this knowledge, I was surprised by how much her words applied when I first entered healthcare. Patients have an expectation of the appearance of the conventional physician. There is also a distinct hierarchy in the medical field. I am always proving myself intellectually to patients, my peers and other staff. Further, there is the belief that a woman cannot excel equally in her professional and personal roles. There is no ideal balance between a woman’s professional and personal roles; however, I have specific personal definitions of success in each realm – in this regard, I am an excellent mother and physician.
1) Defining my values- courage, integrity, growth. Equally important, re-examining/re-defining my values from time to time. “Life is always changing. It’s okay to pick a new North Star.”
2) Identifying and maintaining boundaries. I let go of things that no longer serve me.
3) I am very intentional with my time – my time is invaluable. My daughter is 6.5 years old and will only love me for 5 more years. I currently protect my time with her, so I can be a fully present mother.
4) Identifying and prioritizing my needs, so I can show up as the best version of myself, both professionally and personally.
5) Building community with meaningful relationships
Healthcare is always evolving and there are vast opportunities within healthcare – explore all of them. Do not limit yourself. When you explore, always think how that career path will affect your personal life in the future.
Connect with me on Instagram, TikTok and Substack via Third Moon Health and/or LinkedIn via Felise May Barte, MD