MEMBERS
during that time. However, when electronic medical records became
the new normal, the private practice became too expensive. She
devoted herself fully to the VA.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Payne has given her knowl-
edge and time to mentoring medical students. Immediately follow-
ing her own graduation from UofL, she became involved with the
institution’s pre-matriculation program.
“Dr. Irving Joshua, who trained my mentor Dr. Brock, has a
wife named Mary Joshua. She served as the Director of the Office
of Diversity and Inclusion at UofL. Though she’s retired now, Mary
Joshua was always involved in this gateway for medical students,
frequently African-Americans, who were underexposed to academic
disciplines. I regularly go and speak to these students entering the
program. I’m always looking for students interested in ophthalmol-
ogy whom I may be able to mentor.”
Students interested in shadowing Dr. Payne come from all sourc-
es. In addition to her mentoring through the pre-matriculation
program, Dr. Payne works with young people in the American
Academy of Ophthalmology database, and from the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, and even from recommendations of relatives.
Then there’s the cavalcade of residents who come through the VA
each year as well. No matter the number of young doctors, Dr. Payne
always feels blessed to make a difference in their lives.
“The world of ophthalmology is unique. It’s like living your life
inside of a diamond, and it’s a beautiful world to step into every day,”
Dr. Payne said. “So I want people who are pursuing that world to
reach their goals. That’s the best feeling. Whatever your journey is,
it’s my job to help you shape the path to reach your goals.”
Dr. Payne’s philanthropy extends beyond her practice and mento-
ring achievements. She recently served as the president of the Delta
Sigma Theta, a sorority dedicated to public service. She was also the
local president of the Women of Ophthalmology from 2014-2016.
new procedure. It wasn’t yet developed when Dr. Payne left residency.
Today, the procedure is a patient’s best hope for keeping their vision.
“I’m dealing with the number one and number two causes of
blindness in patients across the spectrum. If we don’t do our job,
people die or go blind,” Dr. Payne explained. “The beauty of our
craft is that it is evolving. It used to be that the physician had to
simply look in a patient’s eye. Now we are taking amazingly detailed
digital imaging. But, technology can disable a doctor from s eeing the
patient right in front of them. We must remain humanitarians first.”
After Dr. Kean passed away in 2007, there was no ophthalmology
coverage in Louisville’s West End. So, in addition to working with
the VA, Dr. Payne opened a private practice, Broadway Eye Care
Associates. She shared the load of the VA and her own practice
Despite her love of Louisville and its people, Dr. Payne won’t be
here forever. She wants to someday soon return to her hometown
and work with a nonprofit there. She also has dreams of opening
up a bed and breakfast luxury hotel. Her favorite B&B so far is The
Inn by the Sea in Crescent Beach, Maine.
Dr. Payne loves to travel and recently returned from her first trip
to South Africa. She loves to read, with favorite books such as Pride
& Prejudice and The Bible. But, it’s clear that Dr. Payne’s true love is
service to others, offering to others vision, both literal and spiritual.
“I’ve never been much into titles,” she said. “I’m into service. If
I do my work correctly, people will know me. I’m honored to give
back because so much was given to me.”
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville
Medical Society.
FEBRUARY 2018
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