Tamiko M. | VSP Blog

Author Archive

Untreated Vision Problems = Increased Dementia Risk?

Posted on March 16th, 2010 by Tamiko M.

This may be true for elderly people. A Reuters Health article sites findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study suggests, but does not confirm, a link between untreated vision problems in older Americans and dementia. Read the study here. Screen shot 2010-03-12 at 4.56.13 PM

In the article Dr. Mary A.M. Rogers, a research assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, recommends seeing an ophthalmologist. However, a VSP Network optometrist can also diagnose and treat vision problems as well as manage or co-manage eye health disorders.

File under: eye health, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: Alzheimer's disease, dementia
No Comments »

My Favorite Sights

Posted on July 22nd, 2009 by Tamiko M.

Tamiko M. is a member of VSP's Provider Services team.

Some memories are stored through sound. Saturday mornings as a child – Earth, Wind & Fire over the hum of my mother’s vacuum, Don Cornelius wishing me “love, peace and soul”. Other memories are tied to taste. Pittsburgh, PA – perfect pillows of pierogi or the surprising balance of tang and salt in a Primanti Bros. sandwich.

Though all of my senses impact the way I experience the world, vision seals the deal. Most of my favorite moments were experienced overwhelmingly through vision.

The first view of my children
Michelangelo’s David
The big smile from the cute stranger who would become my husband.
Exploring Mauna Kea – an elusive blooming silver sword, snow boarders, the sun setting behind the clouds, Saturn’s rings from a telescope!

A life this rich requires vision. For my best chance at new sights I have an annual comprehensive eye exam with my private practice VSP eye doctor. I also work to maintain my overall health to keep my risk for diabetes, a leading cause of blindness, low. I hope you will too.

I would love to hear about (and see) your favorite visual experiences. Do you have photos to share? E-mail us! You may see your photos here.

File under: diabetes, eye health, Fun, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: diabetes, eye exams, eye health, eyes, mauna kea, perogi, primanti bros, private practice eye doctors, senses, vision, VSP Vision Care
2 Comments »

Are You an Andrea?

Posted on July 6th, 2009 by Tamiko M.

Tamiko M. is a member of VSP's Provider Services Team.

“Thank you for calling Dr.’s Keddington and Kalra. This is Andrea. I’m so glad you called; how can I help you?”. That’s how I’m greeted by Andrea when calling a San Diego area optometric practice. So happy I called – really? What a way to set the stage. I can hear her smile through the phone. And she walks the talk. I’ve visited the practice, met with the staff, interacted with a doctor – everyone follows through on the expectation that Andrea sets. The doctors and staff don’t take their patients and business partners for granted.

Andrea from Drs. Keddington and Kalra.

At VSP we take service seriously. In my work in Provider Relations I meet with doctors and their staff members regularly. The most common feedback? “You guys provide great customer service!” (or some similar comment). The service that our providers receive from our Customer Service Representatives sets the bar high for me. Customer Service is my Andrea – they frame the expectations that providers have of me. In these difficult economic times, more than ever, I know that I can’t afford to take the loyalty and hard work of our providers for granted.

I’m glad there are “Andreas” on my team. Does your business have an Andrea? Tell us about her (or him!).