Our Story: So...How did it all Begin?

Two young optometrists, Dat and Aaron sat around a small table in a dive bar one winter evening in 2017, nursing bottled IPA beers. They talked about the usual stuff: tough cases in clinic, girls they were dating, fast cars; when all of a sudden Dat sprung a question out of the blue: "I wonder how many of our colleagues are prepared for retirement and financially free?"

So the two docs decided to do some research. They asked around and interviewed other optometric colleagues, they even asked other professions such as dentists, MDs and chiropractors. The Disturbing Answer? Hardly any of these high income professionals knew even the basic of basics about debt, investing or net worth. The MORE Disturbing News? Many of these individuals were completely inundated with massive debt and did not realize the implications it carried for their futures.Suddenly, a topic that they seldom talked about in the past became a passion for Dat and Aaron.

They formed the popular online discussion group "ODs on Finance" on Facebook. The group quickly amassed thousands of members eager to learn and explore the world of personal finance.

So we sincerely hope you find value in this community and spread the word of financial freedom for all Optometrists and other high-earning professionals.

Meet The Team

Dr. Dat Bui, O.D

Co-Founder & CEO

Dr. Dat Bui graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO/MBKU) in Fullerton, CA. He practices optometry on the Apple Campus in the heart of Silicon Valley. With a keen interest in ocular disease and healthcare technology, he began his career with over $230,000 in student loan debt. Through strategic budgeting, personal finance, and investing, he cleared this debt in just four and a half years. Dr. Bui is a staunch advocate for passive index funding, with a portion of his portfolio dedicated to technology stocks. He also manages a large residential five-plex in the Bay Area, CA. As a co-founder of ODs on Finance, optometry’s premier personal finance platform, he co-authored the Amazon best-seller, The Optometrist’s Guide to Financial Freedom. Alongside this, he consults for technology companies, aiming to guide new doctors and high-earning professionals toward wealth and financial independence.

Dr. Aaron Neufeld, O.D

Co-Founder & COO

Dr. Aaron Neufeld graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. He now lives in the Bay Area, CA, where he owns two full-scope private practices, with an emphasis in specialty contact lenses and myopia management. He began his career with $160,000 in student loan debt and eliminated it (along with investing) in two years. He has a passion for both index funds and commercial real estate investing. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Neufeld co-founded ODs on Finance, the leading finance and investing platform for optometrists and optometry students. He has penned over thirty articles for optometry publications and co-authored the Amazon best-seller, The Optometrist’s Guide to Financial Freedom. Additionally, he’s an esteemed speaker and consultant on industry topics, having delivered multiple COPE-approved CE lectures on myopia management, practice management, and marketing.

Dr. Julie Phan O.D

Marketing Director & Real Estate Investor

Always the entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Phan decided in 2018, while expecting her first child, to pursue the goal of working smarter rather than harder in order to allow a greater focus on her growing family. She purchased her initial investment property in early 2018. Currently, she has over seven properties in total, all of which she has never visited. Through leveraging a talented team of realtors, contractors, and property managers spanning five states, Dr. Phan has steadily built a real estate business that generates consistent passive income. She plans to continue investing in small multifamily structures and eventually larger apartment buildings with the ultimate goal of achieving financial independence before the age of 40 so she can fully dedicate her time to raising her children while overseeing her two optometry practices. Along the way, she hopes to inspire friends, family, and colleagues about the value of real estate investment so they can work towards their own financial independence.

Dr. Chris Lopez, O.D

Career Director | Recruitor

Dr. Christopher Lopez graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston College of Optometry. Originally from Southern California, he now calls Wisconsin home, living there with his family. Chris is on the path to practice ownership. His clinical focus lies in ocular disease and specialty contact lenses. Beyond his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Lopez contributes to various optometry journals and travels nationwide to deliver COPE-approved CE lectures. He’s deeply committed to assisting optometry students and young ODs in their job search journey. Chris serves as the Director of Career Services for ODs on Finance. He is an advocate of passive index fund investing and plans to get into real estate.

Dr. Jennifer Stewart, O.D

Practice Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Stewart O.D is an internationally recognized speaker, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur. She is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of Look New Canaan, a boutique private practice in New Canaan, CT. She also helps optometrists and organizations with operations, sales success, practice management and sales team training, She is excited to join the team as practice advisor to help young doctors achieve practice ownership.

Todd M. Zarwell, OD, FAAO

Founder & CTO | EyeDock

Dr. Zarwell is in clinical practice in Madison, Wisconsin. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ripon College before earning his doctorate at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), where was awarded Colleague of the Year by his graduating class. Thereafter, Dr. Zarwell completed fellowship training in refractive surgery management, anterior segment disease, and specialty contact lens fitting at Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care Specialists. Dr. Zarwell has had a career-long passion for developing technology to make eye care provider’s and student’s lives easier, evidenced by his work on websites like EyeDock, EyeScholar (interactive tutorials for teaching refraction and retinoscopy skills), and iPhone apps. He joined the ODoF team as CTO of EyeDock, the #1 Clinical tool for optometrists.

Robert Yacoub O.D, FAAO

Content Manager | EyeDock

Dr. Yacoub, a native of Southern California, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2002. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry. He then completed a residency in Primary Care/Geriatric Optometry at the VA Sepulveda Medical Center. In 2007, Dr. Yacoub joined the Southern California College of Optometry as a full-time faculty member with clinical teaching responsibilities in the Primary Care/Ocular Disease Services. He also teaches in ocular disease, ocular health procedures, clinical medicine, and case analysis laboratories and courses. Rob is passionate about ocular disease and helping out optometry students and doctors excel in their clinical knowledge. He joined the ODoF team as Editor of EyeDock, the #1 Clinical tool for optometrists.

Ann Navarro

Executive Assistant

Ann was born and raised in the Bay Area and currently resides in Nevada. She is an Assistant for ODs on finances as well as a Health Technician for the Veterans Affairs in Las Vegas. Ann has been in the Optometry industry for the last 8 years and is passionate about helping people. Ann was Dr. Bui's former long-time Optometry Assistant at Apple Wellness, who moved out of state to pursue her studies in IT. Ann is proactive in seeking out new learning opportunities. She is a firm believer in growth and consistently strives to enhance her skills.