<\/p>\n
PITTSTON \u2014 When Dr. Hannah Begley walks through the front door of Lumen & Co. Eye Care at the Waterfront Warehouse Building at 22 East St., Suite 5, she takes a moment to appreciate what she has accomplished.<\/p>\n
For the 2015 Wyoming Area graduate, the new practice represents much more than another optometry office. It is the realization of a dream that began during a high school senior project, continued through years of college and professional training, and eventually brought her and her family back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still soak it all in,\u201d Begley said. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a breath of fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n
Begley grew up in the Wyoming Area community and initially wasn\u2019t certain what career path she wanted to pursue. While working on her senior project, she explored chiropractic care before spending time shadowing an optometrist. That experience changed everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved the experience. I loved everything about it,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I was like, that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Begley went on to Temple University, where she earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology. She then attended Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, now part of Drexel University, completing four years of professional optometry education.<\/p>\n
Her education included extensive clinical experience, including a six-month rotation at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
After graduating, Begley returned to the Wyoming Valley and began practicing at LensCrafters, where she spent approximately three-years.<\/p>\n
She enjoyed treating patients, but over time she realized she wanted something more \u2014 the opportunity to make decisions about how patients were treated and to create the kind of experience she envisioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave the best care that I could in that setting, but I knew there was more that I was able to do for my patients,\u201d Begley said.<\/p>\n
That realization eventually led to Lumen & Co.<\/p>\n
The location was particularly meaningful. Begley and her husband, Mike, had already made their way back to the area after living in Philadelphia, and they moved into the building were she would eventually create her new business.<\/p>\n
As Pittston continues its transformation, Begley saw an opportunity to establish her professional roots in the community where she grew up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted it to be in Pittston,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was like the perfect time to build our roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lumen & Co. was designed to provide comprehensive eye care under one roof. Patients can receive an eye examination, select frames and lenses, and have their eyewear handled through the practice\u2019s laboratory services led by John Nicks, lab manager.<\/p>\n
Begley has also created a carefully selected collection of frames, ranging from familiar names such as Ray-Ban to luxury brands including Bottega Veneta, Chlo\u00e9, Christian Louboutin, Tom Ford, Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. The practice also carries Meta smart glasses.<\/p>\n
Technology is another important part of the practice. Lumen & Co. uses an Optos wide-field retinal imaging system that allows Begley to capture an extensive image of the back of the eye and retain it in a patient\u2019s record for future monitoring.<\/p>\n
The practice also offers one-hour service on certain single-vision eyewear orders \u2014 an option Begley said can be particularly valuable for patients who need glasses quickly.<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes, Lumen & Co. has been a family effort. Begley said her family have provided tremendous support as she made the transition from employee to business owner.<\/p>\n
The move was not without its risks. Starting a practice requires a substantial investment in equipment, technology, inventory and the business infrastructure that comes with operating independently.<\/p>\n
But for Begley, the greater risk was remaining where she was.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was scarier to just stay in my lane and just do that same thing over and over and over again,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Now, instead, she comes to work in a practice that reflects her own vision.<\/p>\n
There are plans to grow as the patient base expands, including eventually adding additional staff and another examination room when needed.<\/p>\n
For Begley, however, Lumen & Co. is already much more than a new business, it is a homecoming.<\/p>\n
The former Wyoming Area cheerleader who discovered optometry while completing a high school project has returned to the community that helped shape her \u2014 this time as Dr. Hannah Begley, owner of Lumen & Co. Eye Care.<\/p>\n
Dr. Begley is accepting patients and a variety of insurances and will offer more over the next three to six months.<\/p>\n
To make an appointment visit the business\u2019 website or call 570-705-8636.<\/p>\n
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