Amy is Editor-in-Chief of Review of Optometry and Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses, and serves as Chief Community Officer for SightNation.com.

Arbitrary Facts: 

• Marywood University Grad. I’ve received other degrees and certificates too, but have found that none of the hoity-toity Ivy Leagues can hold a candle to the top-notch education offered in the great city of Scranton, PA.
• Married with children.
• Maiden Name: Amy Black (much better name than Hellem, but I couldn’t get my husband to agree to marry me if I held firm in my refusal to take his name. This was the first of many compromises).
• Mid 30s.
• Favorite TV Show: The Office (as if you had to ask!)

I was born and raised in Archbald, Pennsylvania, which is a small “coal-mining town” just outside of Scranton, PA (a.k.a. the center of the universe). I moved to Philadelphia in the mid-90’s and was later dragged, kicking and screaming, to New Jersey, where I’m paying too much for car insurance but am otherwise building a very happy life with my husband of 5 years and two beautiful girls.

To be honest, I originally took a job in eyecare publishing because I ran out of money while pursuing my Ph.D. in literature (as it turns out, laying on my couch with a good book is not super-lucrative). I did have a special connection to eyecare though. The greatest inspiration in life, my grandmother, lost her vision at a relatively young age. So this, combined with what grew into a great passion and respect for this industry, eventually led to my current career status: A 10-year veteran at Jobson, I am now Editor-in-Chief of Review of Optometry and Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses. Most recently, I also serve as Chief Community Officer for SightNation.com and am working on a cookbook, which is not exactly War and Peace, but it works for the “me” I’ve become.