Inside the Life of an Eye Doctor
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 12/18/20
By the 10th grade, Dr. Fatima Ibrahim knew that she wanted to become an eye doctor when she researched eye care professionals and learned about what it took to break into Optometry.
Born in California, Dr. Ibrahim moved to Chicago around the age of 7 and lived in the suburbs throughout her childhood. She attended a private Muslim school from first grade to 12th grade, which helped give her a foundation of faith. Although she was one of the only Black students at her school, she felt comfortable there surrounded by students and teachers practicing Islam and praying and fasting together.
Her father was professor of mathematics and physics and her mother worked in healthcare. Growing up, she maintained high grades, joined the national honor society and robotics club, and participated in math and science competitions.
She attended the University of Chicago, where she worked as a biochemistry teaching assistant in her fourth year. After she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Microbiology, she attended the Illinois College of Optometry for four years and received her Doctorate in Optometry. She was offered a job working as a full-fledged doctor at one of the clinics she interned at while in optometry school.
As an Optometrist, Dr. Ibrahim says that one can work in various settings including corporate, private, hospital, and in the community. She advises gaining exposure to different types of practices by volunteering with, shadowing, or working for professionals in the eye care field. She practices in a private clinic setting.
After years of schooling and working, she met her now husband at the Masjid (Mosque), where they were both a part of a group that discussed Islamic topics.
When asked what marriage taught her about herself, Dr. Ibrahim responded, “I’ve always been very independent. I’ve learned that I really appreciate companionship and really good communication.” Adding that it brings her comfort. knowing that there is someone she can always talk to about anything and share her struggles with.
Here is rundown of what a day in Dr. Ibrahim’s life is like: she wakes up at 6 a.m. prays Fajr (morning prayer Muslims fulfill), does Dikr (remembrance of God), reads Quran, and then may return to sleep. About 8 a.m., she has breakfast, then heads to work. Once at work, she talks to coworkers, looks through her schedule of the new and returning patients she’ll be seeing. Then, she sees patients from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., goes on lunch for 1 hour, and finishes up work from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. She shared that during lunch, she leaves the clinic and uses the time as a her moment to focus on herself by having lunch and taking a walk or completing errands.
She acknowledges that work and life have its challenging days. Especially this past year with Covid-19. No matter what is going on, she is professional with her performance at work as soon as she walks into the clinic.
When Dr. Ibrahim is not working in the clinic, she is a content creator on social media, where she consistently curates content she loves including lifestyle, fashion, faith and eye health tips.
Reham Baghdady, a close friend of Dr. Ibrahim says: “Fatima and I met at the start of optometry school in 2012 and have been close friends through the years. For as long as I’ve known Fatima, she has always impressed me with her creativity, leadership and style. She always strives to reach new heights while staying true to herself and her values. It’s very humbling to see everything she’s accomplished and I know she will continue to do incredible things.”
As Dr. Ibrahim continues to help more patients with their visual health and brighten up people’s feeds on social media, she hopes to be remembered as someone who spreads positivity, stands for what she believes in, and inspires others — especially black Muslim women — to go after their goals and to live their best lives. Her success story teaches us that with dedication and hard-work, we can achieve the goals we set for entering and excelling in our ideal profession while continuing to explore the things we love and becoming our truest selves.
Welcome to Dr. Ibrahim’s World
“Success is finding joy and happiness in the things you do.”
Dr. Ibrahim enjoys reading , eating, making new recipes, drinking coffee and tea, going for a walk, and dressing up!
“A strong woman knows herself. She knows her likes and dislikes, works each day on herself, and stays true to her values.”
“Beauty is the quality of being your true self by having love for yourself and for others. Beauty is expressing yourself through how you like to show up, how you act and more. ”
Connect with Dr. Ibrahim
Instagram: @fatima.b.ibrahim
Email: fatima.ibrahim.27@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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