Stephanie Morton – Hampshire, Tennessee 

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?
Ophthalmology, Surgical Scheduler

WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Eye Health Partners

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? TELL US ABOUT A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU.
A typical day in the office revolves around a patient count between 30-65 patients who are being treated for retinal detachments, cataracts, glaucoma and other specialty cases. In any given day I am scheduling anywhere between 10-20 individual cataract, glaucoma and retinal surgeries for various different locations throughout Middle Tennessee and Alabama.

HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECTED YOUR JOB?
Due to COVID-19 we are only seeing emergent patients or retinal patients whose sight depends on retinal injections. Due to the age of our patients, we have had to implement strict precautions prior to seeing our patients to ensure their safety while in our office. Not only have we decreased our patient cases per day, we have also been mandated to cancel and/or reschedule surgeries until this virus has peaked.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE HORSE BUSINESS AND/OR HOW ARE YOU RELATED TO THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY?
I have been in the wonderful Tennessee Walking Horse industry all of my life (so over 30 years!)

DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE HORSES IN TRAINING AND IF SO WHO ARE THEY AND WHO IS YOUR TRAINER?
I am blessed to own RWC He’s Pure Poison and WC The Semper Fi, both are in training at Mike Hannah Stables.

TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL HORSE RELATED MEMORY WHETHER IN THE RING, ON THE TRAIL OR AT THE BARN?
I have so many wonderful memories surrounding my horses (both past and present). The most significant memory to date was from the 2018 Celebration aboard Hollywood Handsome. We competed in the O/A Novice Ladies on Novice Mares & Geldings. Out of a huge field of 17 horses, we were lucky enough to place fourth with a first place tie! This was my very first 1st place vote at the Celebration and the first time placing in the top four there as well.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ALONG TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY?
In our industry, we are not just competitors, we are a huge family. In trying times, we have to remember to stick together and always support each other. Always remember to be supportive, kind and caring toward one another because you never know what someone else is dealing with in their life!