Renowned vision pioneer Dr. Marnix E. Heersink encouraged Troy University graduates on Friday to commit to being generous with kindness and forgiveness because of the difference the two can have in the lives of others.
Speaking to the nearly 400 graduates during the summer commencement ceremony inside Trojan Arena on the Troy Campus, Dr. Heersink said being kind and forgiving has an amazing impact on others.
“There are many ways, of course, to make a difference, but the most reliable path is simply to make things to make things easier and better for the people around you,” he said. “If you support at least one other person every day, five decades from now when you look back on the blur of your life, as I am doing today, you will be able to feel good about all of those 18,250 days and those 18,250 chances to make things better for someone else. I encourage you to make kindness and forgiveness constant parts of your life. In your future, you will often have the opportunity to change someone’s life by showing, sharing and giving kindness. After all, it is the only treatment that is completely free, remarkably effective and comes with no side effects except perhaps occasional laughter and gratitude.”
Dr. Heersink said he had devoted his career to helping people maintain or improve their eyesight, which allowed him to reach the conclusion that the eyes are wonderful teachers.
“In my education and practice, I have discovered that eyes are wonderful teachers. I’ve learned a great deal about people and about myself as I have learned about our eyes,” he said. “For example, we know that our vision changes as we age and the way it changes is a perfect metaphor for the experience of life. Half a century ago, like about 80% of you today, I had nearly perfect vision, far and near. Now, almost everyone my age can’t read a restaurant menu or your program up close because our arms are becoming too short. While we older folks may sometimes struggle to clearly see the choices and the pathways and fonts that are available up close to us in the present moment, once we have the benefit of hindsight, we see clearly what we should have seen and done a long time ago.”
Dr. Heersink shared lessons that hindsight has taught him through his life experience.
“We humans are unique in the animal kingdom because of our prominent sclera, better known as the whites of our eyes,” he told the graduates. “Our bright, white sclera means that everyone around us can see where we are looking. In contrast, predators such as wolves or eagles, have sclera that are not visible. Those dark predator eyes are hard to see so there is no warning for their prey. On the other hand, our prominent white human eyes show everyone where we are looking. It is this visibility, connection and communication among us which is vital because more than any other species we humans need to collaborate to solve problems.”
He also pointed to the unique ability of the human eye to do two things at once – focus on a particular object while also monitoring the field of view in peripheral or side vision.
“We can pay attention and concentrate on whatever has our interest while still be able to notice that dangerous predator in the forest or hopefully that flying frisbee about to smack into the side of our head,” he said. “It is incredible how the things that don’t grab and command our attention in the moment can turn out to be some of the most important things. For me, that kind of obsession with the small point of focus was most applicable and tempting at the beginning of my career – the stage of life where you are at now. It is easy to focus on your next degree, your next job, your next opportunity, but remember the things that may seem to be on the periphery may be particularly important.”
In closing, Dr. Heersink encouraged graduates to embrace change rather than fear it.
“There are life lessons in aging. There are life lessons in our eyes. But mostly, there are life lessons in living your life and not fearing but embracing change,” he said. “Today, you are a changed person. You have changed from being a student to a graduate and an alumnus. In our constantly changing world, I hope we all see the need for taking the chance to change and to care for each other, encouraging each other and being collaborative, giving, curious and kind. If we do that, we will not regret it.”
Dr. Heersink, co-founder of Eye Center South, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree and an M.D. degree from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. His internship was completed at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, while his residency in Ophthalmology was performed at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in Philadelphia. Following his training, he and his wife, Mary Parks Heersink, moved to Dothan Alabama.
His professional activities and affiliations are numerous. He is a Fellow and member of several Professional Organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, International College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (C).
He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and American Board of Eye Surgery. His professional memberships also include the Houston County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, American Intraocular Implant Society and American Medical Association. Dr. Heersink has a special interest and training in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cataracts as well as laser vision correction.
A gallery of photos from the Summer Commencement ceremony is available at: https://troyuniversity.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00003qyVhSgNEcY/G0000NSaheI5a3TM/20240726-Summer-Commencement.
