Celebrating Jessica Hernandez’s 15 Years of Dedicated Care

At Panhandle Eye Group, we believe exceptional patient care begins with exceptional people. We are deeply committed to investing in our team members—not just as employees, but as professionals building meaningful, long-term careers in medicine. Longevity matters because experience, trust, and purpose directly translate into better patient care. Today, we are proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Jessica Hernandez’s 15-year work anniversary.

Jessica started her career in eye care by taking a leap of faith. Before joining Panhandle Eye Group, she worked several jobs, including in a factory, while thinking about a future in healthcare. A relative introduced her to ophthalmology, and she soon found her calling. “Once I was here, I just loved it,” she said.

Like many of our long-term employees, Jessica started as a front desk receptionist. Just six months later, she advanced into a technician role and has since become a highly experienced head tech for Dr. McCarty. She calls herself an “eye nerd,” and proudly so. Her curiosity and motivation to learn and share that knowledge with patients are exactly what high-quality medical care demands.

Jessica’s favorite part of her job is surgery. She helps by managing instruments, anticipating what’s needed, and making sure procedures run smoothly and safely. Even after 15 years, she is still amazed by the science. “I still get mesmerized watching the screen and seeing everything. It’s incredible,” she reflects.

When asked why she has stayed at Panhandle Eye Group for so many years, Jessica credits the people and the culture. “I think it has a lot to do with the people around me,” she says. She appreciates the encouragement she receives from Dr. McCarty and describes a workplace built on kindness, integrity, and Christian values.

“They listen to me. I don’t feel uncomfortable when I tell them I don’t agree with something,” she shared. This openness builds trust, encourages teamwork, and leads to better care for patients.

Jessica Hernandez shows what it means to build a career instead of just having a job. Her skill, compassion, and dedication have made a real difference for many patients and coworkers over the past 15 years. We are thankful for her commitment, proud of her growth, and happy to celebrate this milestone with her. Even more, we look forward to many more years of her making a difference, one patient at a time.