Series Faculty - Chosen for their Professional Expertise 

  Optometry is a specialized profession, and practice management deserves the same level of expertise. This series brings together knowledgeable professionals from key business disciplines to provide practical guidance in their respective fields.  

Jackie Joachim, Health Practice Valuation Expert

Jackie Joachim graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science and has close to 30 years of experience in the health care sector. She began her career in banking where she learned how to finance health care practices. With 10 years of experience in practice management, she developed and delivered seminars to healthcare professionals across the country, coached hundreds of practitioners for planning, marketing, patient education, human resources and financial management. She has been a keynote speaker at both national and provincial association conventions where she has had the privilege of speaking with thousands of health care professionals across Canada.  

Alexa Hecht, OD,   Optometrist | Digital Educator    

Dr. Alexa Hecht is a Toronto-based optometrist providing comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she is a graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science.  

Beyond the clinic, Dr. Hecht has built a significant digital presence, with more than 60,000 followers on TikTok and 36,000 followers on Instagram. Social media has also played an instrumental role in helping grow her practice, giving her a practical, first-hand perspective on how digital engagement can support patient education, visibility, and practice development.    

Abdullah Sarhan, PhD,  Data Scientist | Entrepreneur 

Dr. Sarhan is a data scientist turned founder. He has spent over a decade applying machine learning and computational methods to solve real-world healthcare challenges including launching a startup revolutionizing functional vision testing using AI and VR making advanced eye exams more accessible, personalized, and equitable for patients around the world.  

At the intersection of industry and academia, he has conducted award-winning research and published peer-reviewed work in machine learning, medical imaging, and computational medicine. 

Maryam Moharib,  BOptom, BHSc, CSPO, CAPM 

Maryam is a strategist and clinical business consultant specializing in Electronic Medical Records (EMR), implementation, optimization, and system transitions for optometry and ophthalmology practices. She holds degrees in Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa and in Optometry from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England.

She has dedicated many years to working alongside ophthalmologists in refractive surgical clinics, where she has significant experience in clinical training and in EMR implementation for various software platforms.. 

Christopher Crofoot B.A., M.Ed. | National Director Healthcare 

Christopher Crofoot is the National Director of the Healthcare lending programs at CIBC offering expert and tenured financial experience within all Healthcare professions. A lifecycle philosophy exists at CIBC spanning from Greenfield practices to full consolidated portfolio management, including an eye on maximizing divestiture.

Christopher looks forward to engaging and listening to Optometrists that have an ambition for financial literacy and ownership - Christopher can be an excellent resource when considering opening an optometric practice from scratch or moving towards a targeted acquisition.       

Rachel McKay,  Senior Manager, National Industry Programs CIBC 

Rachel McKay brings extensive experience partnering with healthcare professionals and business owners to help them achieve their financial and business goals. She specializes in providing strategic banking advice, financing solutions, and practice growth support tailored to the unique needs of professional practices, including optometrists. 

She works closely with healthcare entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey—from purchasing or starting a practice to financing expansions, equipment, real estate, and long-term growth.    . 

Laura Camara, BComm, CPA, CA, 

Laura is a Partner in MNP’s Mississauga office. Laura delivers tailored accounting, tax and business advisory services to professionals, high- net-worth individuals and private businesses.

Drawing on 20 years of experience with professionals and private companies, Laura is a trusted advisor providing strategic advice on a wide range of business issues to minimize her clients’ overall tax burden. She also provides guidance and strategies to maximize charitable giving, asset protection, wealth transfer to the next generation and business succession planning.   . 

Series Sponsors 

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