2003 Women of the Year
Position: Owner, Louisiana Eye Care
Family: husband, Michael; sons, Nicholas 9, and Benjamin 7; daughter, Rebecca 3
Education: B.S., physical therapy, Louisiana Sate University School of Allied Health Professions; M.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine; Internship at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation; Residency in ophthalmology, LSU School of Medicine.
Christine D'Antonio started her career as a physical therapist, but eventually saw the light in ophthalmology.
A native of Ville Platte, she now owns and operates Louisiana Eye Care in Metairie. As a doctor in private practice, she sees a range of ocular maladies like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even less-threatening conditions such as dry eyes. Her community involvement indicates she is a doctor who cares about giving her patients personal attention and educating them on eye health.
As a physical therapist, Dr. D'Antonio practiced for four years at Oschner Medical Foundation, working on the stroke and burn teams and in the diabetic foot care program, which she developed.
In 1992, she decided to attend Louisiana State University School of Medicine and later graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL, having transferred to follow her husband who is a radiologist. The family returned to New Orleans and Dr. D'Antonio completed a residency program in ophthalmology at LSU.
Now in private practice for two years, Dr. D'Antonio said she enjoys running a small business. "I like a little bit of everything," she said, adding that the rewards that come from helping people are greater than having the control of a private practice. "I do it because I enjoy it," she said.
In the community, she has given lectures to senior citizens on eye health, and encourages people, regardless of age, to seek regular exams. Some eye diseases have no symptoms, she said, and can only be detected by regular annual exams.
Dr. D'Antonio also served as the team ophthalmologist for the New Orleans Brass hockey team, a job that fortunately brought few injuries during her tenure. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology, the Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and is certified in LASIK surgery.
Outside the office, the wife and mother of three focuses on raisingher family and volunteering at St. Andrew the Apostle Church but also hopes to grow her practice, which she recently expanded to include an optical shop.
-By Faith Dawson