Meet Tony Frei: The Heart of Carrot LASIK’s Community Outreach
At the heart of Carrot LASIK & Eye Center’s community outreach efforts is Tony Frei, a passionate and dedicated Community Outreach Manager. With nine years of experience in the eye care industry and two years with Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, Tony brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to his role. His journey into eye care is as inspiring as it is heartfelt!
A Life-Changing Moment: From Retail to Eye Care
Following a role in retail management, Tony knew he needed a change. The shift from retail clothing sales to eye care was driven by a desire to find meaningful work, and it wasn’t long before he found himself managing a Lenscrafters. One particular experience cemented his passion for the field: a young boy, no older than five, who came in with a prescription that changed his life. “When I helped him put on his glasses, he got super quiet and was looking around at the world with the widest eyes I’ve ever seen…” Tony reflected. “He looked over at his mom and started crying and said, ‘wow, mom, I never knew you were so beautiful.’ From that moment on I was hooked on helping everyone see the best they can see.”
Educating the Community: Tony’s Role as Outreach Manager
Tony’s role as Carrot’s Community Outreach Manager allows him to channel his love for education and communication into his daily work. “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor but refrained due to a… less than enthusiastic reaction to the medical things doctors have to do,” Tony shared. While he may not be in a clinical role, he finds immense satisfaction in educating optometrists and doctors about the nuances of ophthalmology. “It amazes me how many optometrists don’t understand what happens at an ophthalmology office, and the diverse array of procedures and services we provide. Getting to talk to doctors daily, all across the city…it’s really cool to be able to help the community grow in its overall ability to provide exceptional patient care.”
The Joy of Vision Correction: Seeing Smiles Every Day
Tony has seen first-hand the impact of ophthalmology offerings like modern vision correction. “Every single patient has these massive grins on their faces, whether they were in for LASIK, cataracts, or any other of our numerous services. They all smile from ear to ear and then proceed to gush about how much they love Dr. Herion or Dr. Hammond.” For Tony, these moments are a reminder of how impactful his work is and how much it means to be a part of the patients’ journey to better vision.
A Personal Connection: Tony’s LASIK Experience at Carrot
His connection to Carrot LASIK & Eye Center isn’t just professional, either—it’s personal. He underwent LASIK surgery at the center and describes it as a “wow factor from start to finish.” From the state-of-the-art tests to the relaxing pre-procedure experience, Tony was blown away by the process. “During the procedure…the reassurance from the doctor as he walks you through each individual thing he is doing with the most calming and soothing voice; 10/10 better than a spa day.”
The Impact of LASIK: A New Perspective on Life
The impact on his life was profound. “The next day driving to work I remember being flabbergasted. I could pick out the individual hairs on people’s heads walking along the sidewalk. INDIVIDUAL HAIRS with my eyes. I’d never been able to do that even with glasses at any real distance.” Tony’s gratitude for the life-changing procedure is evident, and it fuels his passion to share the benefits of vision correction with others. “I’m very grateful that I get to work at a place that can provide this same level of freedom to anyone who discovers its wonders.”
Customer Experience Excellence: Lessons from Disney and Carrot LASIK
Beyond the services provided at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, Tony connects to the experience his clinic provides – equating the level of care and attention to people to his time working behind the scenes at one of the most recognized customer experiences on the planet, Walt Disney World. “Through all of the roles I have held in my career, only two stand out to me as fully delivering on the customer/patient experience… The philosophy here [at Carrot and at Disney] isn’t about the bottom line, it’s about the clear as day fact that excellent service will grow a business, and so we ensure that every patient has that best experience.”
The “Disney Chill” at Carrot LASIK: A Magical Connection
Tony equates his experience at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center to the “Disney chill” – that distinctive connection of company mission and people – he felt while watching a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. “It’s kind of crazy that an ophthalmology office in Mesa, Arizona is where I get to experience that Disney chill every single day.”
