Usataia Alina

About

Alina Usataia, OD, known as "Dr. Alina," was born in Moldova, lived in Germany, and immigrated to Canada as a child. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology with a double major in Health and Disease, and a minor in Physiology. She then pursued her doctorate in the USA, graduating with honors from the Michigan College of Optometry. During her optometry training, she was actively involved in leadership roles, spearheading multiple campus volunteer initiatives while serving as the community outreach director for the Optometric Student Government for two consecutive terms. She also served as the secretary for the American Optometric Student Association and was appointed as an admissions student ambassador, conducting interviews with prospective Michigan College of Optometry applicants. She participated in the American Optometric Association's Leadership Society and earned a student scholarship from the American Academy of Optometry. As an optometrist in Georgia, she became an active member of the Georgia Optometric Association, attending the 2021 Leadership Academy and serving on the Women in Optometry Committee. Dr. Alina's clinical passion lies in the treatment and management of eye diseases, with a particular interest in glaucoma. She received the Award for Excellence in Vision Deficit for Patient Care with Irreversible Vision Loss. She chose her clinical rotations with an emphasis on ocular pathology, completing externships at a private practice in rural Canada, Charleston Veteran Affairs Hospital, and Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. She then completed her Woolfson Eye residency in Ocular/Refractive and Ocular Surgery, a program in partnership with Southern College of Optometry. Dr. Alina remained at Woolfson Eye as an Associate Optometrist, where she triages acute and emergent eye conditions, assists in surgical co-management, performs light-adjustable lens treatments, and provides care for numerous eye diseases, including glaucoma, dry eye, uveitis, keratoconus, diabetic retinopathy, and other pathologies. She also participates in the training of externs and optometric residents and regularly lectures continuing education courses to peers and colleagues. Dr. Alina has a passion for community service and dedicates her time to volunteering for international medical trips, providing essential eye care to underserved regions. Outside of optometry, Dr. Alina enjoys live music, practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time in nature. She loves to travel and immerse herself in different cultures, visiting the Philippines, Colombia, Japan, and Costa Rica, among other destinations.