Remembering Debbie Hettler, O.D.

Debbie L. Hettler, O.D., shared a love of optometry with her father, grandfather and brother. Dr. Hettler battled cancer in the last year of her life, overcoming many challenges. All the while, she continued to inspire with the depth of her resilience, her indomitable positive attitude, and her joyful zest for experiencing the wonders of life.  

To those lucky enough to call Dr. Hettler their friend, she is known for her strong will, unwavering determination, adventurous spirit, generous soul, keen intellect and inability to sit still for any long period of time. Her tenacity in the face of adversity served her well when she was given a cancer diagnosis. She stayed active throughout treatment, refusing to give up walks for many charitable causes, kayaking and craftmaking. She did what she could, when she could.  

And with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and commitment to furthering her profession, Dr. Hettler continued to participate in her profession after her cancer diagnosis, remaining licensed and certified, attending conferences, writing articles, and staying involved in the study and practice of her profession until her last days.  

“As a dedicated member of AFOS, Dr. Debbie Hettler embodied the highest ideals of our profession: compassion, excellence and an unyielding devotion to those who served,” said H. Lindsay Wright, O.D., executive director of the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS). “Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and in the continued work of doctors of optometry dedicated to serving our veterans.” 

Dr. Hettler’s journey in optometry 

Dr. Hettler graduated from The Ohio State University in Columbus, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Physiological Optics in 1978 and Doctorate in Optometry in 1980 from the college of optometry. In Dr. Hettler’s early career, she worked as a clinical optometrist for the Wilson Health Center in Rochester, New York, and for Rush Anchor HMO in Chicago. She received her Master’s in Public Health in 1984 from The University of Illinois while working as an instructor at the Illinois College of Optometry. 

In 1994, Dr. Hettler joined the Veterans Administration Hospital Optometry Service in Columbia, Missouri, and in 2009, she moved to Washington, D.C., to become Clinical Director of Associated Health Education at the Central Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Hettler continued to serve the VA after a move to Florida in 2019, where she practiced at the VA Outpatient Medical Center in Daytona Beach.  

Dr. Hettler’s remarkable career not only spanned clinical practice in a variety of settings but also included service in academic education through appointments as Assistant Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the College of Heath Sciences.  

Dr. Hettler exemplified lifelong learning, and she gave back to the profession and to those who would follow her through her work with professional associations, including the AOA, the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Optometry, among others. She mentored many, frequently lectured at professional conferences and published numerous articles.  

Dr. Hettler volunteered on several AOA committees, including the Multidisciplinary Practice Section, Public Health Task Force, Inter-association/Interprofessional Affairs Committee, Hospital Practice Committee, Geriatrics, Hospital Practice and Nursing Facility Committee and Patient Care Project Team.  

Dr. Hettler will be remembered for her fervor for living life to its fullest. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bnai Torah General fund.