Rachael A. Wruble, OD

Dr. Rachael Wruble took over as the President of the North Carolina Optometric Society (NCOS) in 2020 at the height of a global pandemic and racial and political tension across our country that has not been seen in many years. Through this difficult time, she has put together several firsts in the State of NC. With some controversy and heavy backlash from leaders in the state of NC Optometric Community she has started several new advisory committees to the NCOS Board including: The Diversity & Inclusion Committee, The Ethics Committee, Young Optometrist Committee, and Corporate Optometry Committee. Each of these committees were specifically set up by Dr. Rachael to give under-represented members of the NC Optometric Community a voice. As immediate past president now, she sees these committees continue to thrive in her state.

As President of the NCOS she has been instrumental in starting Vision NC - a program that provides eye wear and eye care to patients in need in North Carolina. Since starting the program in 2020 over 150 NC Optometrists have signed up to volunteer their practice resources to support the program at no charge to these patients.

Dr. Rachael solely created the guidelines for North Carolina to re-open Optometric Practices during the pandemic that members could use to safely see patients.

Dr. Rachael volunteers her time yearly at multiple schools providing eye screenings and she volunteers providing free eye exams at the local health department. She signs up for every community fair within school systems to educate about optometry and how impactful it was to her. Additionally, she is known as the “Room Mom” within the school system and serves on the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

She is an InfantSEE vision provider, one of only 2 practices in the entire county who will see infants.

Dr. Rachael volunteers at the local health department, where she provides free eye care to patients a few times per year. At her private office in Belmont, NC, she has partnered with the Belmont Community Organization, providing services, food, clothing, funds for utility bills, and much more to local citizens who have fallen on hard times, as well as providing free eye wear and free eye exams to dozens of clients per year. She has partnered with Vision Service Plan to also provide free eye exams for patients referred to her by VSP.

In 2020, the annual Belmont Community Organization (BCO) Turkey trot 5K was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions in North Carolina. The BCO relied on this race to help fund their annual budget in providing food, clothing, shelter, medicine, fuel, utilities, and household furnishings to local citizens. When nobody stepped up to create a virtual run in its place, Dr. Rachael took it upon herself to make it happen. In 4 days, with the help of her local connections, she was able to raise $6,000.00 to support the BCO in their mission.

Dr. Rachael is a board member of Girls on the Run in Gaston County. She participates as a running buddy after school and for 5k races for young girls who do not have any female role models in their life. This program allows Dr. Rachael to mentor one young girl each year in health, wellness, and be a positive light in their life.

She has just finished a 5-year term on the Heart Board of Gaston County and a 3-year term on the Montcross Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Rachael is all about keeping active in her local community and providing support wherever she can.