Ellen Van Norman, OD, FAAO, has a connection to the University of Kentucky that runs deep.
Her grandfather, John Plumlee, MD, joined the department of anesthesia faculty in 1969 and her parents met while attending the UK College of Medicine—her mother an ophthalmologist, her father an anesthesiologist. Even her grandmother, Nancy Sanders, worked for years as a nurse at UK’s Chandler Hospital. With such strong medical influences, it was no surprise that Van Norman developed an early fascination with health care.
Her first exposure to medicine came in high school, working in the medical records department at UK. Though administrative, the role provided her with an insider’s view of clinical operations. Entering college as a pre-med student, she soon realized her passion lay in direct patient care.
Returning to UK during summer breaks, Dr. Van Norman worked as a technician in the ophthalmology department, an experience that ignited her passion for optometry. She was drawn to the immediate and tangible impact of vision care—helping patients see clearly through glasses or contact lenses was both rewarding and transformative.
Dr. Van Norman pursued her optometry education in St. Louis but remained connected to the Commonwealth. She would return during school breaks to apply her academic learning in real-world clinical settings. During her fourth year, she rotated at UK, where she developed a keen interest in pediatric optometry. Encouraged by faculty mentors like Barbara Crutchfield, OD, she secured a highly competitive pediatric optometry residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, one of only three programs of its kind in the country at the time.
In 2018, Dr. Van Norman made her official return to the university, not only as a faculty member but as its first pediatric optometrist.
Her clinical work involves close collaboration with UK’s five pediatric ophthalmology surgeons, particularly in fitting infants with contact lenses post-cataract surgery and strengthening the eyes of children with amblyopia. This specialized field allows her to build lasting relationships with families and make a tangible difference in children’s developmental milestones through improved vision.
Beyond patient care, Dr. Van Norman is deeply committed to education. As the coordinator for UK’s optometry residency program, she mentors the next generation of optometrists. She also plays a crucial role in training ophthalmic technicians, a responsibility close to her heart since she began her medical journey in the same position.
Her dedication extends beyond her own career—she works alongside her mother, Sheila Sanders, MD, who has been faculty in the UK Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences for over 30 years. Dr. Van Norman credits her mother as a pivotal mentor who guided her career path from the very beginning, even steering her away from a typical high school retail job and instead encouraging her to work in the medical field. That early push shaped her future, instilling in her a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of patient care.
While their specialties—pediatrics and glaucoma—don’t overlap often, the mother-daughter duo occasionally shares patients in the urgent care clinic. In addition to shared clinical duties, being in the same department has fostered a deeper professional relationship between the pair. Faculty discussions, academic conferences, and even simple day-to-day interactions provide opportunities for them to exchange ideas and support one another personally and professionally.
“It is so rewarding and fun to have Ellen as a colleague,” shared Dr. Sanders. “I am immensely proud of her clinical skills and professionalism. We both feel a strong commitment to UK Department of Ophthalmology and its continued success.”
Dr. Van Norman continues to shape the future of pediatric optometry at UK. She is currently leading efforts to accredit an ocular disease residency and hopes to establish a separate pediatric optometry residency in the near future. She was also invited to present at the 2025 American Academy of Optometry conference in October.
Her passion for patient care, education, and innovation ensures that her family’s legacy of excellence in medicine will continue for generations to come.
