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When Alecia Sandboe began her post-secondary journey back in 2014, she wasn’t quite sure where it would take her academically. Geographically, though, the picture was clear.

“The plan all along was to come back to Grande Prairie,” says Alecia, now a doctor of optometry practising at FYIdoctors on 99th Street. Alecia’s road to this accomplishment took her to Edmonton, Oregon and beyond, but upon graduation in 2022, she wasted no time in returning to work and live in the Peace region.

Originally from La Glace, north of the city, Alecia completed the first two years of her Bachelor of Science at 91��Ƭ��. She was thankful to have a local college to attend.

“It’s such a big step to leave high school, leave home, and make career choices,” she says. “It’s nice to have a good transfer program locally.” Alecia lists NWP’s smaller class sizes and opportunities to build relationships with instructors as some of the benefits, and says, 

“Some of the best professors in my many years of schooling are at NWP.”

Back in 2016, Alecia spent the summer working at NWP’s National Bee Diagnostic Centre. The experience confirmed her interest in science and led her to a degree in molecular genetics at the University of Alberta. Even before she left Grande Prairie, though, Alecia spent some time shadowing optometrists in the city. This experience, combined with her schooling, made her realize that she preferred patient-based care to research – and that there were good opportunities to practice optometry close to home.

Alecia earned her Doctor of Optometry with distinction at Pacific University in Oregon. “It was a nice environment to learn in,” she recalls, speaking warmly of the small campus that allowed her to connect with peers, professors and doctors. “It was similar to Grande Prairie. I really liked the small-town vibes.”

Her education also included externships – opportunities to learn practical in-clinic skills in a variety of settings. Alecia spent time at a veteran’s hospital in Pennsylvania, at a surgical centre in Edmonton, and in rural Alaska gaining expertise in ocular trauma. Summers were spent back in Grande Prairie, where she worked as an intern at the FYIdoctors location where she’s now employed.

Alecia is happy to return to her roots in the region. Her family has farmed in the area for four generations, and she loves the slower pace and outdoor opportunities here compared to the traffic and bustle of bigger cities. Alecia met her optometrist partner at school in Oregon, and is happily introducing him to her favourite local places. They’re settling into a new house while enjoying the antics of their playful golden retriever.

With her sister now attending NWP, Alecia has found herself back on campus a few times. “For any of my cousins or friends starting post-secondary, I recommend Northwestern. It’s an easier transition,” she says. Alecia’s own transition to professional life has been enriched by the opportunity to come full circle, working and living once again in the community she calls home.