Meet Dr. Neda Gioia OD, FOWNS! This beautiful mama lives in Little Silver with her husband and two adorable girls. Dr. Gioia has practiced optometry for the last 14 years, and recently opened her own practice in Shrewsbury, NJ, Integrative Vision, where she offers adult and pediatric eye care as well as functional nutrition therapies. Learn more about this amazing Monmouth Mom, including her favorite local things to do with her fam!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I grew up in Wayne in Passaic County, and in the interim I have moved many times and chose Little Silver as our last destination.
My husband grew up in the area and attended CBA and had an amazing experience, so it was an easy choice.
Children and Ages?
I have two awesome little ladies named Leila (6) and Audrey (5).
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
A surprise and a sense of pride is that my family immigrated here as refugees due to war unrest. I moved to three countries before reaching the United States at age of four, and by that time English was my third language!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I’d like to thank my parents helping me through parenthood. I think about the uncertainty and challenges they faced with two small children and that only strengthens my confidence to get through challenging times. We all need mentors and they definitely fulfill that need.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
I love introducing world music to my children as well as traditional dance. Impromptu dance parties are my absolute favorite activity with them!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’ve practiced optometry for the past 14 years and studied functional nutrition and medicine for the past 5 years.
This year I decided to start my own practice, Integrative Vision in Shrewsbury, where I can offer adult and pediatric eye care as well as functional nutrition therapies to not only local patients but also demonstrate a model for other practitioners nationally for the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.
Opening a business in the middle of COVID-19 was obviously especially challenging; however, we have re-opened, and have created an extremely safe environment for our customers. We also created a special video on our website that talks about the steps we take every day to ensure exceptional sterilization and cleanliness.
Another aspect of the pandemic has been the growth of my tele-practice. You’d be amazed at the number of calls I receive about digital eye-strain, but with kids and moms. There are a number of ways to deal with the added hours we’re spending hunched over computers and our devices.
Further, I feel like every other mom at this point with all of the uncertainty about back-to-school. I think as moms, we’re so much more sensitive to making sure that the safest and most cautious decisions are being made in the interests of our kids.
And while being a mom is first and foremost, being a female entrepreneur and navigating an uncharted business model with eye care encompassing nutrition is my passion.
I am fortunate to be able to find this is my career path, in addition to being a mom.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The Monmouth County community really embraces healthy lifestyles and outdoor activities. There is environmental consciousness with a progressive mindset, and this supports my mission to introduce the integrative health approach to eye care. Having other businesses and supporters in the health and wellness arena have been paramount in collaborative efforts.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
I am always cognizant of a restaurant’s food sourcing. I love Apple Street Kitchen in Tinton Falls for lunches and breakfast especially with the kids and for a super easy restaurant that caters completely to my dietary restrictions, I chose Cave Bistro in Avon by the Sea.
What is your favorite activity to do with your child(ren) in Monmouth County?
We are so fortunate to be able to comfortably bike with the kids around the parks of Monmouth County. Enjoying the beaches and parks is absolutely one of the reasons why we chose to live here.
What are your Mom Goals?
I think as moms and parents we all give our unconditional love and wish for our children’s’ well-being; however, in terms of goals I want to demonstrate and cultivate grit and resilience in my children. If that is the only accomplishment I achieve, I would feel fulfilled.
Learn more about Dr. Gioia’s practice by visiting her website: https://integrativevision.com/