Andrew B. Hogue, OD

By Barb Sieminski |

Kittaka

When Dr. Andrew Hogue, OD, told his high school guidance counselor he wanted to be an architect, it was gently suggested that he choose another career.

“When I was 5 years old, Dr. Don Bollheimer performed surgery on my crossed eyes, so I investigated eye care,” said Hogue, who earned his optometry doctorate degree from Indiana University, and who 33 years later, owns two Better Visions offices, one in his native Columbia City and one in Leo.

Hogue and his wife, Laura, have four children – Chloe, Lydia and twins Lucille and Camille – and he admits that his wife is the real family star.

“She is not only a volunteer coach for the cross country team at Blackhawk Christian School, but she also teaches Chemistry and sleeps from 2 a.m. to 6:15 a.m. I don’t know how she does it,” admitted Hogue, whose own spare time is consumed with running his kids and sometimes other people’s to and from South Side High School for swim practice.

A dedicated musician, Hogue has played various baritone saxophones in some area big bands like Blue River Big Band, Stardust, Auburn’s Little Big Band, Knights on the Town and Lake Effect.

“I did not realize that getting to play all that music for a short time would be some of the most important times of my life,” recalled Hogue. “As a novice player, I am so thankful for all of the musicians I was privileged to get to play with.”

Hogue began practice in 1993 in Wabash with a group of doctors and learned a great deal from his mentors, including disciplines regarding insurance, practice and all the difficulties of running an office on top of employee challenges.

“It is so hard to be a solo practitioner,” said Hogue, who also worked in Fort Wayne 18 years with Longe Optical, where he learned more about the commercial and business side of eye care.

“Longe sold years later and became a subsidiary of Sweetwater Sound after the owner and Chuck Surack became friends. Optometrists are ingrained in school that the very best situation is private practice ownership. Because I knew I had learned enough in the industry to practice in my hometown of Columbia City, I decided to take over the practice there. I have put every free fiber of myself into delivering vision care, quality eyeglasses and contact lenses and management of my medical patients because it’s my family name on the building.”

“I use humor to get through the days. Most patients skip the formality and call me Andy. I tell my kids to call me Doctor Dad, and my nieces were always told to call me Doctor Uncle Andy. But regardless of professionalism, my most valued title is ‘Dad,’” he added. a

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2 Locations to Serve You 10529 Hosler Rd., Leo, IN 46765 260-627-2669

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(Formerly Westrick Family Eye Care) Accepting all insurances including: Medicare/Medicaid/VSP/Eyemed/Aetna/Anthem