11835 Carmel Mountain Rd. Suite 1304-211
San Diego, CA 92128
May 2026
President's Message
As we move into May, I want to take a moment to reflect on a fantastic April CE event. Our 5-hour CE was filled with excellent, high-quality content, and it was great to see such strong engagement from our community. A special thank you to our sponsors—your continued support makes these events possible. And of course, the door prizes added a fun touch to an already successful evening.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for our next OD Mixer coming up in June. Rumor has it this one may involve an escape room—so stay tuned for more details. It’s shaping up to be a unique and memorable opportunity to connect with colleagues.
A quick reminder to consider volunteering for upcoming school vision screenings and at LOVC. These opportunities make a meaningful impact in our community and are a great way to give back.<
May is always a festive and busy time, and I hope everyone is enjoying the celebrations that come with the season. My own family has a lot to celebrate as well—we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our baby this month. While I may be in full newborn mode, I’ll still be around and look forward to staying connected.
Our next CE event will be in July, and we hope to see you there.
Wishing you all a wonderful May!
Sloan Rajadhyksha OD, FAAO, FCOVD
Volunteer Outreach
In March, a 13-person volunteer team from LionsInSight provided vision care and eyewear to nearly 900 residents of Monterrey, Mexico during a two-day clinic.
Among the volunteer doctors was SDCOS Board Member Dr. Bob Meisel, joined by colleagues from Nevada, Texas, North Carolina, and Northern California.
Dr. Jack Anthony, retired and now residing in Orange County after many years in practice in San Diego, also volunteered his time, serving as a technician for the clinic.
April is recognized as National Volunteer Month, but any time is a great time to give back and help others in need.
If interested in participating in future outreach efforts are encouraged to visit LionsInSight.net for more information or contact Dr. Meisel at rmeisel47@gmail.com.
SDCOS Member Spotlight: Dr. John Riggs
We’re pleased to feature Dr. John Riggs in this month’s Member Spotlight!
Dr. Riggs practices in a solo setting with a focus on glaucoma care. He is a graduate of SCCO, class of 1981, and brings decades of experience and dedication to patient care.
His favorite aspect of optometry is helping patients, a value that continues to guide his work every day.
If he weren’t an optometrist, it sounds like he wouldn’t choose anything else—optometry has clearly been a fulfilling and rewarding career that he truly enjoys.
The last book he read was The Mark of the Christian by Francis A. Schaeffer.
In his free time, he enjoys attending San Diego Padres baseball games. ⚾️
His advice to his younger self: get involved early and take advantage of opportunities to contribute.
Why Market Volatility Is Part of the Journey
Brought to you by: Nichole Mayer & Will HageNichole.Mayer@WestPacWealth.com
Will.Hage@WestPacWealth.com
Every investor eventually encounters rough seas. The challenge is that many people begin their financial journey expecting nothing but sunshine, smooth sailing, and markets that rise steadily upward. That expectation is often shaped by headlines, advertisements, and stories that focus only on success. Rarely do we see the reality that temporary storms are simply part of the trip.
Imagine someone taking their very first Caribbean cruise. They board a beautiful ship expecting calm water and endless sunshine because that is all they saw in the brochures. Then a passing squall hits. Winds pick up, rain sweeps across the deck, and the ocean becomes choppy. To the first-time passenger, it may feel like disaster. To the seasoned traveler, it is simply weather. They know storms pass, the ship is built for it, and there is plenty to enjoy below deck while
conditions improve.
The stock market works much the same way.
If someone believes a “good” investment only goes up, then any decline can feel like proof something is wrong. Fear takes over, emotions rise, and the temptation becomes to sell at exactly the wrong time. But experienced investors understand that periods of volatility are normal. Market pullbacks, corrections, and uncertainty are not signs of failure—they are part of long-term investing.
History reminds us of this lesson. Since the early 1950s, the S&P 500 has experienced declines of 5% or more in the vast majority of calendar years and declines of 10% or more have occurred in more than half of those years. Yet despite those temporary setbacks, the long-term average annual return has remained strong over time.
That perspective matters.
When you expect occasional turbulence, you are less likely to panic when it arrives. You are more likely to stay disciplined, remain focused on your plan, and avoid emotional decisions that can damage long-term results.
This is where thoughtful planning and sound advice become valuable. A well-designed portfolio should include diversification, proper risk alignment, and the flexibility to adapt when circumstances change. More importantly, it should be built with the understanding that rough markets are not unexpected events, they are expected events.
No one enjoys storms, whether at sea or in the markets. But preparation changes everything. When volatility arrives, remember this too shall pass. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and lean on trusted guidance before making major financial decisions.
Sources:
1. http://go.pardot.com/e/91522/y-of-loss-in-the-stock-market-/97bwdk/3111500560/h/2KDlmLwK7W78ej3xqnLeeTB9W04C8A2iZDprBmrUMkk
2. http://go.pardot.com/e/91522/erage-annual-return-sp-500-asp/97bwdn/3111500560/h/2KDlmLwK7W78ej3xqnLeeTB9W04C8A2iZDprBmrUMkk
The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not legal, tax or financial advice. For information regarding your particular situation, contact an attorney or a tax or financial professional. The information in this newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, tax or financial advice. In specific cases, clients should consult their legal, accounting, tax or financial professional. This article is not intended to give advice or to represent our firm as being qualified to give advice in all areas of professional services. Exit Planning is a discipline that typically requires the collaboration of multiple professional advisors. To the extent that our firm does not have the expertise required on a particular matter, we will always work closely with you to help you gain access to the resources and professional advice that you need.
Any examples provided are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Examples include fictitious names and do not represent any particular person or entity.
Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against market loss.
Nichole Mayer & Will Hage are Registered Representatives and Financial Advisors of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representatives of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. WestPac Wealth Partners LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Insurance products offered through WestPac Wealth Partners and Insurance Services, LLC, a DBA of WestPac Wealth Partners, LLC. | Mayer CA Insurance License #0F54659 | Hage CA Insurance License #0D97541 | 8900998.1 Exp. 04/28
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