Family and service have always been central themes in Doug’s life. Though he was an Army BRaT — born, raised and trained, as those in the know say — who moved multiple times throughout the United States and to Germany, he always felt grounded. His parents, Greg and Sylvia, forged a strong family unit, with traditions, faith and a commitment to serve others.

It was Doug’s younger sister, Allison, whose health challenges as a child inspired in him a desire to serve others through health care. She was born with Down syndrome and diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 2. She was hospitalized for eight months in her early 20s with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, that eventually required a transplant in 2002. She passed away in 2004 from complications from the transplant operation.

When Doug needs inspiration, he thinks of Allison. 

“She taught me to face adversity with steadfast determination and showed me what unconventional love is through her interactions with everyone she met,” he says.

It was his older sister, Jennifer, then a Marquette senior, who introduced him to the university, where he found a family of like-minded people committed to service, as well as his eventual profession.

“Without my Marquette family, who knows if I ever would have made it to optometry school at Ohio State University?” asks Doug, who credits Dr. Bill Cullinan, PT '81, dean of Marquette’s College of Health Sciences, with encouraging and mentoring his professional pursuits.

In 2010, Doug bought Northwest EyeCare Professionals in Columbus, Ohio. 

“The smile I see when giving a child their first pair of glasses really cannot be beaten,” he says. 

Through Northwest EyeCares, the philanthropic arm of the practice he created, he is an active supporter of several charities, including the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, the Columbus Buddy Walk, and Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research and Education. In addition, he provides free eye exams to those with limited means and acute need for eye care through three separate programs.

Doug and his wife, Deborah, who also works in the family business, have a 2-year old son, Quinlan, to whom they are committed to teaching the importance of family and what it means to serve others.

Get to Know: Dr. Douglas J. Bosner

Hometown:  An Army BRaT, his family moved every 3-4 years. 

Favorite quote: “If God is for us, who can be against us.”  Romans 8:31

Someone past or present he’d like to have dinner with: Al McGuire

The Marquette faculty or staff member who had a great impact on him:  College of Health Sciences Dean Dr. William E. Cullinan

In grade school Doug wanted to be a marine biologist. 

Most influential in Doug’s life: His younger sister Allison, who was was born with down syndrome, had diabetes and had myocarditis. She passed away in 2004 from complications following a heart transplant in 2002. Allison taught him how to face adversity and what unconventional love is.