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CooperVision’s 2017 Best Practices Honorees

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Every year CooperVision Inc. recognizes optometry industry leaders who have forged new pathways to success in the face of industry changes and increased competition while also finding unique ways to provide exceptional patient care. The 10 honorees selected this year results from a nationwide search for eye care practices that advance the profession through innovation, industry leadership, and patient experience, according to a press release.

After beginning her career, Shauna Thornhill, OD, returned to the underserved East Amarillo, Texas, community where she grew up to establish Amarillo Vision Specialists. In addition to exceptional care, Dr. Thornhill and her associates organize a “Free Eye Exam/Toy Drive Day,” during which residents receive exams in exchange for donations to Toys for Tots. Thornhill also volunteers with the Laura W. Bush Institute of Women’s Health, Leadership Amarillo, and Energeyes.

Founded in 1965, Blount County Eye Center in Maryville, Tennessee has become the county’s most comprehensive eye care provider. Led by Will Tantum, MD, Blount County Eye Center’s only marketing strategy involves the practice’s participation in their community. The practice also created a “wear and share” program called Eye Love Guatemala which donates a new set of frames to a partner clinic in Guatemala for every pair sold in their U.S. office. This program has expanded to include Eye Love Blount County, Eye Love Haiti, and Eye Love First Responders.

Caruso Eye Care in Lake Worth, Florida, was established by Britney Caruso, OD, in 2005. Caruso is the sole optometrist in the practice which prides itself on difficult contact lens fittings. She has received her Fellowship in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine and is one of three optometrists certified with the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners.

Ten years ago, Jason Ortman, OD, purchased Castle Pines Eye Care, in Castle Pines, Colorado and developed a practice largely successful because of Ortman’s appreciation for technology. Patient charts and accounts have been converted to EMR/EHR, refraction, OCT, and fundus photography transfers are now automated, as well as recall systems, surveys, and reviews. Castle Pines Eye Care introduced live patient scheduling online and nearly all paper forms have been eliminated in the office.

In 2008, Gina Wesley, OD, founded Complete Eye Care of Medina in Medina, Minnesota. The practice operates according to these two questions: “Are we helping this patient or staff member with their ocular health or ocular performance?” and “Are we treating our patients and staff with the utmost service and respect?” Along with an affirmative answer to these questions, Complete Eye Care of Medina pays close attention to small details in a patient’s experience in order to exceed expectations.

Havasu Eye Center in Lake Havasu, Arizona, was opened by Stuart Adams, OD, in 1990. In addition to exams, contact and specialty lenses, ocular disease management, and surgical co-management, they also manage retinal detachments, narrow angle glaucoma, corneal transplants, and ocular trauma. To expand the specialty lens department, Stephanie Woo, OD, joined the practice in 2012 and an eye surgeon from Phoenix flies in to perform surgery twice per month.

Lawrenceville Family Eyecare in Lawrenceville, Georgia, was founded by Mehdi Kazem, OD, in 2012. Kazem believes that change – both big and small – is essential to success. He also enjoys traveling which is why Kazem visits local eye care practices throughout his travels and introduces what he learns to his practice. This provides his patients with a unique, innovative eye care experience.

Three years after her 4-year-old son proposed the idea of an optometry office for kids, Katherine Schuetz, OD, opened Little Eyes, a practice specializing in primary care pediatric optometry. Little Eyes, in Carmel, Indiana, focuses on the importance of annual well visits and Dr. Schuetz prescribes only 1-day contact lenses to promote fresh contacts every day.

Brent Fry, OD, established Premier Eyecare in Knoxville, Texas in 2002 to provide comprehensive eye care but his passion is hard-to-fit contact lenses, such as hybrid, rigid gas-permeable, and scleral lenses. Premier Eyecare recognizes the importance of a friendly attitude (not just cordial) toward their patients and believes this is a crucial aspect in providing the best possible care.

The last honoree is Specialty Eyecare Group in Kirkland, Washington. Founded in 2007 by David Kading, OD, and Kristi Kading, OD, Specialty Eyecare Group’s four physicians provide a diverse range of services. The practice’s doctors specialize in posterior and anterior segment disease, pediatric eye care, vision therapy services, dry eye, and custom contact lenses. They are able to refer in-house for nearly any eye condition that does not require surgery.

Source: CooperVision.com