RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—With a continued focus on supporting private optometry practices across Ohio via a partnership formed in 2021, VSP Ventures and Optometric Management Group (OMG) have announced the acquisitions of Dayton Optometric Center in Dayton and Kettering, Ohio, and Oak Harbor Family Eyecare in Oak Harbor, Ohio. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed. All practices will continue operating under their existing names, and all doctors and staff will remain in their roles, which is a continuation of “VSP Ventures’ commitment to preserve and enhance the legacy of doctors looking to transition their practices,” a VSP Ventures spokeswoman told VMAIL.

In addition, the founding OMG doctors will be fully responsible for all clinical decision-making and day-to-day operations. VSP Ventures will support the group through additional follow-on acquisitions identified by the OMG doctors, the spokeswoman added.
 
VSP Ventures and OMG announced the creation of their joint venture in June 2021, as VMAIL reported. At the time, OMG was composed of eight Ohio eyecare practice locations.
 
To date, VSP Ventures has acquired 74 eyecare locations across the U.S., with 11 of these eyecare locations coming into VSP Ventures as part of its partnership with OMG. The partnership was established to support private optometry practices across Ohio, according to VSP Ventures. 
 
Both Dayton Optometric Center and Oak Harbor Family Eyecare have built strong reputations in their communities over decades, the announcement noted. Marc R. Gilbert, OD, and Heath B. Gilbert, OD, at the Dayton Optometric Center are involved with local and national optometric associations, bringing innovative ideas to the eyecare industry.
 
“Joining VSP Ventures and OMG gives us peace of mind that our practice is protected and the legacy we have built will continue to thrive,” Dr. Heath Gilbert said. “We are now part of a larger optometric family that is committed to a care-focused vision and passion for comprehensive patient care.”
 
Oak Harbor Family Eyecare is the only optometry office serving the community and truly embodies the spirit of a small-town private practice, according to the VSP Ventures announcement.
 
“As I looked toward retirement, I wanted a partner that would prioritize the well-being of my patients and staff versus focusing on profits,” Dr. Russ Maringer at Oak Harbor Family Eyecare said. “VSP Ventures and OMG emerged as a perfect solution to preserve the sense of community that our practice has worked so hard to cultivate.”
 
“We are thrilled to add Dayton Optometric Center and Oak Harbor Family Eyecare to our growing family,” said Dr. David Anderson, co-founder and practicing optometrist at OMG. “Both practices have been pillars in their communities and have created lasting legacies by providing state-of-the-art patient care.”
 
“Our collaborative partnership with OMG is committed to protect the optometric profession and provide patient-focused eyecare for years to come in the Ohio region,” said Tiffanie Burkhalter, president of VSP Ventures. “We are honored that the doctors have selected us as their transition partner.”