By Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:21 AM
ATLANTA—
Eye Health America (EHA), a leading eyecare practice management services organization in the Southeast, has acquired Dillon Eyecare Associates (DEA) and
Pee Dee Eye Associates (PDEA), two “fabric of the community” optometry practices located in the Pee Dee region (between Columbia and Myrtle Beach) of South Carolina, according to an announcement this week. With locations in Dillon, Hartsville and Sumter, S.C., the DEA and PDEA practices are both “the go-to primary eyecare providers in their communities,” according to the announcement.
By Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:27 AM
NEW YORK and ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Two vision care businesses are among the first groups in the U.S. to announce that they will be instituting closures of their offices and store networks to prevent the spread of the oronavirus (COVID-19). In an announcement late yesterday,
Vision Innovation Partners, a leading provider of ophthalmology services in the Mid-Atlantic region, said they are suspending all non-emergent appointments and surgeries for at least two weeks throughout its entire network.
By Staff
Friday, February 28, 2020 12:21 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The
California Optometric Association (COA) announced Thursday that Jason Tu, OD, has been elected as the new president of the organization. Dr. Tu is a practicing optometrist in San Diego, and he has been a compassionate provider and effective advocate for his patients over his decades-long career, according to the announcement. Previously, Tu served as the president of the COA San Diego County Optometric Society, secretary-treasurer of the California Optometric Association, and on the Vision of Children Foundation advisory board.
By Staff
Thursday, February 20, 2020 12:24 AM
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—
Keplr Vision, a management group that provides a comprehensive operational and support platform to optometric practices, has named Chris Folsom as the organization’s first chief financial officer. Folsom, who took on the new responsibilities in January, brings more than 20 years of financial executive leadership experience to the fast-growing Keplr organization, according to an announcement. Folsom began his career with KPMG LLP, a “Big Four” accounting firm and subsequently transitioned into roles within manufacturing and service-based organizations.
By Staff
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 12:21 AM
SAN RAMON, Calif.—Signaling a dedication to further strengthen its unique corporate culture,
CooperCompanies president and chief executive officer Albert White has signed the CEO Action for
Diversity & Inclusion pledge. This is the world’s largest CEO-driven initiative to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace, according to a Cooper announcement this week. “Inclusion and diversity play a central role in how we operate,” White said. “Valuing different perspectives and experiences makes us even more competitive and helps employees reach their full potential.”
By Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 12:18 AM
SAN RAMON, Calif.—
CooperCompanies (NYSE: COO) has named Mark Drury as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective Feb. 15. He will report to Albert G. White, president and chief executive officer, according to an announcement late last week. Drury succeeds Randal L. Golden, who announced his plans to retire after many successful years with the company. As part of the transition, Golden will continue to serve in a legal advisory role until Feb. 1, 2021, the announcement noted.
By Staff
Friday, January 31, 2020 12:15 AM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—
Johnson & Johnson Vision announced Thursday that Charissa Lee, OD, FAAO, has been appointed to the position of head, North America professional affairs. In this capacity, Lee will be responsible for professional relations, professional education and advocacy efforts for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care while also continuing to oversee the Johnson & Johnson Institute, according to the announcement. Since May 2014, Lee has served as director of professional education, where she revitalized the focus on emerging doctors and oversaw the Johnson & Johnson Institute.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 12:21 AM
SAN RAMON, Calif.—CooperVision has named Jane Agbontaen as senior brand director for myopia management–Americas, according to an announcement this week. In this newly created role, Agbontaen will be responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all activities that support the U.S. growth of CooperVision’s myopia management portfolio—specifically the Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program with MiSight 1 day, the first and only FDA-approved product clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia when initially prescribed for children 8-12 years old in the U.S.
By Staff
Friday, January 10, 2020 12:18 AM
MONTREAL—
New Look Vision Group Inc. (BCI.TO) has appointed Jason Schonfeld, CFA, to the role of senior vice president, business development. Schonfeld joined New Look Vision in November 2015 as director, corporate development, according to an announcement earlier this week. He has held the position of chief financial officer of Iris, The Visual Group (1990) Inc. since October 2017. Iris is New Look Vision’s optometric division. “Jason’s track record and experience, from external growth to integration of acquired business units, most recently at Iris, are instrumental to support New Look Vision’s current strategic and operating priorities,” New Look Vision chief executive officer Antoine Amiel said.
By Staff
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 12:21 AM
TUSTIN, Calif.—As part of Canon Inc.’s global medical business strategic realignment, the eyecare business operations within Canon U.S.A. will transfer to
Canon Medical Systems USA, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Canon’s shift in business operations will allow Canon Medical Systems USA to offer ophthalmologic solutions to IDN customers, while leveraging full-line medical imaging business synergies to address population health challenges associated with chronic conditions, according to an announcement this week. Chronic conditions can include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases and other retinal conditions that can lead to loss of vision and blindness.
By Staff
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 12:24 AM
DULUTH, Ga.—
National Vision Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, announced Monday that Joan Blackwood has joined the company as chief marketing officer. She will report to chief executive officer Reade Fahs, according to the announcement. Blackwood will be responsible for leading the organization’s marketing function, including strategic brand management, creative, CRM, advertising and media, digital marketing, e-commerce and research/insights. Blackwood comes to National Vision from the University of Phoenix, where she served as chief marketing officer and was responsible for increasing brand consideration, accelerating efficient customer acquisition growth, while increasing retention rates. Prior to that, she held the chief marketing officer role for several companies, including 1-800-Contacts/Glasses.com, Zumba Fitness and Monster Worldwide, as well as a variety of marketing leadership roles.
By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2019 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—James M. Dubin, chairman of the Board of Lighthouse Guild, announced Wednesday that Alan R. Morse, JD, PhD will be stepping down later this year as president and CEO of
Lighthouse Guild after an extraordinary career of almost 52 years as a leader and innovator in the field of vision and health. “Dr. Morse is an innovator with a deep commitment to providing quality programs and services for people with vision loss,” said Dubin. “His leadership has changed how we as a society think about blindness and low vision.
By Staff
Friday, August 3, 2018 12:18 AM
NORWALK, Conn.—
IDOC, a privately held alliance of independent optometrists, announced that James (Jim) Thimons, OD, FAAO, and Matt Yordy have been named to the group’s board of directors. IDOC said it will benefit from the board members’ “unique expertise as IDOC continues to grow and develop best in class programming and services for its members,” according to the announcement earlier this week. The two new directors expand IDOC’s board to seven director positions, according to a spokeswoman.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 12:24 AM
CHICAGO—
Opternative Inc., a healthcare technology and online vision testing company, has named Lori McInerney as chief marketing officer. She will lead the marketing team in “driving brand awareness globally, growing partner marketing and bringing in new business,” according to an announcement Tuesday. Prior to joining Opternative, McInerney was vice president of marketing at
Shiftgig, where she and her team were responsible for driving new business via targeted content and thought leadership, increasing brand awareness and public relations, and recruiting on-demand talent, Opternative said in its announcement. She also spent more than 10 years at CareerBuilder in various marketing and sales leadership roles.