CALGARY, Alberta, Canada—FYidoctors chief executive officer, Alan Ulsifer, OD, was named Ernst & Young 2012 Prairies Entrepreneur of the Year in the category of “business to consumer products and services.” The award was announced at a gala event here last week. “Entrepreneur of the Year is all about celebrating local leaders whose drive and determination have made a lasting impact on Canadian business,” said Rob Jolley, Prairies Director of Entrepreneur of the Year. “Alan’s visionary leadership has single-handedly changed the face of the Canadian optometry industry.”

After building one of Canada’s largest independent optometry practices, Ulsifer merged practices and integrated health care, retail and manufacturing to form FYidoctors in 2006. Today it is comprised of over 230 optometrists in over 100 practices across Canada. “I often receive accolades for the successes of FYidoctors, but the successes of our company come from the vision and commitment of our doctors, our staff and our management team,” said Ulsifer. “I am lucky to work alongside such a passionate and intelligent group, and this incredible recognition belongs to them. While our drive isn’t to receive awards but rather to promote eye health and patient care, something as honorable as this award serves to remind us that we are headed in the right direction.”

He will join four other regional winners for the national honor of Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 to be presented at a gala celebration on Jan. 16, 2013, in Toronto. Then in June 2013, Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 will compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year. Ulsifer was one of the presenters at this year’s Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit, participating in the session on “Maintaining an Innovative Edge in Vision Care.”