BOCA RATON, Fla.—Healthy Eyes Advantage, Inc. (HEA), has completed the second phase of its strategic initiative to increase support of independent optometry through enhanced partnership arrangements with the state optometric associations of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi and New Jersey. Together with four similar arrangements announced last month, a total of 13 enhanced partnership agreements have been finalized, with more expected in the coming weeks, the company said. Although HEA’s push to strengthen its ties with professional optometry organizations kicked off well before the current COVID-19 crisis, the company and its association partners agree that their enhanced collaboration will be vital to helping independent eyecare professionals (IECPs) move their practices forward once market conditions improve, its announcement stated.

The new arrangements provide for a variety of joint efforts between HEA and each state association, including an increased level of both financial and non-financial support as HEA remains the preferred purchasing and practice solutions partner for each of these state associations.

“HEA is committed to advancing independent eyecare, and we are proud to announce renewed partnerships with the state associations in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi and New Jersey,” stated HEA chairman and CEO Jim McGrann. “The eyecare profession is presently facing unprecedented challenges, but by working together, we will develop new approaches that will help IECPs emerge from the current crisis and go on to build stronger, more resilient practices. HEA is fortunate to have strategic partners in each of these organizations, and I look forward to teaming with them to address the needs of independents in each of these states.”


(Clockwise from top left) Jennifer Cohen, Sheryl Benjamin, Linda Ross Aldy, Howard Cooper, Bryan Markowitz, Stacey Meier, OD, Linen Pok, OD, Vicki Farmer and Lynn Sedlack.  
The executive directors of each organization also lauded the new arrangements. Stacey Meier, OD, executive director, stated, “The Arizona Optometric Association has a valued partner in HEA, and we are looking forward to partnering with them to give our doctors some added benefits and opportunities to better succeed in these challenging times.”

Vicki Farmer, executive director of the Arkansas Optometric Association, said, “Now more than ever, our members are eager for the support of a trusted organization like Healthy Eyes Advantage. We are pleased to renew our HEA arrangement with expanded opportunities to grow together.”

Sheryl Benjamin, executive director of the Colorado Optometric Association, echoed these sentiments. “Healthy Eyes Advantage has demonstrated its commitment to Colorado optometrists, and I look forward to working with HEA to bring new programs that will help our members thrive in these difficult times.”

“The Connecticut Association of Optometrists highly values our relationship with HEA, and we are confident that our renewed partnership will help fulfill our mission of advancing the profession of optometry to the forefront of eyecare,” said Lynn Sedlak, executive director.

“In today’s challenging environment, the Delaware Optometric Association and our members eagerly embrace the opportunity to work more closely with HEA to support our members with purchasing and practice solutions programs geared to meet the evolving market,” said Linen Pok, OD, DeOA acting executive director.

Bryan Markowitz, executive director of the Georgia Optometric Association voiced his support for the GOA’s new arrangement with HEA, stating, “Healthy Eyes Advantage is increasing its support of and visibility to Georgia optometrists, and we look forward to continuing a robust collaboration with HEA to support our members.”

“With our recent scope expansion, now is the perfect time to introduce Maryland Optometric Association members to our newly invigorated partnership with Healthy Eyes Advantage,” executive director Jennifer Cohen stated. “HEA’s partnership will help Maryland optometrists expand their practices in new ways that will benefit our members and their patients.”

Executive director Linda Ross Aldy agreed with her counterparts, adding, “The Mississippi Optometric Association welcomes our enhanced collaboration with Healthy Eyes Advantage. HEA shares our commitment to supporting our members through all stages of their professional and business development, and we value HEA’s dedication to our members.”

Howard Cooper, executive director of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians praised the new arrangement, stating, “The NJSOP values its longstanding partnership with Healthy Eyes Advantage, and we welcome this opportunity to further enhance the strategic nature of our collaboration for the benefit of our members.”

Healthy Eyes Advantage is "the next-generation marketplace for independent ECPs," delivering competitive vendor pricing and unique benefits to more than 10,000 independent eyecare professionals nationwide. Based in Boca Raton, Fla., and with a West Coast service center in San Diego, Calif., the company is dedicated to delivering solutions that simplify each IECP’s unique pathway to success.