CALGARY, Alberta—FYidoctors, an optometrist-controlled eyecare company, has announced a merger with Family Eyecare, which is located along the busy Edmonton-Calgary corridor in Central Alberta. This marks the debut of FYidoctors’ operations in the area, according to the announcement. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Family Eyecare provides full-scope optometric care, including contact lenses, multifocal contacts, glasses, pediatric care, 24-hour emergency eyecare and genetic testing for macular degeneration. The clinic has been twice nominated for local business of the year in Lacombe and is known for its contribution to a variety of philanthropic causes across the region.

The practice was founded in the late 1940s by WWII veteran Dr. Les Walker, and was purchased by the husband-and-wife duo of Dr. Kevin Engel and Dr. Angela Power in 1999. They were joined by associate Dr. Samantha Sperber in 2017.

FYidoctors, a privately held, optometrist-owned-and-operated eyecare company with the backing of private equity firm L Catterton, has more than 550 optometrists, 270 locations and 3,000 employees in its organization.

“FYidoctors is committed to maintaining a doctor-led approach to eyecare which keeps patient needs as the top priority,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, chairman and chief executive officer of FYidoctors. “We are pleased to partner with Family Eyecare who subscribes to these same values and has been doing so for over 70 years.”
Added Dr. Engel, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to join the FYidoctors’ family and what this will mean for our patients and their eye health moving forward.”

Under the new partnership, FYidoctors provides the Family Eyecare clinic with significant human resource management services; customized staff training, tools, and support; world-class marketing and enhanced clinical technology, among other services.