Dr. Michael Naugle.
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CALGARY, Alberta—FYidoctors, one of Canada’s largest providers of ophthalmic products and services, has named Dr. Michael Naugle as director of optometric partnerships, a new role at the company. The position has been established as a way to “increase our footprint in key regions throughout Canada,” FYidoctors said in its announcement late last week.

Dr. Naugle, a founding member of FYidoctors and past vice chairman of the board of directors, will be responsible for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of new practices, supporting the on-boarding process of new and existing practices and acting as a liaison for oncoming partnerships with the executive team. He also will be responsible for enhancing FYidoctors’ relationships and reputation with the optometric community both internally and externally, according to the announcement.

Dr. Alan Ulsifer, president and chief executive officer of FYidoctors, said Dr. Naugle is a “welcome addition to the team.” He has 24 years of experience in optometric practice, significant M&A experience and a strong background in optometric community leadership, according to FYidoctors’ announcement.

In a separate move, FYidoctors appointed Joanne Nemeroff to its board of directors. Nemeroff is a bilingual global retail leader who has led “the revitalization, reconstruction and growth of well-known brands such as La Senza, Bath and Body Works, Aldo and Victoria Secret/Pink,” according to FYidoctors’ announcement. She was the “creative retail architect behind the ongoing integration of Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy in Montreal,” the statement noted.

FYidoctors also reported that Group Miosis, a three-location practice in Gatineau, Quebec, has joined the FYidoctors organization, effective late last year. Led by Dr. Sheila Laplante and her team of 11 associates, opticians and staff members, Group Miosis has established itself as “a prominent optometric presence in Gatineau offering comprehensive services, with an interest in pediatric visual exams, and a diverse frame selection across three locations,” according to an announcement.

The acquisition adds to FYidoctors’ growing presence in the Hull region of Quebec and “demonstrates commitment to continued expansion in the Quebec market,” FYidoctors stated.

“We have big plans for the Quebec market in 2017 and 2018 and the addition of the Miosis Group of doctors and clinics is in alignment with these plans,” Ulsifer said in a statement. “The Quebec market is changing rapidly with multiple consolidators trying to grow. Despite this, we believe our model of doctor-owned and patient-focused care aligns with the values of Quebec optometrists.”

Dr. Laplante noted that “FYI is an obvious partner for me and my clinics” and the move allows her to put “the focus back on my optometry practice and my patients.”

FYidoctors, a private, optometrist-owned and operated eyecare company, works with more than 450 optometrists servicing over 260 locations, which includes corporately owned locations and Vision Source Canada locations.