James Kirchner, OD.
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BOCA RATON, Fla.–Healthy Eyes Advantage (HEA) has announced that James Kirchner, OD, has been appointed to the newly-created position of executive consultant for state and professional relations within the company. Dr. Kirchner will be part of a three person team that also consists of Lorie Lippiatt, OD, executive vice president of professional strategies, and Laura Dorris, senior director of community relations. In this new role, Dr. Kirchner will act as the primary liaison between HEA and professional associations.

Dr. Kirchner spent more than 30 years practicing independent optometry in Lincoln, Nebraska, and spent the last nine years on the business side of the industry, most recently as president and CEO of SynergEyes, Inc. He has been awarded the Nebraska OD of the Year award and the Nebraska Distinguished Service Award, and is a past president of the Nebraska Optometric Association and the North Central States Optometric Council. He also served on the Nebraska Board of Optometry, chairing for four years. Dr. Kirchner is an active member of the AOA and has served in and chaired a number of its committees and task forces.

Jim McGrann, HEA chairman and CEO, said, “Dr. Kirchner has a long and distinguished record serving his patients and extensive experience representing independent eyecare professionals at both the state and national level. He will advise HEA’s leadership team and will be instrumental in ensuring HEA’s programs are closely aligned with the needs of independents and the professional associations that serve them.

"HEA is a committed and active supporter of independent eyecare; we are proud to partner with 18 state optometric associations and have contributed more than $12 million in support to these partners to date. We work continuously to add value to these relationships and look forward to forming new affiliations as well.”

Dr. Kirchner said, “I am excited to join the HEA family and am eager to collaborate with my colleagues across all levels of the eyecare profession to develop strategies and programs that will maximize the value that Healthy Eyes Advantage delivers to its members.”