CHICAGO and JACKSON, Mich.—Midwest Vision Partners (MVP), an eyecare management services organization backed by Alpine Investors, has established a partnership with Specialty Eye Institute (SEI), which was founded in Jackson in 1978 by Dr. Paul Ernest. The practice currently employs approximately 208 support staff across 10 clinical locations, according to the transaction announcement. The terms of the partnership transaction were not disclosed. This represents MVP’s fourth partnership and bolsters its presence in both Michigan and Ohio, according to the announcement.

MVP is committed to partnering with leading ophthalmologists and optometrists to build the preeminent platform in the Midwest region. Its partnership with SEI expands its network to 35 locations across Michigan and Ohio with 71 physicians providing medical and surgical eyecare services.

“Midwest Vision Partners’ focus on patients and their leadership team’s deep health care expertise made it clear that they are the right partner to help SEI grow in a complex operating environment,” Dr. Ernest said. “We are excited about the partnership and the opportunity to collaborate with the high-quality practices already in MVP’s network.”

Ernest will join MVP’s board of directors, working alongside Dr. Lawrence Lohman of Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons, Dr. William Wiley of Cleveland Eye Clinic and Dr. Gary Keoleian of Michigan Eye Institute.

“This is a special day for all of us at Midwest Vision Partners,” MVP chief executive officer Joseph Giles added. “Dr. Paul Ernest has built an incredible legacy as one of the country’s leading experts in the field of ophthalmology. I would also like to thank Dr. Kevin Lavery who was instrumental in supporting the culmination of our partnership. We welcome the physicians and staff of Specialty Eye Institute to the MVP family.”