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ATLANTA—EyeSouth Partners has completed an affiliation with Coastal Eye Associates  (CEA), which operates six primary clinical locations in the Greater Houston area, according to an announcement on Monday. CEA provides an integrated service model incorporating routine eye exams, advanced therapeutic treatment and surgical solutions supported by a retail presence at each clinical location. This affiliation represents EyeSouth’s first in the state of Texas and 16th affiliation overall. EyeSouth, an eyecare-focused management services organization, is backed by the investment group Shore Capital Partners of Chicago.

Coastal Eye Associates is led by Drs. William McMullen, Gregory Clariday, William Lipsky and Duc Tran and functions with 14 total providers and approximately 60 support staff across its care network.

“We are very excited to expand into the state of Texas with a leading and highly respected ophthalmology practice in Coastal Eye Associates,” said Eugene Gabianelli, MD, chief medical officer of EyeSouth Partners. “We see significant opportunity to exchange best practices and further enhance and execute on the practice’s operational and growth strategy.”

EyeSouth’s affiliate network consists of 16 practices with approximately 114 doctors providing medical and surgical eyecare services at approximately 70 locations, including 11 surgery centers, throughout Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama.

Coastal Eye Associates’ Dr. McMullen said of the new affiliation, “Since our founding over 20 years ago, we have aspired to provide high-quality patient care and continued growth to support the Greater Houston community. While EyeSouth is committed to providing experienced operational support and resources to our practice, it was critical that our physicians maintain control of medical decisions related to patient care.”