Rick Pence.
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DALLAS—Unifeye Vision Partners (UVP) (which was recently known as United Vision Partners), has named Rick Pence as its new chief operating officer. Unifeye Vision Partners provides management and support services to ophthalmology and optometry practices, as well as single-specialty eye surgery centers.

The network of comprehensive eyecare providers is a portfolio company of Waud Capital Partners. The group initiated a partnership in January of this year with Minnesota Eye Consultants which operates through a network of six offices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. UVP was formed to partner with leading eyecare providers in targeted markets throughout the U.S. VMail recently reported that Sami Abbasi joined the company as CEO and president.

Pence brings over 35 years of experience growing businesses in the physician practice and multi-site health care markets, the company said. Most recently, he served as the COO of Solis Mammography, a leading multi-site provider of breast care services. Prior to joining Solis, he was co-founder, president and COO of National Surgical Care, a nationwide owner and operator of ambulatory surgery centers.

“I’m thrilled to join the UVP executive leadership team, our partners at Minnesota Eye Consultants and WCP in their quest to build the country’s leading community of integrated eyecare providers. I’m also eager to work closely with each of UVP’s physician partners to add value and continue to uphold the highest clinical quality and patient satisfaction standards for which each of our partners is known,” said Pence.

“I worked closely with Rick at National Surgical Care, and I’m excited to have such an accomplished leader join the UVP leadership team,” said UVP’s Abbasi. “Rick brings extensive experience working with physicians and other health care providers. He shares our values and partnership mindset, and will be instrumental in supporting each of UVP’s partner practices. UVP is continuing to add exceptional talent and resources at the national support center level to facilitate meaningful growth and expansion in each of our geographic markets.”

Chris Graber, a principal with Waud Capital and a board member of UVP commented, “WCP is committed to supporting UVP’s robust growth strategy. We have significant opportunities in front of us and we’re building a team recognized for a strong track record of success with their physician partners.