BLOOMINGTON, Ill. —Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP) has announced the acquisition of DW Nelson and Associates of Wisconsin from former AOA president Dr. David Nelson, OD. “Dr. Nelson is a true key opinion leader in the optometric community and is precisely the kind of doctor Total ECP is seeking to partner with,” said Nick Williams, interim CEO of Total ECP. A graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry, Nelson was the 80th president of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in 2001-2002 and is past president of both the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA).

He has remained active in the eyecare industry over the past three decades as a consultant, author and lecturer, and has served on numerous industry boards and advisory panels. “I am excited for this next phase of practicing optometry partnering with Total ECP. Total ECP utilizes ‘best practices’ concepts for patient care and has created this unique opportunity for optometrists looking for their next step. I am especially attracted to their commitment to medical-model optometry as part of their growth strategy.”

Dr. Nelson will have an immediate impact on the Total ECP organization. “We are so excited that Dr. Nelson and his practice have chosen to partner with Total ECP. Dr. Nelson embodies all the attributes of Total ECP—a strong medical eyecare practice, service to the profession, an industry leader and well-respected clinician. We are anxious to get Dr. Nelson involved with our organization," said Dr. Ben Gaddie, Total ECP president. Jay Binkowitz, vice president of Total ECP, added, “Dr. Nelson’s leadership activities in the profession is a testimonial to his commitment to improving patient care. Total ECP continues to realize our vision of partnering with independents while advocating for all optometrists.”

In connection with the transaction, Anne Kavanagh of Kavanagh Consulting represented and provided financial advice to DW Nelson and Associates.

Total ECP launched as a platform in September 2017 to seek partnerships with optometrists and to assist in managing medically-focused optometry practices in the U.S. It is backed by Imperial Capital Group, a Toronto-based private equity fund manager. Its first business partnerships were with Gaddie Eye Centers, Dr. Alan Glazier’s Shady Grove Eye & Vision Care, and Gailmard Eye Center, and the business has grown to 38 locations since it was founded in 2017.