Jill Showalter, OD (l) and John L. Burns, OD.
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WEST CHESTER, OHIO—Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP) has announced the group’s seventh and eighth acquisitions in the past six months. They include EyeDoctors and Dry Eye Center of West Virginia, acquired from Jill Showalter, OD, of Vienna, West Va. as well as Eye Designs of Clinton, Md., acquired from John L. Burns, OD. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Since Total ECP’s formation in September 2017, the group has partnered with 13 practices and 31 ODs, including many independent high-profile practitioners around the country.

Bob Barton, president and CEO of Total ECP, VMAIL, “Total ECP is attracting like-minded ODs because of the strength of our leadership team; our commitment to a medically focused model and strong core values that are striking an accord with practice owners across the country.”

Dr. Showalter is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry and started her career in ophthalmology and then corporate optometry. In 2005, Dr. Showalter started EyeDoctors in her hometown with her father, Dr. Douglas Ritchie who spent his career practicing in the community before an early retirement, after which time Dr. Showalter became the sole owner of the practice.

Dr. Showalter told VMAIL, “I have worked hard to fulfill my mission of practicing to the full extent of my licensure and utilizing innovative technology to provide personalized, quality care.” Showalter became a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO) in 2014 and went on to open the Dry Eye Center of West Virginia which is solely dedicated to treating ocular surface diseases. Dr. Showalter added, “I am honored to have this opportunity to partner with Total ECP. I believe this partnership will ease the burden of management, provide the support I need to further grow and refine the medical side of my business over the next several years, and provide a legacy exit when I have decided I am ready.”

Barton commented, “Dr. Showalter exemplifies everything we at Total ECP embrace. The daughter of a great OD that has worked in the community for a long time. She wants to see their family legacy extended beyond the next generation and is fully committed to delivering the full scope of medical optometry. I am also excited to report that Dr. Showalter represents our first practice in West Virginia and she is also the first acquisition that we have made that is totally owned by a female doctor. We honor her accomplishments and look forward to an exciting future, together.”

Jay Binkowitz, EVP of business strategy at Total ECP, added, "It is with great pride that we welcome Dr. Jill Showalter to our family. She is an outstanding progressive optometrist and leader. I have also personally known and worked with Dr. Showalter for years and can't be happier for her and her family.”

Eye Design was founded by Dr. Forrest Miles over 50 years ago and Dr. Burns purchased it 25 years ago upon Dr. Miles’ retirement. Dr, Burns graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1989 and has been a preceptor for PCO for the last 12 years and a member of AAOMC. Dr. Burns specializes in fitting scleral contacts, myopia control and an expert in treating Dry eye Syndrome.

Barton said, “Dr. Burns and his team are a great addition to the Total ECP family.” Dr. Burns has been honored as the Practice of the Year by the Power Practice in 2005. He took a position as associate consultant with the Power Practice in 2013. He is very active in the Maryland Optometric Association having won Young Optometrist of the year in 1998 and Optometrist of the year in 2013. He served 12 years on the MOA Board working his way to president in 2012.

Dr. Ben Gaddie, CMO for Total ECP commented, “Dr. Burns has demonstrated a strong commitment to his practice and the patients he serves. He has been deeply involved with the Maryland Optometric Association and been a strong advocate for optometry across the state of Maryland and beyond. We are confident that his passion and commitment to practicing the full scope of optometry will align well with the values of Total ECP.”

Burns added, “I’m very excited to enter into the relationship with Total ECP having seen their interest in working with medically oriented practices, their previous relationships with ODs such as Drs. Ben Gaddie, Paul Karpecki, Alan Glazier, Neil Gailmard and Eric Schmidt made the decision very easy and I will enjoy spending more time on the patient experience while Total ECP manages the administration and financial end of the business.”

Total ECP is backed by Toronto’s Imperial Capital Group. In connection with these two transactions, Anne Kavanagh of Kavanagh Consulting provided financial advice to Dr. Showalter and Dr. Burns, the announcement said.