Dr. Ashlee Mills-Fischer and Carol Lovell, the practice’s Vision Source Representative. Dr. Mills-Fischer says the Vision Source Representative (VSR) program has improved life for the practice’s employees and created a better office for patients.
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By Ashlee Mills-Fischer, OD
July 30, 2025
In the past, after patients completed a high-tech and comprehensive eye exam at Gillette Optometric Clinic, they may have experienced a technological culture shock of sorts when they arrived at the optical.
Although we were offering the best in lens and frame technology, our opticians would pull out three-ring binders, sheets of paper, pencil and a calculator to show patients the pricing.
That process did not reflect the investment in technology and efficiency that we were known for. It would be challenging for an independent practice to streamline or automate this program and still have it be customizable.
As a member of the Vision Source network, however, we are able to tap into not only such a program but also an entire network of staff support through the Vision Source Representative (VSR) program. Carol Lovell, my office manager, is also our VSR Facilitator for the region. She serves as the liaison for Vision Source practices in our area, making sure that staff in all practices share best strategies and understanding of Vision Source programs and values.
Sophisticated Tools for Independent Practices
The program that helped us enhance our optical presentations as well as our optical sales is a tool called Vision Source MAX. We’ve preloaded this tool with the packages and pricing we offer as well as the specific benefits for common vision plans and insurances. Now, when opticians discuss the options with patients, they can provide a professional and clear presentation. Carol says that when opticians print this form out for patients who want to shop around, it’s an opportunity to emphasize our value. For example, they may point out that our value lenses are comparable in quality to a competitor’s upgraded lenses.
In addition to having access to the tool, we also have the support to ensure that we’re using it right. When some of our numbers were getting flagged, for example, Carol worked with the Member Support Team—and much to our surprise, we had been underpricing some VSP allowables. So with a quick fix, our revenue went up. Another program that helps the staff is the Focus On Contact Lens program, which maximizes our benefits with elite vendors to Vision Source and creates a platform where patients can reorder contact lenses easily—even if the office isn’t open.
Empowerment Through Learning
She shared that story with other VSR Facilitators at a meeting, encouraging staff members in the other practices to leverage this tool to their benefit.
“When I get information through the VSR network about Vision Source, I share that with other VSRs to encourage them to participate. And the experience of others in our VSR program helps empower me to share that knowledge with our staff.
That’s precisely the point of the VSR network, which mirrors the support Vision Source doctors provide each other through its administrator network. All of these programs allow private practice doctors to become more efficient. We gain ideas from each other about our goals and what we’re doing to reach those goals. It’s important for staff to understand these goals and programs, too, because we need our staff to help support this.
To be in a collegial relationship with other practices and hear their best strategies for products, purchasing, protocols or promotions is another way that Vision Source doctors—and staff through the VSR program—gain ideas and encouragement The network also provides staff members with access to a robust learning and development platform, which allows us to invest and rely on our staff even more. As our office manager, Carol has made use of this Vision Source Learning platform to onboard new employees.
While Vision Source members often note the buying power of the network, these layers of support for doctors and staff alike are so important for individual personal and professional growth as well as the ability for a staff team to operate at its full functionality and support the doctor’s goals.
Read about Vision Source’s 2025 Exchange meeting
Ashlee Mills-Fischer, OD, is Wyoming Vision Source Administrator and co-owner of Gillette Optometric Clinic, PC, in Gillette, Wyo. To contact her: afischer@visionsource.com
