Tapping into the new Vision Source NEXT associate OD placement program
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By J. Turner Altman, OD
Sept. 25, 2024
When my cold-start practice, which opened in 2022, needed a second associate optometrist, I worried about finding the right candidate. We’re located in a rural area of Kentucky that can be a hard draw for job candidates.
Fortunately, my practice had the opportunity to participate in a brand-new program from Vision Source.
The Vision Source NEXT Associate OD Placement Program offers approved applicants the chance to have their student debt forgiven up to $150,000 after spending five years in an approved Vision Source practice.
Allowing Us to Hire the Best Associate for Our Practice
Our newest associate, McKenzie Akers, OD, grew up in our community, and is already familiar to many of our patients.
Dr. Akers wanted to return to his hometown community to serve the local population. However, like many new graduates, he has substantial student debt. His debt burden meant that a job with a corporate optometry company, or a private equity-owned practice, might have made the most sense from a financial perspective.
When I learned about the Vision Source NEXT Associate OD Placement Program, I immediately thought of Dr. Akers. My practice applied and was approved to participate in this program.
The Ability to Decide Where You Truly Want to Practice
From my perspective, as a practice owner, the Vision Source NEXT Associate OD Placement program is invaluable because it makes it more likely I will attract top-tier talent to my rural area, and as in the case of Dr. Akers, hire our first-choice candidate.
From the associate’s perspective, the program means freedom from having to decide between your ideal practice setting and your financial well-being.
Dr. Altman (left as you look at photo) with his new associate, McKenzie Akers, OD. Dr. Altman says the Vision Source NEXT Associate OD Placement Program made it much easier for Dr. Akers to join his practice.
Dr. Akers was being recruited by larger corporations with highly competitive compensation packages in larger, more metropolitan cities, one of which is where his wife’s family was from. It made it hard for us to compete with their deep pockets and the natural draw of urban cities.
He had the desire to practice closer to his family, but he couldn’t justify not taking the high-paying corporate job with his hefty student loans hanging over his head. When we were able to present him with this opportunity to help reduce his student loan burden it was all the convincing he needed to be able to practice where he was raised.
Dr. Akers told me how life-changing this program is for him, giving him the peace of mind that his student debt will be paid off in five years if he sticks with our practice.
Grow Your Practice with the Right Associates
Dr. Akers is a bright, hometown guy everyone loves. He has a personality that people are drawn to, and is naturally empathetic.
Dr. Akers brings to my practice a guy people trust, and have no hesitation seeing as a patient. He will be able to help me better manage our patient volume, allowing patients to be seen in a more timely manner.
In addition, having another associate will allow me to concentrate on the dry eye and aesthetics clinic we are launching. Treating dry eye is one of my passions, and this kind of treatment is still largely unavailable in our area.
Having two associates also allows us to remain profitable when I am on vacation or otherwise unavailable to see patients.
Powering a Fast-Growing Practice
When we opened our practice, after the first couple months, we were seeing 3-4 patients per day for comprehensive exams. Now, we average 18-20 patients per doctor per day for comprehensive exams.
We opened our first location in 2022, added our first associate, Sheri Bellamy, OD, in 2023, and opened our second location that same year, and now, with Dr. Akers’ addition, hired our second associate in 2024.
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Having three doctors working, instead of just one, also gives the associates an opportunity to specialize, even as they continue to see patients for comprehensive exams. For example, I expect Drs. Akers and Bellamy to increasingly take the lead in specialty contact lens fittings.
Instant Access to Business Know-How
The Vision Source NEXT Associate OD Placement Program is just one part of a larger picture of what Vision Source does for our practice.
Being a member of Vision Source allows me to concentrate on what truly matters: caring for my patients. With Vision Source’s exclusive vendor partnerships, I don’t have to spend time researching vendors or negotiating pricing. These partnerships handle much of that work for me, making it easier to integrate cutting-edge technology into my practice while saving on costs.
Additionally, Vision Source connects me with a vast network of experienced private practice owners who provide valuable insights and knowledge to help streamline and grow my practice. This invaluable resource aids in consulting on practice management, simplifying tasks and enhancing overall efficiency.
The ability to hire the best associates for our practice is yet another way Vision Source has proven to be an invaluable resource to our practice’s growth and long-term success.
J. Turner Altman, OD, is the owner of Altman Eye Center, a Vision Source practice with offices in Pikeville and Prestonburg, Ky. To contact him: turner.altman@gmail.com
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
