Edward Beiner

Beyond this charismatic retailer’s wild success as a purveyor of luxury eyewear, having built a brand of 12 innovative and creative Edward Beiner Eyewear stores across Florida as well as a namesake eyewear collection, he is a highly respected and much sought-after industry mentor and speaker. With all of these accomplishments and accolades, and a global presence as he travels the world to curate a supreme product mix for his stores, Edward Beiner remains an incredibly humble and grounding force in our industry.

In 2020, Beiner brought luxury eyewear retail to a new level when he finalized the acquisition of his Miami-based Edward Beiner Company with New Look Vision, which operates nearly 400 optical locations in Canada and the U.S. 

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

We were acquired by New Look of Canada two weeks before the country shut down. The main focus was survival during Covid and to open up the shops in a safe environment for both our employees and customers. We took advantage of the time to efficiently integrate our companies.

I am passionate about the optical industry, and this is a good time to explore the opportunities that exist in today’s market. I have enjoyed finding new solutions with our new partners to the problems posed by this pandemic.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

The best advice is to love what you do and stay focused on what you do best.

Keep building your skills through people and education so you are always growing and learning.

I have been in this business for over 40 years, having started in an optical warehouse. My biggest growth occurred during the most challenging and stressful times of my career, as I had to either reinvent myself or my business. Challenges force you to look for solutions so that you can come out whole.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Honored at this juncture in my life that Eyecare Business has chosen to acknowledge me along with my peers. However, I could not have done this without the team of opticians, salespeople, and other professionals who have worked hard with me, or family and friends who encouraged me along the way.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Howard Purcell, O.D., FAAO

From practicing O.D. to industry liaison and today, as president and CEO of the New England College of Optometry, Howard Purcell, O.D., FAAO, has a resonating impact wherever he focuses his sights in the vision care arena.

Since taking the helm at NECO, Dr. Purcell has spearheaded the inaugural NECO Industry Collaborative meeting (including industry representatives, media, and employers) for an engaged dialogue to better prepare students for tomorrow’s optometry, crafted a postgrad business-focused multiday course for practicing O.D.s., and oversaw diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives via NECO and his platform, including a recently announced first-of-its-kind scholarship fund from Warby Parker with the goal of increasing Black representation in optometry. The generous $440,000 Warby Parker Scholarship to be awarded to two Black scholars covers tuition for NECO’s four-year optometry program. —E.M.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

For me, it’s all about students and the future of this profession we all care so much about. It’s about supporting our amazing faculty who give everything to our future colleagues. We want to leave the college in a better place than we found it while helping to lead necessary change in optometry and optometric education.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Be genuine and honest with your patients, colleagues, and industry partners. Together we can do great things. Too often we find ourselves criticizing innovation and disruption. We need to lead that innovation and change from within. We must listen to the future of our profession. They are our future leaders.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Honored and inspired to do my best to play my part in the development and evolution of our profession and the overall industry.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Adam Ramsey, O.D.

Checkmate.

Dr. Ramsey, author of “Play Chess Not Checkers: The Practical Guide to Warm Start Your Dream Optometric Practice,” is the owner of Socialite Vision in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and operates three satellite locations on Seminole Health Services Clinic in South Florida.

Born in Trinidad and raised in the Sunshine State, Dr. Ramsey has a passion for civil camaraderie—a driving force to his cofounding Black Eyecare Perspective (BEP) in 2019. In 2020, BEP made great inroads for the practice of optometry by launching the 13% Promise, a pledge for eyecare companies, colleges of optometry, and optometry boards to bring Black representation up to 13% in their organizations.

Dr. Ramsey is the director of optometric services for the Indian Health Service, which provides eye care to underserved Native American communities.

The award-winning O.D. is also VP of T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society and chairman of the board for the Palm Beach County Optometric Association. —Kerri Ann Raimo

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

My main focus today in my profession is helping people and companies reach their full potential through diversity and inclusion. This brings about diversity of ideas, content, increased innovation, and revitalization of organizations.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Build genuine relationships. I have met some amazing people along my journey, and I can honestly say that the friendships I have made have been the key to my success.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Blessed and honored to receive this prestigious award, which provides a platform to spark change that this industry will benefit greatly from.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Darryl Glover, O.D.

Darryl Glover, O.D., is a much-respected and well-known face—and voice—in the vision care arena. The co-host and co-founder of the popular Defocus Media Podcast, he regularly interviews industry luminaries to discuss the key issues of today in the eyecare and eyewear arenas.

A practicing optometrist with MyEyeDr. in Raleigh-Durham, NC, Dr. Glover—a Transitions Change Agent—has also launched Eyefrica Media, a platform for eye-care professionals in Africa, and co-founded Black Eyecare Perspective, which recently hosted Impact HBCU, a livestream event looping in colleges across the U.S. to help create a pipeline for students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the field of optometry and the eye-care industry. —K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

At an early age, I was able to find my “why.” It was to create a state of happiness through the art of vision. As a result, I have focused on creating the ultimate doctor-patient experience by focusing on empathy, relationships, and practicing full-scope optometry.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Take yourself out of the equation. Always practice empathy and create an environment that is diverse and inclusive. This, along with faith, will breed success.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Blessed that my work has resonated in the hearts of our industry. #Diversity #ExpandScope #Change

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Dibby Bartlett

Through the intense and continuing challenges of the Covid-19 crisis—and via her platform as the Opticians Association of America President—Dibby (Olivia) Bartlett has been a constant source of support, resources, information, and strategies for opticians.

Her unwavering passion for the profession of opticianry is undeniable. She has worked tirelessly to promote the role—and incredible importance—of opticians in the eyecare space.

The industrious Bartlett also happens to be the chief operating officer of Todd Rogers Eyewear, an innovative, independent eyewear company based in Massachusetts.

Bartlett has been in the industry for 40-plus years, holding various positions as optician, optical manager, marketing manager, and in eyewear sales. She obtained her Massachusetts Opticians license in 1987 and is ABO-certified. She is also a former adjunct faculty member of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, where she taught optical business. —E.M.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

I am passionate about representing opticians and communicating their enormous value in the eyecare field to both the consumer and the eye-care industry as a whole.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

I firmly believe the vision care industry is wide open for possibilities and success. If you don’t see an opportunity? Create it. You are only limited by your imagination.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Incredibly honored, humbled, and inspired.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Eric White, O.D.

Eric White, O.D., is a much-respected expert in the optometric field. He is a doctor-driven dispensing, bottom-line-boosting advocate and a force of industry positivity, even in such challenging times as the Covid pandemic.

Dr. White is the owner of Complete Family Vision Care Optometry in San Diego and a clinical investigator for several contact lens companies, having participated in over 450 clinical studies.

The 2012 Transitions National Eyecare Practice of the Year and the 2015 Transitions Ambassador of the Year award winner is also a consultant to many advisory boards and numerous professional optometric organizations.

He has published several articles on contact lenses and a series for EB on doctor-driven dispensing—and given numerous talks on contact lenses, eye safety, computer vision syndrome, and practice management.

Dr. White continues to work to advance the vision care world in his additional role as the director of global network and medical applications for Percept, a game-changing wearable technology out of Silicon Valley. —E.M.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

My passion is to help our profession survive and thrive. Working with Percept to change the world and including optometry in it I know will secure our future.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

The future is here. Embrace the wearable technology that is coming, and watch it change the world by helping everyone live their lives better.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

So humbled and blessed to be recognized for such a great award by Eyecare Business magazine.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Jennifer Centeno

A technically savvy optician who can style a patient in the perfect glasses, Jen Centeno also makes those glasses from start to finish. Yes, she’s a skilled lab technician, too.

The director of operations and optician for a private optometry practice in Los Angeles, Centeno also owns Opticianista_LA, which offers consultation services and an online retail shop for eyewear enthusiasts serving up hip apparel and accessories emblazoned with optical-inspired verbiage like “Lashes & Glasses.”

An Instagram darling, she is also a Transitions Change Agent, EyeStyle Influencer, and respected member of the optical community. —E.M.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

My main focus is to continue sharing my passion for all things eyewear/optical, and to continue expanding my online shop of apparel and accessories. This is important to me because I hope to inspire others to see a different side of the industry.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Keep learning; learning never ends. Take classes, make time to learn outside of the office, and ask lots of questions!

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel...

Honored. 2020 has definitely been a year full of surprises, and I am truly overjoyed to be recognized!

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Bimal Patel, O.D.

In just the past year, Dr. Patel has made a run for U.S. Congress, served as president of Houston’s Business Networking International, and started expanding Focus Refined Eye Care, his practice based in Montrose, a landmark spot in Houston, to a second location in the M-K-T mixed-use destination in the Houston Heights.

“The pandemic has actually caused our city’s population to increase, and we are looking forward to treating all of the new eyes moving to Houston,” says Dr. Patel, who is known and revered for his unique “concierge eye care” approach to serving patients with a personal, beginning-to-end experience.

Here, the truly driven O.D., who is active in the American Optometric Association and Texas Optometric Association, shares his secrets to success. —K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

My main focus and passion is to create memorable eyecare experiences. In a world where we are glued to online shopping, brick-and-mortar businesses—like opticals—have the opportunity to take patients into another dimension and get that concierge, one-on-one service.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Put yourself in your patients’ or customers’ shoes. Then, ask yourself what type of environment you would like to have.

As an eyecare business owner, you get to be the artist and create a masterpiece for your audience. Make it unforgettable!

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Excited and honored. I opened my first practice in 2016 with the vision to be different. I have learned so much throughout my cold-start process and love sharing my experience with future and current practice owners who are looking to create that game-changing experience.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

Alireza Somji, O.D., + Sana Somji, O.D.

The positive impact that husband-and-wife eyecare team Alireza Somji, O.D., and Sana Somji, O.D., bring to Sugar Land, TX, extends far beyond their practice, Horizon Eye Care & Optical.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Alireza volunteered with a group that provided PPE to high-risk members of the community. In addition to buying as much PPE as he could at Lowe’s, he reached out to optical vendors, and Hoya stepped up by donating 500 pairs of protective safety glasses to the local community.

Alireza is also an adjunct clinical instructor with the University of Houston (UH) College of Optometry and the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry; on the medical team responsible for the local minor league baseball team, the Sugar Land Skeeters; and a regional leader for PECAA.

Sana, also an instructor with UH, has worked with the See2Succeed initiative, which provides free eye exams for children across Greater Houston. She and Alireza also have a passion for sports vision and technology—and have launched their new 20/20 Athlete service (2020Athlete.com ) this year for sports vision performance.

Since meeting at UH in 2004, the couple leads a practice, a family, and acts of kindness. —K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

I’m passionate about independent eye care and all that it has to offer clinically and as a small business. I love sports and I’m extremely excited about our new performance sports vision center, 20/20 Athlete. —A.S.

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Adapting to change but thinking ahead by having the confidence to introduce new services, treatments, and products so patients continually have that wow factor. —S.S.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Incredibly honored! Our industry requires constant change, which is challenging, but nothing good comes easy and to be recognized as an #EBGameChanger is very rewarding. —A.S.

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…

 

 

—S.S.

Nishan Pressley, O.D.

Dr. Pressley is on the fast track to success—quite literally—as she’s the first African American individual to complete the expedited and accelerated three-year optometry program at Salus University.

Now at Florida Eye Clinic in Orlando, FL, the 27-year-old visionary and active optometric-association member has added another achievement to her resume as founder of a fun, fashion-forward line of blue light eyewear, EOM, or EyesOnMe.

Dr. Pressley has been named to the HBCU Top 30 Under 30 list and uses her platform (@askdrnish) as a new O.D. to mentor students and potential O.D.s, and to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in optometry. —K.A.R.

What is your main focus + passion today in your profession?

My passion is to increase diversity in optometry. Only 2% of practicing O.D.s identify as Black or African American, yet make up 13% of the U.S. population. Early exposure to the younger generation can make all of the difference, and social media is helping me do that!

Best advice for success in the vision care industry today?

Understand that there is no one like you. My mother always said, “Just be you.” By being yourself and staying true to your beliefs, success will find its way to you.

As an #EBGameChanger Awardee for 2020, I feel…

Empowered! As a new optometrist in this industry, it motivates me to continue along my path to make a difference!

‟2020 pandemic survival strategy…