David Ditto, OD (l) and John Musick, OD, FAAO.
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WEST CHESTER, Ohio—Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP) has finalized two more acquisitions. Late last month, the group reports it acquired the Eyewear Gallery in Memphis, Tenn. from Dr. Warren Johnson. In addition, last week, Total ECP acquired Drs. Ditto & Musick Eye Care Center in Nicholasville, Ky. from David Ditto, OD and John Musick, OD, FAAO. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Bob Barton, president and CEO of Total ECP, told VMAIL, “With the addition of these two acquisitions, Total ECP has now partnered with six practices and all of them have maintained their legacy practice brand name in their respective communities.

The six practices represent 10 locations, and I am confident we will achieve our goal of partnering with 20 to 30 practices by the end of 2018. Additional announcements will be forthcoming in several new states where we are seeing tremendous interest. Total ECP is committed to providing the support and guidance necessary to allow all our ODs and their practices the tools and knowledge needed to continue practicing full scope optometry.” In addition, Barton said the group has added numerous marketing, HR and field operations to its team at Total ECP’s main offices here.


Warren Johnson, OD, of Eyewear Gallery.
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“I am excited to announce our entry into Tennessee by teaming up with Dr. Johnson and associate Dr. Do Nguyen of Eyewear Gallery,” said Barton. “Dr. Johnson has been in practice for over 30 years and is a member of the AOA and licensed in Tennessee to provide treatment of ocular diseases and has a very solid medically focused practice.” Johnson is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, has been published national newspapers and journals and is a frequent speaker. Dr. Johnson added, “Kay (Johnson’s wife and Principle for the practice) and I were approached by several groups in efforts to partner their practice. We had never thought this as an option for our practice because we wanted to maintain our practice’s legacy. We wanted to keep our identity and our staff the way it is. I have no plans on retiring because I love taking care of people and their vision and will continue to do so at my practice.”

Drs. Ditto and Musick have been providing medically focused services in their community for over 30 years and both will continue to practice full time at their practice. Both are graduates of the UAB School of Optometry and each provide primary eyecare services. They have practiced together in Nicholasville, KY their entire careers except for one year in the mid-1990s when Dr. Musick practiced side by side with the late Larry J. Alexander, OD in a large retina practice in Louisville, Ky. Dr. Ditto’s interests include diagnosis and management of anterior segment pathology as well as specialty contact lenses. Dr. Musick has a large glaucoma practice in addition to being a Diplomate in Low Vision of the American Academy of Optometry.

Earlier this year, Total ECP acquired N.C.’s Omni Eye Specialists, Dr. Neil Gailmard’s Indiana practice and Dr. Alan Glazier’s practice, as VMAIL reported. Total ECP, backed by Toronto-based Imperial Capital, was formed last September, with the acquisition of Dr. Ben Gaddie’s practice.

Ben Gaddie, OD, chief medical officer for Total ECP commented, “We are excited to partner with Dr. Johnson and his team as we enter the state of Tennessee. His practice’s reputation in the community is outstanding, which is not surprising given the high quality care delivered by the entire organization. The doctors' philosophies on medical based eyecare align nicely with our model. We are also extremely pleased to welcome Drs. Ditto and Musick to Total ECP. They both exemplify in daily practice what our profession should be and have advocated on behalf of Kentucky optometry for decades. They have earned respect in their community, with their patients and from their peers.”