BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP) said Tuesday that it has acquired Bethesda Vision Care from Dr. Michael Berenhaus, a member and former president of the Maryland Optometric Association. Total ECP, which is backed by Toronto-based private equity fund manager Imperial Capital Group, was founded in 2017. The terms of its most recent transaction were not disclosed. The Bethesda Vision Care practice becomes the 39th office location under the Total ECP corporate umbrella, and the fifth office in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, according to the announcement. “Dr. Berenhaus has built an extremely successful practice, with a first-rate reputation for personalized, professional expertise, the latest in diagnostic technology, and progressive treatment protocols,” Dr. Ben Gaddie of Gaddie Eye Centers and president of Total ECP, said in the announcement.

“We are excited to welcome Bethesda Vision Care into the Total ECP organization.” (Gaddie Eye Centers was among the first of Total ECP’s acquisitions.)


Dr. Michael Berenhaus
Dr. Berenhaus, an active and influential industry leader, has been on the forefront of several eyecare initiatives, including slowing the progression of myopia in children and working toward advances in contact lens technology. Additionally, he is active in professional and political circles, advocating for the latest innovations in laser vision correction, contact lenses and eyeglass lenses.

“I look forward to the next phase for me and my entire practice,” Dr. Berenhaus said in the announcement. “Total ECP’s values are in perfect alignment with mine. I know joining this community of successful medical professionals is the absolute right thing for our team at Bethesda Vision Care.”

Separately, Total ECP said Tuesday that Dr. Whitney Hauser has been named director of clinical affairs. Hauser has served as clinical director and research coordinator at an ophthalmology referral center in Memphis, Tenn., for the past 10 years and as associate professor at Southern College of Optometry (SCO) for the past five years. While at SCO, she was the clinical development consultant for TearWell: Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center.


Dr. Whitney Hauser
Hauser also is the founder of DryEyeCoach.com, a leading peer-to-peer education hub for ocular surface disease, and Signal Ophthalmic Consulting (SOC), which designs premier care plans for optometry and ophthalmology practices with an emphasis on care of dry eye and cataract/refractive surgery.

“We are extremely excited and honored to have Dr. Hauser join our organization,” Gaddie said in the announcement. “She shares the same medical mindset that binds Total ECP doctors and our culture. I have no doubt that she will be a huge asset for our doctors and organization alike.”

In her role, Dr. Hauser will focus on the nationwide implementation of medical services at Total ECP practices, including a roll-out of Dry Eye protocols and co-development of key performance indicators to ensure best-in-class patient care. She will serve as a liaison between corporate operations and Total ECP practices on professional development, service provision, and any other clinical affairs.

“I’m delighted to join Total ECP and support the implementation of well-designed, medical protocols,” Hauser said. We share a vision of building the best eyecare practices through consistent medical management of patients and commitment to our doctors and staff. I look forward to joining Drs. Gaddie and [Paul] Karpecki, whose commitment to eyecare is inspiring.”