ATLANTA—EyeSouth Partners, a Shore Capital Partners-backed management services group, announced Tuesday that it has completed an affiliation with Eyecare Associates,  Outpatient Eye Surgery Center, Eye Laser Institute and The Looking Glass (collectively, grouped under the Eyecare Associates umbrella), and a separate transaction with Scott D. Lanoux, MD & Associates and L&L Optical.The affiliations represent EyeSouth’s first moves in Louisiana, which will be a strategic growth state for the company in the future, according to the announcement. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Together, the practices employ about 100 support staff across five clinical locations, including three clinical locations in Metairie, La., and greater New Orleans, and two satellite locations in Lafourche Parish. With the original founding dating back to 1979 and 1950 for Eyecare Associates and Lanoux & Associates, respectively, each practice is embedded in and committed to the local community, serving as the prominent provider of quality eyecare services, according to the announcement.

EyeSouth, a group committed to building a network of eyecare services in the Southeast, has an affiliate network consisting of approximately 85 doctors providing medical and surgical eyecare services at roughly 55 locations throughout Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama.

Eyecare Associates and Lanoux & Associates will continue to operate under their respective brands, with no changes to staff, physicians or locations, according to the announcement. In addition, Dr. Jay LaCour of Lanoux & Associates will join EyeSouth’s Physician Advisory Board in conjunction with the new partnership.

Eyecare Associates is led by Dr. Ron Landry and functions with four ophthalmologists, including Dr. Landry, Dr. Donald Cerise, Dr. William Perez and Dr. Leni Sumich II, and two optometrists, Dr. Terrell McGinn and Dr. Kevin Kasovich.

Lanoux & Associates is led by two ophthalmologists, Dr. Scott Lanoux and LaCour.
“Having practiced in Metairie for over 40 years, it was extremely important to find a partner who not only understood our values and culture, but a partner who is committed to help us better serve our patients, employees and local community,” Dr. Landry said in the announcement. “We are proud to have found EyeSouth and to join their network of high-quality practices.”

Dr. Lanoux added, “We are very proud of what we have built at our practice and strongly believe EyeSouth’s model will allow us to continue growing and enhancing our medical and surgical specialty eye care services throughout greater New Orleans.”

Eugene Gabianelli, MD, chief medical officer of EyeSouth Partners, said the management group was excited to expand into Louisiana with top quality ophthalmology practices. “We look forward to building upon the growth and success each practice has already achieved and are excited to partner with these well-respected and first-class clinicians,” he said.

Chicago-based Shore Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on microcap health care and food and beverage investments.