How can optometrists balance personalized patient care with the demands of running a growing practice, and what strategies help maintain high standards without feeling rushed?

On this week’s episode of Optometrists Building Empires, host, Ankit Patel, had the honor of talking to Dr. Ryan McKinnis, a distinguished optometrist with a proven track record in advanced contact lens technology and ocular disease. Discover his strategic insights on practice growth, maintaining high standards of patient care, and the future of optometry. If you're passionate about advancing in the optometry field or looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.

Takeaways:

• Focus on spending quality time with patients to make them feel valued and provide individualized care. Avoid rushing through appointments, as personalized service can set your practice apart.
• When facing unforeseen challenges such as a pandemic, resilience is crucial. Develop contingency plans for maintaining operations under adverse conditions and ensure your staff is prepared for rapid changes.
• If expanding to multiple locations, understand the nuances of buying existing practices versus opening new ones. Prepare for cultural and operational challenges and be patient as you build trust with a new patient base.
• Cross-train employees to handle multiple responsibilities, which can help manage rising non-doctor payroll costs. Focus on building a team of exceptional employees rather than a larger team of average performers.
• Diversify your services by adding subspecialties like dry eye treatment or vision therapy. Specialization not only attracts a niche patient base but also keeps the work dynamic and interesting for practitioners.

Quote of the Show:

• “ You want to make a difference in people's lives. That used to be giving them a pair of glasses, but now that's become so mainstream that you have to seek out other ways.” - Ryan McKinnis

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mckinnis-o-d-faao-fsls-79271527/  
• Company website: https://www.infinityeyecareohio.com/  
• Email: [email protected]

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5w1H9BBwRXvBSSkexePYxG 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optometrists-building-empires/id1762685070 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/689a039b-54ce-4f04-b641-66d8640d93d0 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/optometrists-building-empires-5812208