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On Friday, a week of transition in ownership from Troy Eye Care to Vision Center South was complete.

Troy Eye Care was the former practice of Dr. Shanna May, who recently retired. According to Kim B. Smith, marketing director for Vision Center South, May often referred eye surgery patients to Vision Center South. She said that close working relationship led May to approach Vision Center South about the possibility of acquiring Troy Eye care after her retirement.

“Dr. May was a prominent member of the Troy Community,” Smith said. “She referred eye surgery patients to (Vision Center South in) Dothan for specialized eye care. When she was looking to retire, she started a conversation with Vision Center South about purchasing her practice. It was a match made in heaven, we had a great relationship with Troy Eye Care and her practice has been very busy.”

Smith said Vision Center South officially acquired Troy Eye Care on Aug. 30 and closed last week in order to ease work necessary to transition all of the patient information over to Vision Center South.

On Monday, Sept. 9, Vision Center South will officially open its doors to patients.

Smith said Dr. Elizabeth Hitchcock will remain on staff at Vision Center South in Troy and Dr. Justin Smith will temporarily serve patients through November.

Smith said Vision Center South is currently recruiting a new optometrist to fill the void left by Dr. May’s retirement.

Smith said the Troy location will continue to offer the same primary eye care services and eye care surgery patients will have the option to travel to Dothan or Wetumpka for eye surgery.

Smith said Vision Center South was in the process of notifying insurance providers of changes in tax identification numbers. She said some patient appointments may have to be rescheduled while the insurance paperwork is being processed. She said any affected patients will be notified by phone in order to reschedule their appointments.

Smith said all existing appointments will be honored. Smith said all insurances will be accepted, including EyeMed.

Vision Center South’s new hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vision Center South operates clinics in Brewton, Dothan, Enterprise, Wetumpka and Marianna, Fla.