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Brandt Eyecare merges with Nittany Eye Associates

PHOTO PROVIDED The principal businesspeople involved in the merger of Brandt Eyecare Inc. to Nittany Eye Associates are, from left, Dr. Jodi Duda, Karen Brandt (practice administrator BEC), Dr. John Brandt Jr., Tim Grattan (practice administrator NEA), Dr. Michael Talone, and Dr. Michael Cymbor.

LOCK HAVEN – Dr. John Brandt Jr. and the staff at Brandt Eyecare, Inc. are pleased to announce the merger of their Optometric Practice with Nittany Eye Associates, of Centre County effective July 1.

After 68 years of the Brandt family practicing ophthalmology and optometry in Clinton County, Dr. Brandt Jr. will continue to see his patients at his current location: 947 Bellefonte Ave. in Lock Haven, but as a Nittany Eye Associates’ doctor.

The Brandt practice was first established in 1950 by Dr. John P. Brandt Sr. As the first board certified Ophthalmologist in the area, Dr. Brandt Sr. performed ocular surgery at the Lock Haven Hospital, while treating routine vision care patients in his office on Grove Street. In 1978, he relocated his office to 947 Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven. From its inception, Dr. Brandt Sr. dedicated himself to the care of his patients.

He employed an optician and established the first optical shop within his practice. During these early years, he employed Elizabeth Frederick as his receptionist, and she remained his loyal employee for over 47 years. In 1982, Dr. Brandt Sr. welcomed his son, Dr. John Brandt Jr., as an optometrist. After Dr. Brandt Jr. joined the practice, Donna Gilmore was hired as a receptionist, where she remained for 31 years until her retirement in 2012. Today, the Brandt’s have grown to a staff of 10 employees. It was not only the loyalty of staff that has contributed to the success of this practice but also the commitment of father and son to their patient base, that has allowed this practice to grow over 68 years.

The goal of Brandt Eyecare, Inc. has always been to provide to the community with the highest quality, state-of-the-art eye care, in an ethical, professional, and caring environment. Our doctors and staff have been committed to making their patients’ vision and eye health their top priority by utilizing the latest technology and instrumentation, providing the finest eyewear products available, and pursuing continuing education, to stay abreast of the newest advancements in eye care and treatment. Dr. Brandt Jr. stated, “My father instilled in me strong professional ethics and the philosophy that the patient always comes first”. This mission has not changed throughout the years. According to Dr. Brandt Jr., “One of the greatest indicators of our success has been in serving three and four generations of the same family. Today we are seeing the children and grandchildren of families who began their vision care with my father and have transitioned their care to me.

It is the highest honor as a family of health care practitioners to see that kind of loyalty from our patients. We must be doing something right, and I am grateful to have that opportunity to continue to serve our patients.” In addition, both Dr. Brandt Jr. and his wife Karen, who manages the practice, have been active members of the Lock Haven community serving on several community and educational boards. “My father through his example taught both of us the importance of giving back to our community and this is a message and obligation we have conveyed to our children as well.”

Over the years, Brandt Eyecare, Inc. has expanded. In 2004, Dr. Jodi L. Duda joined the practice and helped to facilitate this personal approach to healthcare. When asked what makes her experience at Brandt Eyecare unique, Dr. Duda replied, “Here at Brandt Eyecare, our patients are treated like extended family. We go above and beyond to meet their needs. I like being able to take care of my patients concerns personally. I don’t want them to feel like they are shuffled through an assembly line. It’s that personal care that sets us apart”.

Brandt agrees, “What sets us apart from other practices is our long-term commitment to our community and our consistent mission of always putting our patients first.”

It’s that type of mindset that made the merger with Nittany Eye Associates such a perfect fit. Dr. Brandt Jr. stated, “This was an easy decision to make because Dr. Michael Talone and Dr. Michael Cymbor and their colleagues share the same philosophy. Patient needs come first.”

Nittany Eye Associates is one of the largest and most successful optometric practices in Central Pennsylvania. They have locations in State College, Spring Mills, Tyrone, Grays Woods and now Lock Haven.

As he prepares for retirement, Dr. Brandt Jr. wants to assure his patients that their needs would be met in the same ethical, professional, and friendly fashion. “Nittany Eye Associates is on the forefront in the industry. They utilize the latest technologies and instrumentation, which both preserve and enhance the vision of their patients. But more importantly, their team is always dedicated to giving patients personal attention and professional care.”

Nittany Eye Associates’ Doctor of Optometry specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders, diseases, and injuries. Dr. Brandt stated, “As optometrists, we review your general health, medical history, and prescription use, and then evaluate your vision with a variety of diagnostic methods and tests. After your vision examination, we explain our findings, discuss your options and available treatments, and answer any questions you may have, because caring for your eyes is our top priority”.

According to Nittany Eye Associates, effective communication with their patient base is paramount to successful patient outcomes. The services offered are comprehensive and range from medical and routine optometric care, glaucoma evaluations, computer and sports vision, LASIK and PRK surgeries, cataract surgery, pre- and post-operative care, vision rehabilitation and low vision therapy. In addition, Nittany Eye Associates’ offices all house an optical dispensary offering the latest quality fashion eyewear, so that all your optical needs can be met at one convenient location. If you are interested in correcting your vision through surgical methods, or a candidate for cataract surgery, the doctors can help you understand all the aspects of currently accepted procedures and make the necessary referral. Using a certified electronic medical record system, Nittany Eye Associates’ doctors can keep your primary care physician informed of your vision assessment, while patients can access their own medical record through a patient portal. Brandt Eyecare, Inc. prides itself on being in the forefront of the latest trends in vision care and in the vision industry. Partnering with Nittany Eye Associates will extend that philosophy well into the future.

“Because Life is Worth Seeing”, the doctors of Nittany Eye Associates encourage you to schedule your next vision examination by calling 570-748-7751.

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