Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Gonzales.
Hi Marcus, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Established in 2001 by two Dallas-based optometrists, the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic began as a voluntary operation to provide eye care to the indigent population in Dallas. In 2005, the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) collaborated with the Dallas Housing Authority to assume operations of the clinic as an externship site to train future optometrists and to provide primary eye care, disease management, and optical services for economically disadvantaged populations in the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area. The clinic serves roughly 8400 individuals annually, most of whom have forgone an eye exam for several years due to economic hardships. The financial burden has taken a toll on their vision and their quality of life. The Cedar Springs Eye Clinic offers highly subsidized care and no one is turned away because of their inability to pay.
Now a nationally recognized model, Cedar Springs Eye Clinic is also home to the largest externship site for UHCO’s fourth year externs. Students receive a high volume of patient encounters and clinical experience to become highly competent and culturally proficient doctors to economically diverse populations.
I have been involved in the clinic’s operation since 2006 and currently serve as the clinic director.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been several challenges in our effort to continue to serve our patients. Funding is of course always a concern in running a charity health clinic. Serving a large population requires a lot of resources and fiscal responsibility, but it also takes faith and leadership to ensure the clinic endures. Our current facility is badly in need of repair, which is why we are also working toward a relocation.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cedar Springs Eye Clinic. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am very proud of the eye care services we’ve been able to provide over the decades of our office history. I believe we’ve made a meaningful impact in our patients lives, not only by improving their vision but also in their overall health. Vision is vital for identifying obstacles, interpreting surroundings, and navigating safely in both familiar and new environments. The vast majority of information humans receive (roughly 80%-90%) is processed visually. Healthy vision is essential for, working, driving, and engaging in hobbies. It plays a critical role in recognizing faces, interpreting, and responding to non-verbal cues and social, emotional cues. In children, vision is responsible for ~80% of learning in school. Comprehensive eye exams can also uncover early signs of systemic health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and, in some cases, cancer. Our relationships with outside providers and foundations have also increased access for patients to receive necessary eye surgeries for various conditions.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The unfortunate real risk associated with our office is the potential lack of funding to continue to serve our patients. Our office has had a couple of financial challenges over the years to where the staff have had to fear losing their jobs. While the staff obviously have a passion to serve others, we also have a responsibility to provide for our own families and to do what’s best for them. So there’s a real risk of losing of these important aspect of life and that can weigh heavy on your heart at times.
Pricing:
- Once yearly, we charge $40 for an exam.
- Follow-up exams within a year are $20.
- Postop care is $30 for the entire time following surgery.
- Exams to fit specialty, rigid contact lenses are $200.
Contact Info:
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Marcus Gonzales, OD
