The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence gives our students and alumni the tools they need to succeed.
In 2005, SCO alumnus Dr. Jerry Hayes, '73, and his wife Cris funded the establishment of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. With matching funds committed by the SCO Board of Trustees, an endowment was created to support the Hayes Center in its mission to teach independent optometrists the fundamentals of managing the business side of their practice, including strategic planning, budgeting, overhead control and profitability.
Dr. Lisa Wade, OD '84, has been named director of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. Wade, who is an SCO graduate herself, served on the college’s faculty for 20 years before retiring in 2005 to become the dealer/principal owner of Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson. At Southern Thunder, she oversaw a $20 million enterprise with 50 employees and took on a $9 million expansion of the dealership before its sale in 2013. Her education includes a Doctor of Optometry and residency in pediatric optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. Dr. Wade also obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of Memphis.
Mr. Mike McKeever has been named Program Coordinator of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. Mr. McKeever came to the Hayes Center with 15 years of experience in higher education administration. Prior to joining the Hayes Center, McKeever has served SCO since 2013 as Student Services and Admissions Officer. His education includes a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from West Virginia University. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from West Virginia University, and a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music.
Optometry’s Practice Connection
The Hayes Center for Practice Management oversees the college’s free online placement site, Optometry’s Practice Connection. This site allows alumni and friends of the college to list practice opportunities which may only be viewed by current students and alumni who have registered. Interested in selling your practice or hiring an associate? Take advantage of the College’s free online placement service. Register for a ‘Provider’ account to post your listing.
Searching for a practice opportunity? Register for a free ‘Seeker’ account. Submit your contact information and practice preferences to gain access to the many practice opportunities on the site.
Interested in learning more about the Hayes Center placement site or need assistance listing an opportunity? Contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: The opinions contained on this website are for general information only and are not intended to serve as legal, financial or investment advice.