Cleinman Connect Podcast

Dr. Eric Jennings is the Medical Director of Ophthalmology at ModMed, a healthcare technology company that builds specialty‑focused electronic health records and AI solutions to streamline clinical workflows. In this role, Dr. Jennings shapes ophthalmology content, informs product design, builds front‑end features, and helps steer ModMed’s AI efforts to better support clinicians and patients. He is also a board‑certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, refractive surgery (LASIK), and corneal and external disease at the Woolfson Eye Institute.In this episode…In the evolving world of healthcare, innovation is key. But how does the future of eye care look when technology like AI becomes more integrated into daily practices? As the demand for efficiency grows, will AI become a reliable partner or a replacement for the human touch?According to Dr. Eric Jennings, a leading ophthalmologist and advocate for AI-driven solutions, the future of healthcare is a delicate balance of technology and human interaction. He believes that AI, especially in the form of AI-powered scribe technology, can help doctors be more present with patients by handling mundane administrative tasks. This not only reduces burnout but also allows for more personalized care, making time for what truly matters — patient interaction.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Dr. Trevor Miranda is joined by Dr. Eric Jennings, Medical Director of Ophthalmology at ModMed, to discuss the evolving role of AI in the eye care industry. They dive into how AI is changing workflows, improving accuracy in diagnostics, and the long-term implications of its integration into practices. Dr. Jennings also shares insights into the AI-powered tools shaping the future of healthcare, from AI scribes to personalized patient care.

Jenny Rowell is an HR Business Partner at Cleinman Performance Partners, a leading business development consultancy for optometry practices across North America. With expertise in talent management, employee engagement, and HR operations, Jenny helps align people programs with business goals to drive organizational performance. She focuses on building a positive workplace culture and collaborative partnerships that support both employee and client success.Olivia Leduc is the Manager of Strategic HR Services at Cleinman Performance Partners, where she leads the HR support team to ensure that HR policies, processes, and documentation are compliant, efficient, and built to support scalable business operations. With experience in leadership, HR, and recruitment process development, Olivia drives improvements in operational efficiency and talent retention for clients.In this episode…Employee engagement isn’t just about keeping people happy at work. It’s about uncovering what your team is really thinking, even when they might not feel comfortable saying it out loud. So how do you get honest answers that actually lead to better performance, stronger culture, and real growth?According to Jenny Rowell, engagement surveys work best when they’re treated as strategic tools rather than check-the-box exercises. Olivia Leduc also adds that surveys are powerful because they surface perspectives leaders may not agree with, but need to hear in order to understand how their actions are actually landing with the team. Together, their insight underscores that when feedback is anonymous, unbiased, and acted on thoughtfully — rather than ignored or cherry-picked — it can drive meaningful improvements in trust, retention, and overall performance.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Jenny Rowell and Olivia Leduc, HR Business Partner and Manager of Strategic HR Services at Cleinman Performance Partners, to discuss the power of engagement surveys. They break down what engagement surveys really measure, why anonymity matters, and how leaders should interpret the results. Jenny and Olivia also give advice on turning feedback into meaningful action that improves trust and long-term team engagement.

Dr. Trevor Miranda is an optometrist and practice owner specializing in dry eye care and aesthetics, serving the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island for over 30 years. He is the Founder of Cowichan Eyecare, mydryeye, and MyRetina, and has built five successful clinics from the ground up. Recognized as a key leader and brand ambassador in the eyecare industry, his practices consistently achieve double-digit growth. Dr. Miranda is committed to advancing optometric care, especially in dry eye disease and AMD retinal rejuvenation, and shares his insights through speaking, community initiatives, and his podcast, Optometrist Unleashed.In this episode…Building a thriving optometry practice takes more than clinical skill. It requires a clear vision for growth, a deep commitment to people, and the discipline to build systems that support both. So what does it really take to scale successfully while keeping culture, care, and consistency intact?For Dr. Trevor Miranda, sustainable growth begins with a relentless focus on the patient experience. Drawing from his years as a seasoned optometrist and practice builder, he explains that every patient interaction is an opportunity to create trust, loyalty, and long-term impact. From thoughtful recommendations to seamless handoffs and empowered teams, his approach shows how culture and process can drive sustainable growth far beyond a single clinic.In this episode of Optometrist Unleashed, a Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Dr. Trevor Miranda, Founder of Cowichan Eyecare, to discuss building thriving optometry practices and fostering a standout team culture. They explore scaling through cold starts, creating systems that balance medical care with retail, and why culture is a measurable growth driver. Dr. Miranda also shares advice on leadership, specialization, and maintaining joy in practice as your business expands.

Amanda Van Voris and Nancy Dewald are Senior Directors of Client Solutions at Cleinman, bringing decades of combined experience supporting independent optometry practices. Known for their integrity, client-first approach, and collaborative leadership, they help practice owners navigate growth, change, and people challenges with confidence. Together, they partner closely with clients to drive accountability, strengthen teams, and achieve measurable, sustainable success.In this episode…Independent optometry practices can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel isolating when challenges stack up and the pressure increases. What does it take to build a practice that can weather uncertainty, grow through change, and still support the people behind it?For Amanda Van Voris and Nancy Dewald, long-time optometry consultants, resilience starts with trust and accountability. They explain that meaningful growth happens when practice owners allow themselves to ask for help, step back from the noise, and create space to think clearly about what matters most. That mindset, they note, doesn’t just strengthen the business; it gives leaders the confidence to guide their teams through change with clarity and purpose.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Amanda Van Voris and Nancy Dewald of Cleinman Performance Partners to discuss building resilient optometry practices. They explore why accountability drives sustainable growth, how peer support reduces isolation for owners, and what vulnerability looks like as a leadership strength. Amanda and Nancy also offer advice on creating alignment by putting the right people in the right roles.

Meagan Staab is the Director of Client Support and Insights at Cleinman Performance Partners, a company that delivers business consulting and data-driven solutions for eye care practices. Under her leadership, Cleinman has developed benchmarking systems and client portals that help practices track 32 key performance indicators, with clients who engage regularly in data review seeing up to 8% higher growth. With over a decade of experience at Cleinman, Meagan has played a critical role in optimizing information management systems and fostering a culture of continuous improvement among clients and staff.In this episode…Too many practices are busy every day but still feel unsure about what’s actually driving their growth. Numbers are everywhere, dashboards are full, and yet decisions often come down to gut instinct instead of clarity. So how do you turn raw data into real momentum, and who keeps you accountable when things drift?For Meagan Staab, the answer starts with looking at the right data, at the right level, on a consistent basis. Drawing from her experience as a data and analytics leader, she believes KPIs only matter when they’re simple enough to understand and broad enough to tell a full story. Rather than chasing dozens of disconnected metrics, she emphasizes reviewing a small, focused set that shows how different parts of the practice work together. She points out that one strong number can look impressive on its own, but patterns only emerge when you step back and view the entire picture. That’s where accountability comes in, creating the habit of reviewing, adjusting, and acting before small issues turn into bigger ones. When practices commit to that rhythm, data stops feeling overwhelming and starts becoming a tool for confident decision-making.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Meagan Staab, Director of Client Support and Insights at Cleinman Performance Partners, to discuss the importance of tracking data, using KPIs, and building accountability into your practice. They break down how to choose meaningful KPIs, compare results to the right benchmarks, and use regular reviews and peer accountability to drive measurable growth.

Dylan Cunningham is the Head of Growth at Otto, an e-commerce and patient engagement platform that helps independent eyecare clinics thrive in the digital age by streamlining contact lens sales and automating patient communication. Under Dylan's leadership, Otto has enabled practices to compete with industry giants by implementing seamless online ordering and refill systems, resulting in measurable increases in patient loyalty and practice revenue. With a background in marketing and a passion for human behavior and psychology, Dylan brings unique insights on how technology can enhance both the patient experience and clinic growth.In this episode…Some practices make patient loyalty look effortless, while others struggle to keep people coming back. What separates the two often isn’t skill or service, but the invisible moments between visits where convenience can make or break trust. In a world where patients expect everything to be simple and fast, how can clinics remove the friction that pushes people toward online giants instead?The answer, according to Dylan Cunningham, lies in making the patient journey feel as natural as the way we shop for everything else. As a growth strategist with deep experience in both marketing and optical pursuits, he believes people genuinely want to support their local eye care provider — they just won’t fight through barriers to do it. Dylan explains how reducing steps, eliminating outdated processes, and meeting patients where they already are can dramatically shift buying behavior. He points to small but meaningful moments, like replacing paper rebates with instant digital links or making reorders possible in two taps, as examples of convenience that strengthens loyalty. When practices think like consumers instead of operators, he says, they unlock a level of trust and retention that online competitors can’t match.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Dylan Cunningham, Head of Growth at Otto, to discuss how online presence and automations improve patient loyalty and sales. They explore the friction points that quietly drive patients away, the automations that save time while building trust, and why convenience is now the biggest driver in patient buying behavior. Dylan also gives advice on how practices can stay relevant in an increasingly digital world.

Kehna Kelly is the Team Lead of Creative Services at POD Marketing, a company specializing in innovative branding and marketing solutions for businesses in the eye care industry. With over 10 years of experience in branding and design, Kehna has led creative strategy for brands such as POD Marketing, Free Smile Shop Dental Marketing, and recently spearheaded the successful rebrand of Cleinman. She is known for her unique strategy-first approach, empowering her team of designers, writers, editors, and videographers to elevate the creative experience for clients.In this episode…Sometimes a business outgrows the story it’s been telling. The visuals feel dated, the message drifts, or the brand no longer reflects the experience customers actually have. But how do you know when it’s time for a refresh, and how does a thoughtful rebrand really begin?According to Kehna Kelly, a seasoned creative strategist, it starts with a clear and honest answer to why. Drawing from her experience leading branding work across many practices, she explains that every successful rebrand begins long before choosing colors or sketching logos. It starts with asking what’s working, what isn’t, and what people truly feel when they interact with the business. For her, the deeper purpose behind the brand becomes the foundation that makes every creative decision more intentional and impactful.In this episode of the Cleinman Connect Podcast, Kim Carson is joined by Kehna Kelly, Team Lead of Creative Services at POD Marketing, to discuss how a strategy-first approach transforms a rebrand. They break down how to uncover the real “why” behind brand challenges, how to build a brand world that guides design and voice, and how to recognize the signals that it’s time for a brand evolution. Kehna also gives advice on bringing brand experience to life through meaningful touchpoints.