PRACTICE HISTORY

Dr. Rick Bartlett, in partnership with Dr. Donna Wike,  started practicing in Statesville at the Parlier Building on Stockton Street  in August 1981.  In Feb. 1982 Dr. Bartlett bought Dr. Sid Spencer's practice in Salisbury at Professional Center West on Statesville Blvd..

The Salisbury practice became affiliated with the organization known as  Optometric Eye Care Center (OECC) in 1985 and was the only OECC office west of Greensboro. At that time OECC consisted of only a handful of offices  centered around their corporate headquarters in Rocky Mount. Now OECC is the 16th largest optometric group in the country with  52 affiliated offices in North and South Carolina. They have since shortened their name and our offices are collectively called "eyecarecenter" now.   

In 1986 Dr. Bartlett opened up his own practice in Statesville at Forest Heights Shopping Center at 841 N. Center Street. This practice was also affiliated with OECC.

Dr. Bobby Grigsby graduated from optometry school in 1991 and came to work with Dr. Bartlett the same year. Interestingly,  Dr. Boan was in his first year of optometry school and he is the one that informed Dr. Grigsby that there was an opportunity in N.C. he should consider.

In 1992 the Salisbury practice was relocated to the old  Pic and Pay shoe store at 2141 Statesville Blvd..  From 1200 square feet to what is now  5000 sq. feet this has become our largest office in both size and volume.

In 1993 Drs. Bartlett and Grigsby bought Dr. Scott Haire's practice on L.R. Blvd. in Hickory. Dr. Grigsby's wife, Dr. Bonnie Aiken, worked that office for the first year. Dr. Boan graduated in 1994 and came to work at the Hickory office that same year.   

1996 was the year our Statesville office relocated two doors down and went from 1400 sq. ft. to 4000 sq. ft. of space. Our surfacing lens lab and administrative office for all three practices are located there.

Dr. Joe Sie was added full time to our team of doctors in Salisbury in 1999.  An administrator, Sandy Greth, was hired to oversee all three locations  in 2001.  Dr. Ashley H. Bowers, a Salisbury area native, joined our practices in July 2006.

 Over the years Hickory has undergone two major remodels and expansions and Salisbury one. Our Hickory office was  our first free-standing office. This state of the art facility is located just behind (north of) our current office on L.R. Blvd..  Expanded services with additional appointment times will be available.  In addition, this property also has 3200 sq. ft. of leased office space available.

In February 2008, the Salisbury location opened its free-standing location on Statesville Blvd.  The new location is directly across the street from the old location.  The new location offers state-of-the-art patient care in a modern, convenient, comfortable facility.

Many doctors have come and gone through our practices as interns or as a stepping stone to opening up their own offices. Two that have been instrumental in the growth of our practices are Dr. Van Teague and Dr. Bonnie Aiken, who have  gone on to successful careers. We were also privileged to have Dr. John Wagoner with us in the past.  He opened a successful practice in Mooresville, but later passed away in May 2005.  We thank them and the many others that have helped our practices to succeed.

In addition, our office manager and assistant administrator Gladys Dillon has been with our practices since Feb.1982. having worked for Dr. Spencer prior to that in the Salisbury office. We greatly appreciate her dedication and service over the years. Following is a list of our employees with 10 or more years of service to our practices:

  Gladys Dillon (25) - Salisbury, Office Manager

Jane Rowland (20 )- Salisbury, Assistant Office MAnager

Dan Stikeleather (18) - Statesville, Lab Manager 

Matt Atapovich (11)- Hickory, Office Manager