In September 2024, Danielle Gaeta, OD, finally found an opportunity to relocate her practice, Advanced Eyecare Associates. Though just a short distance, the move breathed new life into the practice for Dr. Gaeta and her associates, Heema Patel, OD, and Krista Kaspar, OD. The three doctors shared with Women In Optometry about their approach to providing cohesive care for long-time patients and their excitement for continuing to serve their community in a new space.
REWARD AFTER A SLOW SEARCH
Dr. Gaeta spent years looking for a suitable place to relocate her practice. She purchased the practice in Succasunna, New Jersey, from a retiring doctor in 2018, and Dr. Patel joined her that year as the former doctors retired. She refreshed the space with a makeover then, but the building was old and becoming vacant as doctors retired and closed their offices. Dr. Gaeta says that she knew eventually she would want to relocate from the dated medical building. Dr. Kaspar joined them in 2021.
It was an on-and-off again search, sometimes put on pause as Dr. Gaeta’s family grew. Staying nearby was important to continue that long-time care for loyal patients. The practice has well-established roots, having been in the community for more than 30 years. She wanted a place that was affordable and more accessible, as her original office was located on a second floor.
By 2024, she finally found a place where they could settle in easily—right across the street. A former ophthalmology office on a first floor offered an easy move that saved thousands in renovations. The layout was already perfect with space for five exam rooms, so it mostly needed cosmetic changes with paint color changes and flooring. Dr. Gaeta turned to Dr. Patel and Dr. Kaspar for input as she made decisions. They describe the space as a unique look that’s clean and bright with lots of natural light streaming in the windows.
They relocated to the new space in September 2024 over Labor Day Weekend. With the holiday, the office was only closed for two extra days. The move out of the old space was on Thursday, and they were into the new one on Friday. Patients started at the new office on Tuesday. The grand reopening was held in November.
SHARED SPECIALTIES
Currently, Dr. Patel works full time in the office and Dr. Gaeta and Dr. Kaspar are on part-time hours. They are all together in the office on two days per week. The three doctors share an interest and passion for full-scope primary care, providing a medical focus and targeting patients’ needs with services such as dry eye treatment. “We feel the satisfaction in providing that care for patients,” Dr. Patel says, looking at the patient beyond just their eyes.
Dr. Gaeta says that this total care approach across the board has helped them, instead of diversifying with individual specialties. “We work very similarly, and that has made us flow really well together,” Dr. Gaeta says, especially since each of them has had at least one maternity leave. It helps all patients feel well taken care of, regardless of which doctor they see.
As the newest doctor, Dr. Kaspar is building up her portion of the patient base and steps in with a smile on most of the emergency cases or covering when the other doctors are out. “It’s an opportunity to make their patients even more comfortable in the practice,” Dr. Kaspar says. “We are all comfortable with glaucoma, dry eye, macular degeneration and with whatever new technology we bring in. We all learn about it.”
SPREADING THE WORD
The doctors keep in contact with local pediatricians, other health care professionals and urgent care centers so they know where to turn when they need to refer a patient for eye care. Word-of-mouth referrals from patients’ neighbors and coworkers have been a huge source of incoming patients.
They now follow up each exam by asking patients to complete a Google review about their experience. It’s a small change using the automated Weave platform, and it’s made a big difference. Their 50 reviews skyrocketed to more than 500 with the addition of a simple question. Many patients say in their patient survey that they found the practice after searching online for an eye doctor near them. “Those Google reviews can seal the deal for a lot of patients.”
The new space is attracting patients in a new way, as well, with much better visibility along the first floor. Potential patients are walking by and inquiring about the location. “The space is a good balance of keeping long-term patients happy while attracting new patients with a modern feel,” Dr. Gaeta says. It’s an exciting energy as they continue this next chapter serving their community.
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Read other stories on WO about women in independent practices.
