Contact: Dr. Joseph Grasso at [email protected] and Dr. Larry Soellner at [email protected], 618 357.6117; Dr. Alan M. Winkelstein, [email protected], 951 676.9465

DALLAS, TEXAS — Drs. Joseph Grasso and Larry Soellner of Southern Illinois Eyecare — with locations in Chester, DuQuoin, Pinckneyville and Sparta, IL — and Dr. Alan M. Winkelstein of Temecula Valley Optometry in Temecula, Calif., received recognition for their continued commitment to professional development at a recent meeting of Cleinman Performance Network.

Drs. Grasso, Soellner and Winkelstein — celebrating their fifth year in the Network — demonstrate a dedication to creating a healthy and beneficial work environment, as well as to maintaining a high level of patient care and satisfaction.

As members of Cleinman Performance Network, a wisdom-sharing group of peer optometrists from across North America, Drs. Grasso, Soellner and Winkelstein provide valuable knowledge that highlights and contributes to the best practices in vision care and eye health.

Dr. Joseph Grasso graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 1975.  Practicing optometry in Pinckneyville since 1979, Grasso opened his first private practice in 1987.  Grasso also served as an optometrist for the U.S. Army and Air Force from 1975 until his retirement from the military in 2008 to spend more time with his wife, Bernice, his children and grandchildren.  His primary areas of interest are ocular pathology and pharmacology, along with a deep concern for his patients’ eye health and well-being.

Dr. Larry Soellner joined Grasso’s Pinckneyville practice in 1991 after graduating from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 1990.  Passionate about vision research and neurophysiology, Soellner participates in investigative clinical trials focused on customizable contact designs and materials.  While an active member of the American Optometric Association and Illinois Optometric Association’s executive committee, Soellner also enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three children, as well as taking to the waters of local lakes in his antique wooden Chris Craft.

Drs. Grasso and Soellner achieved such success at their Pinckneyville office that they added locations in Chester (1992), DuQuoin (1998), Sparta (2001) and Marissa (2002). In addition to expanding and relocating their Chester and DuQuoin offices in 2007, the practice combined Sparta and Marissa offices into one larger location in 2009.

Dr. Alan M. Winkelstein attended the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Visual Sciences and his Doctor of Optometry degree.  A teaching position in clinical and didactic programs brought him to the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, where he taught full-time for five years.  During the past 23 years in Temecula, Dr. Winkelstein has been involved in various community organizations and activities, contributing his time and efforts to the Temecula Lions Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County.

“Drs. Grasso, Soellner and Winkelstein have made true contributions to our Network of optometrists through their commitment to excellent patient care,” said Alan H. Cleinman, president of Cleinman Performance Partners in Oneonta, N.Y.  “We are honored to be associated with two professionals of such high caliber and look forward to continuing our positive and beneficial relationship.”

About Cleinman Performance Partners, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Cleinman Performance Partners, Inc. provides business solutions to independent optometry practices and the select vendors who serve them.  Our mission is to help our clients recognize and realize all of their possibilities.  In 2000, the company launched its core client development program, Cleinman Performance Network, a business development membership group for North America’s leading independent optometry practices.

For more information on Cleinman Performance Network, visit www.cleinman.com.

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