Education

Graduate Connections Grant Program

To preserve the health and vitality of independent practice optometry, Hoya Vision Care and Cleinman Performance Partners, came to recognize the compelling strategic rationale in assisting select optometry students to connect with members of Cleinman Performance Network.

Cleinman Performance Partners, in consultation with Hoya Vision Care, has developed the Graduate Connection Grant Program to support select third-year optometry students’ participation in a Cleinman Performance Network meeting and to help them connect with a Cleinman Performance Network member seeking an associate or successor.

The members of Cleinman Performance Network represent leading opportunities for graduating optometrists, as owners of successful and growing practices are consistently working to identify new associates and develop practice successors.  Prospective associates must have a balanced combination of both clinical skills and business acumen.

Cleinman Performance Partners has an extensive background in succession planning and provides total succession solutions for clients.  Our firm’s principal, Alan Cleinman, has consummated over 1,000 transactions among optometrists and is a leading authority on succession planning and partnering issues.

How it Works

Step One – On-Campus Presentation

“Entrepreneurial Optometry: Managing your Professional Destiny,” is a high-energy, two-hour motivational program by Alan Cleinman, President and CEO of Cleinman Performance Partners. Students receive practical and essential knowledge about developing their careers in private practice. This presentation is open to the entire campus and guests.

Step Two  – Grant Application

Following “Entrepreneurial Optometry,” third-year students are invited to submit a Graduate Connections Grant Application to Cleinman Performance Partners.  Successful applicants are awarded an invitation to attend a Cleinman Performance Network meeting in Chicago or Dallas.  Applicants are asked to articulate their career goals, as well as their fundamental understanding of business practices and leadership as it relates to optometry.

One grant will be awarded to applicants from each participating school of optometry.  Only third-year students may apply.  Applications will only be made available to students of each school, and may only be submitted, after Al Cleinman’s presentation. Grants are accepted on a rolling basis.  The final due date is 45 days from presentation.  Please return to this page to submit your grant.

Step Three – CPN Meeting

The intent of Cleinman Performance Partners is to provide students who demonstrate the right balance of entrepreneurial, clinical and business acumen, an occasion to meet and network with some of the most successful private practice owners across the country.  We anticipate that significant employment opportunities will develop from their attendance, as well as a wealth of practice management knowledge.

Each grant covers tuition, housing, meal costs and transportation associated with participation in a Cleinman Performance Network meeting.  There are ten available meeting dates per year.  Meeting sites are currently located in Dallas and Chicago.

Johanna Loeffler
Content Manager
800-331-5536