SEEING LIFE CLEARLY
work forever.”
But retirement called by 2017, and Dr. Brad
Black stepped away to become a full-time active
grandparent. Kristopher and Jessica took over the
family business.
“Dr. Black was so helpful and set lofty expectations
that allowed me the space and time it takes to be the
best surgeon,” said Kristopher. “I have respect for
him as a father in law, but also as a colleague and
mentor and boss. I was lucky to work with him.”
The Pughs soon learned that growing a business
was just as much work as providing patient care.
“We were just being the best doctors we could
be,” said Kristopher. “But I’m fascinated by the
opportunity to run a healthcare business. There’s
a parallel between meeting a patient and putting
together the puzzle on what their best vision is,
and there’s also a puzzle piece in determining the
eye care needs of Southern Indiana.”
They realized that the area was a changing
marketplace, with many of Dr. Black’s long-time
colleagues retiring. “Dr. Black saw patients in rural
communities,” said Kristopher. “He didn’t own
practices there, but he worked alongside local,
rural doctors and performed surgeries in their
hometown hospitals.”
The Pughs built upon those long-time
relationships and began acquiring those practices
as the doctors retired. “In just six or so years, we
now have a comprehensive practice that has
pediatric eye care and surgery, refractive surgery,
glasses, contact lenses, and we are taking care of
the aging population,” said Kristopher. “We’ve
added new doctors and staffs, but while many
of our competitors are selling out, we are locally,
family-owned.”
As their practice has grown, the Pughs actively
empower their doctors in satellite offices to make
their own decisions and keep their local feel. “Being
locally owned sets us apart. It’s becoming a rarity,”
said Jessica. “We’re one of the last free-standing
optometric practices in the area.”
“Like all of our doctors here, ethically, I’d have a
hard time looking at a patient and recommending
a treatment or surgery that I didn’t feel 100 percent
behind,” she added. “I think the culture and work
environment is so important. I want this to be a
place where employees want to come in and I want
them to have a smile on their face. When you can
cultivate that within the practice, it is passed along
to the patients.”
“The concept of a family business is something
we’re learning constantly,” said Kristopher. “It
changes every day. If done correctly, you can create
a workplace where everyone feels connected and
involved in something that is bigger.”
GIVING BACK
The Pugh family and their extended family of
physicians and staff are all actively involved in their
communities. Dr. Jessica Pugh is on the board of the
New Albany Education Foundation and supports
many other organizations. “I grew up here and we
FOR OVER 35 YEARS,
WE’VE BEEN PAVING THE WAY.
Paving | Seal Coating | Striping | Site Work | Concrete | Domestic Water | Sanitary/Storm
CHECK OUT OUR PORTFOLIO OF WORK AT WWW.APC-CONSTRUCT.COM