You asked for it, and we delivered. It’s time to focus on what matters most to you on Nov. 2-5. Our themes—Owning the Outcomes, From Accountability to Action, and How Will AI Shape the Future of Eye Care?—will address timely and important information to bring back to your businesses.

Featured speaker Joe DeLoach, OD, joins us on Tuesday in Clearwater. You don’t want to miss this presentation, which Dr. DeLoach says will be the most significant compliance update he has presented since his first SNAPP meeting. Many compliance changes—particularly related to HIPAA—are coming quickly as a result of actions from the new administration, as well as the actions from state and federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Implementation in late 2025 of the largest HIPAA amendment in history will completely rewrite HIPAA security standards. He explains that these changes will require all providers to completely rework their security program.

Get these important updates at our meeting! Dr. DeLoach brings a diverse background with experience leading a highly successful private practice, managing one of the nation's largest referral centers and as a full-time educator and clinical director of the University of Houston Eye Institute Dallas.

We’ll see you very soon! Be sure to register today if you haven’t already. Get all of the details on the Clearwater 2025 page.

Our time together begins with our welcome reception, hosted on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at the East Beach of the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa. Connect with colleagues and new peers over food and the full-service bar.

Don’t forget that we’re heading out on the iconic Clearwater Trolleys on Monday night to the world-famous Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters and other sea creatures will be a one-of-a-kind backdrop for our evening of networking and making connections.

Find all the details here.

With this passing of the torch, Rittenhouse and Dr. Loni Dickerhoof also followed in Dr. Rose Dickerhoof’s footsteps and became members of SNAPP Group themselves.

Dr. Rose Dickerhoof had been a SNAPP Group member since 2013. Rittenhouse says that the membership has proven to be valuable to him and his wife, as well. “There has not been a meeting where we have not taken away or implemented an idea from SNAPP—from billing services, to asset protection and compliance services,” he says. “SNAPP truly enhances our business every year we are a part of it.”

Rittenhouse says that the biggest impact SNAPP has made in the business has come from the network and connections they have built with other Licensed Operators (LOs). Whether they are also a doctor or optician or entrepreneur, the different perspectives are always welcome. “We are all facing the same issues while also trying to provide the best possible eye care to our patients as efficiently as we can,” Rittenhouse says.

Building Relationships, Growing Profits

Those relationships have become even stronger as they joined SNAPPGroupMasterminds. Before coming to the optical industry, Rittenhouse worked as a mechanical engineer in aerospace design and then construction design. It was during his involvement in these other professions where he learned the value of being a part of a small, focused peer group. “It was so valuable and increased the profitability of the company,” he says.

So as soon as he saw there was an opening with SNAPPGroupMasterminds, he says he jumped at the opportunity. “The truth is that if we are not learning and getting better at what we do, then our business is dying,” Rittenhouse says. “I’ve never been the smartest in the room, but I do believe in surrounding myself with people who have more experience and wisdom than I do. SNAPPGroupMasterminds is exactly that.”

Real Ideas Implemented Into Changes

The practice recently moved from its original space at 1,200 square feet with one exam room to a 5,000 square foot space with four exam rooms. “I'm not sure we would have been prepared to do so without the SNAPPGroupMasterminds group,” Rittenhouse says. “From resources to input from group members, it made everything come together so well.” He traveled to four offices within the group for inspiration and ideas to design the new location. He spent hours at each space, learning about its office model, flow and structure. “We are indebted to this group, or I would even say family.”

They’ve also changed their pretesting routine as a result of SNAPPGroupMasterminds. They've adopted a full pretesting model for efficiency. By the time the patient reaches the exam room, everything is ready for the doctor’s review in the Crystal EHR system. This switch in office flow has increased their exam lane efficiency by 30% to 40%.

“The industry is changing so fast,” Rittenhouse says. “To be able to come together in a small personal setting with other LOs is invaluable to us. The collection of ideas and intention of everyone in the group to continuously get better is why we are in the group.”

Photo credits—JW Clearwater Beach and Clearwater Marine Aquarium photos courtesy of each respective location | Getty Images: what's new: ninitta; mouse: Rudmer Zwerver