Dr. Neil Gailmard is an optometrist and a highly respected expert in the field of practice management. Currently editor of the popular e-newsletter, Optometric Management Tip of the Week, Gailmard started the ground-breaking series in 2002 and surpassed 800 articles in the publication archive. He has also published hundreds of articles in journals and textbooks and served as Chief Editor of Optometric Management magazine and Contributing Editor for Review of Optometry magazine.
Gailmard founded and built one of the largest independent optometric practices in the U.S., located in Munster, Indiana. In partnership with his wife, who is also an optometrist, they co-owned and managed Gailmard Eye Center for 40 years, before selling the practice in 2018.
In addition to his career as a clinical optometrist, Neil served as a consultant helping other ODs with practice management challenges. He was co-founder and president of Prima Eye Group, a consulting company and purchasing alliance. That company was acquired by IDOC (Independent Doctors of Optometric Care) where Gailmard served as Chief Optometric Officer.
A sought-after speaker at major eye care conferences for three decades, Neil lectured frequently at Vision Expo, AOA, SECO, Academy of Optometry, regional meetings and optometry schools. Dr. Gailmard served as chairman of the AOA's Practice Management University and he was a founding faculty member for the Management & Business Academy, an educational program for eye care professionals co-sponsored by Alcon and Essilor.
Gailmard received his BS and OD degrees from Illinois College of Optometry and he earned an MBA degree with distinction in 1998 from Keller Graduate School of Management. He served on the faculty at ICO for 20 years where he taught clinical procedures and practice management. Neil also served as a Benedict Professor of Practice Management at University of Houston College of Optometry and as a visiting lecturer at University of California at Berkeley, School of Optometry.
Dr. Gailmard has served on numerous industry advisory boards and professional associations. Illinois College of Optometry honored him with the Faculty of the Year award, the Alumni Professional Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Honor. Vision Monday named Neil as recipient of the Optometric Business Innovator award in 2014 and the Indiana Optometric Association presented him with the Meritorious Service Award in 2018. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
