
Vera L. 2025 | BASIS Independent Fremont
- Project Title: Improving Customer Retention and Profitability in Private Ophthalmology through Business Strategies and Operational Improvement: A Case Study of East Hills Vision Care
- BASIS Independent Advisor: Mr. Ong
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruption across the healthcare industry, exposing previously overlooked vulnerabilities in service delivery and management. Optometry practices in the San Francisco Bay Area, in particular, faced devastating consequences with an 81% decline in patient volume at the height of the pandemic. Such disruptions have caused financial instability for clinics, reduced access to care, and diminished patient trust. My project seeks to address these challenges by analyzing the pandemic’s residual operational and administrative effects on East Hills Vision Care and identifying strategies to rebuild a patient-centered infrastructure. Through a combination of extensive data analysis and patient surveys, my methodology aims to pinpoint gaps in the clinic’s service delivery and financial management. With the end product, I hope to take on the role of a consultant and showcase actionable solutions that improve operational efficiency, strengthen marketing presence, and enhance patient satisfaction. My research will contribute to broader efforts to fortify healthcare systems and, in particular, private practice clinics against future crises, ensuring more robust and equitable care delivery to all Bay Area communities.