Reuben Merideth, DVM, DACVO is the founder of Eye Care for Animals (ECFA), which is celebrating its 40th year of service. A member of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 1978, Meredith started ECFA in 1981, and became board-certified as a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in the same year. ECFA, which opened its first clinic in Tuscon, AZ, has now expanded to 39 clinics in 16 different states.
Eye Care for Animals treats over 55,000 animals per year, and in their 40-years of service have treated over 1 million animals. In a press release from the organization, Meredith spoke about this achievement. “This is a truly incredible milestone, and one that is even bigger than I’d dreamed,” he said. “I started ECFA with the goal of being the number one provider of veterinary ophthalmology services on the west coast. Every client care representative, technician, resident and doctor rose to the occasion, and we were able to exceed my wildest expectations.”
On top of animal eye care, Meredith also developed a training program within the ECFA in 1982. To date, this program has assisted in training 75 veterinarians to become veterinary ophthalmologists and is the largest non-university affiliated ophthalmology residency program in the world.
ECFA has three locations in the Kansas City area, one being in Lee’s Summit, MO, and the other two being just across the Missouri-Kansas border.
By Nick Childress
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