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Recently, Dr. Angela Howell announced she was leaving the practice that she acquired from Dr. B.B. Layle nearly 20 years ago to take a teaching position in Memphis. Taking over the practice are Dr. Jerry H. Ellis, O.D., and Dr. Elizabeth Kilgore, O.D., of the Progressive Eye Center of Cherokee Village.
"My feelings on leaving Piggott are mixed -- I've had a lot of special times here, and I've raised my sons here," Howell said of the change. "But I had the opportunity to take a position at the optometry college in Memphis to do a pediatric residency and that had been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to specialize and work specifically with kids."
Howell explained that during the two-year long process she began to search for someone to take care of her local patients. "I looked high and looked low and found the best people that we could to come in and take care of it," she added. "Dr. Ellis and I have been friends for more than 15 years and he has a very similar set up to mine in Cherokee Village, so at conferences we'd talk about the ups and downs and such -- and I knew that his practice had continued to grow and that he was working hard to bring the latest technology to his area like I have tried to bring it to my patients and it was really a good match."
Howell began seeing patients as part of Dr. Layl's practice in 1990 and bought the practice the following year. Layl had begun the practice following World War II on Main Street and built the current building in the spring of 1970. The new practice will be known as Progressive Eye Center of Piggott.
Ellis, a native of Illinois, entered the field after a stint in the U.S. Air Force stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After leaving the service, he began working for a doctor in Cherokee Village in 1993 and bought the practice the following year.
"We've known each other a long time and we've talked back and forth," Ellis said of the acquisition. "And we do have very similar philosophies on how to treat patients and how to treat them correctly."
Ellis said he plans to have Howell return to the clinic on a regular basis to care for local pediatric patients once she completes her residency. She quickly added she will only see patients under the age 13.
"I've always wanted to expand, and to give opportunities to other doctors as were given to me and this was one way for me to do that with Dr. Kilgore. We're hoping that we can continue to develop and grow this practice to the point that Dr. Kilgore can become a permanent part of the community."
Kilgore, a native of Southwest Arkansas, will be working at the local clinic regular hours while Ellis plans to see patients on Thursdays.
Patients won't see much change, as the same staff will be working at the clinic under the new ownership. Ellis said there will be some improvements to the interior of the building, but added that no changes were planned to the outside.
"The people here are just like family, I've enjoyed taking care of their eyes and doing business with the people of all walks of life," Howell noted of her time in Piggott. "I've really enjoyed seeing people grow up over time. You know, I was in my early 20's when I came here and I treated a lot of school kids so I've had a chance to see them grow up and even have children of their own -- and I'm taking care of their kids."
Howell said one of the saddest things has been to see her patients get older, and pass on. "You get very personally attached to your patients, and I've grown to love them and appreciate all the help and support they've given me and my family over the years."
To mark the new ownership, and welcome the new doctors to the community, an open house will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at the clinic. Refreshments will be served, and those attending will have the chance to sign up for a free pair of Hoya high-definition lenses.