Zanesville optometrist sells practice, stays part time

ZANESVILLE — Dr. Paul Hoffman, who has been an optometrist in Zanesville for the past 38 years, sold his practice to Whitaker Real Estate Holdings LLC but will continue to see patients two days each week.

At 66, Hoffman said he was ready to recharge his batteries. He calls it a semi-retiring, which allows him to slow down while still remaining a part of the community.

Dr. Nicole Whitaker, the new owner, will work Monday and Tuesday and Hoffman will work Wednesday and Thursday, the same hours that the office has always been open. The switch will begin Monday.

Every year, his practice at 2540 Maysville Pike sees about 2,500 patients. Part of the reason he came to Zanesville was because of the level of need and lack of services, especially on the south side of town.

Whitaker has lived in Zanesville since 2008 and though she has worked in Zanesville before, she works in Athens now. "I wanted to work a little closer to home," Whitaker said.

In optometry school, Whitaker said she was given the advice to never work in a town you wouldn't live in. For a profession like optometry, where doctors can get to know whole families very well, Whitaker wanted to become a greater part of her community.

"I grew up in a small town and it felt really close-knit," she said.

She wants to expand the practice by investing in new pieces of equipment and doing presentations about vision and eye health to young students in area schools.

Hoffman said the practice would be in good hands.

"She lives about six minutes from the office," he said.

Hoffman wanted to make sure even after he sold his practice that it would remain a local service and would continue to serve people on the south side of Zanesville.

"Maple Avenue is a nice place, but we don't need everything on Maple Avenue," he said.

Hoffman said he will spend his time continuing to do statistics for Bishop Rosecrans High School football and basketball. None of his activities will change, he said, he will just slow down and take more time to do them.

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @KL_Snyder