Longtime Forest Hills neighbor Dr. Leonard Friedman has practiced ophthalmology in the neighborhood for 30 years, at 4201 Connecticut Avenue. Today brings a change: His practice officially merges with Rockville-based Visionary Eye Doctors. One thing that does not change: The practice remains in Forest Hills – at Van Ness Center (4301 Connecticut).
Dr. Friedman took the time to answer our questions:
Q: How long have you made Forest Hills your home?
A: My wife Colleen and I bought our home on Davenport in 1978. I moved to DC in 1965 to attend medical school at George Washington.
How long have you practiced on Connecticut Avenue?
I started my office on Capitol Hill in 1978 but opened a second office in Forest Hills at 4201 Conn. Ave in 1986 to be closer to home and to serve my neighborhood.
How did you team up with your current partner?
Dr. J. Alberto Martinez was finishing his fellowship at Georgetown University in 1992. He asked colleagues for names of good surgeons in the community to observe and was given my name. At that time he did visit me in surgery and wrote me a very nice complimentary note of thanks. I saved that letter all these years and have observed Alberto’s rise to greatness in the Ophthalmology community. The last line of his letter says “I hope that I will have a chance to see you working again or that we can collaborate in some mutual endeavor.”
That was 24 years ago. I saw Alberto a year ago and mentioned that I was interested in finding a quality practice with which to merge. Without hesitation he said “I am interested.” We had a deal worked out within weeks and now will have a brand new state of the art facility here in Forest Hills.
What does he bring to the partnership?
The name of the group is Visionary Eye Doctors. Dr. Martinez has developed a world-class practice. The original office in Rockville was founded in 1994. Dr. Martinez, a superb eye surgeon, did a cornea fellowship at Georgetown Medical School. He is now considered an expert in Pterygium surgery and has patients from all over the world, as well as the US. He has assembled a superb group of four ophthalmologists and 3 optometrists, as well as an in house optical dispensary.
What else does the merger provide?
In addition to the expanded expertise of other practitioners we will improve the practice with state of the art equipment, but hope to continue the “loving touch”. The addition of an optical shop with over 500 frames in a brand new office with Saturday hours should be a great convenience to our Forest Hills patients.
Whom do you hope to serve in your new location?
We hope to serve all the families of Forest Hills. Visionary Eye Doctors offers comprehensive eye care for the entire family from children 3 years of age to teenagers and their parents with vision exams, contacts, glasses in addition to medical and surgical care. In addition to the local community, I continue to see patients from all over the area.
Could you tell us about the newest members of your team?
Dr. Nima Moainie, Ophthalmologist, has been with me at Van Ness for 3 years and provides comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract and glaucoma surgery. We are now introducing Dr. Maliha Saeed a doctor of Optometry specializing in primary care, contact lenses and surgical co-management. She will see children from age 3 and up and will have availability on some Saturdays making it easier for working parents.
Do you have an opening date for the new office and where will it be located?
We will be open to the public Feb. 22nd and are located at 4301 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 125.
Are you currently taking new patients?
Yes, and we accept almost all insurance plans including Government assistance plans. The phone number is 202-362-4545. And we have a special welcome offer (see below).
I am very pleased with my new association with Visionary Eye Doctors. We hope our neighbors in Forest Hills will drop by and say hello during a Grand Opening Event on March 29th at 6 p.m. Please RSVP by March 25 to [email protected].
Welcome offer: For a limited time only, get $50 off eyeglass frames or sunglasses.
Valid only on prescription eyeglass frames and sunglasses. Not valid on previous purchases, prescription frames or sunglasses, readers or non-prescription sunglasses. Discount off frame tag price. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or price match guarantee, or managed vision plans.