Who We Are

Collaborative Partners Pursuing Optimal Eye Health.

Lendy Pridgen is a seasoned healthcare professional with more than 38 years of experience. His expertise revolves around strategic advisory, consulting, and senior management services in the healthcare sector. Lendy has played pivotal roles in the start-up, development, and management of successful healthcare provider organizations and managed care organizations, with senior management experience in both HMOs and PPOs. He is a trusted consultant to medical groups, hospitals, and managed care organizations, providing insights on healthcare reform, market assessments, strategic planning, organizational development, and integrated delivery systems.

As President, Principal of Capital Eye Health Strategies, Lendy provides invaluable market-focused strategic advisory and management services to stakeholders in the eye health and vision care services industry. He specializes in planning, developing, and implementing new market initiatives that enhance clients’ market positions. Additionally, Lendy’s impactful role as Director of Market Strategy & Payer Relations for the American Optometric Association (AOA) solidified his reputation as a senior manager and advocate for the AOA’s Advocacy Team in DC. Lendy is known for his ability to extend and enhance third-party advocacy on a national level, aligning key health plan and corporate decision-makers with optometrists’ professional interests while educating the eye care community on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving healthcare business environment.

Dr. Stephen M. Montaquila, a 1994 graduate of The New England College of Optometry, currently holds the role of President at West Bay Eye Associates, a primary eye care group optometric practice in Warwick, RI. His distinguished career includes Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry and Diplomate status in the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Montaquila practices full-scope primary eye care and serves as a clinical investigator for ophthalmic drug and contact lens companies. His commitment to education is evident through his role as a provider of continuing education lectures, covering topics such as ocular disease and contact lenses. He is a valued member of the speaker’s bureau for Bausch and Lomb.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Montaquila plays a significant role in healthcare leadership. He chairs Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation’s Eye Care group and holds the position of Optometric Medical Director for Centene Corporation. His dedication to optometry associations is notable, having served as the immediate past Chair of the American Optometric Association (AOA) Third Party Center Executive Committee and Chair of the Rhode Island Optometric Association Legislative Committee. Dr. Montaquila’s contributions have left a lasting impact on the field of optometry and healthcare, and he continues to shape the future of eye care.

Richard M. Soden brings a wealth of experience to the field of optometry and healthcare. As a Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry, he currently serves as the Director of Health Care Development. With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Soden’s journey began at SUNY College of Optometry, where he graduated in 1979. Following graduation, he completed a residency program at the Northport VA Medical Center on Long Island, where he later served as the Associate Chief of Optometry Service for 26 years. During this time, he also contributed his expertise to a large optometric practice in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., focusing on pediatrics, children with special needs, and low vision rehabilitation for children and adults. Dr. Soden is recognized as a low-vision specialist and has been dedicated to assisting the Commission for the Blind throughout his optometric career.

Dr. Soden’s influence extends beyond clinical practice. He serves as a third-party consultant for the New York State Optometric Association and has made extensive contributions to third-party reimbursement and practice management. His involvement in optometry organizations includes being a member of the AOA’s Coding Committee and the AOA Third Party Center Executive Committee. With his wealth of experience and dedication to optometric practice, Dr. Soden continues to shape the landscape of eye care and vision services.