The Eye Care Institute Names Jennifer Harner Chief Executive Officer
A Two-Decade Journey from the Front Desk to Chief Executive Officer
The Eye Care Institute | Butchertown Clinical Trials is proud to announce the appointment of Jennifer Harner as Chief Executive Officer. Harner assumes the role after more than two decades with the practice, where she has served in nearly every area of the organization and most recently held the position of its first-ever Chief Operating Officer.
Harner joined The Eye Care Institute in 2006 after relocating to Louisville from Arkansas. Over the years that followed, she advanced through six promotions — from patient registration to billing and operations — building the kind of ground-level understanding of the practice that few executives ever acquire. That breadth of experience, paired with her institutional knowledge and vision for the future, positions her to lead The Eye Care Institute through its next chapter of growth.
“Eyecare has felt like a calling to me since childhood, and leading the practice I love is a tremendous privilege,” said Harner. “My goal is simple but essential: that every physician, every staff member, and every patient has the most positive experience possible. It is the human connection — the kindness, compassion, and genuine desire to help above all else — that sets The Eye Care Institute apart, and I am committed to protecting and strengthening that culture as we grow.”
Harner’s path to eyecare began long before her career did. Her first pair of glasses in the sixth grade sparked a fascination that never faded — one deepened by an eighth-grade cow eye dissection and a career-class project that had her researching optometry well before most of her peers had any sense of direction. Although her path ultimately led her into leadership and practice administration rather than clinical care, it brought her to exactly where she was meant to be.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, and she is a Certified Ophthalmic Executive (COE).
“Jennifer Harner is our natural choice to be elevated to the CEO role in our practice. She has a wealth of experience, having been with us for 20 years. During that time, Jennifer has been a tireless worker and an incredible leader. While COO, she demonstrated initiative and forward thinking by upgrading our scheduling and electronic medical records systems to make delivery of patient care more efficient. Jennifer displays qualities of honesty and integrity as the backbone of all her interactions with patients and staff alike. Additionally, Jennifer is data driven and will utilize data to make informed decisions for the betterment of our practice and patients. I am thrilled for our future with Jennifer as our CEO,” said Dr. Guru Pattar, MD, PhD, owner of The Eye Care Institute.
As Chief Executive Officer, Harner will oversee operations, strategy, and growth across the full scope of The Eye Care Institute, including its clinical research division, Butchertown Clinical Trials.
About The Eye Care Institute
The Eye Care Institute is a multi-provider ophthalmology and optometry practice located at 1536 Story Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. Through its clinical research division, Butchertown Clinical Trials, ECI also advances medical research and expands access to emerging treatments for the Louisville community. The practice is committed to delivering exceptional, compassionate eye care and to ensuring that every patient experience reflects kindness, understanding, and a genuine desire to help.
