MARSHALL — The former Heartland Eyecare Center in Marshall has closed – but patients can still see Dr. J.D. Ries and Dr. Renae Ries at the Avera Marshall campus on Bruce Street.

On Feb. 3, the Rieses began working with colleagues at Avera Marshall Southwest Ophthalmology. The move comes about a year after the sale of Heartland Eyecare Centers to Avera Marshall.

“We are happy to be part of Avera and to have more time to focus on the care we provide for our patients,” Renae Ries said. “This move gives us an opportunity to collaborate more closely with our colleagues.”

In a news release, Avera Marshall spokespeople said the Rieses will see patients at Avera Marshall, and will also continue to see patients at Heartland Eyecare clinics in Canby and Dawson.

“We feel really fortunate to have these skilled providers and staff join us. We are excited to welcome the Marshall team to our main campus,” said Tracy Deutz, vice president of operations at Avera Marshall.

Heartland Eyecare Centers announced it would be joining Avera Marshall in February 2024. J.D. and Renae Ries have been caring for optometry patients in the area for more than 20 years. They started working at Heartland Eyecare Centers in 1998, and they purchased Heartland’s clinics in 2001.

The location change for the Rieses comes at the same time that Avera is bringing together its eye clinics in southwest Minnesota under one name, Avera Marshall spokespeople said. Starting March 1, Avera Marshall Southwest Ophthalmology, Avera Medical Group Optometry and Heartland Eye Care Centers will all be known as Avera Eye Care.

The change will apply to eye care locations in Marshall, Canby, Dawson, Redwood Falls, Springfield and Tracy.

“The new name reflects our commitment to making health care simpler and more accessible for our patients,” said Deutz. “Using a single, unified name across all locations will eliminate confusion, while showcasing the collective expertise of our talented team.”

Avera Marshall said they will be rolling out updates signs and branding at all the Avera Eye Care locations in the coming months.