Dr. Dandy Retires After 48 Years In Business

Dr. James Alphonso Dandy
Dr. James Alphonso Dandy

Dr. James Alphonso Dandy, the first Black eye doctor in Savannah…the first black doctor to practice across Victory Drive…the first professional, other than chiropractors, to advertise on radio and television… former Chairman of the Board and Interim Executive Director of Savannah Association for the Blind… lauded in a 1995 Eye Care Business Magazine article as having the most successful black-owned optical business in the United States, is retiring and will close the doors of Antioch Foot & Ankle Group on March 13, 2020.

Dr. Dandy opened Savannah Family Vision Center in 1972 and Hart Contact Lenses Ltd. in 1982. While serving in the United States Air Force, he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease. He matriculated at Pennsylvania College of Optometry but was initially discouraged when his professors told him that he would only be able to practice optometry for a maximum of 8 years. God gave him 32 productive years serving generations of patients, many of whom were unable to pay for his services. On March 6, 2004, Dr. Dandy opened Antioch Medical Associates, the Antioch Foot & Ankle Group. That practice has provided podiatry service to Savannah and the Low Country for 14 years.

Although two chapters of Dr. Dandy’s legacy have closed, he feels that God still has work for him to do. On January 17, 2017, he dedicated Dandy Youth Development to educate, motivate, and inspire young black boys to become productive men and leaders in society. He presently serves as a Deacon, Trustee and Sunday School Teacher at Thankful Baptist Church. He is married to Dr. Evelyn Dandy. They have three (3) children, Ronlyn Dandy, Instructional Specialist, Bowie, Maryland, and Drs. Ronald and Russell Dandy, ophthalmologists, with offices in Savannah and Statesboro. Dr. Jim Dandy gives God all the honor and all the praise for his success.

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