Gallatin Valley Vision Brings Eye Care to Three Forks

Dr. Jessica Lemons purchased Gallatin Valley Vision, located in the Gallatin Valley Mall, in 2016. Since then, she and her family moved to Three Forks, Montana, and she found the commute to Bozeman and mall hours were limiting the time she could spend with her children. This inspired her to look into expanding her practice to include a location in Three Forks. A small community, Three Forks is underserved in terms of medical services, and many residents travel to Bozeman, Butte, or further for eye care.

Dr. Lemons worked closely with Ross Hoyle, Prospera’s Loan Funds Manager, and received gap financing through Prospera to purchase the building for the new eye clinic. “Ross and I did a lot of business planning as far as looking at the current numbers of the business and the growth I currently have and then translating that to the Three Forks location,” said Dr. Lemons. Together, they reviewed every detail from the number of current clients already traveling to Bozeman from Three Forks and other surrounding areas to how the current office could help fund new employees, remodeling, and equipment costs.

“Prospera is honored to have partnered with Dr. Lemons in her pursuit to provide first-class optometry services for the Three Forks community. Benefitting from her professionalism, positive attitude, and incredible work ethic, Gallatin Valley Vision is enriching the quality of life for all Montanans in the Gallatin Valley and helping ensure more people can see and appreciate the beautiful scenery of our treasure state,” said Hoyle.

Dr. Lemons shared her mutual respect for Prospera, “Ross is really helpful with his knowledge, and he is a genuinely good person. With Prospera's help, I was able to fulfill my dream of becoming a small-town eye doctor. I wouldn't have been able to do all the things that I had done without Prospera—100%.”

Gallatin Valley Vision opened its second location in November 2021. Business is thriving, and Dr. Lemons feels welcomed by the community. Busier than she originally anticipated, Dr. Lemons estimates she sees 15 patients a week, equating to over 200 people she’s helped in the clinic’s first three months.