NEW YORK, April 3, 2017 — The Optometric Center of New York (OCNY), the affiliated foundation of the SUNY College of Optometry, hosted its 14th annual Eyes on New York Gala on Friday, March 31 at The Plaza in New York City.
Bob Colucci, president of the Independent Distribution Division of Essilor of America and chairman of the Essilor Vision Foundation, and Jerry Warner, president, Americas, CooperVision, were honored during the signature event. Dave Sattler, former director of professional relations for Alcon Laboratories Inc., served as honorary chair and was recognized as a champion for optometry and optometric education.
OCNY board president Barbara Saltzman welcomed the 300 attendees and highlighted the importance of establishing a more comfortable, efficient, and effective experience for the University Eye Center’s youngest patients and their families.
“The College’s vision care services for children will take on a wonderfully enhanced and exciting new direction in the next year thanks to a $1.5M dollar grant from the State of New York’s [NYSUNY] 2020 initiative,” said Mrs. Saltzman.
She also announced a $1M campaign, Our Vision for Children, to support the construction of a new 3,000 sq. ft. pediatric primary care unit and purchase of diagnostic and treatment technology completely dedicated to children’s eye and vision needs.
The efficiency gained from the total $2.5M investment in renovations and modernization will enhance the patient experience, promote care coordination, complement the College’s clinical research program, and create an educational setting that is properly aligned with the future of eye care, according to SUNY Optometry president David A. Heath.
“This fundamental redesign will increase our capacity to provide greater numbers of children with quality eye and vision care,” said Dr. Heath. “We will have a pediatric service unlike any other in the country through which we will provide for the children of New York City and beyond.”
Martin L. Bassett, chief executive officer of Walman, and Guy Guglielmino, vice president of marketing for Bausch + Lomb, served as corporate co-chairs and introduced Colucci and Warner, respectively. Dr. Andrea Thau, president of the American Optometric Association and a 1984 alumna of the College, was also among the event’s attendees.
The evening, which grossed nearly $300,000, featured music by the Hank Lane Band and an exciting live auction by Pat Tully.
To learn more about the Optometric Center of New York, visit www.sunyopt.edu/giving.
[slider_image image_1=”9929,large” image_2=”9930,large” image_3=”9931,large” image_4=”9932,large” image_5=”9933,large” image_6=”9934,large” image_7=”9935,large” image_8=”9936,large” image_9=”9937,large” image_10=”9938,large” image_11=”9939,large” image_12=”9940,large” image_13=”9941,large” height=”600″]Media Contact: Amber E. Hopkins-Jenkins, 212.938.5607, aehopkinsjenkins@sunyopt.edu