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The Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) is the allied and endowing foundation of the State University of New York, State College of Optometry. It was founded in 1956 by a small group of dedicated optometrists and benefactors as a non-profit health and professional education resource for the community. This pioneering effort supported and directed the establishment of a vision care clinic which, in 1971, became the patient care centerpiece for the new SUNY College of Optometry.
In 1983, the foundation's Board of Trustees recognized the need for enhanced scientific research into the human visual system and moved to fund the establishment of a research institute at the College. One year later, thanks to a generous gift of $1.5 million from Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Schnurmacher, longtime benefactors, the institute was renamed the Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Institute for Vision Research. For 50 years, the Optometric Center of New York has stood as a shining example of what cooperation among visionary community leaders in education, business and philanthropy can accomplish. The foundation's enduring mission is to sponsor and support professional scholarships and fellowships, vision science research and vision care for those who cannot afford it. Since its inception, the Optometric Center of New York has had an ongoing commitment to the New York community and to the community-at-large. Whether supporting vision care for the working poor and indigent patients at the University Optometric Center; awarding scholarships to optometry students who are academically outstanding and financially deserving; or supporting research into the complex human visual system, The Optometric Center of New York is dedicated to the future of health care and to the advancement of science. Among the programs and services that the foundation has supported over the years are: VISION CARE FOR THE HOMEBOUND. Faculty and students provide comprehensive vision care to those who are confined to their homes because of illness or disability. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND EMERGENCY LOANS. Students enrolled in the professional program in optometry and graduate programs in vision science at the College benefit from the foundation's scholarship and loan programs for academically outstanding students who are in financial need. BOARD FUND. Patients in need of vision care, especially from the city's working poor families, can have their professional fees waived or lessened thanks to this foundation fund. SCHNURMACHER INSTITUTE FOR VISION SCIENCE RESEARCH. Scientists in the College's Schnurmacher Institute receive grant support through the foundation's endowment. HAROLD KOHN VISION SCIENCE LIBRARY ENDOWMENT. An endowment created by Gladys Kohn in memory of her husband supports the library's extensive vision science and audio-visual collections. |
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