New York, NY — The SUNY College of Optometry Foundation will honor three outstanding leaders with its Visionary Awards this fall: Dr. Millicent (Millie) Knight; Michelle Lewis; and Susan Olivo. Each has advanced access, equity, and innovation in health and vision care through their advocacy, partnership, and support of the Foundation’s mission.
The Visionary Awards recognize individuals whose leadership and collaboration have strengthened the College’s work in education, research, and patient care while expanding opportunities for underserved communities. Dr. Knight, Ms. Lewis, and Ms. Olivo exemplify the transformative impact of working across healthcare, business, and philanthropy to improve outcomes in vision and health care.
“I have had the pleasure of working with each of our honorees who have made a profound impact on the field of vision and healthcare,” said Dr. Richard Soden, Chair of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Board. “We are proud to recognize their partnership and dedication to ensuring access to high-quality eye care for those in need and to training future optometrists to ensure the field continues to thrive.”
“The Value of Vision Reception celebrates leaders who embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our Foundation’s work,” said Dawn Rigney, Executive Director of the SUNY Optometry Foundation. “Dr. Knight, Ms. Lewis, and Ms. Olivo truly demonstrate the value of vision and eye care with their focus on expanding access, advancing equity, and improving outcomes in vision and healthcare for patients. We are grateful for their continued partnership and support of our mission.”
The Value of Vision – Sip and Support Sight Cocktail Reception will take place on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Fifth Avenue Empire Penthouse at 230 Fifth in New York City. The evening will begin with a VIP pre-reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by the cocktail reception and awards program at 7:00 p.m.
Guests will enjoy an inspiring evening of conversation, cocktails, and celebration, along with a preview of new milestones on the horizon for SUNY Optometry and the University Eye Center. By convening influential leaders and community partners, the Value of Vision series underscores eye care as a public health priority, the importance of philanthropic support, and the College’s role in educating the next generation of vision care providers.
Visionary Award Honorees Include:
Dr. Millicent (Millie) Knight, OD
Dr. Knight is a visionary leader and patient advocate, collaborating with leaders in the eye care industry to ensure patients receive the best products, services, and solutions. She conceived and managed an innovative clinical practice incorporating a holistic approach to patient care, including pre- and post-market clinical research studies, and is widely recognized as a bridge builder between optometry and medical device companies.
She has served in senior executive leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson Vision and EssilorLuxottica. Her advocacy efforts include both state and federal legislative gains, testimony before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on patient care pricing policy, and service on the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Eye Institute.
Dr. Knight is the recipient of many awards, including the American Optometric Association President’s Distinguished Service to Optometry Award and the National Optometric Association’s Living Legend and Trailblazer Awards. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the American Academy of Regenerative Medicine, and the National Academies of Practice, she is also a Kellogg Leadership Fellow and holds certifications in Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell University) and Holistic Health Coaching (Institute for Integrative Nutrition). She has led global education and training programs and provided volunteer eye care services worldwide.
Michelle Lewis
As Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health Centers, Michelle Lewis is a transformational leader who provides direction and coordination for initiatives that advance Gotham’s vision and organizational success. She has driven strategic change across the network to improve patient experience and increase access to care, particularly for underserved communities.
Lewis has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, project management, and program expansion. Prior to joining Gotham Health, she held key roles at NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, including oversight of Emergency Services and Community-Based Ambulatory Care Health Centers.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lehman College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she now serves as an adjunct professor in the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Health programs.
Susan Olivo
Susan Olivo is the Executive Director and CEO of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, where she leads philanthropic efforts to support individuals with vision loss. A seasoned foundation executive, Olivo brings a deep understanding of the art and science of grantmaking and its ability to effect systemic change.
She is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, accessibility, and collaborative philanthropy. Prior to joining Lavelle, Olivo served for many years as Executive Director of the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation. She has served as a board member of Philanthropy NY, a Member of the Corporation of the Perkins School for the Blind, and as Advisory Board member of Lighthouse International – Hudson Valley Region.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of New Hampshire, and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago.
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About the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation
Founded in 1956, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation (formerly the Optometric Center of New York) serves as an example of what partnership among visionary community leaders, educators, vision organizations, and businesses can accomplish. Since its inception, the Foundation has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting vision care for underserved populations; educating the next generation of optometrists, including through merit- and need-based scholarships; and advancing research into the complex human visual system.
About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational, and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.