Inaugural Advancing Vision Summit: The Intersection of AI, Eye Care, and Public Health

When:

Location:

CURE: A Premier Healthcare Innovation Ecosystem | 345 Park Ave South, New York, NY

Thank you for joining us!

The Annual Advancing Vision Summit has concluded. Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and contributed to this event. We appreciate your participation and your commitment to advancing vision science, education, and patient care.

Stay tuned for updates on future events and opportunities to connect with the SUNY College of Optometry community.

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Join clinicians, public health leaders, healthcare innovators, and community partners for a free, one-day event exploring the connections between eye health, whole-person health, technology, prevention, and access to care.

Hear from experts from EssilorLuxottica, Microsoft, Integrative Vision, and leading clinical practices, with perspectives spanning myopia research and management, pediatric and community eye care, nutrition and whole-person health, and responsible AI in healthcare. Through expert presentations and collaborative discussion, attendees will explore practical approaches and emerging innovations that can improve health outcomes and help close gaps in care. Learn about our speakers below or view the full program, here.

Full Program

Agenda at a Glance

Sponsorships are greatly appreciated and enable us to host this event for free. To learn more contact Dawn Rigney at drigney@sunyopt.edu

 

Speakers

David C. Rhew, MD, Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Health & Life Sciences, Microsoft
Dr. Rhew is a physician and health technology leader whose work spans responsible AI, digital health, and rural health. He holds six U.S. technology patents and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Stanford.
Dr. Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FMCP, FOWNS, CFMP , Founder, Integrative Vision and SEEHealth LLC
Dr. Gioia combines optometry, functional medicine, and clinical nutrition to advance whole-person care. A leader in ocular wellness and nutrition, she is also an advocate for innovation and women’s leadership in healthcare.
Christine Chang, Director of Ops, North America for Artesian
Christine is Director of Operations, North America and based in New York. She focuses on Artesian’s US operational and regulatory matters and serves on Artesian’s Compliance Committee.
Felicia Timmermann, OD, MS, FAAO, Pediatric Optometrist and Sr. Advisor, Myopia Management
Dr. Felicia Timmermann is a pediatric optometrist and a member of the Professional and Academic Affairs team at CooperVision, where she serves as the Senior Advisor of Myopia Management.
Dr. Rahim Bhaloo, OD, FAAO, Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry.
A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. Bhaloo oversees the clinical externship placements for fourth-year optometry students and instructs across multiple laboratory, clinical, and elective courses, including serving as an instructor of record for the third year Optometric Telehealth & AI seminar.
Dr. Monica Jong, PhD, FAAO, FBCLA, Head of Medical Affairs North America, EssilorLuxottica
Dr. Jong is a leading myopia researcher and educator who formerly led the International Myopia Institute. She has contributed to global eye health initiatives and presented at more than 400 scientific and practitioner meetings.
Dr. Aaron Goffinet, OD, Director of Professional Affairs, EssilorLuxottica
Dr. Goffinet has extensive experience across private practice, pharmaceuticals, and the optical industry. He advances clinical education and innovation and is a frequent national speaker on myopia management, communication, and leadership.
Dr. Louis D. Pizzarello, MD, MPH
Dr. Louis D. Pizzarello practiced ophthalmology on the East End of Long Island for over forty years. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Colgate University, medical degree at the University of Virginia and a degree in public health from Harvard University.
Joy Harewood , Associate Clinical Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY College of Optometry
A clinician, educator, researcher, and public health professional, she brings nearly a decade of experience caring for medically underserved communities in hospital-based academic medical centers in New York City.
Rohan Gray, Partner and Co-Head of VC.
He is responsible for investment strategy, sourcing, and portfolio management across early and growth-stage companies. Rohan joined Artesian in 2016 and worked as an analyst for 5 years and portfolio manager for 3 years before his promotion to Partner in 2024.
Alexandra Benavente-Perez, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, FARVO , Research Professor at the SUNY College of Optometry
Alexandra Benavente is a Research Professor at the SUNY College of Optometry and Principal Investigator of her federally and industry-funded research lab, focused on identifying the mechanisms that lead to myopia and associated blinding consequences.
Dr. Rudrani Banik, MD, Board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist, author
Dr. Banik is the author of two best-selling books, Beyond Carrots - Best Foods For Eye Health A to Z and Dr. Rani’s Plant-Based Visionary Kitchen. She founded The Eye Summit™, the first online FREE educational event focused entirely on integrative strategies to protect and preserve vision.
Dr. Xiaoying Zhu, PhD, Lead Clinician for Myopia Management at the University Eye Center and a faculty member at SUNY College of Optometry
She integrates patient care, research, and education to advance the understanding and control of myopia. Her education spans ophthalmology residency training in China, PhD in Australia, and an OD degree from New England College of Optometry,
Andrea Nikki Cotler, OD FAAO, Director of Eye + Vision Services, NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Gouverneur
She worked in private OD/MD group practice for several years before joining SUNY and Health + Hospitals in 2016. She currently serves as Director of Eye + Vision Services at Gotham Gouverneur where she engages in clinical practice and oversees the SUNY Optometry externship.
Lisa A. Ostrin, OD, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and Professor in the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences at the SUNY College of Optometry.
She returned to the University of Houston to establish an independent research program focused on the mechanisms of ocular growth and myopia development, conducting translational studies in both human participants and animal models, and has since transitioned this work to SUNY College of Optometry.
Mr. L. Wayne Spencer , Director of the Clinical Vision Research Center at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry
He provides leadership and oversight for sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical research projects focused on advancing eye and vision care.
Dean VanNasdale, OD, PhD, Associate Professor, Ohio State University College of Optometry
Dean VanNasdale, OD, PhD, received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in 2003 and completed a cornea and contact lens residency at Indiana University in 2004.
Dr. Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO , Optometrist, Practice Owner and Educator
Dr. Raymondi specializes in pediatric eye care, ocular disease, and myopia management. An advocate for equitable eye care and patient education, she hosts the Eyes Up podcast and lectures nationally.
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