News & Stories

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 20, 2020) —The timeless idiom, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” is clearly the case for Samuel Stack whose parents are eye doctors and proud alum of SUNY College of Optometry. In keeping with optometric family tradition, he also plans to marry fellow graduate and award recipient, Laura Karle. […]

May 20, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Gabrielle Aminova, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 20, 2020) —Before taking the plunge to become an eye doctor, Colorado native Gabrielle Aminova decided to test the waters of the profession by working as an optometric technician. “It inspired and fostered my love for optometry, there is always so much to learn and so much for patients to gain,” she said. […]

May 20, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Simrit Virk, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 20, 2020) —As a high school student, Simrit Virk had aspirations to be an English teacher after volunteering during school trips to India. She desired to impart her love and knowledge of literature and writing. It was during the visits that Virk would connect with her extended family and interact with her […]

May 20, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Alicia Jones, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 20, 2020) —It was an iconic 1969 novel that first introduced Alicia Jones to the profession of optometry. It was her desire to make a difference in patients’ lives, coupled with hard work and perseverance that led her to an OD degree from SUNY Optometry and this year’s Columbia Class of […]

May 20, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Alyssa Fortuna, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 20, 2020) —When she’s not caring for patients, Alyssa Fortuna enjoys exercising, baking and planning her next mission trip. She was lucky enough to provide eye care on a mission trip to Panama and looks forward to helping those in need as a new clinician. Recipient of the College of Optometrists […]

May 19, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Laura Karle, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 19, 2020) —From a young age, Laura Karle knew that she wanted to work in the healthcare field. Although she pondered many different professions, it was ultimately her hometown eye doctor that showed her the positive impact that an optometrist can make not only for patients in private practice but also […]

May 19, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Linh Chieu, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 19, 2020) —Growing up, Linh Chieu knew she didn’t want to be an ophthalmologist after seeing her mother’s cataract surgery. Ten years later, she’s ready to graduate as a doctor of optometry with hands not graceful enough for scalpels but strong enough to insert contact lenses into her patients’ eyes. She […]

May 19, 2020

SUNY Optometry VISIONARIES 2020: Julia Thi Mai, Class of 2020

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 19, 2020) —As a child, Julia Thi Mai had her sights set on becoming an architect but grew fascinated with health and medicine after her first biology class in the 6th grade. Regular visits to the optometrist solidified her career choice. Although she did not pursue architecture as a profession, Mai […]

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