SUNY Optometry hosted a dozen members of the optometric and ophthalmological community in China in April as part of the week-long “Rising Stars” program designed to cultivate leadership and further develop vision care in China.
Working with its established partner in China, Wenzhou Medical University, SUNY Optometry’s vice president for student affairs, Dr. Gui Albieri, organized the program that included workshops led by various experts on issues ranging from evidence-based care and the health care system in the United States, to financial literacy and US culture and history.
“The moment I was presented with the opportunity to create a leadership program for rising stars in the fields of optometry and ophthalmology from China, I knew this was an opportunity that the College could not miss,” said Dr. Albieri. “The Rising Stars program further solidified the College’s leadership role in international optometric education by serving as a platform for cultural exchange between our students and the rising stars, and by helping shape the future leadership of eye care internationally, all of which benefit the profession of optometry as a whole.”
“We chose SUNY Optometry due to their leadership in optometric education and their long-standing partnership with Wenzhou Medical University. We were excited to work with Dr. Heath and Dr. Albieri who share our vision of the importance of leadership development and our vision for this project,” said Dr. Chen Hao, associate dean of the School of Ophthalmology and Optometry at the Wenzhou Medical University.
“The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive,” Dr. Albieri said. “The rising stars truly enjoyed learning about subjects that they don’t otherwise have the opportunity to discuss, such as values in leadership, change management, communication skills, and financial planning.”
SUNY Optometry has worked extensively in China over the years offering externship opportunities for students and providing care to members of the community. Much of this work has been done through a partnership with Wenzhou Medical University.