3 C O N T E N T S Letter from the President...........................................4 Education....................................................................6 Patient Care..............................................................14 Research....................................................................20 Community................................................................26 People........................................................................34 Alumni........................................................................40 Contributors...............................................................44 Financials...................................................................49 Leadership.................................................................50 In Memoriam.............................................................51
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaffirmed SUNY Optometry’s accreditation during its session on Thursday, November 17. The College was commended for the quality of its Periodic Review Report and the review process. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-21. 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, This year has been quite positive for the College and I am proud to share our accomplishments through the State University of New York College of Optometry’s 2016 Annual Report. In September 2016, a major report of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine entitled Making Eye Health a Population Imperative: A Vision for Tomorrow concluded that “…eye and vision health remain notably absent as a population health priority in the overarching public health and health care systems. It is also underrepresented in strategic plans that address the impact of chronic diseases and conditions within the United States. ” It is incumbent upon institutions such as ours to lead and change this conclusion through the ongoing development of educational, research, and patient care programs that advance eye health and the visual well-being of the public as an integral and critical element within our overall health care delivery system. This responsibility becomes even more significant as we enter a time in which the future of health care and the Affordable Care Act are so uncertain.
5 “As you read of our accomplishments, I hope you will notice that each is a reflection of our values and, while highlighting our achievements, also represents our path towards the future.” — PRESIDENT DAVID A. HEATH President David A. Heath and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. David A. Heath, OD, EdM President Our strength of commitment to our institutional values – Excellence, Leadership, Inquiry, Innovation, Professionalism, and Service to Diverse Communities – is imperative in the face of challenge. As you read of our accomplishments, I hope you will notice that each is a reflection of our values and, while highlighting our achievements, also represents our path towards the future. Whether it is through the award of NYSUNY 2020 grants to expand our Primary Care - Pediatric Unit and our virtual reality simulation teaching laboratory, or the development of a first of its kind joint Residency/Graduate Degree Program, “hacking” the eye exam, innovative international programming, breakthroughs in research, or increasing interprofessional education through expanding relationships with hospitals and Article 28 diagnostic and treatment centers, the SUNY College of Optometry community always asks, “Can we do better? ” Of course, the answer is “yes, ” but it does require that we be willing to question operational assumptions, challenge the past, and look beyond our walls and borders to foresee the future of eye, vision, and health care. I believe the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, administration, students, alumni, and supporters over the past year clearly demonstrate our willingness to do so not as individuals, but as members of a community with common values and common goals.
6 E D U C AT I ON Dr. David Troilo, Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs.
7 Combined Optometry Residency and Graduate Program The need for more leaders and faculty in optometric education cannot be overstated. SUNY Optometry now offers the Combined Optometry Residency and Graduate Program, a unique opportunity for new ODs to develop advanced clinical competency through a residency while working on a graduate research degree – MS or PhD. Dr. David Troilo, vice president and dean for academic affairs, helped initiate the plan for the innovative program with Dr. Kathryn Richdale and Dr. Diane Adamczyk and says he is in the process of seeking official recognition by the Accreditation Council on Education. “We’ve spread the work over two years to accomodate both the intensive clinical experience of a residency while offering the more academic, research-oriented focus of a graduate degree.” Dr. MuEn Yang, a graduate of the University of Montreal’s School of Optometry, is the College’s first residency/MS student. Her interest in optometry, particularly low vision and ocular disease, developed as she witnessed her own grandmother’s experience with cataracts. “I chose to come to SUNY Optometry because this is pretty much the first program of its kind,” says Dr. Yang, whose research with Dr. Mitchell Dul focuses on glaucoma and psychophysical testing. “It’s a very flexible opportunity. I spend half of my time in clinic, half of my time on research, and I can mix and match with other specialties.” The program’s research opportunities complement clinical experience in primary care, pediatrics, cornea and contact lens, vision rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, or ocular disease. Applicants must be both determined and enthusiastic according to Dr. Joan Portello, who actively recruited Dr. Yang and serves as her current advisor. “I reached out to a Canadian colleague during my search for highly qualified students who may be interested in the College’s new venture. [MuEn] came highly recommended and is truly exceeding expectations.” Dr. Portello believes the program will thrive because it provides exceptional new ODs with additional professional options. “Not only will students get their certification and gain an additional degree, but they can practice, do clinical research, or get a Ph.D. when they are done.” Dr. Yang is weighing her options – private practice, industrial research, or teaching – but certainly plans to put her skills to use on mission trips. “I am willing to practice anywhere there is a need.” Dr. MuEn Yang
8 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a NYSUNY 2020 award ($367,000) for an enhanced virtual reality simulation laboratory at the core of the College’s lower lobby capital project. The facility will include 14 pre-clinical training simulators that use an integrated, augmented reality technology to provide a three-dimensional experience for ocular examinations. The development of the simulation laboratory and the use of virtual reality technology will prepare students for the applied learning experience of the patient care setting. The laboratory will efficiently enhance their technical abilities, knowledge, and critical thinking skills. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul visits the College’s current virtual reality simulation laboratory. Lower Lobby Project | A New Hub for Teaching Laboratories Education in Virtual Reality
9 Capstone Program Gives ODs a Head Start SUNY Optometry hosted its second annual Capstone Program for graduating ODs to provide newly-minted doctors with current information on their rapidly-changing profession and start them on the path toward lifelong learning. The event featured discussions on technologies, pharmaceuticals, scope of practice issues, and practical information, including licensure and contracts led by members of the College’s faculty and administration. Over the next three years, the College’s library will undergo a major renovation to establish a more welcoming and contemporary environment. Vanessa Fimreite and Ellen McCrary were among 248 students system-wide honored by SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher with the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. The annual recognition acknowledges the achievements of the system’s most distinguished students. It is the highest honor bestowed upon students by the SUNY system. Both women have excelled academically and Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence established themselves as leaders in the College community. Fimreite served as president of the SUNY Optometry Student Council and as a delegate to the American Optometric Association’s annual congress. She was the winner of the College’s inaugural Student Innovator Award and has published articles related to brain injury and visual performance. McCrary has been an active member of SUNY AOA-PAC, encouraging student engagement and participation in congressional advocacy. She also provided free vision and eye health evaluations in Peru.
10 Hacking is a modern critical thinking and problem solving technique used to develop creative and innovative solutions. At SUNY Optometry, the process may be deployed to ensure that optometrists practice, teach, and utilize technology at the highest levels possible. Dr. Thomas Wong, director of new technologies, produced two “hackathons” for the College in an effort to improve patient outcomes and provide better training for students. Participants, including faculty, alumni, residents, students, and corporate partners, are divided into teams to integrate knowledge and “ideate” for four hours. A general session follows during which teams have five minutes to present their proposed solutions to a panel of judges. Presentations are evaluated for creativity, design, prototype, and potential for implementation. “We should always be looking to make improvements. It’s an important first step in getting us to think about things differently.” — DR. THOMAS WONG Dr. Thomas Wong ‘Hacking’ the Eye Exam The inaugural SUNY Optometry hackathon (January) considered ways to reshape the traditional eye exam. After breaking down and rebuilding the eye exam from scratch, the second College hackathon (November) explored models to provide essential clinical learnings through mobile apps. Dr. Wong says a future iteration will explore new inter-professional models for optometry to actively participate with care providers of various disciplines. “When we work together – faceto-face – creativity abounds. When we compete, we heighten engagement. When we share our ideas, they complement one another.”
11 As the scope of practice expands in South Africa, the nation’s optometrists must acquire 600 clinical hours in addition to completing a comprehensive didactic program in order to be licensed to prescribe ocular therapeutics. SUNY Optometry has partnered with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban to provide clinical opportunities as a part of its program for South African optometrists. The first of these trainees, Dr. Lynette De Smedt of De Smedt Optometrists in Pretoria, received hands-on training during her clinical rotation at the University Eye Center this summer. Dr. De Smedt is also one of more than 200 South African optometrists to complete SUNY Optometry’s therapeutics course through KwaZuluSUNY Optometry Hosts South African Optometrist Natal’s Department of Optometry. The College’s work in South Africa and around the globe has been led by the Office of Student Affairs. Beyond Our Borders A Visit from ‘Rising Stars’ of China’s Eye Care Community Dr. Lynette De Smedt College Welcomes Global Health Leadership Development Program SUNY Optometry hosted a dozen members of China’s optometric and ophthalmological community in April for the Rising Stars program. Designed to cultivate leadership and further develop vision care in China, the College collaborated with its established partner, Wenzhou Medical University, for the weeklong experience. Workshop topics included evidencebased care, change management, communication skills, and the U.S. health care system. Ten students from Wenzhou Medical University visited SUNY Optometry in late July as part of the second annual Global Health Leadership Development Program. During the four-week joint program with the New England College of Optometry (NECO), students participate in lectures and workshops to broaden their global health care perspectives and leadership skills. Two weeks are spent in Boston at NECO; two weeks are spent in New York City at the College observing specialty clinics at the University Eye Center, private practices, and community facilities, including The Bowery Mission in lower Manhattan.
12 ENTERING YEAR 360 340 320 300 280 260 240 Entering OAT Total Science Scores by School Per Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 OAT TS SUNY NATIONAL Each thin line represents a school or college of optometry. Entering GPAs by School per Year 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8 ENTERING YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 GPA SUNY NATIONAL Admissions Yield YEAR OF GRADUATION 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 PERCENTAGE (%) SUNY NATIONAL Each thin line represents a school or college of optometry. ENTERING YEAR 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2016 2018 STUDENTS ENROLLED 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Total Enrollment Key Metrics | Access and Success, Professional Degree Program
13 ENTERING YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Admissions Profile Applicants Accepted Enrolled 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 NUMBER ENTERING YEAR 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Geographical Distribution of Entering Students New York State Out-of-State Canada International ENTERING STUDENTS * Calculated as of July 31 of graduating year **Starting in 2016, TMOD was added into these calculations along with Parts 1, 2 and 3. YEAR OF GRADUATION Percentage of Candidates Passing All NBEO Parts at Graduation* 100 95 90 85 80 PERCENTAGE (%) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 SUNY Parts 1,2,3 NATIONAL SUNY Parts 1,2,3 & TMOD **
PATIENT CARE 14 Dr. Jenelle Mallios, Section Chief, Pediatrics.
15 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $1.5 million in NYSUNY 2020 awards for an expanded clinical care facility and pediatrics unit at SUNY Optometry on Thursday, October 20. The contemporary spaces will provide a state-of-the-art environment that not only incorporates clinical research and evidence-based practice, but also affirms the College’s position as a premier educational facility in its field. “The SUNY College of Optometry is a leader in education, research and patient care, evidenced by the thousands of optometrists who got their start here,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who visited the College to make the announcement. “By strategically expanding and modernizing its clinical care facility, New York State is assured to be a leader in optometry for years to come.” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul addresses the College community. “This funding will equip SUNY Optometry with state-of-the-art facilities with cutting-edge technology to support exceptional patient care and meet the needs of New Yorkers.” — GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul Visits University Eye Center SUNY Optometry Receives NYSUNY 2020 Award for Expanded Primary Care Facility
16 10th Floor | Primary Care Pediatrics Unit The 3,000-square-foot clinic design will be efficient, flexible, and adaptable and will include a series of rooms designed for applied learning. There will be a pre-clinical testing area, examination lanes with digital equipment, an ancillary support station, a care coordination and consulting area, and space for clinical research. Diagnostic equipment will be placed to minimize travel between rooms.
Ms. Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez, vice president for clinical administration and executive director of the University Eye Center; Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul; President David A. Heath; Dr. David Troilo, dean and vice president for academic affairs. 17 SUNY College of Optometry has graduated the majority of optometrists in New York State. The funding will help meet the increasing demand for highly trained eye care professionals and accommodate the College’s recent increase in enrollment. The spaces will be scalable and applicable to other academic and outpatient settings with eye care components, including the College’s external affiliates. 7th Floor | Primary Care Reception and Waiting Room
18 Myopia Control Clinic Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long to be able to focus light on the retina. Children who have parents with myopia are more likely to become nearsighted, but there are other causes of myopia that aren’t fully understood. According to the National Eye Institute, myopia has increased to about 40-percent of the U.S. population. Even low levels of myopia may increase a patient’s risk of developing glaucoma, retinal detachment, or other vision-threatening diseases. Led by Dr. Kathryn Richdale, SUNY Optometry launched its Myopia Control Clinic this summer to provide evidence-based treatments to slow the progression of myopia in children. The clinic uses advanced equipment to measure the eye’s shape, size, and refractive error and provides the latest technologies and treatments for patients, including orthokeratology (rigid contact lenses worn overnight), multifocal contact lenses, and atropine, which have been demonstrated to slow myopia progression. FY 11–12 FY 12–13 FY 13–14 FY 14–15 FY 15–16 All Referral Visits 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 VISITS YEAR
19 SUNY Optometry has signed an agreement with Gouverneur Health, one of New York City’s largest public health care facilities, to help manage its eye care clinic. Gouverneur, which is administered by NYC Health + Hospitals, originally opened its doors in 1885 and serves hundreds of thousands of patients each year. SUNY Optometry will hire a chief of optometry to serve alongside a chief of ophthalmology “It’s important for our students gain the experience of working as a member of a broad health care team in order to treat patients. This is the direction that health care is moving and we need to ensure that our students are prepared for it.” – DR. RICHARD SODEN SUNY Optometry Expands Interprofessional Opportunities with Gouverneur Health Partnership FY 13–14 FY 14–15 FY 15–16 Public Service Participants 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 to manage the facility’s eye clinic. Fourth-year OD students will have an opportunity to rotate through Gouverneur as part of their externship experience. The College boasts more than 50 clinical affiliations in ambulatory care centers across New York City and beyond. In addition to addressing the eye care needs of the City’s diverse population, these opportunities expose SUNY Optometry students to the depth and breadth of the modern health care delivery system. HOMEBOUND VISITS PARTICIPANTS SCREENED PARTICIPANTS IN SUPPORT GROUPS PARTICIPANTS AT EVENTS
R E S E A R C H Dr. Mitchell Dul, Roa Al-Abdalla, and Dr. MuEn Yang. 20
21 Scientists have studied how visual space is mapped in the cerebral cortex for decades under the assumption that the map is equal for lights and darks. Recent work, however, demonstrates that visual brain maps are dark-centric and, just as stars rotate around black holes in the Universe, lights rotate around darks in the brain representation of visual space. Published in the May 5, 2016 issue of Nature, work by Dr. Jens Kremkow and his collaborators in Dr. Jose Manuel Alonso’s laboratories demonstrates that visual brain maps are dark-centric.* The primary visual cortex has the most detailed representation of visual space and is the main recipient of eye inputs through the visual thalamus. In the first description of its functional architecture, Hubel and Wiesel demonstrated that the cortical map of visual space coexisted with other maps for eye input and stimulus orientation. Neurons responding to inputs from the left and right eyes segregated in the visual cortex to form a map of alternating stripes resembling a zebra pattern. Other scientists would discover a map with a pinwheel pattern and additional maps for stimulus features related to motion and depth. Though the maps for visual space and eye input were thought to originate from the segregation of thalamic afferents in the visual cortex, the other maps’ origin remained unclear. Dr. Kremkow and his colleagues indicate that the organization of all maps originates from an arrangement of thalamic afferents that minimizes differences in spatial position, eye input, and light/dark polarity among neighboring cortical neurons. The organization of visual space for both monocular and binocular vision is more precise for darks than lights. This surprising dark-centric organization could be a consequence of a size distortion for lights that originates at the photoreceptor, the very first neuron in the visual pathway. These findings explain why visual acuity is commonly measured with dark characters on light backgrounds and why visual resolution is lower for lights. * A similar result was reported in the same issue of Nature by Kuo-Sheng Lee, et al., of David Fitzpatrick’s laboratory at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Scientists Discover a Surprising Central Role for Dark Stimuli in Brain Visual Maps Dr. Jens Kremkow Dr. Jose Manuel Alonso
SUNY Optometry’s Dr. Robert McPeek and Stony Brook University’s Dr. Greg Zelinsky are collaborating to ascertain what happens in a normal brain when a person searches his or her environment for an object. The findings may help patients who have suffered brain damage. “We’re trying to understand how eye movements work in the normal system first,” says Dr. McPeek, an associate professor of biological sciences. “Once we understand the normal system, we can start to think about ways to help people who have damage.” The researchers received seed money from the SUNY Networks of Excellence to focus on the part of the brain responsible for eye movement – the superior colliculus – and create a model that will better predict where activity should occur in the brain while one searches a visually complex scene for an object. Dr. Zelinsky’s model will use existing knowledge about the neurophysiology of “If you’re out there in the world there are a million things you could choose to look at, but somehow our eye movements are very precise.” – DR. ROBERT MCPEEK the superior colliculus to predict the degree and distribution of activity. The predictions will be tested by Dr. McPeek, whose neuroscience laboratory will make the neural recordings. 22 a Institutional Grant Activity | FY 2016 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 GRANT ACTIVITY Dr. Robert McPeek How Do Eye Movements Work?
23 Several SUNY Optometry alumni and faculty members became Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry during the organization’s 2016 meeting in Anaheim, CA. The letters “FAAO” (Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry) after an optometrist’s name signify to colleagues and patients that he/she has been evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence. The newest Fellows on the College faculty are Danielle Iacono, Kimberley Poirier, Amy Steinway, Matthew Vaughn, Xiaoying Zhu, and Sarah Zuckerman. SUNY Optometry Faculty, Alumni Become Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry Schnurmacher Institute for Vision Research Colloquia The Institute for Vision Research was founded in 1983 in response to the growing need for scientific knowledge about the visual system and methods of improving visual function. It was renamed in 1984 to acknowledge the Schnurmacher’s generosity to the College. The Institute supports collaborative clinical research, small clinical research projects, innovative vision science research, and a popular colloquium series. This year’s presenters included: Dr. Alessandra Angelucci University of Utah Dr. Audrey Bernstein Mt. Sinai School of Medicine Dr. Kristine Dalton University of Waterloo Dr. David James Field Cornell University Dr. Barbara Gillam University of New South Wales Dr. Kalanit Grill-Spector Stanford University Dr. Elena Ivanova Cornell University Dr. Douglas McMahon Vanderbilt University Dr. Lisa Ostrin University of Houston Dr. Bikash R. Pattnaik University of Wisconsin at Madison Dr. Nicholas J. Priebe The University of Texas at Austin Dr. Nicole Rust University of Pennsylvania Dr. Tatyana Sharpee Salk Institute for Biological Studies Dr. Steven K. Shevell University of Chicago Dr. Hanna Smithson University of Oxford Dr. Roger Tootell Harvard University Dr. Michael Twa University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Jonathan A. Winawer New York University Dr. Jimmy Zhou Yale University School of Medicine
24 Australian Mertz Fellow Engages in Myopia Research Dr. Pauline Kang, a faculty member at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, visited the College this fall to collaborate with SUNY Optometry assistant clinical professor Dr. Alexandra BenaventePerez thanks to the American Optometric Foundation’s Jill and George Mertz Fellowship. Drs. Kang and Benavente-Perez explored the temporal integration of simultaneous foveal correction and peripheral myopic defocus. Inaugural SUNY Student Innovator Award Fourth-year OD student Vanessa Fimreite and her original idea, MAVA: Mobile Acuity and Vision Assessment, won the first SUNY Optometry Student Innovator Award during the Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit on Wednesday, April 13. The $5,000 award was established by the Rick Bay Foundation and Essilor of America to reward an original concept by the next generation of optometrists that is impactful, viable, and feasible for today’s practice. Students developed and defended innovations or improvements to clinical eye care, research, practice management, optometric education, health care policy, community education, technology, and social media. Winner Vanessa Fimreite, OD ‘16 (second from right) with the competition’s judges (L to R): Dr. Richard Madonna, professor and chair of clinical education; Ms. Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez, vice president for clinical administration and executive director of the University Eye Center; Dr. David Troilo, vice president and dean for academic affairs; Dr. Howard Purcell, Essilor of America, Inc.; Mr. Marc Ferrara, Jobson Medical Information.
25 The first Josh Wallman Memorial Research Award was presented to Tobin Vijayan Ansel during the College’s 2016 Commencement awards ceremony. The award, which honors the memory of pioneering vision researcher Dr. Josh Wallman, is the College’s first to recognize student research in the professional program. The Josh Wallman Memorial Research Award Dean Yager Award Recipients The awards recognize excellent published papers by graduate students. Dr. Vanessa Fimreite OD/MS ‘16 Effect of luminance on the visually-evoked potential in visually-normal individuals and mTBI/concussion Published in Brain Injury Dr. Jens Kremkow Postdoctoral Fellow Principles underlying sensory map topography in primary visual cortex Published in Nature The College’s student chapter of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) held their second annual Student Fellowship Pinning Ceremony to honor students who have completed the requirements of the Student Fellowship at last year’s AAO meeting in New Orleans. The program promotes student scholarship, cultivates engagement with the annual meeting’s offerings, and encourages active involvement in the organization, both now and after graduation. Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez and Tobin Ansel, OD ‘16 “Josh Wallman was a well-known and respected vision researcher and neuroscientist who was a dedicated teacher and mentor to many,” says Dr. David Troilo, vice president and dean for academic affairs. “We’re pleased to offer an award that will recognize the growing research activities among the students in our OD program.” Dr. Wallman served as professor of biological sciences at the City College of New York and is known for more than three decades of research on the visual control of eye growth and the development of myopia.
COMMUN I TY 26 College staff members support Vision Walk 2016.
27 Commencement 2016 Dr. Ramanathan Raju and President David A. Heath. Eighty Doctor of Optometry degrees, five master’s degrees in vision science, and two PhDs in vision science were conferred during the 42nd commencement of the SUNY College of Optometry on Thursday, May 26 at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Dr. Ramanathan Raju, president and chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal health care system in the nation, delivered the commencement address. He spoke of the key role optometry has played in the changing health care system and advised the newlyminted doctors to put their patients first to succeed in their careers. “All of health care needs to be more like optometry,” said Dr. Raju, who was appointed to lead the 42,000 employees of the $7.2 billion health system by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. “Optometry has been a leader, helping to make health care a more efficient and pleasing experience.” President Heath presented the third Presidential Medallion to Dr. Scott Richter, who recently retired from the College. Dr. Richter was a member of SUNY Optometry’s first graduating class in 1975 and spent 40 years as a member of the College’s faculty. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2009, the New York State Optometric Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2007, and was named SUNY Optometry Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year in 2006. The Benjamin Franklin Society Award was presented to Optometric Center of New York trustee Harold Wilshinsky for his service to the College and its affiliated foundation. Mr. Wilshinsky also serves on the board of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation and on the Planned Giving Committee of the Baruch College Fund. He is a trustee of both the Sutton Place Synagogue in New York City and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than five decades. Jenna Salner, President of the Class of 2016.
28 Harold Wilshinsky and President David A. Heath. Dr. Denise Whittam offers the alumni toast. Commencement 2016 (Continued) Dr. Scott Richter and President David A. Heath.
29 Dr. Joan Portello, Associate Professor. Faculty members during the processional. Class of 2016 robing ceremony.
30 SPACE | 42 SUNY Optometry and Purchase College collaborated to establish the Neuberger Museum of Art’s SPACE | 42, which opened on Thursday, October 20 on the College’s ground level. The inaugural installation is Day After Day by Deborah Kass. National Wear Red Day SUNY Optometry supported Go Red for Women and participated in National Wear Red Day, an American Heart Association campaign established to raise awareness of the leading causes of death for women–heart disease and stroke–on Friday, February 5. The New York City Pride Parade The SUNY system officially participated in the New York City Pride Parade for the first time on Sunday, June 26. SUNY Optometry demonstrated its support for equity and inclusion and showcased the power of diversity in New York.
31 SUNY’s Got Your Back SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced the launch of SUNY’s Got Your Back, an initiative led by the system’s Title IX Coordinators Association to support victims of sexual and interpersonal violence. The project provided backpacks with personal care items during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards The College community gathered to acknowledge faculty and staff contributions during the eighth annual Recognition Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, December 20. The Students’ Annual Eye Ball
32 University Police Professional Service Award Officer Akeema Wilson received the New York State University Police Professional Service Award on Tuesday, November 15 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. InfantSee: Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Eyes Dr. Glen Steele, chair of the AOA’s InfantSee committee, and parent advocate Robin Benoit lectured on the prevalence of vision problems and eye diseases in children at the Schwarz Theater on Wednesday, September 7. Networking with Doctors Fifteen ODs were invited to discuss their practices and share keys to successful career trajectories with more than 60 current students on Wednesday, October 19. Celebrating Dr. James Si-Cheng Chao The Renwen Society of China Institute and the Confucius Institute of SUNY Optometry honored Dr. James Si-Cheng Chao, pictured with his daughter, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, and President David A. Heath, on Saturday, September 17. More than 5,000 American and Chinese students have broadened their horizons through scholarships provided by Chao family philanthropies.
33 SPECtrum SPECtrum, SUNY Optometry’s newest club, provides a welcoming and safe space for members and allies of the College’s LGBTQ+ community to come together. World Sight Day 2016 The College’s future eye care professionals gathered to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairments on Thursday, October 13. Community Collaboration Inspector Russell Green and Detective Paul Spano of the NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct visited the College to foster positive police and community relations on Wednesday, November 2.
PEOPLE 34 The Student Affairs Team.
Continued on next page 35 A Conversation with Dr. Guilherme Albieri, Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer New York has a long and proud history of embracing diversity. As the public university system serving one of the nation’s most diverse states, it is essential that the State University of New York adapt to the evolving needs of all students. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy for SUNY in September 2015, indicating that the Empire State is, and must remain, a national leader and a beacon of inclusion. The new policy broadly defines diversity to include race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, age, socioeconomic status, status as a veteran, status as a student with a disability, first-generation students, international students, and those transferring between colleges. The policy aims to improve services and support for these students, ensure that SUNY’s student, faculty, and staff populations mirror that of New York State, and ensure that SUNY’s commitment to being welcoming and inclusive to all populations is clear. As the College’s vice president for student affairs and chief diversity officer, Dr. Guilherme Albieri works with all campus offices to elevate inclusiveness and implement best practices in student recruitment, retention, and completion strategies and administrative, faculty, and staff recruitment and retention strategies. You play an integral role in shaping the support service infrastructure necessary for student success. How exactly does the College currently create a climate that fosters respect for differences? Creating a climate that welcomes and respects differences is the core of what we do. Our recent climate survey showed that 93-percent of our students feel they are part of the College community. We strive to instill that sense of belonging early in the admissions process, before students even step onto campus. The College also encourages diverse student organizations, including the National Optometric Student Association, which recruits students from underrepresented populations, the Chinese Culture Optometric Student Association, and Spectrum, which supports our LGBTQ+ community. We are a small institution and know all of our students’ first names. This helps us to establish a level of trust that is difficult to match.
16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 0 36 “It’s often said, ‘Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, and equity is making sure your music is played.’” — DR. GUILHERME ALBIERI You recently completed the College’s diversity and inclusion master plan. What were some of your findings? First, we explored the race, ethnicity, and gender of our student body, faculty, staff, and administration, comparing it to the overall population and to other optometry schools and other health professions. Optometry and optometric education do not mirror the overall population and lack in diversity when compared to other health professions. We have identified a number of access challenges along the educational pipeline, but a reassuring finding is that our flagship pipeline program for the recruitment of minority students, CSTEP, is producing intended results. Additionally, the report clearly shows that the College staff is highly diverse across all ranks. Being diverse, however, is not enough. We want to make sure that students, faculty, and staff feel that this is a community in which they may thrive and succeed. The second part of the report addresses the results of a climate survey that was conducted to better understand students, staff, faculty, and administrators’ attitudes. Students indicated a high degree of inclusion and satisfaction; maintaining and building upon the vitality of current programs will be critical. Paths to leadership should be visibly open to talented, qualified individuals of every background. Please discuss the College’s efforts to expand any current programs to achieve diversity at every level. Our staff and administration are quite diverse, but we must continue the hiring and promotion strategies that have served us well. Faculty diversity, on the other hand, is a concern both nationwide and at the College. Residency programs play a major role in the faculty pipeline as residency training is a prerequisite for clinical and academic faculty positions. We have proposed a number of strategies to address this issue, including a mentoring program to discuss academic career paths with students from underrepresented populations. We also collaborate with faculty search committees to develop more effective recruitment strategies. Applicants Acceptances Enrollment Students Who Completed CSTEP Program: Applicants, Acceptances and Enrollment 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 ENTERING YEAR NUMBER
Dr. Andrea Thau was sworn in as president of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in Boston on Saturday, July 2. In addition to her responsibilities as president, she serves as chair of the AOA’s Executive and Agenda committees and is a member of the 401K and Personnel committees. She also serves as liaison trustee for the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr. Thau was first elected to the AOA’s Board of Trustees in 2007. She is a founding member of the organization’s InfantSee committee and was a member of the Infants’ Vision Project, Pediatrics and Binocular Vision, and Faculty Relations committees. She regularly makes media appearances on a variety of issues related to eye health as a vision care expert and spokesperson for the AOA. Exceptionally active in organized optometry throughout her career, Dr. Thau was the first female president of the New York State Optometric Association, the New York Academy of Optometry, and the Optometric Society of the City of New York. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, a distinguished practitioner on the National Academies of Practice, and a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. A champion of children’s vision, she is a founding member and former vice president of the New York Children’s Vision Coalition, which is dedicated to mandating eye examinations for New York City’s children upon school entry. She is also a part-time faculty member at SUNY Optometry, where she provides clinical supervision for the pediatrics and children with special needs services in the University Eye Center. Dr. Thau has received many awards, including New York State Optometrist of the Year and SUNY Andrea Thau, OD ’84 President American Optometric Association Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus Optometry Alumna of the Year. She has been recognized twice as one of Vision Monday’s “20 Most Influential Women in Optical” and owns a thriving private practice on Park Avenue in Manhattan. She received the Dr. D. Elva Cooper Award for Leadership and Advocacy during Women In Optometry’s first Theia Awards for Excellence presentation at the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, November 10. The Theia Awards, named for the Greek goddess of vision or sight, recognize women ODs for excellence in leadership, mentorship and education, or innovation. 37 “I think each one of us has to contribute back to our profession at the highest level that we possibly can.” – DR. ANDREA THAU Dr. Andrea Thau and President David A. Heath during the SUNY Optometry alumni reception at American Academy of Optometry meeting in Anaheim, CA.
38 Dr. Michael McGovern Chief Medical Officer Michael McGovern, OD ’97, became chief medical officer of SUNY Optometry’s University Eye Center in January. He will help the institution implement quality improvement efforts designed to encourage innovation, improve clinical performance and education, support research, and maintain compliance and accreditation standards. Dr. McGovern is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, board certified by the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry, and a senior consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. He previously served as residency program supervisor at the Northport VA Medical Center and was a partner in a private practice on Long Island. Recognized by the College’s alumni association as Alumnus of the Year in 2015, Dr. McGovern has maintained a strong relationship with his alma mater as a member of the Career Development Center’s advisory board and through the Family of Mentors program. “This institution means a lot to me and I am looking forward to helping the University Eye Center continue to thrive and grow in the years to come.” — DR. MICHAEL MCGOVERN “There’s nothing like a parent or patient who comes to you years after they’ve completed vision therapy and tells you that your diagnosis and treatment were the reason they now love to read, or have succeeded in school. ” – DR. BARRY TANNEN Dr. Barry Tannen, an adjunct associate clinical professor at SUNY Optometry, was sworn in as president of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development during the organization’s annual meeting in St. Louis on Friday, April 15. Most of his career has been devoted to developmental optometry and treating children whose academic performance has been impacted by visual issues. Dr. Tannen knows firsthand how debilitating undiagnosed vision conditions can be. He was a student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry when he was diagnosed with a severe convergence insufficiency and treated with vision therapy, which changed his life and career trajectory. He left full-time academia for his private practice in 1987, but has remained a part-time faculty member at SUNY Optometry. Dr. Barry Tannen Becomes President of College of Optometrists in Vision Development
39 Dr. Kristen Fry Director, Clinical Vision Research Center Kristen Fry, OD/MS ’98, was promoted in November and is also the College’s human research compliance officer. She previously served as associate director of the CVRC and director of clinical research for New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Fry will focus on building industry relationships and increasing the Center’s capabilities as a competitive academic research organization that offers more than traditional research, but also plans and manages early-phase clinical studies. Dr. Jenelle Mallios Section Chief, Pediatrics Dr. Jenelle Mallios joined the University Eye Center in 2014 as an assistant clinical professor and teaches pediatric optometry and vision development. She previously served as an instructor of ophthalmology at the New England Medical Center/ Tufts Medical Center, a pediatric optometrist and clinical attending at Eye Care for Kids in Boston, and as an adjunct clinical professor at the New England College of Optometry. Dr. Mallios received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2010 and completed a residency there in 2011. Dr. Matthew Bovenzi Assistant Chief, Primary Care Matthew Bovenzi, OD ’14, is an assistant clinical professor responsible for the supervision of third- and fourth-year students in primary care. He is also a supervisor in the glaucoma clinic and serves as project lead for the College’s virtual reality direct and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy simulation laboratory. Dr. Bovenzi completed his residency in family practice and ocular disease at East New York Diagnostic and Treatment Center after receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY Optometry. Prior to his optometric career, he served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. Mrs. Jennifer Kelly Campbell Associate Vice President for Alumni and Government Relations Jennifer Kelly Campbell joined SUNY Optometry in the newly created role of associate vice president for alumni and government relations in August. She held several positions at the New York Institute of Technology before coming to the College, most recently as the institution’s director of alumni relations, rejuvenating a dormant alumni program of more than 100,000 constituents. Ms. Amber E. Hopkins-Jenkins Director of Communications Amber E. Hopkins-Jenkins joined SUNY Optometry as director of communications in September. Ms. Hopkins-Jenkins previously served as a public relations specialist for Rutgers University and secured national media placements for the university’s people, programs, and events. Prior to Rutgers, she was a research and teaching fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.
A L U M N I Dr. Sherry Bass with Dr. Denise Whittam, President of the Alumni Association. 40
41 Dr. Sherry J. Bass was named 2016 Alumna of the Year by the SUNY College of Optometry Alumni Association. She was celebrated during the Envision New York alumni reception at the Princeton Club on Saturday, October 22. Dr. Bass has served on the SUNY Optometry faculty for 36 years. Her research focuses on hereditary retinal disorders and the use of imaging technology to understand the pathophysiology of retinal disorders. She is also an attending in the retina clinic of the University Eye Center and supervises residents with ocular disease concentrations. In addition to her full-time responsibilities at the College, Dr. Bass has maintained a private practice in Woodmere, N.Y. since 1981. You obviously love optometry—you practice, you teach, you serve on many boards, and you have published extensively. How did you discover and choose optometry as your career? I was actually a high school biology teacher when I mentioned to the school’s guidance counselor that I wanted to pursue a career in health care. Her son’s girlfriend attended a new state school – the SUNY College of Optometry – and she thought optometry would be a great choice for me, too. She provided additional information from other sources, including the American Optometric Association, and I learned more about the field and decided to apply. Interesting that a high school guidance counselor also helped guide a colleague’s career! Tell us about your research interest in retinal disorders. I have always had an interest in hereditary retinal diseases and new technologies to help us understand the structural integrity and functional role of the retina. I recently published a manuscript in Optometry and Vision Science on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a myelinated nerve fiber layer syndrome with reduced vision. I am co-authoring a chapter on early detection of retinal abnormalities with spectral-domain OCT and ultra-wide field autofluorescence for Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry with Dr. Jerome Sherman. I am also a co-investigator on a research project studying Stargardt disease, a hereditary macular disease that causes vision loss with its onset at a young age. You’ve taught at SUNY Optometry since you graduated in 1980. What do you enjoy most about teaching students and managing residents? How do you advise them? Teaching students and residents keeps me fresh. I am so motivated when I see the expressions on their faces as they take notes. Many are like sponges – so excited to absorb knowledge that I sometimes take for granted. I advise our students and residents to go beyond what is expected to advance in the professional world. Our residents are expected to provide excellent patient care, but they also receive outstanding writing and lecturing experience. I encourage them to continue these activities after they complete their residencies and many have had very successful careers as a result. Sherry Bass, OD ’80 2016 Alumna of the Year Distinguished Teaching Professor
42 As chief of staff for the School of Medicine at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, MD, Dr. Kevin Jackson manages 1,000 employees and all financial operations. But Dr. Jackson, who retired from the Navy after 25 years in September as commander of the Medical Service Corps, has also led MEDFLAG, a 15-member eye care team, on an eight-day mission in the Sahara to see more than 1600 patients, established both a mobile eye clinic for shipboard patients and the Navy’s first infant vision clinic, and served as NASA space shuttle support team medical coordinator. He began his military career as an undergraduate student at the University of Notre Dame with a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, he served on the USS Independence aircraft carrier as a division officer in Yokosuka, Japan. He was inspired to pursue optometry when a friend introduced him to the optometrist on base; another conversation with his friend and fellow alumnus James Winnick, OD ’97, led him to SUNY College of Optometry. Dr. Jackson returned to the College in 2005 for a certificate in clinical management and health care administration while earning an MPH at Columbia University with a medical informatics concentration. He is also an assistant professor of preventative medicine and biostatistics at USU and chair of the public health and environmental vision section of the American Academy of Optometry. “SUNY College of Optometry is frequently mentioned among my colleagues as the primary place to do a residency in vision rehabilitation.” – DR. KEVIN JACKSON Previously… Director for Education, Training, and Research, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Alexandria, VA Optometry Department Head, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Director for Ancillary Services, Naval Academy Health Clinic, Annapolis, MD Kevin Jackson, OD ’98 Chief of Staff Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine Alumni Spotlight
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