SERVICE TO OUR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITY China Optometry and Ophthalmology Resource Development Visiting Scholar Dr. Jianfeng Wu, an ophthalmologist from Shandong, China, is the latest participant in the China Optometry and Ophthalmology Resource Development (COORD) Visiting Scholars Program, which allows a leading optometric faculty member from one of 15 Chinese optometric medicine major programs to spend up to six months at the College. The international collaboration is an effort to address China’s urgent need for optometrists and access to eye care and the recent expansion and development of five-year optometric medicine majors. Other participating North American COORD institutions are New England College of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry and the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. Dr. Wu took three courses on the basics of optometry, while auditing a handful of others, and learned how the University Eye Center runs. He believes that knowing how to practice in accordance with international standards will benefit both his patients and his students at the Medical School of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where he is a professor in ophthalmology and optometry, lecturing primarily on ocular diseases and optometry theory. He is also head of scientific research at its affiliated eye hospital. “COORD gives me a chance to learn U.S.-style optometry, which I believe to be the best in the world.” – Dr. Jianfeng Wu Dr. Jianfeng Wu Beyond Our Borders President David A. Heath traveled to China in October to celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of the College’s international affiliate institutions, Wenzhou Medical University, and the 30th anniversary of its School of Ophthalmology and Optometry. This was a rare opportunity to recognize one of the many partnerships SUNY Optometry has established beyond our borders to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration between eye care professionals. International Affiliations Wenzhou Medical University, China University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Flinders University, Australia University of Melbourne, Australia Institut Supérieur d’Optique, France LV Prasad Eye Institute, India Abia State University, Nigeria 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 23
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