STUDENT CENTERED EXPERIENCE - SUNY Optometry Students Join VOSH International Mission to Grenada Members of the College’s student chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) International traveled to Grenada this July to help provide eye exams to 1,286 Grenadians alongside optometrists from the organization’s North Carolina chapter. Many patients visit VOSH vision clinics every year and rely on these services for their eye care. Amanda Crane, Tara Damani, Kim Fung, Rebecca Heaps, Laura Karle and McKenzie Symons displayed confidence and empathy beyond their clinical years while epilating 40 eyelashes from a patient misdiagnosed with a persistent eye infection, independently diagnosing a branch retinal vein occlusion and other tasks. Dr. Jill Scullion, president of VOSH North Carolina, commended the College’s six participants. “We could not be more proud of [the students’] work ethic, compassion and clinical skill,” she said. “They should be proud of the way that they carried themselves and how they represented SUNY.” “We’re very proud of our students not only because of the knowledge and skills they develop during their training, but also their compassion, humanity and commitment to treating every patient with dignity and respect.” – President David A. Heath SUNY Optometry students helped provide more than 400 eye exams in one day in Grenada Thanksgiving 2018: Mission Trip to Jamaica Assistant clinical professor and international programs coordinator Dr. Jennifer Hue ’13 accompanied third-year students Constadina Manettas and Monique Mohammad and Christian Alberto, who is the College’s associate director of admissions, on a mission trip to Hanover, Jamaica in November. Dr. Hue’s connection to Jamaica made the trip and work quite special. “My father was born and raised in Jamaica,” she says. “As a first-generation American, I am fortunate to be able to return to my parent’s home country to provide a service that is needed.” The experience was facilitated by The Eye Health Institute, which has returned to the same clinic for 18 years to provide comprehensive eye care, including surgical referrals, glaucoma treatment, made to order eyeglasses and more. The nonprofit organization also works with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health to promote the profession of optometry, which is not well defined on the island nation. Monique Mohammed, Class of 2020 4,103 Student Community Service Hours, 2017-18 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 7
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzY2OTk=