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Welcome to our 11th annual career symposium! This is the first time since 2020 that we will be able to fully host this wonderful professional development event in person and without COVID restrictions.
Come join us for a fun and educational day with talks and panel discussions on a variety of topics, personal consults with our recruiters, as well as a job fair, professional portraits, and a networking reception!
Please register to make sure you reserve your spot! We’ll see you at the event!
Location
Lobby & 3rd Floor Gallery
Location
Rooms 101 & 103
Speaker
Gui Albieri, PhD
Session Description: New graduates these days will have a variety of work options in many modalities. They may wonder, “How do I maximize my learning experiences from each job to set myself up for other opportunities?” As a newly minted OD, Dr. Yoon had to navigate these same challenges and she consistently found success along the way. She started at an optical, then became a managing OD for Lenscrafters, to a Cohen’s sublease, and eventually landed at an OD/MD multidisciplinary practice. In this session, attendees will hear about the lessons she learned from each modality, be introduced to some resources she has utilized, and learn how she leveraged both her clinical skills and personal experiences to maximize her success and potential.
Speaker: Jay Yoon, OD
Location: Room 101
Session Description: Hear from the top optometry industry recruiters about how the best job candidates use their connections to reach their targeted employers, present their resumes/CVs, and conduct themselves in interviews and contract negotiations. The panel presentation will be followed by small group gatherings with the recruiters to ask them everything you need to know to land your dream job. Individual consultations can be scheduled as follow up meetings.
Speakers: Skeet Scoville, Ashleigh Dumont, Michael Hosford, OD, Osama Said, OD, Reggie Rossobillo
Moderator: Jennifer Kelly Campbell, MS
Location: Room 206
Location
3rd Floor
Session Description: Dr. Zilnicki graduated from SUNY College of Optometry knowing that she wanted to pursue a residency in vision therapy and rehabilitation, hoping someday to own her own practice, but had not yet developed a clear vision or plan on how to do so. Fast forward to 10 years later, she has managed to not only build a unique and thriving practice (for example, she has no optical!), but she has done so while balancing being a mom to three children, developing a collaborative partnership with her co-owner, and navigating novel challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to the eyecare industry. In this session, attendees can expect to learn about how to develop a career that fuels the life you want to live, finding balance as a working mother, and how to create a successful niche, specialty practice!
Speakers: Mikilyn Zilnicki, OD
Location: Room 101
Session Description: In the last decade, we have seen tremendous changes in the eye care space, starting with mobile devices that changed the way patients interacted with doctors and practices to new technologies. Of the new technologies, we have seen an emergence of tele-optometry from what used to be online refractions, to now full-scope optometric care remotely. Come to this session to hear about tele-optometry, where it started and where it is going, and see if this is a viable career option (or as a private practice technology option) for you!
Speakers: Howard Fried, OD
Location: Room 103
Session Description: Drs. Carter and Barnes started a 750 square foot private practice focusing on low vision after they graduated from optometry school. Through hard work, savvy business decisions, and a complimentary partnership of individual expertise and strengths, their modest practice has since evolved into a thriving, 5,000 square foot multi-disciplinary practice that serves so many patient needs in their community. In this session, attendees can expect to hear about how they got here: the challenges and adversities they faced, key factors that led to their success, and lessons and action steps for the new graduate who may want to open a practice in the future.
Speaker: Frank Barnes, Jr, OD, Tanya Carter, OD
Location: Room 101
Session Description: The OD degree offers optometrists the ability to see patients in a variety of clinical settings. But this versatile degree also allows clinicians opportunities to pursue careers in non-clinical settings as well. Come to this panel to hear from three optometrists who have at one point seen patients, but have moved on to various fulfilling, non-clinical careers.
Speakers: Megan MacMillan, OD, Kelly Voltz, OD, Giovanna Olivares, OD
Moderator: Quy H. Nguyen, OD
Location: Room 206
Location
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Floor
Dr. Gui Albieri is the Vice President for Student Affairs at SUNY College of Optometry. Prior to this role, he was the Senior Director of Admissions and Marketing at SUNY Optometry. His research interests include the areas of wisdom and self-control as well as inclusion, branding, cross-cultural communications, sustainable communities, and social innovations in isolated communities. Dr. Albieri has written a book chapter and published in the area of sustainable tourism development. He has won awards for public speaking, including the Jeff Gibb award for the “Best Presentation of the Year” from the Organizational Development Institute.
Prior to joining SUNY Optometry, Dr. Albieri has worked as a human resource consultant for a major American chemical company in Brazil and was directly involved with HR interventions in more than 11 countries in Latin America. He is also a small business owner in Brazil. Dr. Albieri holds a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems, and MS degrees in Human and Organizational Development and in Organizational Change.
Frank Barnes Jr., OD received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1986 from the State University of New York, College of Optometry. After completing his internship training in low vision in 1985 from The Lighthouse in New York, he received the Feinbloom Designs for Vision award for excellence in low vision. Dr. Barnes is a panel provider for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dr. Barnes received his BA degree in Chemistry in 1982 from the College of Holy Cross. Dr. Barnes has served on the Montclair Health Advisory, the Head Start Health Advisory Board, and the Montclair Township Master Plan Committee. He is the past Secretary of the Essex County Optometric Society, and is currently the President Elect of the National Optometric Association.
Drs. Barnes and Carter received the Montclair Economic Development Corporation 2008 Business Award.
Dr. Tanya Carter is Professor Emerita, SUNY College of Optometry. She served in various positions over the past 30 years including as associate clinical professor for 3rd and 4th year interns, instructor of record for the geriatrics course, and ocular disease residency supervisor at Coler Memorial Hospital. Dr. Carter earned her Doctor of Optometry at the SUNY Optometry in 1987 and completed a residency at St. Albans Veterans Administration Hospital. Dr. Carter received her BS degree from the University of California at Los Angles.
Dr. Carter is in private practice in Montclair, NJ and has also served in several capacities on the board of the National Optometric Association.
Ashliegh has recruited thousands of Optometrists in the last 10+ years for some of the largest companies in the industry. She currently serves as the Director of Doctor Recruitment for Eye-to-Eye Careers. Eye to Eye Careers hires Optometrists for clients in all 50 states. With a thought leadership perspective of the OD recruitment market, Ashliegh also serves as a consultant to help prepare students for life after graduation and securing their first job.
Dr. Fried received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and a degree in Optometry from the State University of New York, State College of Optometry. He has over 20 years of experience in the eye care industry, first as a licensed Doctor of Optometry, followed by experience as an industry business executive focusing on vision care and eye health services. He has owned and operated optical retail stores and a commercial optical manufacturing laboratory. Currently, he is founder and president of DigitalOptometrics LLC, an optical software technology company, based in Lake Success, N.Y. The company has developed a comprehensive eye health and vision analysis system that is operated remotely by licensed Optometrists.
For more than 10 years was president of an optical manufacturing laboratory producing more than 1,000 pairs of prescriptive eyewear daily for eye care professionals, government and internet retailers throughout the U.S. In 1996, he introduced retail optical superstores to a national department store. The superstores included a full surfacing laboratory.
In this role, Dr. Hosford’s team is responsible for the recruiting of both Optometrists and Licensed Opticians for nearly 500 practice locations in the Northeast region of the US. Dr. Hosford attended Michigan State University for his undergraduate work before earning his BS and Doctorate from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University.
Dr. Hosford started his career with Luxottica as a practicing Associate Optometrist. During his time with Luxottica, Dr. Hosford has expanded his career development and training as a practicing Optometrist to include roles in Market and Regional Operations Management, co-chair of the Optometric Advisory Council and as a Doctor Recruitment Specialist with the EyeCare team.
Dr. Hosford has a great passion for networking and most enjoys helping new and experienced Optometrists in their search for the right practice. His work also includes partnering with the Luxottica brand leaders and field teams to ensure the success and access of care to patient focused doctors who deliver personalized, quality care to their patients across our many Luxottica practice locations.
Dr. Meg Macmillan is a Medical Science Liaison (“MSL”) in Medical Affairs for Sun Pharmaceuticals, based in Princeton, New Jersey. Meg is a board-certified optometrist, residency trained in ocular disease. She moved into the industry a few years ago bringing 20 years of clinical experience, including being the Regional Medical Director for a large, multispecialty co-management center in New Jersey and Manhattan.
Dr. Macmillan received the Medical Affairs Rookie of the Year Award in 2022. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, and the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians and has served as adjunct faculty for both the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the SUNY College of Optometry. Over the years, she has lectured students, interns, residents, and colleagues as well as published research on glaucoma in collaboration with the renowned Bascom Palmer Institute. Megan currently lives in Bernardsville, New Jersey with her husband and 11-year-old boy/girl twins.
Dr. Nguyen was raised in California and received his bachelors from the University of California at Berkeley and his Doctor of Optometry from the SUNY State College of Optometry. Upon graduation, he worked in a variety of modalities, but spent three years at an ophthalmology practice in Richmond Hill, New York and provided on call consultations at Wyckoff Hospital in Brooklyn. Currently, he is the Executive Director of Career Planning and Development and Minority Enrichment for SUNY College of Optometry.
He spends his time writing and lecturing to help optometry and pre-health minority students on topics related to career development. He also conducts workshops for schools and organizations on topics that include eye care, communication skills, and academic and career success. With free time during the COVID-19 pandemic, he dedicated his time creating “Weyed,” a frame line for large styles, both as a way to help his patients and as a way to create a platform to help future eye doctors.
Giovanna E. Olivares, OD is the Global Director, Specialty Platforms Research & Development, at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (JJVC). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategy, design, and development of new products to support the company’s global Astigmatism and Presbyopia platforms. In 2017 under her leadership, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, launched ACUVUE® Oasys 1-Day with HydroluxeTM for Astigmatism and ACUVUE® Vita® for Astigmatism to meet our patients’ needs. In 2021, her team launched ACUVUE® OASYS MULTIFOCAL with Pupil Optimized design. Recently in September, 2022, she launched the ACUVUE® OASYS MAX MULTIFOCAL which combines TearStable™ Technology and OptiBlue™ Light Filter.
Dr. Olivares joined Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. in 2004 as Sr. Manager of the R&D Design Clinical Research Group. In this role, she led a multidisciplinary group including Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Vision Scientists, and Biostatisticians responsible for the development of new innovative contact lens products and clinical methodology. Under her leadership, the group launched several brands including ACUVUE® ADVANCE® for ASTIGMATISM, ACUVUE® OASYS® for ASTIGMATISM, and 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® for ASTIGMATISM. Under her leadership, the first validated patient questionnaire for JJVC was developed, CLUE™ (Contact Lens User Experience).
In 2010, she was appointed to the position of Director of Professional Education, responsible for developing innovative educational programs across the spectrum of students, eye care professionals, Professional Affairs Consultants, and the company’s Sales & Marketing organizations.
Prior to joining JJVC, Dr. Olivares served as the Director of Clinical and Professional Development for Unilens Corp. USA, where she developed contact lens designs for presbyopia. Additionally, she has practiced in an ophthalmology practice, private optometric practice, retail optometry, and as a technical medical consultant at TLC, a center for Lasik surgery.
Dr. Olivares received her BS degree from the University of Rochester and her OD degree from the State University of New York (SUNY). She subsequently completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Ocular Disease management at the SUNY College of Optometry. After her fellowship, she joined the SUNY faculty as an Assistant Professor with clinical and didactic teaching responsibilities in the areas of contact lenses, ocular disease, pediatric/binocular vision, and primary care.
Dr. Olivares is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, has authored numerous scientific articles and has lectured internationally on contact lens technology and fitting for success.
Reggie is an optician turned recruiter with over 10 years of experience in the optical world. She’s been with Warby Parker for more than half of that time for many reasons including the company’s commitment to doing good in the world. When not recruiting Optometrists, Reggie can be found working one on one with clients as an Emotional Intelligence coach and pursuing her yearly goal of reading 50+ books.
Dr. Osama Said earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia and is licensed to practice optometry in several states. He is an experienced consulting Optometrist with a demonstrated history working in the medical practice industry. He has extensive experience in complex medical management including Corneal Refractive Therapy and surgery co-management. Having an engineering background, Dr. Said shares his skills in building scalable health care models, practice management, and practice growth and acquisition. Dr. Said currently serves as the Program Director of Externships and Residencies at MyEyeDr.
Mr. Scoville is a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist with VSP Vision supporting the Visionworks Brand. He has over 38 years of optical experience as a New York State Licensed Optician, Store Manager, Market Manager, District Manager, and Territory Manager.
His primary goal is to match optometrists with positions that allow them to practice in a setting that is professional and offers opportunities to grow. He has a history of building professional relationships with a strong network of contacts.
Mr. Scoville received his training in the U.S. Air Force. As a veteran, he supports veterans in the Leatherstocking Region of Upstate NY by participating in Honor Guard as a motorcycle escorts to the airport for visits to the Memorials in Washington DC. He is also active in motorcycle charity rides supporting Prevention of Child Abuse, Fire and Police Department events, as well as 911 Memorial Rides. He is a father of 5 and a grandfather of 9. He enjoys spending his free time with his family and especially enjoys those special moments with his grandchildren.
Dr. Kelly Voltz earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Virginia and her Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry. She completed her post-doctorate fellowship in Medical Contact Lenses at Oregon Health and Science University. Currently, Dr. Voltz serves as the Senior Manager of Professional and Clinical Affairs at CooperVision Specialty EyeCare partnering with universities domestically and internationally to train doctors, residents, and students to enhance patient care by utilizing contact lenses for myopia management. She also delivers specialty contact lens care as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine for adult and pediatric patients. She is a member of the California Optometric Association and American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control and a Fellow of both the American Academies of Optometry and Scleral Lens Education Society.
Dr. Jay Yoon is a contact lens specialist who has been practicing in New York City for ten years; she has an expertise in challenging contact lens fittings including Rigid Gas Permeable lenses, Multifocal, and Keratoconus. She performs comprehensive eye exams including emergency red eye conditions and pre- and post-LASIK care.
Dr. Yoon has built a well-respected practice focusing on long term vision and eye health with a strong network of referral specialists. Dr. Yoon earned her BA at New York University in 2004 and graduated from State University of New York, State College of Optometry in 2009.
Mikilyn Zilnicki, O.D, graduated with honors from the SUNY College of Optometry in New York, receiving the VSP Excellence in Primary Care and Excellence in Vision Therapy awards. She then continued her education by completing a residency in vision therapy and rehabilitation with Dr. Barry Tannen, OD. Following her residency, she started her practice, Twin Forks Optometry and Vision Therapy, with her partner, Dr. Jessica Fulmer.
She has extensive experience in family eye care with a specialty and passion for pediatrics, vision training and neuro-rehabilitation with traumatic brain injury patients. She is an active member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and is the representative writer for vision therapy on the website NewGradOptometry.com.
