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Mission Statement: Interprofessional practice is rapidly gaining traction in today’s healthcare setting. ACE strives to promote interprofessional collaboration by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary health care, through joint screening opportunities and networking events.
Description of Activities: Participating in this club will offer you the ability to communicate and learn about different professions, and how they relate to optometry. ACE hosts joint health screenings and interprofessional networking events with other health providers, namely podiatrists, dentists, and pharmacists.
How do I join or become a member? All students are welcome to join ACE. Email Jane Chen jchen@sunyopt.edu for more information.
Trustee: Lindsey Chan
Trustee-Elect: Maya Mekawy
Social Media Chair: Xiatong Chen
AOA Pac representative: TBD
Fundraising Chair: TBD
Third Year Liaison: Anson Tam
Second Year Liaison: Maggie Fernicola
First Year Liaison: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marilyn Vricella
Mission Statement: The purpose of the American Optometric Student Association is to improve the visual welfare and health of the public, to promote the profession of optometry, and to enhance the education and welfare of optometry students. AOSA represents nearly 6,000 students from all 22 schools and colleges of optometry. AOSA is the national student affiliate of the American Optometric Association; when you become a member of AOSA, you automatically become a member of the AOA as well. AOSA is also the liaison between students of optometry and other affiliated national optometric organizations including: NBEO, ARBO, AFOS, AOAPAC, COVD, APHA, FRC, OEPF, AAO, and ASCO. AOSA and AOA work hard as the voice of optometry as a whole to protect and expand the scope of practice and ensure you can utilize all of the tools you learned in school to the fullest extent possible when you graduate and start practicing.
When/where are meetings held? Students are encouraged to attend all organized optometry meetings at SUNY as well as the annual AOA/AOSA Optometry’s Meeting.
How does a student join/ get involved? All SUNY students are automatic members of AOSA. Check your email for information on meeting times and contact the Trustee or Trustee-Elect for more information about getting involved!
Website: http://www.theaosa.org/
Mission Statement: ACOSA aims to spread and celebrate Chinese culture. Chinese civilization is one of the oldest, with a records dating back at least 5000 years. Today, Chinese is the most common language spoken worldwide, and China contains the largest population of any country. ACOSA works with the Cultural Diversity Committee at SUNY to bring awareness of Eastern ways of thinking to the Western world through speakers, events on and off campus, and of course, Chinese food. ACOSA also facilitates cultural exchange with students from Wenzhou Medical University, at which SUNY has an externship site.
Events this Year:
How do I join/get involved? Attend the first meeting for more information.
Mission Statement: To stimulate scientific attainment, academic excellence and the ethical practice of optometry; and to promote and provide financial support for worthy research projects relating to vision care and the eyes.
Description of Activities: Clinical tutoring for students who ask for help learning clinical techniques Volunteer to help out in Optional lab.
When/Where meetings are held? Fall and Spring meetings are held at school in the classrooms.
How does a student join/get involved? Invitation to membership is extended to second, third, and fourth year students possessing the following record of achievement: To be eligible for BSK membership, a student must attain a grade point average of 3.5. Membership will be extended to those eligible at the end of each academic year.
Website: http://betasigmakappa.net/
Mission Statement: SUNY CLEAR is dedicated to educating optometry students on the use of contact lenses for treatment of refractive error and ocular diseases, exposing students to current contact lens related research and technology, and informing them about the evolving contact lens brand and products on the market. We also aim to provide insight on integrating this knowledge about contact lenses into clinic and future practices.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SUNYCLEAR
Mission Statement To increase student awareness about current issues and challenges facing the profession of optometry in Canada and to encourage communication and involvement between students and their future co-workers in Canada.
Description of activities: CAOS strives to keep Canadian students updated on topics including: current scope of practice for Optometrists in Canada and Canadian board examinations.
When/Where meetings are held? One to two times per semester at SUNY
How does a student join/get involved? All Canadian students are members.
Website: http://caostudents.ca/
Mission Statement: The purpose of this chapter is to increase student awareness and promote membership of the California Optometric Association (COA), promote student involvement in current legislative issues regarding the optometric profession, expose students to state scholarships, and offer students opportunities to interact with optometrists and industry representatives currently working in California. This club is designed to promote organized optometry at the state and national level by working in cooperation with AOSA, NYSOA, and related organizations.
Vision Statement: The vision statement of COSA is the same as that of the California Optometric Association. Our purpose is to support and advance the profession of optometry to assure quality health care for all Californians, as primary providers of vision and health care.
When/Where are meetings held? 3-4 times per semester in the classrooms on the 1st floor.
How does a student get involved?http://www.coavision.org/files/Membership%20Applications/Student%20Application-11-2011.pdf
Website: http://www.coavision.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1438179803071838/ (Send a request to join)
Mission Statement: At SUNY College of Optometry, the COVD club’s purpose is to expose optometry students to the vision therapy specialty early in their optometric career. We aim to raise awareness, passion, and interest within our student body to promote involvement in this integral part of Optometry: training and enhancing vision. After all, COVD believes that vision is more than just seeing 20/20! It is one of the specialties where Optometrists can really differentiate their knowledge and skills from other healthcare practitioners. Only optometrists are trained to conduct vision therapy, and by all means, treating strabismus is an art. To carry out its mission, COVD hosts speaker events throughout the academic year. Our doctors are all fellows of COVD and practice behavioral optometry and vision therapy in their respective practices. By sharing their knowledge and patient care experiences, our presenters inspire students to explore this specialty, formulate their own standard of care, and join other fellows of COVD after the completion of their education here at SUNY.
When/Where meetings are held? 3-4 meetings per semester at SUNY.
How does a student join/get involved? Free student membership, email newsletter and student discounts for the Annual meetings. You can join COVD by clicking on the following link: covd.site-ym.com. You can also attend lunch meetings and Annual COVD meetings to stay current or contact Diana Serdah at dserdah@sunyopt.edu.
Website: http://www.covd.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COVDSUNY
Mission Statement: The purpose of this chapter is to increase student awareness and promote membership of the Connecticut Association of Optometrists, promote student involvement in current legislative issues regarding the optometric profession, expose students to state scholarships, and offer students opportunities to interact with optometrists currently working in Connecticut. This club is to be designed to promote organized optometry at the state and national level by working in cooperation with AOSA, NYSOA, and related clubs.
President: Alisa Pena
President-Elect: Michelle Henesch
Vice-President: Eli Sharvit
Treasurer: Rachel Greisman
Secretary: Esther Gurrel
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Daniella Rutner
Mission Statement: The common purpose of SUNY Optometry Family Resource Group is to provide support for students with familial responsibilities; to create a support network, which will assist students to achieve academic success while maintaining good mental health by reducing stressors. The resource group will focus on advocating for improved resources and policies to support members of the SUNY community with families.
President: Kevin Atkinson
President Elect: TBD
Vice President: Jina Yoo
Secretary: Anita Ngozi Nwabuzoh
Treasurer: TBD
Social Media Chair: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr Joan Portello
Mission Statement: The Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) Club is a fellowship of Christians and non-Christians that aims to maintain community, growth, and outreach both in our personal lives and also in the optometric field. FCO is a national and international organization that is affiliated with Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA).
Description of Activities: We host Zoom gatherings biweekly where we fellowship, pray, and read the Bible together, in addition to virtual game nights once a semester. We also typically host an annual mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico to provide free glasses and eye exams to those without access to eye care, in collaboration with Mission to Mexico.
When/Where meetings are held? Every other Friday at 11:45AM – 12:00PM via Zoom.
How does a student join/get involved? Contact Cori Robinson at srobinson2@sunyopt.edu for more information!
Website: www.fcoint.net
President: Rachel Greisman
President Elect: Rachel Gerber
Vice President: Eli Sharvit
Secretary: Gabrielah Baruch
Treasurer: Helen Rabin
First Year Liaison: Ayelet Khlar
Faculty Advisor: Dr Amy Steinway and Dr Daniella Rutner
Mission Statement: The Jewish Optometric Association seeks to represent, support, and provide outreach to the large number of Jewish optometry students at SUNY. The club aims to bring together the religious commonality of our members’ personal lives as well as their professional commonality. It is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students.
Description of Activities: The club hosts quarterly lunch meetings for members to bond and enjoy good free food. Additionally, most of these meetings are accompanied by a Rabbi who speaks briefly about upcoming holidays. The club also hosts an annual school-wide luncheon with an O.D. guest speaker who speaks about a unique topic within optometry. Finally, the club hosts an annual Shabbat experience by one of the Jewish faculty members.
When/Where meetings are held? All meetings are held at SUNY. The Shabbat experience is held at a faculty’s home.
How does a student join/get involved? Membership is open to any and all SUNY students. There is no membership fee. At the first meeting students simply sign up to be members. Students additionally can get further involved and hold board positions which are available to all years including first.
Mission statement: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Description of activities: Vision Screenings, Blood Drives, Community Service/Volunteer events, Tutoring Vision Therapy Patients
Meetings held: 1-2 meetings per semester
How do I join/ Get involved: Email Jay Kim mkim@sunyopt.edu for more information!
President: Faizy Mohamed
Vice President: TBD
Secretary: Judy Aboushaar
Treasurer: Aafreen Zaidi
Social/Events Coordinator: TBD
First Year Liaison: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gui Albieri
Mission Statement: MOSA is needed to promote a sense of community for Muslims at SUNY College of Optometry. The club will host monthly lunch meetings that will consist of a short Islamic talk followed by discussion and food. MOSA aims to collaborate with other faith-based student organizations to engage in interfaith dialogue and promote tolerance. Additionally, MOSA intends to participate in joint health screenings and promote interprofessionalism by working with other local Muslim healthcare associations.
Mission statement: NORA is diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing the art and science of rehabilitation of the neurologically and cognitively injured and disabled survivor population and their families. NORA members recognize the crucial role of vision in human performance. NORA emphasizes treatment modalities designed to optimize the frequently neglected visual-motor, visual-perceptual and visual information processing dysfunction in the neurologically affected person. NORA events and speakers aim to expose students to the world of brain injury and rehabilitation from optometrist’s, other healthcare professionals’, and patient’s point of view.
Where/when are meetings held: 1-2 meetings per semester in the classrooms on the 1st floor.
Website: noravisionrehab.org
President: Kass Wu
Vice President: Lewam Mebrahtu, Laura Medina
Secretaries: Humarya Rima, Ellie Mhando
Treasurer: Christine Chou
Social media Chair: Arianne Jean-Francois
First Year Liaison: TBD
DOP Coordinator: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joy Harewood
Mission Statement: In 1979, after ten years of service to under-served communities, the NOA sought to establish a student organization to promote service among optometry students and carry forward the NOA’s mission of advancing the visual health of minority populations. In addition to fulfilling this core mission, the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) incorporated the goals of furthering the professional development of its student members and increase the diversity in the profession of optometry by enhancing the recruitment and retention of minority students. The National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) is an international service organization comprised of over 1,000 optometry students who are dedicated to increasing access to eyecare for minority and under-served communities.NOSA’s mission is to advance the visual health of minority and under-served communities by investing in the success of compassionate students who are eager to serve these communities.
Description of Activities: Vision screenings, meet and networking event with current NOA members, Clinical assessment tutoring, Volunteering, Social Events, Middle School, High School and College Outreach Programs, National Conferences
When/where are meetings held? 2-3 times a semester at SUNY
How Do I Join/get involved? Attend the first meeting for more information. $25 application fee (includes tshirt, Spanish-English dictionary for eyecare providers, & NOSA pin)
President: Patrick Doughten
Vice President: Diellnor Abduramani
First Year Liason: TDB
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tamara Petrosyan
Mission Statement: We are dedicated to advancing the profession of optometry and serving optometrists in meeting the eye care needs of the public. NJSOP is focused on improving the quality and availability of vision care, and we fulfill this objective by providing reliable and current information regarding eye care and health care policies. One of our most important responsibilities is to educate the public about the importance of routine comprehensive eye exams while providing competent, quality patient care. Additionally, NJSOP assists members in conducting their practices successfully in accordance with the highest ethical standards of patient care.
Description of Activities: NJSOP is the state association for optometrists practicing in New Jersey. We strive to be a resource and guide for optometry students throughout their education. NJSOP makes frequent visits to SUNY and PCO/Salus University.
Yearly events for students to get involved in:
When/Where meetings are held? Meetings are usually bi-annual and in person or through zoom. Flyers about upcoming meetings will be posted around the building.
How does a student join/get involved? To join, visit the student section of our webpage: www.njsop.org
For more information: e-mail aboyd@sunyopt.edu or ehoi@sunyopt.edu , come to a meeting, and ‘like’ our facebook page: www.facebook.com/NJSOPStudentMembers
Website: www.njsop.org
Presidents: MJ Bustamante and Joel Go
Vice-President: TBD
Treasurer: Katie Law
Secretary: Elina Niyazov
Event Coordinator: Shoshana Yakubova
First Year Liaison: Rena Shilian
Faculty Advisor: Dr Thomas Wong
About our meetings: Our club aims to meet 1-2 times per semester. Our meetings will include talks and workshops that expose students to emerging technologies.
Mission Statement: The Optometry Innovations and Technology Club strives to be a hub where students, residents, and faculty can come and learn the most recent developments in the optometric world. Our aim is to create leaders that will utilize the newest technologies in their communities to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Email: sunyoitc@gmail.com
Chapter Leader: Jenny Liu
Peer Mental Health Advocate Coordinator: Ivana Hanna
PMHA: Kelly Christianson
Events Coordinator: TBD
Resource/Advocacy Chair: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr Shelby Leach
Mission Statement: Project LETS (Let’s Erase the Stigma) is a national grassroots organization led by and for folks with personal experience of mental illness/madness, Disability, trauma, & neurodivergence. Mental illness rates are at an all-time high among college students and accompanied with a negative connotation when societal support is needed for growth. There are many barriers to mental healthcare that may be impossible to overcome. Through an intersectional Disability Justice lens, we aim to view mental illness outside of its traditional route of isolated individualized treatment and place it within the context of systemic harm, oppression, and ableism which must be met with systemic change and community solidarity. Our goal is to build student-led resources, access, community, intersectional education, and advocacy. Contact us for more info on becoming a trained Peer Mental Health Advocate (PMHA) to be a source of support & solidarity for SUNY students!
President: Kendra Kim
Vice-President: Clare Hwang
President-Elect: TBD
Secretary: Cindy Lee
Treasurer: Amanda Tran
First Year Liaisons: TBD
Second Year Liaisons: Jessie Yu
Social Media Chairs: Annie Dong and Allison Wu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Hue
Mission Statement: The purpose of this chapter is to increase student awareness of the American Academy of Optometry, promote student attendance at the annual Academy meeting, encourage and educate students about how to pursue fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry, and to foster interest in vision science research.
Description of Activities: The goal of the SAAO is to both inform and involve SUNY students in the latest developments within optometry. Doctors of the Academy have graciously donated their efforts towards helping students take the next step in their careers, thus shaping leaders and innovators for the future of our profession.
When/Where meetings are held? 1-2 times per semester, locations TBA
How does a student join/get involved? Membership to SUNY’s chapter is free and open to all optometry students, to full time students in the vision sciences and related sciences, and to in-house residents. In addition, student membership to the AAO is covered by SUNY, which spans across all 4 years of the OD program plus residency for recent graduates. For more information and a copy of the application, please visit: www.aaopt.org/student
Website: www.aaopt.org/
Mission Statement: To connect students who have an interest in public health, give opportunities to serve in the public health field, and to serve the general public with knowledge and resources to maintain healthy living and prevent disease. We would also like to connect with public health and students of other health disciplines outside of SUNY for health fairs and public health events in the NYC metro area.
Description of Activities: In addition to the general meeting each semester, SAPHA members provide eye health education at nursing homes throughout the NYC area, support Diabetes and Glaucoma awareness in the months of November and January through various activities within the college, fundraise for The Red Cross, host guest speakers at SUNY lunch meetings, contribute to preparation for the annual VisionWalk which supports the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
When/ Where are meetings held? The goal of the SAPHA is to have at least 3 general meetings or volunteer activities per semester. Meetings are held in one of the classrooms, depending on availability.
How does a student join/get involved? All students are welcome to the organization. We keep a list of interested members on our email list. All meetings are announced via school email.
President: Jennifer Le
President Elect: Julianna Dolinsky
Secretary: Aafreen Zaidi
Treasurer: Shraiy Agrawa
Social Media Coordinator: Alena Koickal
Event Coordinator: Ngozi Nwabuzoh
Design Coordinator: Stephanie Loo
2025 Liaison: Sunny Sachar
2024 Liaison: Howard Ho
2023 Liaisons: Nand Shah & Leandra Debono
Faculty Advisor: Dr Matthew Bovenzi
Mission Statement: To inspire optometry students to pursue private practice and to provide information that addresses their concerns regarding private practice in order to instill confidence for success in private practice optometry.
Description of Activities: Lunch-time practice management seminars, after-school workshops, and networking events with ODs and other industry professionals.
When/Where meetings are held? Lunch meetings and Seminars are held every 1-2 months
How does a student join/get involved? Sign up at orientation or attend the first meeting for more information
Email: sunysoapp@gmail.com
President: Celesse Vazquez
President Elect: Arden Niedfeld
Treasurer: TBD
First Year Liaison: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael McGovern
SPECtrum provides a welcoming and safe space where members and allies of the LGBTQ+ campus community can come together to discuss and study diversity, and achieve a greater understanding of the spectrum of sexuality and related social issues. In addition, we work to educate those in the SUNY Optometry community about issues that affect us as healthcare providers of LGBTQ+ patients as well as other minority groups. SPECtrum also looks to work with the external community to identify segments of the LGBTQ+ population in need of optometric care and services, and to then either provide or coordinate that care.
How does a student join/get involved? Membership is open to any student that wished to join. There is no membership fee.
Please email alinsky@sunyopt.edu or reach out to us using our social media channels if you have any questions or would like to apply for a leadership position with SPECtrum.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunyspectrum
Instagram: instagram.com/sunyopt_spectrum/
President: Jia Tan
Treasurer Lyndsey Campbell
Secretary: Nicole Loan
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harriette Canellos and Dr. Kamila Mikos
Mission Statement: To promote advancement of knowledge and excellence in the clinical care of anterior segment disease. This club is intended to enhance learning for students and to exchange expert opinions on the most recent treatments on all aspects of the anterior segment including but not limited to ocular surface disease and oculoplastics.
President: Laura Medina
President Elect: Rita Nguyen
Treasurer: Shawn Matsumoto
Secretary: Rodnell Stephen Batac
Database Manager: Priyanka Patel
Screening Coordinator: Andrea Gorczynski
Fundraising Chairs: Josephine Zeng, Shray Agrawal, Annika Jung
Social Media Chair: Kasey Chan
First Year Liaison: TBD
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Gregory DiSanto & Dr. Matthew Bovenzi
Mission Statement: The primary mission of SVOSH is to facilitate the provision and the sustainability of vision care worldwide for people who can neither afford nor obtain such care.
Description of Activities: Weekly meetings include cleaning donated glasses and lensometry for future mission trips. On international mission trips, members provide eye exams and Rx glasses to people in developing countries.
When/Where meetings are held? Weekly meetings take place on the 3rd floor student lounge at times TBA.
How does a student join/get involved? All students are welcome to join SVOSH. There is a membership due of $30 which includes a SVOSH shirt and pin. Attend the first meeting for more information.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunysvosh
President: Kateryna Nahornyak
President-Elect: TBD
Vice-President: Arden Niedfeld
Treasurer: Nada Fareed
Secretary: Katarina Kozer
First-Year Liaison: TBD
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Madonna
Mission Statement: To have more Doctors of Optometry managing glaucoma in clinical practice. The primary way to achieve this with current students is by increased exposure, practice and knowledge in the field of glaucoma.
Description of Activities: Monthly doctor-hosted journal club meetings, two or more school-wide seminars with leading glaucoma specialists, hands-on clinical skills workshops.
When/Where meetings are held? Monthly.
How does a student join/get involved? Email sunystudentglaucomasociety@gmail.com or any of the board members. There are no membership fees.
