F Y Eye - The Official Newsletter of the College
In This Issue
Main Feature
Did you Know
Highlights
Featured Article
University Eye Center
Research
Personnel
Quick Links
College Website

 
Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List

 

Issue 43
May 2012
M E S S A G E - 
Letter from the President

Over the past couple of years, you may have noticed an emergingPresident David Heath theme through stories highlighting efforts to enhance our students' experience and ensure their long-term success as doctors of optometry and leaders within their communities.  From curriculum reform to the creation of the Career Development Center, the College has been embracing a more student-center approach, increasing opportunities through which our students can excel and acquire skills specific to their vision of professional and personal future.

 

While our curricular and co-curricular programming has strengthened and continues to lead, the quality of some of our facilities has not supported the critical values of being a student-centered community - Until now!

 

In 2000, when the College moved into its campus on West 42nd Street, for the first time in its history, the college had a permanent home.  It was a huge accomplishment, yet finances were tight and not all areas of the College could be renovated.  Compromises were made, and one area that suffered was student life.  On April 26, the College occupied the first phase of our new Center for Student Life and Learning.  The remainder will come on line over the next year.

 

The realization of the Student Center is a major accomplishment, achieved by efforts of many.  We are gaining a wonderful and contemporary space that creates a sense of community and is in harmony with our commitment to professional excellence and the long-term success of our students.   

 
David Heath, O.D., Ed.M.   
President
 - M A I N   F E A T U R E -

Center for Student Life and Learning Opens on 3rd Floor

 

Looking out to Bryant ParkOn April 26, 2012, Phase I of the new Center for Student Life and Learning opened for business.  Located on the College's 3rd floor with fabulous views of Bryant Park, the Empire State Building and the New York Public Library, Phase I, provides the College community with first-class multi-purpose space, a TV lounge and game room, among other areas.

 

Demolition began on the Center for Student Life and Learning one year ago.  Pictures from the start of the renovation (April 2011 FY EYE) and during the renovation were shared in several past issues of FY EYE and on the College's website.  When completed, the Center for Student Life and Learning will include a fitness center on the 3rd floor mezzanine and new teaching/conference facilities on the 2nd floor.  The fitness center will open in August and 2nd floor completion isInstalling state-of-the-art technology anticipated in early 2013.   

 

An official dedication of the Center is being planned for March 2013.

 

See more photos!       

 

 

   
 
- D I D   Y O U   K N O W ? - 
  • The Class of 2012 had a stellar performance on Part I of the National Board Examination with a first-time pass rate of 99%.  While SUNY students have consistently out-performed the national average (85%), the Class of 2012 performance was the highest in over a decade.         
    2012 NBEO Part I Results 

 

- C A M P A I G N   U P D A T E S - 
Vision and the Promise Campaign
It's Not Too Late...!

....to have your name appear in the next SUNY Optometry Annual Report donor listing!  Your gift to the Campaign, in any amount, by June 30, 2012, will guarantee that you're included, along with your colleagues and other individuals who have supported the campaign during this fiscal year.  We are more than 35% toward our goal of 100% participation.  Be counted now!

In the meantime, we would like to share with you the video that was shown at last month's "Eyes On New York" Gala.  We think you will enjoy it.   See the video!

Please feel free to contact the Development Office at ext. 5600 with any questions.

Thank you for your support.  


 
 
- H I G H L I G H T S -

SUNY Participates in Foundation Fighting Blindness' VisionWalk  

 

On Saturday, April 21st, SUNY Optometry's faculty, residents,

staff, students, family and friends participated in the Foundation Fighting Blindness' signature fundraiser, VisionWalk.  SUNY Optometry had the largest number of walkers -- a team of 200 -- who did the 5K walk of the lower loop of Central Park and won honors for the Largest Team from the Foundation.  They raised over $8500 which will help fund research of hereditary retinal disease such as RP and macular degeneration.  Kudos go to Dr. Sarah Harbove and her VisionWalk committee (Dr. Saysha Blazier, Dr. Susan Schuettenberg, Dr. Julia Appel, Dr. Tom Wong, Dr. Isadora Ritter, Jennifer Gould, Julia Canestraro, Chelsie Stewart, Kim Poirier, Clarissa Kum, Beena Patel, Jessica Scherer, Julia Ingolia, Yulia Bababekova, Rebecca Pietrasik and Katherine Woo) for their hard work to make the event a success!  They are looking forward to next year's VisionWalk.

    

 

2012 Commencement Awards 

 

On Sunday, June 3, 2012, the commencement for the Class of 2012 will be held at the Hudson Theater in New York City.  The awards ceremony will be held in the morning, prior to commencement, at the College in the Schwarz Theater. The following students are the recipients of the specified academic and clinical awards that will be given out at the ceremony:

 

Academic Awards

 

BETA SIGMA KAPPA AWARD

Academic Excellence:     

 

Joanna Lynne Wen

 

DR. FREDERICK W. BROCK MEMORIAL AWARD

for Outstanding clinical Performance in Vision Training:

 

Joseph D. Schwartz

 

COVD AWARD

Excellence in Vision Training:

 

Chung Toan To

 

 

Read More 

 

R 

  

Dr. Richard Madonna Named Chair of the Department of Clinical Education

 

   

Dr. Richard MadonnaDr. David Troilo, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, has announced the appointment of Dr. Richard Madonna as Chair of the Department of Clinical Education.  After a national search, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Madonna for the position.  

 

Dr. Madonna held the position of Interim Chair of the Department and is the Director of the Office of Continuing Education.  Prior to this appointment, he was Service Chief of Ocular Disease in the University Eye Center.   

 

In addition to this appointment, the Alumni Association Board has voted Dr. Madonna Alumnus of the Year 2012.  He is well respected by the SUNY community and is an influential contributor to the advancement of the profession of optometry.

 

Congratulations to Dr. Madonna on his appointment to Chair of the Department of Clinical Education and on being voted Alumnus of the Year -- a great honor from his alma mater!   


   

  

Professional Magazine Names SUNY Student Named Top Graduate

 

Joanna Wen, Class of 2012Ms. Joanna Wen, Class of 2012, has been named Top Graduate at the SUNY College of Optometry by Women in Optometry magazine.  The award is given to the student with the highest GPA in their school.  Joanna, originally from Virginia, plans to return to Virginia with her husband and work in private practice.  She also intends to continue her involvement with VOSH through participating in overseas optometry missions.  

 

Women in Optometry is a supplement to the Review of Optometry Journal, published by Jobson Medical Information LLC.  

     

 



SUNY Optometry's Confucius Center Hosts Chinese Movie Screening

On Wednesday evening, May 9th, the College's Confucius Center hosted a screening of "Caring Karst", a movie made in China, in the Schwarz Theater.  Filmed on location in the remote area of Guaizhou in Southwestern China, the film is dedicated to the people "who work quietly and persistently to combat poverty" and "bring development" to the area "while nurturing harmony between humans and nature".  The free screening was open to the public, after which a questions and answers session was held with Du Yinping, the movie director.

The movie, scheduled to debut in Beijing next month, was recently shown to an international audience at the United Nations.


SUNY Professor Inducted into National Academies of Practice (NAP)


Congratulations to SUNY's, Dr. Mitchell Dul, Professor, who was inducted into the  National Academies of Practice (NAP) at its 17th Annual Banquet and Forum held March 23 - 24 in the Washington, DC area.  Eleven optometrists were inducted into the NAP's National Academy of Practice in Optometry (NAPO) section at the event.


College Council Meeting 

The next meeting of the SUNY College of Optometry, College Council will be held on Monday, June 2, 2012 from 8:30 - 10:30 AM in the Alumni Commons Conference Room, 18th Floor of the College, 33 West 42nd Street, New York City.  Please note that an Executive Session of the Council will be held.        

Rear- U N I V E R S I T Y   E Y E   C E N T E R -

Expanding Technology Can Help in the Detection and Prevention of Eye Diseases and Disorders        

 

There are many eye and vision problems that have no obvious signs or symptoms.  Therefore, a yearly comprehensive eye and vision exam is the optimal way to maintain a lifetime of healthy vision and healthy eyes.  The doctors in the University Eye Center (UEC) have access to the latest technologies to diagnose and treat patients.  This month, we will concentrate on the various ways high-tech tests and procedures performed by optometrists during an eye exam can benefit a patient.

 
 
 
- R E S E A R C H -
 

Publications, Posters and Presentations      

 

Puhl, A.C., Bernardes, A., Silveira, R.L., Yuan, J., Campos, J.L.O., Saidemberg, D.M., Palma, M.S., Cvoro, A., Ayers, S.D., Webb, P., Reinach, P.S., Skaf, M.S. and Polikarpov, I. (2012).  "Mode of PPARy Activation by Luteolin".  Journal of Molecular Pharmacology.

 

Benavente-Perez, A., Nour, A, Troilo, D. presented two abstracts at the Annual ARVO Meeting in May in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  The topic of both abstracts was on  "Peripheral Refraction as a Predictor for Induced Changes in Vitreous chamber Growth Rates in Marmosets".  The team also presented a poster at ARVO on "Changes in Eye Growth and Refractive State in Marmosets after Imposing Peripheral Myopia or Hyperopia using Bifocal Contact Lenses".     

 

 

- P E R S O N N E L -
 






*The College would like to remind everyone that all job openings are posted on the College website --  http://www.sunyopt.edu/HR/jobs.shtml.