2020 Annual Report

Ensuring Continuity of Care

Confronting COVID with Some Help from Our Partners SUNY College of Optometry continued to teach the next generation of eye care professionals and treat patients through the University Eye Center thanks to the help of our long-time partners such as Essilor of America, Johnson & Johnson, Wenzhou Medical University, and the America Academy of Optometry (AAO). Although vision education and treatment programs across the country and around the world were largely put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis, several of our partners stepped in to support training and safety measures during the peak of the crisis.

Partners provided critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE), shields for equipment, and clinical case education programs to ensure students graduated on time. “The silver lining with this effort amid the current crisis is increased communication with vision care providers and all the schools of optometry and the ability to work together with competitors to share information, address issues, and problem-solve for the benefit of the cause. Our industry is here to help.” — Ryan Parker, OD, Director of Professional Development at Essilor

“We are grateful for the strong relationships we have with members of industry and academia. They were instrumental in helping maintain the continuity of education and patient care during this unprecedented time,” said David A. Heath, OD, EdM, President of SUNY College of Optometry.

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