2020 Annual Report

STUDENT-CENTERED EXPERIENCE

Transitions in Training Amid COVID-19

Springtime is typically the final stretch for students of all levels at SUNY Optometry as they complete classes, exams, rotations, and prepare to celebrate becoming practicing doctors. But this year, unlike any other, the journey to professional life for these students along with thousands across the country took an unexpected turn with the invasion of COVID-19. The College quickly transitioned to remote, synchronous learning enabling both students and faculty to remain safely at home. This engaged not only our technology resources, but faculty who had to deliver lectures and clinical training in a new way. Just a few of the ways we enabled the class of 2020 to graduate on time and support our students in their first three years of study included: • Providing laptops, technology resources, and digital library services; • Training faculty to provide remote lectures; • Converting academic, career and mental health counseling services to online platforms;

“Employment options post-graduation is a hot topic among our class. Certainly, those of us not doing a residency are more worried. We know that small business owners are being hit the hardest, so potential employment options are

now on standby.” —Dr. Cledis Ramirez, 2020 Graduate

• Developing case-based clinical training featuring remote access clinical "patients," clinical case seminars, journal clubs, and activities aimed at enhancing clinical skills in the absence of seeing live patients; • Hosting virtual meetings and events with alumni and fellow practitioners to explore practice shifts and emerging trends in optometry as a result of the pandemic.

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