2021-Annual-Report

FROM PUPIL TO PROFESSIONAL

Class of 2023 strikes a White Coat pose in front of the New York City Public Library.

2021 FMP Mentor of the Year This year, the College’s Family of Mentors Program (FMP) honored two alumni with the annual recognition for mentorship: Katie Brogan, OD, FAAO, ’18, and Tharanie Amarawardana, OD, ’17. Mentors are selected based on student nominations. “Dr. Brogan is not only an amazing doctor but a great role model. [She] always made herself available to talk and always offered her advice despite her busy full-week schedule. Throughout the year, Dr. Brogan would give me advice regarding modalities of practice, encouraging residency, and literally anything I would ask her about,” said Kaitlyn Rooney, Class of 2022. “Although COVID had prevented us from meeting in person, I feel that I will always be able to reach out to Dr. Brogan, and she will always be more than willing to help. I appreciate everything Dr. Brogan has done for me, and I look up to her selflessness.” “Dr. Amarawardana gave me her undivided attention for the time we had allotted and made herself available via text at all times if I ever needed to reach out. She addressed everything I asked her and offered up her thoughts and advice on the topic and how I could move one step further, which is beyond what I expected,” shared fourth-year student Sanjana Saksena. “Overall, I think Dr. A was an amazing mentor who outdid herself in providing me with guidance in way more aspects than I thought I needed help with.” To learn more about the Family of Mentors Program, visit sunyopt.edu . Stay connected with your class and join the SunyEyeNetwork.org .

Residency Alumnus of the Year

SUNY Optometry alumnus and post-residency graduate Andre Stanberry, OD, was selected as the 2021 Resident Alumni of the Year. The honor was presented during a ceremony celebrating the completion of programming for over 40 residents at the College. Following graduation from SUNY Optometry in 2008, Dr. Stanberry pursued a residency in Ocular Disease and Family Practice at the East New York Diagnostic and Treatment Center and served as Assistant Clinical Professor at the College. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and clinic director in Canada at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science, and among the first panelists of the College’s highly acclaimed Race in Optometry series. In 2021, nearly 200 alumni volunteers participated in

Students Mark the Transition from Classroom to Clinic at Annual White Coat Ceremony

A rite of passage brings a class together

strong,” said Teresa Lowe, OD, chosen by the class as the ceremony’s Distinguished Faculty Member. Thanks to the SUNY Optometry Alumni Association who “have the backs of our students” and generously provided the white coats in their journey to become optometrists.

Following over a year of remote lectures and small group pre-clinical practice, 95 members of the SUNY Optometry Class of 2023 came together to celebrate a major milestone on the way to becoming eye doctors during a White Coat Ceremony hosted on campus and broadcast virtually on July 23, 2021. “This is the first time [our class] has been together in a year and a half,” said Travis Pfeifer, president of the Class of 2023, in his address to classmates. “Our journey here at SUNY hasn’t been what we expected, but I’m happy to share it all with you.” During the ceremony, members of the Class of 2023 were individually draped in their white coats by University Eye Center OD clinic chiefs: Dr. Jennifer Gould, Dr. Deborah Amster, Dr. Daniella Rutner, Dr. Diane Calderon-Villanueva, Dr. Amy Steinway, and Dr. Eva Duchnowski. “This past year, you have demonstrated strength, courage, resilience, and compassion unmatched in previous years. You inspire me to stay

engagement programs and events

Dr. Tharanie Amarawardana

Dr. Katie Brogan

Class of 2023 recite the Optometric Oath following White Coat Ceremony.

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