2021-Annual-Report

DRIVING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

College Continues Commitment to Advancing Diversity and Inclusion

Student members of SUNY Optometry’s SPECtrum worked closely with University Eye Center leaders to customize signage and patient registration forms to make them more inclusive of diverse population needs and situations, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community. Released in June 2021, new patient registration forms include fields or prompts that address preferred name, preferred pronoun, assigned sex at birth, and gender identity. Clinic staff are also provided with a guide to SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) terms and protocols to help facilitate effective interaction and exchange with patients. “Effective healthcare involves approaching people with an open heart and making sure that they feel comfortable and accepted,” said SPECtrum president and third- year student Rebecca Chan Min. “[This initiative] will help patients to become more engaged and trusting in their care from the start.” Established in 2016, student-run SPECtrum is the nation’s first LGBTQIA+ club housed at an independent college of optometry. Cultivating Inclusive Care in the University Eye Center and Beyond

Welcome First Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Dr. Joy Harewood Appointed in March 2021, Joy Harewood, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, joined SUNY College of Optometry as the first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and associate clinical professor. The fulfillment of this role is among many key initiatives

Diversity-Inclusion Master Plan Total URM* Student Enrollment 11% (2021)

6.3% (2016) Three-year Average,

“ Effective healthcare involves approaching people with an open heart and making sure that they feel comfortable and accepted. [This initiative] will help patients to become more engaged and trusting in their care from the start.” — Rebecca Chan Min

prioritized by the College President’s Task Force on Race and Equity in 2020. Under Dr. Harewood’s leadership, the task force, which is now the Advisory Board for Race and Equity, implemented several initiatives, increased community outreach, and began assessment on the College’s accomplishments to date as they look to update the Diversity and Inclusion Master Plan. “Optometry serves as a primary entry point to healthcare for people from all walks of life. This makes our profession uniquely positioned to positively influence access to care for many vulnerable populations. To properly serve these and many other populations, we must reflect the diversity of the patients that we serve. We must make sure that all voices in the SUNY Optometry community, from the classroom to the exam chair, feel heard, seen, and understood,” said Dr. Harewood. The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging continues to advance its vision and mission since Dr. Harewood’s start, including designing an icon to showcase the values of the

First-year URM Enrollment 10.6% (2019-21) 4.6% (2013-15)

Leading the way among optometry schools, Michael McGovern, OD, chaired key committees through ASCO that focused on expanding resources in teaching optometry students about cultural and religious beliefs of others, gender identity and transgender patients, and non- English speaking patients including working on Case Studies on Cultural Competency Compilation and moderating Online Clinical Educators Forums (OCEF). SPECtrum recognized PRIDE Month with a webinar on Cases in Culturally Responsible Care focused on providing excellent patient care and experiences across varying backgrounds.

department and its important work. The inspiring creation was chosen by the Advisory Board for Race and Equity from numerous submissions by members of the College community. Created by Media Specialist Louie Bacosa, the winning design appeared in the monthly newsletter “EYE See You,” the online Diversity Series, publications, and presentations.

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*Under-Represented Minoritized.

(L-R): Students Anson Tam, ’ 23, Avalena Linsky, ’ 23, Celesse Vasquez, ’ 24, Arden Niedfeld, ’ 25, and Dr. McGovern, ’ 97. 28 SUNY OPTOMETRY ANNUAL REPORT

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