2021-Annual-Report

COLLEAGUES AND COMMENDATION

Milestones

Celebrating Staff and Service SUNY College of Optometry welcomed aboard nearly 35 new faculty and staff members in 2021, expanding the College family to more than 400 employees. Congratulations to those who have retired this year: Debra Berger, Senior Staff Assistant; Dr. Allen Cohen, Clinical Professor; Dr. Steven Levy, Assistant Clinical Professor; Alla Lyubomudrova, Optician; Dr. Jerry Rapp, Professor; Sonal Sathe, Instructional Support Associate; Dr. Harold Sedgwick, Associate Professor; and Dr. Catherine Watson, Associate Clinical Professor. Anniversaries

Rochelle Kale Jorge Villon Amy Winter Kathleen Tengbe

20 YEARS - 2001 Robert Pellot

25 YEARS - 1996 Oladapo Adurogbola Irma Gomez Doreen Carter, OD

50 YEARS - 1971 Jerome Sherman, OD 30 YEARS - 1991 Anita King-Barrington Quintin Sawyer Patricia Modica, OD

Patricia Villanueva Wendy Hollander Myoung-Hee Han, OD Asima Cuevas, OD

Christian Alberto, EdD , Director of Admissions and Enrollment, was named a fellow of SUNY’s Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI), a development program in support of the next generation of Hispanic/Latinx leaders across the SUNY system. He also earned his doctorate in education in August 2021 from the University of Pittsburgh.

Diane Calderon-Villanueva, OD, Chief of Primary Care, was accepted to the Clinical Leadership Academy sponsored by the SUNY SAIL Institute. She also received the College’s inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in December.

Matthew Bovenzi, OD, ’14, Assistant Chief of Primary Care, was named the 2021 New York State Optometric Educator of the Year and promoted to Associate Clinical Professor at the College.

Honoring Our First in Faculty

articles, research manuscripts, book chapters, and is the creator of Retina Revealed, a unique website in partnership with Review of Optometry for students and the ophthalmic community with monthly Retina Case Reports. A graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. Sherman is a

Jerome Sherman, OD, FAAO, shares a milestone with the SUNY College Optometry as he marks 50 years of service as an educator and clinician at the College since its founding in 1971. Dr. Sherman’s half-century career at the College is highlighted by innumerable contributions to training, patient care, research focused on retinal disease, and appointments, including Chief

founding member of the International Foundation for Optic Nerve

Scan the QR code to visit Retina Revealed created by Dr. Sherman.

Disease and past president of the Optometric Retina Society. His influential work at the College continues in his current role as Distinguished Teaching Professor.

of Advanced Care and Director of Professional Services. His private sector experience includes clinical care and research at the Eye Institute and Laser Center and Omni Eye Surgery, both in Manhattan. He is the author of over 750 clinical

Recognition Award Recipients 2021

Distinguished Teaching Professor Sherry Bass, OD, ’80, was named among the 2021 Most Influential Women in Optical released by Vision Monday . Dr. Bass was noted in the Above and Beyond category for leading the way in giving back to the vision care industry, patients, and the community.

Rebecca Marinoff, OD, ’08, was named Diplomate, Low Vision by the American Academy of Optometry, a special recognition by peers for extensive skill and expertise in area of research or practice.

Suresh Viswanathan, PhD, Chair of the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, was promoted to Professor. He also serves as Chair of the Institutional Research and Planning Committee.

The SUNY Optometry campus community paid tribute to faculty and staff contributions during the 13th annual Recognition Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 16. The hybrid event featured special commendations presented to peer-nominated recipients for outstanding service and support: • President’s Merit Award for Excellence – Cristina Gomez, BSN, RN • Faculty Community Spirit Award – Ann Beaton, PhD • Staff Community Spirit Award – Rosa Rodriquez • Unsung Hero Award(s) – Jacob Chavez, Stephen Pereira, OD • Inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award – Diane Calderon-Villanueva, OD

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