2023 Annual report

FUTURE OF OPTOMETRY

(Ketchum) in 2012 and completed a SUNY Optometry ocular disease residency at Fromer Eye Centers in 2013. Her passion in the field is to provide quality eyecare to all humans in the New York City region and beyond through teaching and mentoring, as well as making efforts through collaborative planning in changing the healthcare industry and its role in the eyecare arena. We asked Dr. Su, an emerging leader in the field of optometry, a few questions about how she saw her role in the ever-changing field of healthcare and her role as a rising leader of her generation. Q: What does it mean to be a Millennial leader in Optometry? A: I think it’s an exciting time to be a Millennial leader now. While I’m still figuring out this process, I’ve certainly noticed that my leadership and management style is very different from previous generations. I’ve been very lucky to have great mentorship in guiding me through this process and have people patient enough to let me screw up and learn from my mistakes so that I can be a better leader. Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have seen and/or experienced as a Millennial in the world of optometry? A: The rapidly changing healthcare landscape. We went to school to become doctors, but what we are realizing in the workforce is that the world around us is constraining us from the autonomy, creativity, innovation and service that we envisioned it would be prior to starting graduate school. While every generation says that of their

workforce, I think we need to make the choice to be the change agents. We, as doctors, need to develop our business, management, public policy and service brain so that we can play a bigger role in our day-to day clinical days. Q: Describe your Optometry journey thus far. A: Everyone’s journey is a unique journey. When I look back at where I started 11 years ago, I certainly would not expect to be where I am today. If your journey surprises you in a good way, then be very grateful for it. Q: Why do you think mentoring and/or connecting to current students and residents is important? A: If we don’t, then we’ve done a disservice for our future. The reason why I’m the way I am today is because of mentors and sponsors in my life who have guided me and elevated me. My role is to only share my experiences with those who I’ve come into contact with so that they can learn from my mistakes, build on what I’ve worked on and bring new light and life in their choices during their careers. Q: What advice would you give to up-and-coming Gen Z Leaders? A: Studies have shown that Gen Z’ers and Millennials actually have a lot of commonalities when it comes to leadership traits; the most important one is that we value relational constructs, meaning and purpose. Lean on your Millennial counterparts to continue growth because they will value very similar principles as you!

Dr. Marina Su, R’13 President of NYSOA

Dr. Marina Su, OD, FAAO, is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Optometry at Fromer Eye Centers, a multi-disciplinary OD/MD private practice in New York City. She is also the Ocular Disease Co Residency Supervisor at Fromer Eye Centers and an Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry. She currently serves as the President of the New York State Optometric Association. Dr. Su graduated from Southern California College of Optometry A Q&A with Dr. Marina Su, R’13 Rise of the Millennial Leader

8 SUNY OPTOMETRY ANNUAL REPORT