2024 Annual Report

BUILDING THE OPTOMETRIC WORKFORCE

why she chose SUNY Optometry for her own optometric education and what the Upstate campus will mean for prospective students and the community. Q: Why did you choose to study at SUNY College of Optometry? I chose SUNY for my education based on the prestigious reputation of the college and the faculty. I feel privileged to work alongside this group of faculty and now have the opportunity to expand our impact to Upstate New York through the development of our Extension Program. Q: Why did you choose to become an OD out of all the medical career paths that are out there? Aside from the fact that I find the eye fascinating, I chose to become an optometrist because we have the opportunity to interact more directly with our patients compared with many other specialties within healthcare. I feel incredibly fortunate to build relationships with all of my patients and gain their trust in the management of their ocular and visual conditions. Q: Why will Syracuse campus be unique for students? SUNY College of Optometry at Upstate will provide a unique hybrid model of optometric education. An on-campus, interactive, virtual classroom experience will provide students the opportunity to participate in lectures delivered at the main campus in NYC. Outside of the lecture hall, students will engage with local SUNY faculty in labs, small group

seminars, and clinical patient care. This program also offers the opportunity to collaborate directly with Upstate Medical University which will facilitate a strong interprofessional environment. Q: As the new program director, what is your vision for the upstate program? My vision for the Extension Program is to bring the excellence of SUNY College of Optometry to Upstate New York. This program will offer students the opportunity to train in an underserved area while receiving the same high caliber education that the main campus in NYC provides. Q: Describe the importance of accessibility to vision care that this program will bring for residents of Upstate New York. As an Upstate New York native, I understand firsthand the current challenges associated with accessibility to eye care in rural parts of New York State. In addition to providing eye care, optometrists also have the ability to detect systemic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Without proper access to care, patients may have a delay in the diagnosis of an ocular or systemic condition which can lead to a poor outcome and a subsequent increased burden on the healthcare system. By providing training opportunities in Upstate New York, SUNY College of Optometry will improve access to eyecare which has the potential to improve the overall wellbeing of patients in New York State.

Dr. Sarah Gleason, ’18, R’19, named Program Director

Dr. Sarah Gleason joined SUNY College of Optometry’s faculty when she completed her residency and is now serving as an associate clinical professor. In early September, she was selected from a nationwide search to be the Founding Director of the SUNY College of Optometry Upstate Extension Program in Syracuse. The first class will enter this program on the campus of SUNY Upstate Medical University in Fall 2026. Dr. Gleason shared some of her insights and thoughts about in Upstate New York Finding the Future ODs

6 SUNY OPTOMETRY ANNUAL REPORT