Advancing Vision Summit Program

Advancing Vision Summit The Intersection of AI, Eye Care, & Public Health

September 25, 2026 CURE | New York, NY

Program

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Welcome to the Inaugural Advancing Vision Summit

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural Advancing Vision Summit: The Intersection of AI, Eye Care, and Public Health . We are grateful that you have joined us for this important gathering of clinicians, researchers, educators, public health leaders, innovators, and community partners committed to shaping the future of health and vision care. As we convene today, we are especially proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 70th anniversary of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundatio n. For seven decades, the Foundation has helped advance the College’s mission through philanthropy, supporting excellence in education, groundbreaking research, patient care, and community outreach. The impact of those investments can be seen in the lives of countless students, patients, and families who have benefited from the College’s work. Today’s program highlights the power of collaboration across disciplines. From advances in artificial intelligence and clinical care to innovations in prevention, access, and whole-person health, the conversations and connections made here have the potential to transform the future of vision care and improve health outcomes for communities everywhere. As we celebrate our past and invest in our future, we invite you to continue your partnership with the College and Foundation. Your philanthropic support helps ensure that we can expand access to care, accelerate research discoveries, educate future leaders, and meet the evolving needs of our communities. Together, we can continue advancing vision and changing lives for generations to come.

Thank you for being part of this inaugural Summit and for your commitment to a healthier, more equitable future through better vision and eye care.

Warm regards, Dr. Richard Soden President, Board of Directors

Dawn Rigney Executive Director

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Welcome Message from the College President

Dear Summit Participants,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural Advancing Vision Summit and to join you for a gathering of leaders, innovators, clinicians, researchers, and advocates who share a commitment to improving lives through better vision and health. This Summit is also a celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation , whose steadfast support has helped shape the College’s successes for generations. The Foundation is committed to supporting the College to fulfill our mission as a leading optometric academic health center where we innovate in the education of eye doctors and vision scientists, conduct research that unlocks the mysteries of vision and improves eye and health care, deliver leading-edge patient care, and engage communities locally, across the nation, and around the world to improve eye care and public health. As we look ahead, SUNY College of Optometry is embracing a future defined by discovery, collaboration, and transformation. We are expanding our role as a leader in eye and vision care while exploring new opportunities where education, research, technology, and health care come together. The conversations taking place here today on artificial intelligence, clinical innovation, access to care, and public health reflect the challenges and opportunities that will shape vision and health care for generations and build a healthier future for our patients and our communities. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Foundation, our event sponsors, and all who helped bring this Summit to you today. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when philanthropy, innovation, and shared purpose come together in service of the public good. Thank you all for being part of this important conversation and I look forward to your continued partnership as together we advance vision for a better future.

Sincerely, David Troilo, PhD President SUNY College of Optometry

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Session Descriptions

Keynote: Closing the Blind Spot with Healthcare from the Eye 9:15am – 9:45am Dr. David C. Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft What if a routine image of the eye could help reveal not only ocular disease, but also important signals about a person’s broader health? In this keynote, Dr. David C. Rhew will explore how the real-world application of oculomics, or “Healthcare from the Eye,” can help health systems identify risk earlier, expand access, and manage larger populations despite limited clinical resources. He will also explain why AI-enabled detection is only the first step, and outline the coordinated care pathways, responsible AI practices, patient engagement strategies, outcome measures, partnerships, and sustainable funding models required to translate a promising algorithm into a scalable and effective healthcare program. The Future of Vision Health: Leveraging Population Data in the Quest for Better Eye Care and Health Outcomes 9:45am – 10:15am Dr. Dean VanNasdale, Associate Professor at Ohio State University College of Optometry Vision health surveillance plays a critical role in understanding the complex factors associated with vision impairment. This session will review key data collection systems used to monitor vision health, highlight important findings related to risk factors and associated health outcomes, and demonstrate how existing public health surveillance infrastructure can be leveraged to evaluate policies intended to expand access to vision care.

A Shared Vision for Children’s Health: Collaborative Approaches to Myopia Management 10:30am – 11:15am Dr. Felicia Timmermann, Senior Manager, Professional Affairs at CooperVision Dr. Damaris Raymondi, Practice Owner and Founder, Sur Eye Care Myopia is increasingly affecting children worldwide, making early education, timely intervention, and coordinated care more important than ever. This engaging, practice-focused session will explore the innovation, implementation, and real-world impact of MiSight 1 day in managing childhood myopia. Leveraging CooperVision expertise alongside an interactive conversation with a local optometrist, the session will explore how collaborative care can help identify children at risk, educate families, support timely intervention, and improve long-term outcomes for children. (CooperVision is a presenting sponsor for this event.) BREAKOUT OPTION Women’s Eye Health: The Next Frontier in Preventive Eye Care 11:30am – 12:00pm Dr. Neda Gioia , Founder of Integrative Vision As healthcare increasingly embraces precision and personalized medicine, women’s eye health represents a significant opportunity for innovation and improved patient care. This presentation examines how hormonal shifts, nutrition, inflammation, sleep, and metabolic health influence ocular disease risk and discusses how eye care professionals can help bridge the gap between eye care and women’s healthcare. This presentation underscores the need for greater awareness of women’s health disparities and positions eye care as an important, often overlooked, partner in closing that gap.

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Join experts from EssilorLuxottica, Dr. Monica Jong, Dr. Aaron Goffinet, and SUNY College of Optometry’s Dr. Rahim Bhaloo for an engaging look at how AI, MedTech, wearables, and personalized care are creating new opportunities to improve eye health and patient outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into how technology can expand access, support healthier aging, enable earlier intervention, and connect vision care with broader health and wellbeing. The discussion will also highlight the importance of collaboration across healthcare, industry, education, and public health to turn innovation into meaningful patient impact. (EssilorLuxottica is a Presenting Sponsor for this event.) BREAKOUT OPTION The Eye as a Window to the Body: What Clinicians Can See Before Symptoms Begin 2:00pm – 2:30pm Dr. Rudrani Banik, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai What if a routine eye examination could reveal more than vision, and it could provide an early warning system for disease throughout the body? This engaging, case-driven lecture explores using ocular biomarkers to detect systemic disease before symptoms appear. Discover how the eye offers a unique, non-invasive window into vascular, neurologic, and metabolic health. This session highlights practical ocular findings that can influence diagnosis, referral, and patient management underscoring the growing importance of collaboration between primary care and eye care professionals. Such findings include: hypertension, diabetes, stroke, brain tumors, Alzhiemer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

BREAKOUT OPTION Medical Technology and Innovation: Shaping the Future 11:30am – 12:00pm MODERATOR: Christine Chang, Director at Artesian Capital SPEAKERS: Rohan Gray, Partner and Co-head of VC at Artesian Capital Stephen DeNelsky, Co-Founder and President at Life Sciences Turning a breakthrough idea in eye care or health innovation into something that reaches patients takes more than good science — it takes the right investment partner. This panel brings together a venture capital investor and a private credit investor to explore how different kinds of capital fuel healthcare innovation, how economic trends and geography shape where breakthroughs happen, and real examples of how vision related technologies get funded and brought to market. Seeing the Future: The Intersection of AI, Eye Care, and Public Health 1:00pm – 1:45pm Dr. Monica Jong, Head of Medical Affairs North America at EssilorLuxottica Dr. Aaron Goffinet , Director of Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica Dr. Rahim Bhaloo , Director of Externship Programs at SUNY College of Optometry Artificial intelligence, digital health, and connected technologies are reshaping healthcare—but how can they address today’s biggest challenges in vision care, including access, health equity, aging, and preventable vision loss?

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BREAKOUT OPTION Integrating Eye Care into Population Health: The Growing Role of FQHC’s and Community Health Centers 2:00pm – 2:30pm MODERATOR: Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice President and System Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Services & Population Health, NYC Health + Hospitals SPEAKERS: Dr. Louis Pizzarello, Board Chair of Lavelle Fund for the Blind Dr. Andrea Nikki Cotler, Director of Eye & Vision Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Gotham Health, Gouverneur Dr. Joy Harewood-John, Associate Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry This moderated panel will explore how Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community health centers are increasingly integrating vision care into population health strategies to improve outcomes, advance health equity, and expand access for underserved communities. Panelists will discuss the role of eye care as a critical component of whole-person care, its connection to chronic disease management and social determinants of health, and the unique value optometry brings within the primary care setting. The discussion will also examine innovative care models, strategies for addressing access barriers, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and telehealth, that are helping health systems deliver more effective and equitable eye care. Attendees will gain practical insights into how vision services can strengthen community health, improve patient outcomes, and support sustainable care delivery models.

Seeing Further: Myopia Research from Molecules to Meaningful Outcomes 2:45pm – 3:15pm MODERATOR: Dr. Lisa Ostrin, Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at SUNY College of Optometry SPEAKERS: Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Perez, Research Professor at SUNY College of Optometry Dr. Xiaoying Zhu, Lead Clinician for Myopia Management at SUNY College of Optometry Myopia is more than a need for stronger glasses—it is a complex condition shaped by biology, visual experience, and the way the eye grows. But how do we move from understanding what happens at the molecular and cellular level to developing treatments that can make a meaningful difference for patients? In this engaging panel discussion, experts from SUNY College of Optometry will take audiences on a journey across the full spectrum of myopia research including recent discoveries about eye growth, visual signals, and the biology of myopia as they develop into new approaches to prevention and treatment. The discussion will connect fundamental research and experimental models with translational studies, clinical trials, and the practical challenges of bringing promising discoveries to patients. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how research moves from molecules to meaningful outcomes and where the future of myopia care is headed. L. Wayne Spencer, Director of the Clinical Vision Research Center at SUNY College of Optometry

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Meet The Experts

Research at the International Myopia Conference and the American Academy of Optometry Professional Career Development Award. She is a Silver Fellow of ARVO as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Rudrani (Rani) Banik, MD is a board-certified neuro ophthalmologist, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai, and founder of a private practice in New

Rahim Bhaloo, OD, FAAO is an Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry.

York City. She earned her MD from Brown University,

completed residency at UC Irvine, and fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. Bhaloo oversees the clinical externship placements for fourth-year optometry students and instructs across multiple laboratory, clinical, and elective

Also certified in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Dr. Banik takes a root-cause approach to eye health, integrating evidence-informed nutrition, lifestyle strategies, botanicals, and supplements into patient care. Her expertise has been featured by Good Morning America , The New York Times , TODAY , CBS , NBC , ABC , FOX , and The Washington Post. She has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and New York Magazine Best Doctor in Ophthalmology annually since 2017. She is the bestselling author of Beyond Carrots and Dr. Rani’s Plant-Based Visionary Kitchen , founder of The Eye Summit™, and host of The Eye-Q Podcast , where she explores eye health, vision, and migraine.

courses, including serving as an instructor of record for the third year Optometric Telehealth & AI seminar. His clinical and research background is primarily focused on insights into early detection of glaucomatous progression. Dr. Bhaloo frequently lectures on the integration of artificial intelligence in clinical practice and education, and he serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and a course reviewer for COPE when not spending time with his wife and two sons.

Alexandra Benavente-Perez, MCOptom PhD FAAO FARVO

Christine Chang, BA serves as Director at Artesian Capital, a global impact investor spanning clean tech / agtech

is a Research Professor at the SUNY College of Optometry and Principal Investigator of her federally and industry-funded research lab, focused on

to healthtech/medtech — from digital health and AI enabled care to wellness

identifying the mechanisms that lead to myopia and associated blinding consequences. She has served as Chair of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Program Committee (Anatomy section) and is an appointed member of the Scientific Committees of the American Academy of Optometry and the International Myopia Conference. She has received the Josh Wallman Memorial Award/Zeiss Young Scientist Award in Myopia

technologies and eye disease diagnostics. Her role includes origination, operational due diligence,

compliance, and board advisory across these portfolios. Christine brings 25 years of experience in institutional asset management and deep expertise in alternative and specialty finance. She advises family offices and their portfolio companies as Board Chair, CEO, COO, and CCO, guiding management teams through the full

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investment lifecycle. She is a Member of TBD Angels, a group of owner-operator angel investors, and an Advisory Board Member of Glasswing Ventures, an AI and frontier technologies venture firm. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and is a member of the Presidential Council of Cornell Women. She chairs the Professional Advisors Committee of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation, and has focused her investment thesis on sports, health, wellness, longevity, and the care economy through a human centric approach to technology. Andrea Nikki Cotler, OD, FAAO received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the

He co-founded and served as President of Life Sciences Alternative Funding, a joint venture with Perella Weinberg Partners that invested approximately $250 million across more than ten transactions. He holds a BA from American University, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Harvard Bioscience (NASDAQ: HBIO).

Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FMCP, FOWNS, CFMP

is the founder of Integrative Vision and SEEHealth LLC, a concierge optometry practice in New Jersey that bridges traditional eye care with functional medicine and clinical nutrition to support vision and whole-body health. In addition to her Doctor of Optometry, she holds dual credentials

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002, her Doctorate in Optometry from the SUNY College of Optometry in 2006, and Residency training in Ocular Disease/Primary Eye Care at the VA New York Harbor

as a Certified Nutrition Specialist and an IFM Certified Practitioner, reflecting a systems-based approach to patient care. She is the immediate past president and a current Fellow of the Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society (OWNS), serves on the Board of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, and is an IFM subject matter expert. Dr. Gioia created the SEEHealth™ and Eye Exam Plus™ programs for integrating comprehensive, whole person care into practice, and contributes to the primary care educational channel on the Vumedi network. With a deep passion for advancing women’s leadership in healthcare, Dr. Gioia has served on the board of Women in Optometry, received the 2021 Theia Award for Innovation, mentored through the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, and is a member of The Menopause Society. Her mission: to heal, educate, and empower patients and practitioners, one at a time.

Health Care System in 2007. She worked in private OD/ MD group practice for several years before joining SUNY and Health + Hospitals in 2016. She currently serves as Director of Eye + Vision Services at Gotham Gouverneur where she engages in clinical practice and oversees the SUNY Optometry externship. She received the 2019 NYC Health + Hospitals Doctor’s Day Award for Gouverneur PAC and the 2020 Performance Improvement Champion Award for Gotham Health.

Stephen DeNelsky, MBA is a healthcare investor with more than 30 years of experience across public and private

equity, structured credit, royalty investments, and other hybrid financing structures. He has served as a healthcare analyst, portfolio manager, and a senior equity research analyst, among

Aaron Goffinet, OD is Director of Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica, where he works with eye care professionals,

universities, and industry partners to advance clinical

other key roles. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Oaktree Capital Management, sourcing and structuring over $700 million in proprietary healthcare investments and leading restructurings of existing portfolio credits. Prior to Oaktree, he was Managing Director at Marathon Asset Management on its healthcare structured private credit team, sourcing over $500 million in healthcare investments.

education and innovation in eye care. A native of Perry County, Indiana, Dr. Goffinet earned his undergraduate degree from Western

Kentucky University and his Doctor of Optometry from the Indiana University School of Optometry. His career

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has included private practice, the pharmaceutical industry, and leadership roles in the optical industry, including more than a decade with Carl Zeiss Vision before joining EssilorLuxottica in 2016. Dr. Goffinet is a frequent national speaker known for engaging presentations on myopia management, product innovation, communication, and leadership in eye care. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, and enjoys travel, discovering new places, and perfecting a well-made Old Fashioned.

she received its Secretariat Award for her contributions. She was named New York State Optometric Association Optometric Educator of the Year in 2026 and lectures nationally and internationally.

Monica Jong, BOptom, PhD, FAAO, FBCLA

is the Head of Medical Affairs North America at EssilorLuxottica, where

she draws on her extensive experience from Johnson &

Rohan Gray is Partner and Co-Head of VC. He is responsible for investment strategy, sourcing, and portfolio management across early and growth-stage companies. Rohan joined Artesian in 2016 and worked as an analyst for 5 years and portfolio manager for 3 years before his promotion to

Johnson MedTech in launching medical devices globally to drive evidence-based practitioner education, research, and advocacy initiatives in eyecare. She was

formerly Executive Director at the International Myopia Institute, where she played a pivotal role in co-founding the organization and led the development of white papers and key initiatives aimed at fostering global consensus in myopia management. She has contributed significantly to the field of myopia, publishing numerous peer-reviewed articles that place her among the top 0.056% of authors in myopia research. Monica also co-created the first global online education program in myopia and the BHVI myopia calculator at the Brien Holden Vision Institute and played integral roles in WHO meetings on myopia and the IAPB Refractive Error Working Group. With diverse clinical optometry experience, Monica is deeply committed to research, education, and mentoring young

Partner in 2024. Rohan previously worked at UBS and was also a Global Equities Trader specializing in special situation opportunities. Rohan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University with a Double Major in Accounting and Finance. Joy Harewood-John, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl ABO is an Associate Clinical Professor

optometrists, having presented at over 400 global scientific and practitioner meetings.

and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY College of Optometry. A clinician, educator, researcher, and public health professional, she brings nearly a decade of experience caring for medically underserved communities in hospital-based academic medical

Ted Long, MD, MHS, LHD (Hon) is senior vice president and System Chief Medical Officer for Clinical

Services and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal public health care system in the country. Dr. Long leads the system’s clinical services across acute and ambulatory care, providing six million

centers in New York City. She earned her Doctor of Optometry from the UC Berkeley School of Optometry and completed a residency in ocular disease at SUNY Optometry, followed by a master’s in public health from CUNY School of Public Health. Dr. Harewood is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Her research focuses on retinal manifestations of systemic disease and equitable access to eye care. A former member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Task Force on Disparities in Eye Care,

outpatient visits annually including Gotham Health, one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in the country, and NYC Care. He supervises population health and manages specialized programs for vulnerable New Yorkers, including the Street Health Outreach + Wellness (SHOW) mobile program, and Bridge to Home.

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He previously served as executive director of the NYC Test & Trace Corps, the city’s emergency response to COVID-19, which distributed and administered more than 150 million COVID-19 tests and over 2.2 million vaccines. Dr. Long is a practicing primary care physician at Gotham Health/Morrisania, in the Bronx.

Dr. Pizzarello has worked in over 40 countries bringing eye care to underserved people and initiated a project to provide inner city children with glasses in the US. He was founding chair of Vision 2020 USA and currently holds the title of Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has received awards from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Helen Keller International, Southampton College and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind.

Lisa A. Ostrin, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO

is Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and Professor in the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences at the SUNY College of Optometry. She received an OD/PhD degree from the University of Houston, followed by postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University and

Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO is an award-winning optometrist,

practice owner, and educator based in New York City. She specializes in pediatric eye care, ocular disease, and myopia

management, and is passionate about advancing equitable eye care through patient education. Dr. Raymondi is the host of the Eyes Up podcast, highlighting diverse voices in optometry, and is a frequent national lecturer and media contributor.

the University of California, Berkeley. She returned to the University of Houston to establish an independent research program focused on the mechanisms of ocular growth and myopia development, conducting translational studies in both human participants and animal models, and has since transitioned this work to SUNY College of Optometry. Dr. Ostrin teaches gross and ocular anatomy and is the author of Anatomy of the Human Eye: A Coloring Atlas . Dr. Ostrin is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry and a Gold Fellow of ARVO. She is the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science . Her honors include the American Optometric Foundation Ezell Fellowship and the Women in Optometry Theia Education Award.

David Rhew, MD is Microsoft’s Global CMO, and has

led efforts around COVID-19 (working with WHO, CDC, and U.S. States), responsible AI (as co-founder of the Trustworthy Responsible AI Network [TRAIN], and rural health (as co-founder of the Rural Health Transformation Collaborative). He has pioneered the development of evidence-based order sets in EHRs while at Zynx Health and home-based cardiac rehab while at Samsung. He holds six U.S. technology patents that enable authoring, mapping, and integration of CDS into electronic health records. Dr. Rhew has sat on NQF’s Executive CSAC Board; is Chair-emeritus for Consumer Technology Association’s Health Technology Board; and serves on the Executive Advisory Board for AdvaMed Digital Health and NESTcc (advisory to FDA, CMS and NIH regarding RWE/RWD safety and efficiency studies on medical devices). He is Adjunct Professor at Stanford and has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential by Modern Healthcare.

Louis D. Pizzarello, MD, MPH practiced ophthalmology on the

East End of Long Island for over forty years. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Colgate University, a medical degree at the University of Virginia and a degree in public health from Harvard University. Continuing his medical training, he completed

an internship at the Toronto General Hospital and a residency in ophthalmology at the E.S. Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia University. At that point he returned to Southampton to practice.

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L. Wayne Spencer, MS, CCRC serves as Director of the Clinical Vision Research Center at the

Dean VanNasdale, OD, PhD earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in

SUNY College of Optometry where he provides leadership and oversight for sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical research projects focused on advancing eye and vision care. With more than 20 years of clinical

2003, completed a cornea and contact lens residency at Indiana University in 2004, and received his MS in Clinical Research and PhD in Vision Science from Indiana University in 2011.

research experience, he oversees the development and conduct of clinical trials and human-subject research, supporting a program that has facilitated over 120 studies. As Director, he works closely with investigators, research associates, study coordinators, and clinical research faculty to support the development, initiation, coordination, and conduct of clinical trials and other human-subject research projects. Mr. Spencer received his Master of Science degree from Thomas Edison State University (TESU), is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), and a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC). He is dedicated to fostering research and organizational excellence, strengthening clinical research infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for scientific discovery and improved patient outcomes in vision science. Felicia Timmermann, OD, MS, FAAO is a pediatric optometrist and a

Dr. VanNasdale’s research spans two areas: population health data analysis, studying associations between health determinants and vision impairment to inform policy and resource allocation; and advanced retinal imaging and visual function, focusing on normal aging versus pathological changes from diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and traumatic brain injury, with the goal of detecting sight-threatening disease earlier. He teaches Public Health and Environmental Vision to first-year optometry students and instructs in Contact Lens Services at Ohio State’s College of Optometry, where he also studies contact lens-related visual performance and complications. He holds leadership roles in academic and health advocacy organizations and has received the American Public Health Association’s Outstanding Project and Distinguished Service Awards and Prevent Blindness’ Jenny Pomeroy Award.

Xiaoying Zhu, OD, PhD is Lead Clinician for Myopia Management at the University

member of the Professional and Academic Affairs team at CooperVision, where she serves as the Senior Advisor of Myopia Management. In this role, she assists in the strategic development and implementation of education on myopia management

Eye Center and a faculty member at SUNY College of Optometry, where she integrates patient care, research, and education to

advance the understanding and control of myopia. Her education

for eye care practitioners and academic programs. Dr. Timmermann earned her optometric degree with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed a residency in pediatric optometry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Department of Ophthalmology. She also obtained a Master of Science in Global Health from Northwestern University. Prior to her role at CooperVision, Dr. Timmermann practiced at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and at Nova Southeastern University - College of Optometry, where she served as an Assistant Professor, the Chief of KID Clinic, and the Director of Myopia Management.

spans ophthalmology residency training in China, PhD in Australia, and an OD degree from New England College of Optometry, providing a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective on eye growth and vision development. Dr. Zhu’s research explores both visual and non-visual factors that influence myopia progression, with the goal of developing effective strategies to protect children’s vision. She serves as principal investigator on multiple myopia-control clinical trials and mentors the next generation of clinicians and scientists. An internationally recognized leader in the field, she serves as Section Chair for the ARVO Annual Meeting Program Committee and received the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research Emerging Vision Scientist Award in 2020.

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Sponsors & Supporters

Thank you! SUNY College of Optometry Foundation is deeply grateful to our sponsors and supporters who made the Advancing Vision Summit possible. It is through their generosity that attendance was free and that any proceeds will be used to fuel sight-saving research, provide essential care to those in need, and prepare the next generation of eye care leaders.

Allison & Stephen Flink Haag-Streit MarcoLombart

Lavelle Fund for the Blind Designs for Vision VSP

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HELP ASTIGMATIC PATIENTS STAY IN CONTACT LENSES * , COMFORTABLY 1

Introducing the world’s first Multifocal Toric contact lens with Water Gradient Technology

~ 100% WATER AT THE SURFACE 2,3†

Water Gradient with nearly 100% water at the surface 2,3†

Excellent end-of-day comfort, even on day 30 1**

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* Toric contact lens wearers with presbyopia can wear Multifocal Toric lenses; hyperopic and myopic lens wearers with presbyopia can wear Multifocal lenses. ** Rated after at least 12 hours of wear, measured at day 30. † Based on in vitro measurements of unworn lenses.

References: 1. Based on a clinical performance evaluation of TOTAL30 ® Multifocal for Astigmatism contact lenses; Alcon, data on file 2025; REF-27092. 2. In vitro analysis of lens oxygen permeability, water content, and surface imaging; Alcon data on file, 2021. 3. In vitro analysis of lehfilcon A contact lenses outermost surface softness and correlation with water content; Alcon data on file, 2021. See product instructions for complete wear, care and safety information. © 2025 Alcon Inc. US-TMA-2500050

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Clinical OD Career Exploration Virtual Event October 15, 2026

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Help Us Save Sight Your gift helps provide essential vision care to those in need, fuels sight‑saving research, and prepares the next generation of eye care leaders—creating impact that lasts for generations to come. Give today—scan the QR code below or visit sunyopt.edu/give

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State University of New York College of Optometry Founded in 1971 in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry

Clinical training and patient care are anchored by the University Eye Center, one of the largest outpatient vision care facilities in the region, which serves a diverse patient population and provides students with hands-on experience alongside expert clinicians. SUNY Optometry also maintains more than 65 affiliated clinical training sites across the country. Beginning in Fall 2027, the Doctor of Optometry degree will be offered in both New York City and Syracuse, providing students the opportunity to choose where they live and practice. See the latest news and learn more at www.sunyopt.edu

(SUNY Optometry) is the only school of optometry in the state and a nationally recognized leader in optometric education, vision research, and patient care. The College prepares the next generation of eye care professionals through its Doctor of Optometry program, residency programs, and advanced graduate degrees in vision science, including MS and PhD programs. As an academic health center in optometry dedicated to advancing eye and vision care, SUNY Optometry conducts a robust portfolio of basic, translational, and clinical research focused on improving diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of visual disorders.

About SUNY College of Optometry Foundation

Founded in 1956 by visionary optometrists and business leaders, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation is the affiliated nonprofit organization supporting the mission and future of SUNY College of Optometry. Through philanthropy and community partnership, the Foundation advances excellence in optometric education, groundbreaking vision research, and patient-centered eye care. For 70 years, it has expanded access to high-quality vision and eye health services, funded scholarships and student success initiatives, and driven innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of visual disorders. The Foundation’s impact extends from New York City to communities

around the world through investments in clinical care, research, and the preparation of future leaders in optometry and vision science. Guided by a commitment to healthcare access, innovation, and public service, the Foundation continues to strengthen programs and opportunities that improve lives, advance eye health, and shape the future of vision care for generations to come. To learn more visit: www.sunyoptfoundation.org and read the Value of Vision at sunyopt.cld.bz/ SEE-THE-VALUE-OF-VISION

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