EyesOnNY OCNY Journal 2022

Award Celebration

AND

CELEBRATE SUNY C ollege of O ptometry

Sharing Our Stories. Honoring Our History. Forging Our Future.

T hursday , A pril 14 | 7:00 pm E dison B allroom

OPTOMETRIC CENTER OF NEW YORK Founded in 1956, the Optometric Center of New York has a long and distinguished history of service to New York – first as a patient care and training facility, later as an endowing foundation. Today, it supports the mission of SUNY College of Optometry as the campus-affiliated foundation. The Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) stands as a shining example of what cooperation among visionary community leaders in education, business and philanthropy can accomplish. Since its inception, OCNY has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the New York community and to the community-at-large. Whether supporting vision care for the working poor and indigent patients at the University Eye Center and the College’s affiliate sites; awarding scholarships to optometry students who are academically outstanding and financially deserving; or supporting research into the complex human visual system, the Optometric Center of New York remains dedicated to the future of healthcare and to the advancement of vision science. The Optometric Center of New York is a tax-exempt, not-for- profit foundation and is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. To learn more about OCNY or to make your gift in support of students and patients, visit:

www.sunyopt.edu/give

Dr. David A. Heath President SUNY College of Optometry 2022 Eyes on Leadership Honoree

Dr. David A. Heath is the third president of SUNY College of Optometry and holds the rank of professor. He joined the College in June 2007 after serving as vice president and dean of Academic Affairs at

New England College of Optometry. Dr. Heath is best known for his work in educational program development, workforce analysis, and international vision care. He has over 90 scholarly publications and/or presentations to his credit as well as years of service with the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, and other professional organizations. Among other honors, Dr. Heath is a two-time recipient of the Jack Bennett Innovation in Education Award from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, awarded the status of “Distinguished Scholar” by the National Academies of Practice, and in 2010, he was recognized by China’s Ministry of Foreign Expert Affairs with China’s highest honor for foreigners, the “China Friendship Award” for his work within China’s medical education system to increase the quantity and quality of primary eye care providers. Eyes on Leadership Award Recognizes the visionary spirit of the Optometric Center of New York founders by honoring an individual, corporation, or organization for their extraordinary contributions to advancing vision care and whose actions have had a lasting impact on the industry and/or health care.

SUNY C ollege of O ptometry

Eyes on New York SPONSORS Silver Sponsor CooperVision EssilorLuxottica Bronze Sponsor

National Vision VSP Vision Care Titanium Sponsor Designs for Vision Jobson Optical Group Bill Moran Richard Soden, OD Warby Parker Aqua Sponsor

Allergan ClearVision Optical Eye to Eye Careers Mark Feder, OD

Dennis and Lesley Gehr Haag-Streit USA Ronald Millman, OD Luxottica Retail Heidelberg Engineering, Inc. Viola Kanevsky, OD RBC Wealth Management Gretchen and Lewis Stone

White Sponsor

Bryant Park Grill Thomas and Nancy Farrell Dennis and Lesley Gehr David A. Heath, OD, EdM

Award Celebration

Evening’s Program

Mix & Mingle Mistress of Ceremonies Marilee Talkington Welcome Dr. Richard Soden President, OCNY Board of Trustees Eyes on Leadership Award Presentation Greetings & Remarks Dr. David A. Heath President, SUNY College of Optometry

Certificates and Recognition Dinner, Dancing & Dessert Music by

The Wood Vibrations DJ - Brandon Padron

NYS Senator Jamaal T. Bailey

State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey represents New York’s 36th State Senate District, which covers the Bronx neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Williamsbridge, Co-op City, Wakefield and Baychester, and the Westchester city of Mount Vernon. Growing up in the Bronx, Jamaal attended P.S. 83 in Morris Park and M.S. 181 in Co-Op City, played Little League and spent Sundays with his extended family at

Butler Memorial United Methodist Church. He excelled at the Bronx High School of Science and went on to study at the University at Albany. He later earned a Juris Doctor from the Community and Economic Development clinic of CUNY Law. Jamaal is a dedicated family man who lives with his wife, Giamara, and their two young daughters in Baychester, where he continues to live out the advice of his family- that one can only get out of their community what they put into it.

NYS Assembly Member Amy Paulin

Assemblymember Amy Paulin has served the 88th New York State Assembly District (Scarsdale, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Pelham, Pelham Manor, and parts of New Rochelle and White Plains) since 2001. She chairs the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and serves on the Committees on Rules, Education, and Health.

NYS Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried

Richard N. Gottfried represents the 75th Assembly District in Manhattan, and is a leading State health policy-maker both in New York and in the nation. Highlights of his legislative work include the passage of: the Health Care Proxy Law; the Family Health Care Decision Act; the HIV Testing and Confidentiality Law; the Compassionate

Care Act authorizing the use of medical marijuana; and laws that promote stronger primary and preventive care and formation of accountable care organizations (ACOs). He also sponsors the N.Y. Health Act to create a universal publicly funded single- payer health coverage plan for New York State. Each year, he has fought to protect and increase funding for Medicaid, school health clinics, HIV/AIDS services, and other health concerns. NYS Senator Brad Hoylman

State Senator Brad Hoylman, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, represents New York’s 27th State Senate District which covers much of the heart of Manhattan including Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Columbus Circle, Times Square, the Upper West Side, the East Village, and Midtown East. Brad champions a wide range of issues

including affordable housing, transportation, public education, LGBTQ rights, the environment and seniors. He has passed over sixty bills in the Senate, including the Child Victims Act, the TRUST Act, and GENDA. Brad was the lead sponsor of legislation to legalize gestational surrogacy for LGBTQ people and individuals struggling with infertility. Brad graduated from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes scholar, and Harvard Law School. Before being elected to the Senate, he practiced law and was general counsel of the Partnership for New York City, the city’s leading business and civic organization. Brad and his husband David Sigal, a filmmaker, are the parents of two young daughters, Silvia and Lucy. The family are members of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the LGBTQ synagogue.

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Marilee Talkington

Marilee Talkington (she/they) is an award winning actor, artist, writer, director, creator, educator, consultant, disability advocate and activist. She has been acting for nearly 25 years on stage, television (Apple TV+, CBS, CW, NBC), film, commercial, voice-over and motion capture work. On screen, she recently starred alongside Jason Momoa in Apple TV+’s SEE, directed by Francis Lawrence (Hunger Games, Mocking Jay 1&2). This year, she will be appearing in EXTRAPOLATIONS, directed by Scott Z. Burns (Inconvenient Truth), also on Apple TV+. And you can currently hear Marilee’s voice throughout the Guggenheim Museum describing some of the world’s most influential art works. Marilee was one of the first legally blind women in the United States to earn an M.F.A. in Acting (American Conservatory Theater). Upon graduation, received the Carol Channing Trouper Award for Excellence and Dedication in the Craft. She has been advocating for herself for nearly 20 years as a legally blind performer and began advocating for the larger blind, low vision, and disabled community on the national level 15 years ago. In 2019 she founded Access Acting Academy, a 1st-of-its-kind actor training studio specifically for blind and low vision actors, for which she innovated a leading-edge pedagogical approach to actor training rooted in her Anti-Ableist and Non-Visually Biased teachings. For her acting and advocacy work, Marilee was awarded the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award in 2020. She is also a current member of the National SAG/AFTRA PWD (performers with disabilities) committee. Marilee also played competitive basketball in her youth and was a California State Regional All-Star. She was point-guard.

www.marileetalkington.com

Prism Society

Dr. Michael H. Heiberger

Dr. Richard J. Madonna

Dr. Siret Jaanus

Dr. Jerry Rapp

Dr. Edward R. Johnston

Dr. Jerome Sherman

Ms. Margaret Lewis

Dr. Libby Sukoff

President Dr. Richard Soden ’79 Vice President Mr. Thomas P. Farrell Treasurer Mr. Dennis P. Gehr Executive Director and Secretary Mrs. Dawn M. Rigney Immediate Past President Mr. Richard Feinbloom OPTOMETRIC CENTER OF NEW YORK Board of Trustees

Trustees

Ms. Marge Axelrad Dr. Mark Feder ’83 Dr. David A. Heath Dr. Ronald M. Millman Mr. William J. Moran

Dr. Christopher Quinn Mr. Adam J. Sheer Mr. Jerry Warner Mr. Harold Wilshinsky

Trustee Emeriti Mrs. Claudia C. Rouhana

Ms. Barbara Saltzman Ms. Beryl Snyder, Esq. Mr. Harold M. Spielman Alumni Representatives

Dr. Samar Awad ’92 Dr. Vito Proscia ’91

Student Representatives Mr. Ridwan Carim Sanni ’22 Ms. M.J. Bustamante ’23

Dear Friends & Supporters, While it has been quite the journey over the past two years, we are pleased to welcome you to the 50th Anniversary Celebration for SUNY College of Optometry and to recognize Dr. David Heath with the Eyes on Leadership Award. It is truly a milestone event as we commemorate the great achievements of the College, but also as we gather in person for the first time since 2020. Tonight’s celebration brings together two signature events, the Eyes on New York Award Celebration and the Student Eyeball. These have historically been held a week apart and at very different venues. As we looked to bring everyone together, the Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) was delighted to partner with the Student Council to organize a fantastic evening celebrating all things SUNY College of Optometry. The OCNY serves as the philanthropic foundation for the College securing resources to support its mission. Through the Eyes of New York event, the OCNY has raised funds to support patient care, research, and optometric education. This year, all proceeds will be used to support student scholarships and grants. Again, it is with the greatest pleasure we welcome you tonight and thank you for your ongoing support. Wishing you continued good health and gratitude,

Richard Soden, OD President Optometric Center of New York

Dawn Rigney, MPH Executive Director Optometric Center of New York

EYES ON NEW YORK HONOREES

2004 William F. Allyn, Chairman & CEO, Welch Allyn Ventures, LLC Claudio Del Vecchio, President & CEO, Retail Brand Alliance David A. Marco, President & CEO, Marco Ophthalmic, Inc. William C. Thomas, Executive VP & CEO, Vision Industry Council Ronald L. Zarrella, President & CEO, Bausch & Lomb 2005 R. Michael Daley, President, Essilor of America Cary Rayment, President & Chief Executive Officer, Alcon, Inc. Silhouette Optical Ltd. 2006 Naomi Kelman, President, Vistakon Americas C. Russell Trenary, III, Chief Marketing Officer & Corporate VP, Advanced Medical Optics Roger J. Valine, Chief Executive Officer, Vision Service Plan 2007 Marc Ferrara, President, Optical Group Worldwide Jobson Publishing Ed Greene, Chief Executive Officer, Vision Council of America 2008 Richard C. Elias, President, Transitions Optical Julian Gangolli, Corporate Vice President & President of North America Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, Inc. 2009 Richard Feinbloom, President, Designs for Vision, Inc. Joseph Santinelli, Chairman of the Board, Santinelli International 2010 Pfizer Ophthalmics Valerie Scott, Vice President Strategic Accounts, International Vision Expo Events 2011 Marge Axelrad, Senior Vice President and Editorial Director, Jobson Optical Group

Al Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Marchon Eyewear, Inc. Larry Roth, Executive Vice President, Marchon Eyewear, Inc.

2012 Dave Brown, President Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Harold Wilshinsky, Chief Executive Officer, KAP Planning, LTD 2013 John Carrier, President and CEO, Essilor of America, Inc. Jim Murphy, Vice President/General Manager, U.S, Vision Care Division Alcon Labs, Inc. 2014 Andrea Dorigo, Past President, Luxottica Wholesale, North America Edie Lutnick, Co-Founder and President, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund 2015 Angel Alvarez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ABB OPTICAL GROUP 2016

Brent L. Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and President, Allergan PLC Martin L. Bassett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Walman 2017 Bob Colucci, President of IDD, Essilor of America and Chairman, Essilor Vision Foundation Jerry Warner, President, Americas, CooperVision 2018

Kenneth Lombart, Co-Founder, Lombart Instrument Rick Lombart, Co-Founder, Lombart Instrument 2019 Regeneron

Dr. Susan Fromer, Fromer Eye Centers Dr. Mark Fromer, Fromer Eye Centers 2020

Eva Kosanovic, President, Keeler USA Jessica Darcy, Co-Founder, Funoogles Ella-Jane Darcy, Co-Founder, Funoogles 2021/2022 Dr. David A. Heath, President, SUNY College of Optometry

LOOKING BACK

OVER 50 YEARS

On behalf of Von Miller – the newest member of the Buffalo Bills – Von’s Vision would like to congratulate

the SUNY College of Optometry on achieving an incredible 50 years in the business.

We look forward to working with you to help give people the gift of sight!

Thank you, Dr. David Heath, for your thoughtful, visionary leadership.

As a member of the College’s foundation, it has been a privilege to see up close how you have defined and advanced the goals of the College of Optometry.

Congratulations, there could be no one more deserving as the 50 th anniversary honoree. t t t Dennis & Lesley Gehr

CONGRATULATIONS to SUNY Optometry President Dr. David Heath and Tonight’s Honorees

Tom Koehler, John Koehler, David J. Koehler & James Mascarella

Congratulations!

We are proud of all you have achieved and your career-long commitment to improving vision around the world. f Jeannine and Morgan

With the deepest thanks to all who support the OCNY yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is your vision and dedication that helped SUNY College of Optometry reach this milestone 50th Anniversary as a leader in the field. Congratulations to Dr. David Heath and the new members of the Prism Society!

Optometric Center of New York Board of Trustees

In recognition of your leadership, dedication, and 15 years of service to SUNY College of Optometry, we salute you, Dr. David Heath! Cheers to 50 more years of caring, leading, and advancing! Our greatest appreciation to the Prism Society members and government officials for helping us become the institution we are today.

SUNY College of Optometry President’s Council Gui Albieri David Bowers Guerda Fils Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez

Wendy Ravitz Dawn Rigney Richard Soden David Troilo Wendella Wegman

Congratulations David! Your visionary leadership over the past 15 years has truly brought SUNY College of Optometry to a new level. We are pleased to celebrate the College’s 50th Anniversary and the inaugural members of the Prism Society.

Here’s to our bright future!

The College Council David J. Dexter, OD David P. Dozack, OD Charles Gold, OD Michele Lagana, OD Frank J. Pirozzolo, OD James R. Ruhl, PhD

Paula Ulmer Shultz, OD Gretchen Stone (Chair) Lindsey Boody ‘23, Student Representative

Congratulations, Dr. David Heath!

Thank you to the Optometric Center of New York

for supporting SUNY College of Optometry in all of its endeavors for over 50 years!

Richard Soden, OD k

The Millman Family In conjunction with Millman Eye Associates, LLC

Congratulations to

SUNY Optometry President Dr. David Heath

and

Thank you to the Optometric Center of New York for your

support of Eye Care, Education, and Humanity

16 N Morris Street Dover, NJ 07801 P: (973) 366-1571 F: (973) 366-1576

Celebrating the Legacy of Barbara Saltzman A legendary smile. Renowned intelligence. Passion for life. Endless generosity and grace.

Your good deeds live on. You are greatly missed! Bill Moran

To Dr. Heath and the Prism Society members

Thank you for your leadership and years of dedication to SUNY College of Optometry!

Cheers to another 50 successful years! y

Alumni Association

Congratulations to Dr. David Heath, SUNY College of Optometry, and the OCNY! Nancy & Tom Farrell

Congratulations to Dr. David Heath and to the inaugural

Prism Society Members! We are proud to celebrate

SUNY College of Optometry’s 50 years of education, research and patient care with you. E e Dr. Mark Feder ’83 and Dr. Danielle Feder ’17

Congratulations David! It has been my privilege to serve the OCNY with you. Claudia Rouhana

CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS And to DR. HEATH ON A JOB WELL DONE

SCOTT, RICK, and KEN LOMBART

Thank you to our additional donors!

Acuity NYC Mitchell I. Horowitz, OD Neera Kapoor, OD, MS Magee Family Frank Pirozzolo, OD Wendy Ravitz Dawn Rigney Lenny Roos Steven H. Schwartz, OD, PhD

Alexander R. Suero Thomas Wong, OD

Happy 50th Anniversary SUNY-O! Diane T. Adamczyk, OD Professor SUNY, College of Optometry

If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. – Sir Isaac Newton

Claudia Rouhana

Thomas Farrell

Richard Feinbloom

Richard Soden

We salute the dedication and effort of all of the past presidents of the Optometric Center of New York. Tonight, we recognize those who have served as President and are still with us.

Many thanks to the 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee

Daniel A. & Susan Duke Biederman Christine Chang Marc Ferrara Millicent Knight OD, FAAP, FAARM Viola Kanevsky, OD

Neera Kapoor, OD, MS Carl Spear, OD, MBA Aravella Simotas Danne Ventura Michael Weinstein With special appreciation to the College’s 50th Anniversary Committee Nicole Totans & Jennifer Kelly Campbell Co-Chairs Constantinos Bacas ’22 Dr. Sherry Bass Dr. Anu Laul Dr. Richard Madonna

Dr. Ken Ciuffreda Parbatie Chitolie Jessilin Estevez

Dr. Quy Nguyen Dr. Jordan Pola Dr. Mort Soroka

THANK YOU! It is throughyour generosity thatwe are able to give scholarships and grants to bright students from all backgrounds, provide care to patients regardless of their financial resources, and advance research into our complex visual system. Your support truly has an impact! Wishing you strong vision and continued good health today and always!

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