Partnerships and a commitment to patient care are fueling an exciting new educational opportunity for future optometrists in Upstate New York.
With a focus on addressing eye care workforce needs and access to care in the region, SUNY College of Optometry and SUNY Upstate Medical University are joining forces to establish a Doctor of Optometry program in Syracuse, NY. The SUNY Optometry Upstate program, slated to launch in the fall of 2027, will be located on the SUNY Upstate Medical University campus.
“One of our primary responsibilities at the college is to serve patients and ensure their eye and vision care into the future,” said Dr. David Troilo, President of the SUNY College of Optometry. “Upstate New York, and the Central New York region in particular, face significant eye care challenges and are critically underserved when it comes to optometric care.”
“And it’s not just that we’ll be providing care alongside our partners at Upstate’s Department of Ophthalmology, Syracuse Community Health, and CooperVision, but we’ll also be training the next generation of world-class optometrists in Central New York so that quality eye care can be provided in the region for years to come,” Dr. Troilo continued.
In partnering with Upstate, students will be exposed to some of the nation's leading researchers in eye diseases, added Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of Upstate Medical University. A recent national ranking of NIH funding shows the Center for Vision Research as one of the top 30 most prolific vision research enterprises, Dr. Dewan noted.
“We are delighted to bring the world-class expertise of SUNY Optometry to Central New York and to enrich Upstate’s internationally recognized Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Vision Research,” Dr. Dewan said.
“Just like most health professions, ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals are in great demand,” Dr. Dewan explained. “By serving as their extension campus, we will increase the number of eye care professionals available to serve our communities. This partnership with SUNY Optometry strengthens Upstate Medical University’s connections with SUNY schools across the state as we work together to increase the opportunities for individuals to gain training and education in these vital health care fields.”
Seamless, Immersive Learning Between the Two SUNY Campuses
“Despite the physical distance between the two campuses, the extension program and SUNY’s New York City campus represent a unified, single optometry program,” said Dr. Sarah Gleason, Director of the SUNY Optometry Upstate program. “We are still very much one optometry program.”
Lectures led by the same professor will be held simultaneously between the two campuses using technology to provide an immersive, integrated learning experience. Known as a hyflex classroom, students will attend in person on their respective campuses though the professor will teach from only one classroom. For lectures originating on the New York City campus, a facilitator will be present in the Syracuse classroom to provide students extra support as needed. Additionally, the small class size will provide students the opportunity for increased, one-on-one engagement with Syracuse-based instructors during clinic and in-class learning, Dr. Gleason explained.
While the primary mission of the new campus is to increase access to healthcare for area residents, Dr. Gleason also cited other benefits.
“We’re really excited about the collaboration between two state universities, in addition to the collaboration between an optometry school and a medical school, and an optometry school and an ophthalmology department, as well as working directly with a community health center,” Dr. Gleason said. “There are numerous interprofessional opportunities that will be embedded in the foundation of the curriculum.”
Strength of Partnership Complete with Support of CooperVision and Regional ODs
The new extension program also represents an extensive partnership, complete with the support of industry and eye care professionals who live and work in the region.
“We are proud to be part of the Rochester and Western New York communities,” said Jerry Warner, President, CooperVision. “As neighbors, we are pleased to support SUNY in this exciting venture, in addition to our eye care professional partners in the region and the many students who will be earning their Doctor of Optometry degrees on this new campus.”
“Public health data has shown a growing need for more eyecare professionals throughout Upstate New York that needs to be met by optometry,” added Dr. Benjamin Smith, Central New York Optometric Society President.
“This new program from SUNY offers an innovative, groundbreaking solution right here in Central New York to address this demand at the source,” Dr. Smith continued. “CooperVision has recognized the importance of this from the beginning and has shown continued support for these future ODs, as well as the optometric community already working in these areas."
Learn More
Find out more about SUNY College of Optometry’s Doctor of Optometry program and campus experiences in New York City and Upstate. You can also discover CooperVision’s many programs that support optometry school students.
