(Press Release) Dr. David Heath, President of the State University of New York College of Optometry, has been elected President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.
ASCO is comprised of the 21 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Dr. Heath previously served as President of ASCO during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Dr. Heath has been involved in optometric education since 1984 and has been a member of ASCO’s Board of Directors since 2007. He is also active with the American Optometric Association and the New York State Optometric Association.
“The coming year at ASCO will be one of transition and opportunity as our new executive director, Ms. Dawn Mancuso, begins her tenure and as we initiate a comprehensive strategic planning process,” President Heath says.
“This is an important time as we enter ASCO’s 75th year as an association. As a community, we will embrace this transition as an opportunity to increase the impact of ASCO and to advance optometric education.”
ASCO’s Board of Directors also elected its Executive Committee during its Annual Meeting in Seattle. Elected are: President-Elect, Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dean and Professor, Ohio State University, College of Optometry; Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth Hoppe OD, MPH, DrPH, Founding Dean, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry; At-Large Member, David A. Damari, OD, Dean, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University; and Immediate Past-President, Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, Dean, Pacific University, College of Optometry.
Dr. Heath begins his term as president on July 1, 2015.