NEW YORK — SUNY College of Optometry has expanded its Barbara Saltzman Center for Pediatric Eye Care.
The $3 million-plus facility covers 5,000 square feet and can now accommodate 10,000 visits per year, according to a press release announcing the recent dedication ceremony. It’s named for the late Barbara Saltzman, former president of the Optometric Center of New York Board of Trustees.
“Barbara was a generous and passionate advocate for eye and vision care including the work we do in the University Eye Center,” said SUNY College of Optometry President Dr. David A. Heath. “The newly expanded Center for Pediatric Eye Care is an embodiment of her dedication to enhancing the patient experience. Through generous donations and the support of legislators like Senator Brad Hoylman, we’ll be able to ensure every family who visits continues to be met with unparalleled care and support.”
In 2016, SUNY College of Optometry received a $1.5 million grant from the State of New York to expand its pediatric clinical care facilities in its University Eye Center. An additional $100,000 grant was realized through the support of New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman with several other donors providing support through the Our Vision for Children campaign. Funds raised were used to purchase equipment, diagnostic technology, and furnishings.
Donors who helped bring the Pediatric Eye Care Center to life include:
- Barbara Saltzman, former Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) Board of Trustees President
- The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, leading private international philanthropic foundation
- Goldman-Cohen Family, recognizing the late Dr. Sandra Cohen
- CooperVision, global leader in contact lenses and myopia management
- Richard Feinbloom, owner of Designs for Vision and member of the OCNY Board of Trustees
- Allene Reuss Memorial Trust, a private foundation focused on aiding, preventing, and curing vision problems
“The Barbara Saltzman Center for Pediatric Eye Care will provide innovative and much-needed vision care to children and families in our community. I am proud to have been able to allocate funding to help complete the center and am honored to welcome it to my district,” said Hoylman. “The University Eye Center has played an invaluable role in our community by giving all New Yorkers access to vision care. Their support for important research at the SUNY College of Optometry, along with extensive neighborhood programming and outreach, have made the University Eye Center the remarkable institution of community eye care that it is today.”
SUNY Optometry will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 14.