SUNY College of Optometry honored 92 graduates at its 52nd Commencement.
NEW YORK—The State University of New York College of Optometry held its 52nd commencement on May 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, where 92 graduates earned OD and MS degrees. The ceremony began with the college’s official mace being carried by faculty presiding officer Dr. Jennifer Hue. During his remarks to the graduates, David Troilo, Ph.D., president of SUNY Optometry, said, “I call on each of you to lend your voice and your leadership to advocate for the profession of optometry, and for the research that transforms eyecare and improves systemic health. Be resolute in your commitment to the highest standards of care. And carry forward the work of translating innovation into better outcomes for patients’ eyecare and overall health.”
The keynote address was given by David C. Rhew, MD, global chief medical officer and vice president of health and life sciences at Microsoft. In his address, Dr. Rhew spoke of the impact of AI on the optometry profession, observing, “Every generation experiences a moment when the rules begin to change. And for your generation, that moment is AI. This transition is going to impact healthcare-–including eyecare—in a very big way.”
To prepare graduates for this new paradigm Dr. Rhew urged them to embrace the change by understanding AI conceptually and learning about new fields; incorporating AI into their work to augment their care; and proactively engaging in shaping how optometry uses AI to “deliver better care, to more people, than ever before.”
David C. Rhew, MD, global chief medical officer and vice president of health and life sciences at Microsoft, delivered the keynote address to SUNY Optometry graduates.
The audience also heard from class president Nicholas Premnauth who offered reflections on the class’s time at SUNY Optometry and the journey ahead.
“We’re stepping into a world with real responsibility, real patients, and real lives that will trust us with their care,” Premnauth said. “But if these past few years have taught us anything, it’s that we’re capable of more than we think.”
SUNY Optometry also presented Dr. Jerome Sherman, with the SUNY distinguished teaching professor, and David Bowers, vice president for administration and finance, was honored with the presidential medallion in recognition of their contributions to the college and the broader field of eyecare and health.
Additionally, SUNY Optometry conferred honorary degrees upon two distinguished leaders in healthcare and science. Dr. John G. Flanagan, former dean of the Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California Berkeley, received the doctor of science, honoris causa, degree in recognition of his groundbreaking scholarship in glaucoma and commitment to leadership in optometry. James Winans, president and CEO of The Bowery Mission, received the doctor of humane letters, honoris causa in recognition of his commitment to advancing evidence-based care to help transform the lives of people and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Among the college’s newest alumni are 91 graduates who received their doctor of optometry degree—four of whom also earned a master’s degree; a resident who earned a master’s degree; and 18 who earned micro-credential certificates in areas of advanced concentration and inaugural Area Health Educational Center Scholars. Thirty-three members of the class were recognized with awards for academic achievement, research and service.
Click here to view the commencement ceremony.
