Annual Residents’ Farewell Ceremony Honors Class of 2025 & a Half Century of Clinical Training Excellence
New York, NY — The State University of New York College of Optometry yesterday hosted its 50th annual Residents’ Farewell Ceremony, marking an historic milestone in optometric education. The ceremony celebrated both the achievements of the 34 members of the Residency Class of 2025 and the enduring impact of the nation’s first formal full-year optometric residency program.
“Fifty years of comprehensive residency training at SUNY have demonstrated the importance of optometry residencies in transforming career paths and changing the profession.” said Dr. David Troilo, PhD, President of SUNY College of Optometry. “Many of our residents have become leaders in patient care, research, and optometric education, and this year’s residents are now among the best prepared to serve their patients and move the profession forward.”
This year’s ceremony introduced a special tribute in place of the traditional Alum of the Year Award: rather than recognizing a single recipient, past honorees were invited to contribute video messages, which were compiled and shown during the event. The video paid tribute to the legacy and continued contributions of SUNY Optometry residency alumni across the decades. The video of the event, including the tribute, can be seen here.
“Today is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the College’s pioneering legacy. In 1975, we began with just four residents and a shared vision for what advanced training could offer the profession,” said Dr. Diane T. Adamczyk, Director of Residency Education and host for the event. “Fifty years later, we’re celebrating not just growth in numbers, but the lasting excellence, leadership, and service that our residency graduates bring to communities across the world.”
Dr. Sherry Bass, board member of the SUNY Optometry Alumni Association, formally welcomed the residents into the alumni community, emphasizing the enduring strength and support of the network they now join.
Following the video presentations, the 34 residents were individually awarded Certificates of Advanced Clinical Competency by Dr. Adamczyk and President Troilo.
Since its founding, more than 1,130 residents have completed advanced clinical training through SUNY Optometry or its affiliated programs. With 21 affiliated residency training sites and specializations across Cornea and Contact Lenses, Pediatric Optometry, Vision Rehabilitation, Ocular Disease, and more, SUNY Optometry continues to serve as a national model for postgraduate education in vision care.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2025
Media Contact: Dawn Rigney
communications@sunyopt.edu 212-938-5600
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.