Chancellor Ryan Recommends Dr. David Heath to be President of the College of Optometry

Albany - State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan today announced that he will recommend to the SUNY Board of Trustees that Dr. David Heath be the permanent president of the SUNY College of Optometry.

Chancellor Ryan said, "Dr. David Heath's innovative approach and strategic focus to management, his rigorous training and education, as well as his demonstrated success as an academic leader make him the ideal choice to be the president of the College of Optometry."

The chancellor also praised the work of the College of Optometry Council and the search committee for the national scope of their efforts and the excellent result of the process.  Heath was the unanimous choice of the search committee and the College Council.

College of Optometry Council Chair and Search Committee Chair Gretchen Stone said, "We are very pleased Chancellor Ryan has forwarded Dr. David Heath to the Board of Trustees.  David Heath possesses all the excellent leadership and academic qualities the committee looked for in our national search."

Heath said, "I am honored by the confidence Chancellor Ryan, the SUNY Optometry College Council and the search committee have shown in me.  It would be a great privilege to lead the students, faculty and staff of the College of Optometry, and I look forward to meeting with the SUNY Board of Trustees."

Heath has served as the vice president and dean of Academic Affairs at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, from 1994 until the end of 2006.  He currently is serving the College as special advisor to the president on transition planning.

As chief academic officer and member of the senior management team for the past twelve years, Heath was responsible for the academic mission and leadership of the New England College of Optometry.  Among other areas, Heath was responsible for academic program oversight, which includes professional and graduate degree programs, residencies, research and international programs.

Additional responsibilities included strategic planning, assessment, institutional and specialized accreditation, faculty, student services (admissions, enrollment management, academic support services, counseling and registrar), an extended network of clinical education affiliates and library services.

Heath has earned the following degrees:

1992: Masters in Education. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.

Concentration: Administration, Planning & Social Policy

1984: Postgraduate Fellowship: New England College Of Optometry

1983: Doctor of Optometry: New England College Of Optometry

1976: B.A. Psychology: Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.

The SUNY Board of Trustees will take up Chancellor Ryan's recommendation at its next regular meeting on Tuesday March 20, 2007.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 417,500 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses.