SUNY Board Names Dr. David Heath President of the College of Optometry

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name Dr. David Heath as the permanent president of the SUNY College of Optometry.

SUNY Chancellor John R. Ryan said, “We are very pleased to have Dr. David Heath leading the College of Optometry and we welcome and congratulate him on becoming its president.  The College of Optometry Search Committee and the College Council’s outstanding performance in searching the nation and bringing us Dr. David Heath are most commendable.  We now look forward to President Heath leading the faculty, students and staff of the College to even greater national prominence, academic accomplishment and research excellence.”

Board Chairman Thomas F. Egan said, “Congratulations go to Dr. David Heath on becoming the president of the State University of New York College of Optometry.  During more than twenty years in New England, David Heath demonstrated his ability in the academic field of optometry, as an educator and as an outstanding administrator.  David Heath is another example of the ability of the State University to attract top academic and administrative talent from across the country.”

Dr. Heath said, "I am very grateful to the Board of Trustees for appointing me, and I want to thank Chancellor Ryan and the College of Optometry Search Committee and College Council for all their support. Leading the students, faculty and staff of the College represents the highest professional privilege and honor. I look forward to beginning our work together.”

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 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.