Thank you to all that attended the 2021 IVC!

The Innovation Vision Conference of NY was held in Corning, NY on September 23-26, 2021 at the Radisson Hotel. NYSOA offered 14 hours of COPE-approved CE, the conference included an Exhibit Hall, our annual Awards Banquet, and other social events and activities which ensure a healthy balance of work and play throughout the weekend!

Event Schedule

Meet the Speakers

EVENT SCHEDULE

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TRAVEL INFORMATION

CONFERENCE VENUE

Radisson® Hotel Corning
P: +1 (607) 962-5000
radisson.com/corningny
125 Denison Pkwy East, Corning NY 14830, US

Reservations Information
Conference attendees may take advantage of our special group rate of $135.00/night plus tax for overnight accommodations at the Radisson.

• For booking by phone: call 607-962-5000 and request the New York State Optometric Association group room block
• For booking online: click here and adjust your dates at the top of the page if needed.
• You can also visit www.radisson.com/corning and enter the promotional code NYSOA when checking availability.

Rate
$135.00 plus tax

Please book by September 1, 2021 to ensure availability in the NYSOA room block.

GETTING TO CORNING, NY

FREE Transportation:

NYSOA has secured a bus that will be departing SUNY College of Optometry at 7pm on Thursday, September 23rd as the conference does not kick off until 8am on Friday, September 24th. This bus will leave the hotel at 2pm (following the conclusion of the conference) on Sunday, September 26th to return to SUNY College of Optometry around 7pm. To secure a seat on this bus please email [email protected] seats will be reserved on a first come first serve basis as space is limited. 

By Car
Get driving directions to 125 Denison Parkway E, Corning, New York 14830-2786.

By Bus
ShortLine offers bus service to Corning, NY, from New York City. For information, visit coachusa.com/bus-schedules or call +1 (800) 631-8405.

Please note: There is currently no passenger rail service to Corning, NY.

ABOUT CORNING, NY

Known as America's Crystal City, Corning has long been at the forefront of all things glass, from innovative technology and science (think light bulbs for Thomas Edison, and modern wonders like fiber optics and Gorilla Glass) to the remarkable creations found at The Corning Museum of Glass, the world's largest museum of glass art and artifacts. But artisan glass is just one of the reasons Corning is so fun. 

Spend a little time on Corning’s Historic Market Street and you’ll soon understand why it was named “one of the Top 10 Great Streets of the Year” by the American Planning Association, and why Travel & Leisure named Centerway Square one of “America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares.” 

That beauty is only part of the appeal, though. Corning’s Gaffer District—named after a gaffer or master glassblower—is home to over 100 boutique shops, art galleries, studios, as well as craft beverage producers, restaurants serving fabulous food, and two world-class museums. With events like GlassFest each May—which was called one of the “Top 100 events in North America” by the American Bus Association—spring and summer bring an energy and excitement to this charming small town that’s difficult to match.
(Steuben County CVB, www.corningfingerlakes.com)

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Matthew Bovenzi, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Dr. Bovenzi, a native of Rochester, NY, is currently the Assistant Chief of Primary Care of the University Eye Center (UEC) and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the SUNY College of Optometry in New York City, where he is a clinical instructor in both glaucoma and primary care clinics and teaches in various courses at the College. A 2014 graduate of SUNY, he completed a residency in ocular disease & family practice optometry at the East NY Diagnostic & Treatment Center and was nationally recognized as the 2015 recipient of the American Optometric Foundation's Douglas W. Hopkins Primary Care Residency award. Prior to optometry school, he served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy after receiving bachelor's degrees in both biological sciences and music from Cornell University, where he attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship.

A seasoned lecturer, Dr. Bovenzi is frequently called upon for continuing education and instruction on local, national, and international levels. In 2016, he taught anterior segment ocular disease in South Africa as part of an ocular therapeutics certification program for scope expansion for South African optometrists.

Dr. Bovenzi has a history of optometric leadership and service; he regularly serves as an attending on annual medical mission trips abroad through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), he serves on the data collection committee for VOSH-International, and he has created a novel, searchable database program to streamline cataloging and dispensing of donated eyeglasses for mission trips. He is a fellow and active member of the American Academy of Optometry as well as the American and New York State Optometric Associations (AOA and NYSOA), and he is board certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO).

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Michael DePaolis, OD, FAAO

Michael DePaolis, is among the most experienced and well-respected optometrists in the United States. As a member of the Flaum Eye Institute he examines and treats patients for a variety of vision conditions such as refractive error, glaucoma, ocular surface irregularities, contact lens complications, and more. He also co-manages cataract and refractive surgery and refers a variety of diseases and conditions requiring surgical intervention or advanced medical treatment to his colleagues at the Flaum Eye Institute.

Dr. DePaolis is a graduate of St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He has practiced in the Rochester community since 1987 and also serves as adjunct faculty at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and provides optometric internship guidance to students of the State University of New York School of Optometry.

A Fellow in the Academy of Optometry and the Editor of Primary Care Optometry News, Dr. DePaolis frequently serves as a clinical investigator in the disciplines of contact lenses and anterior segment care. The author of over 100 articles, papers and textbook chapters, he has lectured at over 400 eye care meetings worldwide.

Dr. DePaolis is the 2007 recipient of the American Optometric Association Contact Lens and Cornea Section Luminary Award for Distinguished Practice and the 2010 New York State Optometric Association's Distinguished Achievement Award.

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Aaron Goffinet, OD

Dr. Aaron Goffinet began his career as an Optometrist in 1997 After working two years in a private MD/OD practice in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Goffinet spent 6 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry and over 11 years after that for Carl Zeiss Vision. He moved to Essilor of America, Inc., in June 2016 where he has served in various training and management roles.  He currently serves as a Professional Development Director.

Dr. Goffinet has been has been a CE speaker for over 15 years.

Dr. Goffinet is a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry.

He enjoys living in his new home of St. Petersburg, Florida after living 11 years in Columbus, Ohio. His passions include: travel which includes his workings with Lions In Sight on vision mission trips, reading, the beach (Reason for moving) and trying our new and interesting restaurants.

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Joy Harewood, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Joy Harewood, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Optometry and completed a residency in ocular disease at the SUNY College of Optometry. She has achieved Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry and is a Diplomate in the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Harewood has extensive experience in hospital-based eye care and the first was the first fulltime optometrist performing inpatient consults at Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital campus. This is a position she held for 6 years. Dr. Harewood then worked as a faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology at BronxCare Health System. There, she taught optometry and ophthalmology residents in a clinical and didactic setting, and provided direct patient care. She currently serves on the UC Berkeley Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). She was named the inaugural Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at SUNY College of Optometry in 2020, along with being appointed as an Associate Clinical Professor. She is a leading voice in the push to increase diversity in the optometric field.

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Ryan McKinnis, OD, FAAO

Dr. Ryan McKinnis is an optometrist at the Cleveland Eye Clinic in Brecksville, OH. He has extensive experience with complex ocular disease and fitting a wide variety of specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses. Dr. McKinnis manages complex pre- and post-operative surgical care ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, and also provides refractive management of patients following CXL, Intacs, and traditional refractive procedures.

Dr. McKinnis is a graduate of Grove City College and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. He completed a residency in Ocular Disease with the Ohio Eye Alliance. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Society, and a member of the American Optometric Association and Ohio Optometric Association. Dr. McKinnis is also a past recipient of the Marchon Practice Management Award of Excellence and the Vistakon Award of Excellence. 

In his spare time, Dr. McKinnis can usually be found watching various sporting events, especially those involving his beloved Pittsburgh-area teams. He especially enjoys spending time with his wife, Heather, and his two young children. Dr. McKinnis and his family are also active in their local church.

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Leslie O'Dell, OD, FAAO

Dr. O’Dell focuses on the management of ocular disease including glaucoma, dry eye, and diabetic eye disease as the Clinical Director of Medical Optometry America in York, PA. Dr. O’Dell graduated from Salus College of Optometry in 2003 and completed a residency at the Baltimore VA Hospital.

She is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, Tear Film, and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), AOA, and Central PA Optometric Society.

Most recently, Dr. O’Dell has been selected to participate in the TFOS Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWSII) initiative and is one of six TFOS Global Ambassadors for the United States.

She has published many articles both nationally and internationally and lectures on topics including glaucoma, advancements in dry eye disease, diabetic eye disease, and the management of surgical patients.

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Carlo Pelino, OD, FAAO

Dr. Pelino received a Bachelor of Science degree from Gannon University in 1990.  He entered the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1990 and received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1994.  After graduating from PCO,  Dr. Pelino did post-graduate residency training at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia.  His residency training had an emphasis in ocular disease.

Following residency training, Dr. Pelino joined the clinical faculty at The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where he holds the rank of  Assistant Professor.  In 2005 Dr. Pelino did a clinical fellowship with Dr. Stephen Sinclair, a highly regarded Vitreo-Retinal Specialist in Delaware County.  Dr. Pelino’s fellowship training had and emphasis on medical and surgical management of vitreo-retinal diseases.  In addition to caring for patients in the adult primary care service of The Eye Institute, Dr. Pelino also has a referral retinal practice.

Dr. Pelino is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Optometric Retina Society. He lectures extensively in his areas of interest (e.g. internal and external ocular diseases) in both domestic and international programs.

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Richard Soden, OD, FAAO

Richard M. Soden, O.D., F.A.A.O. is a Clinical Professor and currently the Director of Health Care Development at SUNY College of Optometry. Previously, he served as  Vice President for Clinical Affairs at SUNY Optometry for 10 years. Dr. Soden graduated from SUNY College of Optometry in 1979. After graduation, he completed a residency program at the Northport VA Medical Center on Long Island. Dr. Soden remained at Northport VA for 26 years as the Associate Chief of Optometry Service. Dr. Soden was also a member of a large optometric practice in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. In addition to primary care optometry, his special interests are in pediatrics, children with special needs and low vision rehabilitation for children and adults. He is recognized as a low vision specialist and has worked with the Commission for the Blind for his entire optometric career. After leaving the VA and private practice, Dr. Soden returned to SUNY College of Optometry as Vice President for Clinical Affairs.

Dr. Soden also serves as third party consultant for the New York State Optometric Association and has lectured extensively in third party reimbursement and practice management. He is currently a member of the AOA’s Coding Committee and prior to this, was a member of the Third Party Committee.

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George Veliky, OD

Dr. Veliky graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 1999.  He then completed a one-year residency at Omni Eye Services (NJ) specializing in ocular disease treatment & management.  He remained on staff as a full time attending OD and in 2005, Dr. Veliky was appointed Center Director of the Iselin office, a position he still holds today.

Dr. Veliky is a member of the American Optometric Association & New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians.  As both a teacher of 4th year externs and the residency supervisor for Omni, he holds the position of adjunct faculty for numerous schools and colleges of optometry. Dr. Veliky is also a lifetime member of the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanities.

Dr. Veliky is a past-president of NJSOP and remains involved with the association as the current chair of the Clinical Care Committee.  He also chairs the Industry Relations Committee, NJSOP’s largest source of non-dues revenue.  In 2017, he was asked to be part of AOA’s CE Subcommittee, tasked with selecting the continuing education courses for Optometry’s Meeting.  In 2018, AOA shifted gears and launched the Continuing Education Committee and he currently co-chairs that group along with Brad Lane of West Virginia.

Dr. Veliky was the recipient of NJSOP’s Young Optometrist of the Year award in ’08 and Optometrist of the Year award in ’13.  Most recently he was awarded the Paul Berman Distinguished Service award in 2018.

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