Young Advocate Committee

The New York State Optometric Association is proud to have a geographically diverse and active Young Advocates Program to help any recent graduate of optometry school living or moving to the state of New York in connecting with other optometrists in their communities. This program is designed to reach and engage the newest members of our profession and future generations of leaders, including students and residents. One of the most important aspects of this campaign is peer-to-peer personal outreach.

The NYSOA’s Young Advocate Committee is co-chaired by Drs. Victoria Hansen (Upstate Eastern Region), Alyssa Fortuna (Upstate Western Region) and Deborah Wang (NYC/LI Region).

We invite you to get to know the members of the Young Advocate Committee and help us make connections between these up-and-coming leaders and the young optometrists in your own community. Please check out our Events page to view the Committee's upcoming social events. You can also visit aoa.org/united to access our national resources when you become a member with your local society and NYSOA.

NYSOA Young Advocates

Upstate Western Region (Central, Rochester, Southern Tier, Western, South Central)

Name: Alyssa Fortuna, OD
Local Society: WNYSOA
Graduation Year: 2020
School: SUNY College of Optometry
City where you work: Buffalo, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: Beaches and the Buffalo waterfront
Hobbies: Walking my dog, working out, spending time with friends
Words to live by: One step at a time is all it takes to get you there - Emily Dickinson
Contact: [email protected]

Name: Joshua Rogers, OD, FAAO
Local Society: WNYSOA 
Graduation Year: 2016
School: Illinois College of Optometry
City where you work: Buffalo, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: Finger Lakes area
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and daughters, house remodeling, and working out.
Words to live by: "What's coming will come, and we'll meet it when it does
Contact: [email protected] 

Upstate Eastern Region (WRPOS, Hudson Valley, Eastern, Mohawk Valley, Northern)

Name:  Victoria Hansen, OD
Local Society: Hudson Valley Optometric Society
Graduation Year: 2016
School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
Residency: Ocular Disease/Primary Care at VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System
City where you work: Hudson
Favorite place to unwind in NY: any quiet waterfront
Hobbies: Spending time with loved ones, traveling, traveling, exercising.
Words to live by:  Live each day like it’s your last.
Contact: [email protected]

Name: Brandon Harnos
Local Society: Hudson Valley
Graduation Year: 2019
School: SUNY College of Optometry
City where you work: New Paltz
Favorite place to unwind in NY: Lake Minnewaska
Hobbies: Running, playing the trumpet, traveling
Words to live by: The road to success is always under construction
Contact: [email protected]

Name: Deborah Wang, OD
Local Society: OSCONY
Graduation Year: 2020
School: SUNY College of Optometry
City where you work: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: At home :)
Hobbies: Eating and watching TV
Contact: [email protected]

 

 Name: Nithya Vemula, OD
Local Society: OSCONY
Graduation Year: 2024
School: Southern College of Optometry
City where you work: Bronx, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: High Line or any walkable green space
Words to Live By: "If you can change your mind, you can change your life" - William James 
Contact: [email protected]

 

Name: Timothy Yuan, OD

Local Society: OSCONY/Nassau 
Graduation Year: 2022
School: SUNY Optometry
City where you work: Flushing, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: The Piers
Hobbies: Singing/Piano and Fitness
Words to live by: "Live life to the fullest, make a difference along the way"

Contact: [email protected]

 

Name: Alice Mungyu, OD

Local Society: OSCONY/Nassau 
Graduation Year: 2025
School: PCO
City where you work: Queens, NY
Favorite place to unwind in NY: Any dessert spot in NYC
Hobbies: Gardening, exploring local cuisines, taking in stray cats 
Words to live by: "Focus on what you can control"
Contact: [email protected]

 

Name: Nouralison Abdella, OD

Local Society: OSCONY/Nassau 
Graduation Year: 2024
School: SUNY College of Optometry
Residency: Pediatric Optometry at SUNY College of Optometry
City Where You Work: NYC
Favorite Place to Unwind in NY: Hudson River Park
Hobbies: Spending time with loved ones, traveling, yoga
Words to Live By: "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." - Maya Angelou

 

Name: Yixing He, OD

Local Society: Nassau 
Graduation Year: 2013
School: New England College of Optometry
City Where You Work: Flushing and Mineola
Favorite Place: Bear Mountain
Hobbies: Most outdoor activites
Words to Live By: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Contact:[email protected]