OPT Visionary - Summer 2014

PAGE 18 Surbhi Bansal, O.D., who joined the college’s faculty in July 2013 as an instructor, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 2008, and her O.D. degree in 2012 from the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from NECO, she completed a residency at the Dr. Irwin B. Suchoff Residency Program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation at SUNY State College of Optometry, where she evaluated and treated patients with strabismus, amblyopia, visual skills deficits, visual perceptual deficits, and head trauma. In addi- tion, she provided supervision in the neurology clinic, pedi- atric and adult primary care clinic, children with special needs clinic, and pediatric ocular disease clinic. As a student and resident, Dr. Bansal won numerous awards such as the VSP Outstanding Student Clinician Schol- arship, the National Optometric Students Association Schol- arship, and the Dr. Martin H. Birnbaum Memorial Award. Additionally, she has presented several posters at the College of Optometrists in Vision Development Conference, SECO In- ternational, and NSU’s HPD Research Day. Dr. Bansal confessed that she always knew she wanted to pursue a career in health care, but was unsure of the field. After shadowing several health care professionals, she stum- bled upon optometry. “Optometry intrigued me,” she ex- plained. “Questions flooded through my mind, such as ‘What do optometrist’s do?’ ‘How do I become an optometrist?’ ‘What type of clinical setting can I work in after I graduate?’” After observing an optometrist from her hometown, she was drawn to the amount of time spent caring for each patient and the relationships established with entire families—from grand- parents to grandchildren. She questioned her mentors regard- ing work setting, residencies, and research opportunities in the field and admitted, “There was so much to know and so much to learn. The only logical thing to do was to apply to op- tometry school.” Dr. Bansal joined NSUCO in July 2013 as an instructor. Currently, she has about two years of experience and special- izes in pediatrics, binocular vision, and vision therapy. “The faculty members at NSUCO are known for their research en- deavors, pursuit of fellowships, and supporting the ideas of fellow faculty members,” she stated. “Also, their passion for teaching and love for optometry was translated to me during the interview process. As a recent graduate, I look for mentors and role models whose career paths and goals will continue to inspire and evolve me as a person and as an optometrist.” Being given the opportunity to build a head trauma clinic at NSUCO is something she identified as a highpoint in her ca- reer. In order to build this specialty clinic, she realizes she must educate the public about the visual consequences of post-traumatic brain injury and its management options. Leon Nehmad, O.D., M.S.W., FAAO, earned his O.D. degree from SUNY College of Optometry in June 1991 and completed his residency training in the Vet- erans Administration Hudson Valley Healthcare System in June 1998. For 15 years, Dr. Nehmad was an asso- ciate clinical professor at SUNY College of Optometry. Dr. Nehmad decided to become an optometrist be- cause he was fascinated with the visual system and wanted to be a part of a profession that extended a helping hand to society. Prior to optometry school, Dr. Nehmad worked with the visually impaired as a social worker for the New York Lighthouse. He has 23 years of optometric experience and specializes in clinical ed- ucation and glaucoma, particularly visual fields. Dr. Nehmad was a recipient of the SUNY Chancel- lor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the New York State Optometric Association Distinguished Achievement Award. He coauthored a book entitled Emergency Care in the Optometric Setting , published many articles, and presented seminars primarily in the areas of clinical education and glaucoma. Dr. Nehmad is a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, American Optometric Association, the Florida State Optometric Association, and is a Fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Optometry. Additionally, he recently became a Broward County Optometric Association trustee. Dr. Nehmad, who joined the college as an associate professor in July 2013, said he was desirous of working at NSUCO be- cause of its distinguished faculty members. “I’m very impressed with their accomplishments, the positive work environment, and the warmth I’ve received” he said. Dr. Nehmad defines his greatest career rewards as helping improve people’s vision and his interactions with the students and his colleagues. His biggest chal- lenge has been accepting that learning can only pro- ceed so far, so fast. Surbhi Bansal, O.D. Leon Nehmad, O.D., M.S.W., FAAO SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY MEMBERS Faculty 411