NEW YORK—There were several honorees at this year’s 16th annual Eyes on New York awards gala celebration. This year marked a return of the event to the Cipriani venue, where honorees, colleagues and friends, including SUNY staff, professors and students as well as other supporters gathered to support patient care, scholarships and research at the college.

The Innovator Award was presented to Regeneron, a leading biotechnology company, which invents medications, improves the drug development process and tackles research initiatives, including those at their Regeneron Genetics Center, one of the world’s leading genomics efforts. Recognized with the 2019 Eyes on Leadership award were Drs. Susan and Mark Fromer of New York-based Fromer Eye Centers.

Also among the evening’s honorees was Dr. Julia Appel as 2019 Alumni of Year. Appel served on the SUNY Optometry faculty since 1992 and is an associate clinical professor. She is the clinical education coordinator for third-year interns. She previously worked in private practice for 17 years and as director of the optometry service at the Spellman Center for HIV-Related Disease for 12 years. She was an integral member of the College’s alumni association board for two decades and championed its first capital campaign, and helped establish the Pacesetter Award.