Diplomate Spotlight – Joy Harewood, OD

On March 1, 2021, The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry appointed Dr. Joy Harewood as the College’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. In this new role, Dr. Harewood will provide key leadership as an associate clinical professor, advancing and improving diversity and inclusion initiatives to focus on disparities and inequities in optometric education and patient care.

A 2012 graduate of UC Berkeley School of Optometry, Dr. Harewood completed a residency in ocular disease and has spent the majority of her career working in hospital-based care in medically underserved communities in New York City. She currently practices as a staff optometrist at Staten Island University Hospital-Northwell Health where she serves patients from all walks of life and was twice recognized with a Service Excellence Award for outstanding patient care.

Pursuing board certification provided Dr. Harewood with a great way to brush up on knowledge and literature that she had not had to engage with on a regular basis and forced her to review material that is foundational for optometric practice.

“Being board certified provides the external motivation for me to hold myself to a higher standard in my clinical thinking and knowledge base,” Dr. Harewood stated. “I also believe that board certification further solidifies our role as primary eye care providers in a variety of settings. Since I come from a hospital-care based background, the question of being board certified is already on credentialing forms. By being able to check that box, I hope it further legitimizes the role of an optometrist in hospital-based practices among other patient care environments.”

Dr. Harewood is a published author and speaker, a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the National Optometric Association and sits on the UC Berkeley School of Optometry Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

An avid runner, gym goer and health food fan, Dr. Harewood can often be found on her Peloton, practicing hot yoga or trying out new restaurants serving plant-based foods. She is an animal lover and travel enthusiast and gives back to the profession as an advocate for inclusive excellence.

We congratulate Dr. Harewood on her new role at SUNY, recognize her passion for providing high quality care to the patients she serves and thank her for her support of board certification.