Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez.

NEW YORK—Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez will assume the role of vice president for clinical administration and executive director of the University Eye Center (UEC), the clinical facility of SUNY College of Optometry, according to an announcement made by David A. Heath, OD, president.

Martinez-Gonzalez’s appointment follows a national search which began last fall when Heath announced that Richard Soden, OD, the current executive director of the UEC, would move into the newly created position of director of health care development, as VMail reported last September.

Martinez-Gonzalez, who has served as the UEC’s chief operations officer since 2006, has more than 25 years of experience in health care management. In addition to her role as COO, Martinez-Gonzalez has served as associate director for clinical administration (1992 – 2006) and as assistant director for clinical administration (1990 – 1992) at the UEC.

Before joining the College, Martinez-Gonzalez worked for the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation, the organization that operates the public hospitals and clinics in New York City, at the Morrisania Neighborhood Family Care Center in the Bronx. She received her MS in Public Health in 1987 from the University of Massachusetts and her BA from Mount Holyoke College in 1984.

“Liduvina has tremendous experience and insight,” Dr. Heath said. “With her in this role I am confident that the University Eye Center will be in excellent hands as we move forward.”

The next four months will serve as a transition period between Dr. Soden and Martinez-Gonzalez who intends to initiate broad dialogue and engagement among faculty and staff. “I have great affinity for the University Eye Center and SUNY Optometry,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the UEC and I’m looking forward to engaging our entire community as we move the clinic forward.”

With Martinez-Gonzalez assuming this new role, Heath also announced the start of a national search for the position of chief medical officer.