Employee Focus on David Damari
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: David A. Damari, OD, FOVDR, FAAO
Current Title: Clinical Professor
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio; Canadian Lakes, Michigan; Germantown, Tennessee; Fairport, New York [near Rochester]; Port Washington, New York [on the North Shore of Long Island]; and Endwell, New York [my childhood hometown].
Degrees and Institutions Attended: Colgate University (physics, math, and chemistry were my majors—if you saw my GPA you would NOT be that impressed), State University of New York College of Optometry
Years of Employment at the College: Going on four
Q&A
What brought you to the College of Optometry?
After helping the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University get through the pandemic as dean there, I was ready to step away from administration and get back to teaching and patient care. Luckily for me, The Ohio State University College of Optometry had a clinical faculty search going on at the time. I had previously provided a faculty education workshop here and had a deep respect for the College’s administration, faculty, and history. So I applied and was honored to be offered that position.
Describe your typical day at work or describe your position/role.
There really isn’t a typical day for me. I teach and see patients in the Primary Vision Care, OPT2, Vision Therapy, and Binocular Vision Services. The variety of patients I see with students in those different services is mind-boggling, from Ohio State undergraduates with myopia, to individuals of all ages who have suffered tragic brain injuries, to elementary school children who had learning difficulties related to their vision and, thanks to VT, are now thriving at school. I also am a teaching assistant for Dr. Heather Anderson in the Optometric Examination course for fall semester second year students. I love being able to see and have a role in the students’ progress in their profession development from that very beginning of their clinical skills education through the various clinical assignments to graduation.
What brings you the most joy in your work?
There are so many things I enjoy about my various roles here. One thing that is not in my formal duties but is very enjoyable is mentoring the incredibly talented younger faculty we have here.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the college?
Start a conversation with your coworkers. Every one of the people who works here contributes to the success of the institution because of the special talents and unique experiences they bring to the job. The more we know about each other and can enjoy each other’s company, the better we can serve our students, research subjects, and patients.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I read history, play acoustic guitar, and watch movies with Rita. I also enjoy traveling with Rita and our two adult children, Allegra and Armand, who still enjoy traveling with us!
What was your first job?
I was a summer sleepaway camp counselor in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. I also drove a panel truck delivering candy and paper goods to mom-and-pop grocery stores all around the area where I grew up.