Dean Evan Hart
Dean Evan Hart, O.D., M.A., M.S. (Candidate in Bioethics), B.S., A.A.S., F.A.A.O. (born November 4, 1957) is a U.S.-based scientist, clinical optometrist, professor, and the founder of Woodbury Ophthalmic Group and Woodbury Optical Studio. Dean ran for Nassau County Legislature in 2015. He was a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 15th Assembly District of 2016 election. Hart also ran for town office in 2017. Early life and education. Hart lived his lifetime in the Town of Oyster Bay, first in Jericho and now Brookville, New York. He graduated from Jericho High School. Dean  holds a number of degrees starting with an A.A.S. in ophthalmic dispensing from Erie Community College, then a B.A. from New York Institute of Technology with minors in social and life sciences as well as business, an M.A. from Hofstra University in biology, and an O.D. from the SUNY College of Optometry. He was also appointed to conduct postgraduate research at the University of California, Berkeley. He completed an M.S. degree in Bioethics at Columbia University in May 2021. Career. Medical and science - Treatment of the visually impaired. Dean Hart held a position in academia starting with Director of the  Low Vision Clinic to teach Ophthalmology residents to treat and manage the visually impaired at Harlem Hospital Medical Center. He instructed and mentored the art of Refraction and Physical Optics within the Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, The Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute. Hart was an Associate Research Scientist at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Ophthalmology, Harkness Eye Institute from 1989-1998. He was appointed Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology at Columbia University directing contact lens and low vision clinics from 1998-2012. Hart concurrently founded Woodbury Ophthalmic Group and Woodbury Optical Studio in 1989 in Hicksville, NY  and practiced optometry there ever since. He is licensed by the American Board of Opticianry. While founding his own practice, Dean widely publishes and lectures to the three O's – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. He has been a reviewer of many different peer review scientific journal articles prior to publication. Dean is often interviewed by various TV and radio networks on clinically applicable issues. Dr. Hart attended press conferences in New York City and Long Island, NY about protecting people's eyes when viewing the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 featured in newspapers and on television. As a scientist , Hart mastered and applied different techniques to laboratory and clinical research endeavors. He also conducts lectures, presentations, and writes for publications to scientists in many fields on research topics including immunocytohistochemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, electron microscopy, dietary and environments effects on tears, clinical epidemiology, microbiology, elemental analysis, physiological optics, bioethics, and contact lenses. Political activity. In 2015, Hart ran for Nassau County Legislature on the Democratic line against an incumbent Republican in the 18th Legislative District and lost by one-percent. Hart founded Long Island Citizens for Good Government (LICGG) and became its president. As President of the group he  called on Nassau County District Attorney to investigate Town of Oyster Bay contracts. He also supports oversight of Oyster Bay finances. In spring of 2016, Dean launched his campaign for the New York State Assembly. Hart has been a candidate for town, county, and state offices, running on Democrat, Working Family, Women's Equality, Independence, Green, and Reform party lines. There is a recurring theme of anti-corruption and government reform which emphasizes greater checks and balances with his runs for office and activism. He is also a constitutionalist and libertarian by bioethical philosophy. Humanitarian work. Hart joined Moreano World  Medical Mission on a trip to the Dominican Republic to fit eyeglasses for impoverished children and seniors without cost to patients. Dr. Hart donated most of the tools needed to carry out the mission. He went with the help of Woodbury Optical. The trip was praised by New York State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine. Hart spoke at the United Nations about advancing women's healthcare globally after his trip to the Dominican Republic. He noted the disproportionate impact of lacking adequate healthcare on women and their eyes. As President of Long Island Citizens for Good Government, Hart called for ending a  contract with Florida-based Armor Correctional Health Services and entering a contract with Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow to keep tax dollars in state and provide faster medical attention due to the hospital being “across the street” from the jail. As well as mistreatment of prisoners, another concern was billing fraud, which is already under investigation by the State Attorney General. The medical center needed improvement that now is implemented. Hart donated many years to work with the visually impaired in New York's inner city, Harlem. In 2016 he volunteered time for ophthalmic care at the special  Olympics in Brockport, NY. Dr. Hart is currently the Ophthalmic Affairs Chairman of Friends for Good Health, an international not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works to provide healthcare for people in poverty around the world.