Dean Evan Hart

Early life and education

Hart has lived his life in the town of Oyster Bay first in Jericho, and now Brookville, New York and graduated from Jericho High School. He 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, 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.

Medical and Science

Dr. Hart held a position in academia starting with Director of the Low Vision Clinic to teach Ophthalmology residents to care and manage the visually impaired at Harlem Hospital Medical Center from 1988 to 1999 and instructed the art of Refraction and Physical Optics with the Department o f Ophthalmology, Columbia University at 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 to assistant professor in ophthalmology at Columbia University directing contact lens and low vision clinics from 1998-2012.

Hart concurrently founded Woodbury Optical Studio in 1989 in Hicksville, NY and practices optometry there ever since. He is licensed by the American Board of Opticianry. While founding his own practice, he 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. He is often interviewed by various TV and radio networks on clinically applicable issues.

As a scientist, Hart mastered and applied different techniques to clinical research endeavors. He also conducts lectures, presentations, and publications to scientists in many fields.

Political activity

In 2015, Hart ran for Nassau County Legislature on the Democratic line against incumbent Republican Donald McKenzie in the 18th Legislative District and lost. Hart founded Long Island Citizens for Good Government (LICGG) and became its president. In spring of 2016, he launched his campaign for the New York State Assembly. Hart was the Democratic, Working Families Party, Independence, & Women's Equality Party Candidate. He lost his bid to incumbent Michael Monetsano by 56% of the vote

Humanitarian work

Dr. Hart joined Moreano World Medical Mission on a trip to the Dominican Republic to fit eyeglasses for impoverished children without cost. Hart donated most of the tools needed to carry out the mission as well. He went with the help of Woodbury Optical including Optician Scott Kornfeld. The trip was praised by New York State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine.

Dr. 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.

As President of LICGG Hart called for ending a contract with Florida based Armor Correctional Health Services and entering a contract with Nassau University Medical Center for in East Meadow so 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.^[

Dr. Hart donated many years to work with the visually impaired in NY inner city in Harlem. In 2016 he volunteered time for ophthalmic care at the special Olympics in Brockport, NY.

Awards and recognitions

American Optometric Association’s, Contact Lens Section awarded its inaugural legend award in 2012. American Optometric Association, Contact Lens Section awarded its yearly achievement award in 1999. The Joint Commission of Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology issued the faculty recognition in 1999

In 1987 the American Optometric Foundation - Harold Kohn memorial award for outstanding paper based on original investigative research work.

Sola/Barnes-Hind - scholarship to study microbial associations and perform scanning electron microscopy to examine the varied interactions with soft lenses as a postgraduate researcher, the University of California at Berkeley in 1985.

Sola/Barnes-Hind - collaborative study concerning potassium levels in the tear fluid of, and nutrition to, lipid depositors in 1985.

The National Eye Institute - travel fellowship for the presentation of research findings, 1985 ARVO meeting

Sola/Barnes-Hind - scanning electron microscopy at the American Museum of Natural History in 1984.

Long Island Business News- 2016 Top CEO Awards

Scuba diving photographic awards

Front and back covers of diver alert network photographs as well as NJ macro photo award.