New Clinical Center, The One, Opens in Westchester
Columbia Ophthalmology has opened a major new clinical site in White Plains at NewYork-Presbyterian The One. This cutting edge facility brings together multiple specialties and subspecialties, offering patients from Westchester and the Hudson Valley expanded access to advanced eye care.
“The One is truly a world-class facility,” says George Florakis, MD, Malcolm P. Aldrich Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Division Director of Columbia Ophthalmology in Westchester. “It’s bright, spacious, and equipped with the most advanced technology anywhere, from precision diagnostic imaging to state-of-the-art surgical suites.”
The 260,000-square-foot center has multiple Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian specialty practices, with ophthalmology on the second of four floors. The One is home to nearly every subspecialty in ophthalmology: cornea, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and optometry.
Portia Sirinek, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, says the new facility is beautiful. “We have all new equipment, some of it so new that no one else in the region is using it yet. Patients are excited that they can get truly comprehensive care without having to travel into Manhattan.”
Patient convenience and comfort are top priorities. The One offers free valet parking, easy highway access, and calm, light-filled spaces. “People tell me it’s the friendliest medical environment they’ve ever been in,” Dr. Florakis says.
Scheduling has been streamlined and the close proximity to other Columbia specialties at The One offers a key advantage.
“Ophthalmology is right next to cardiology, orthopedics, and ENT,” Dr. Florakis says. “If I have a pre-surgical patient with a cardiac issue, I can literally step next door and talk to the cardiologist. That kind of interaction improves patient care.”
Dr. Sirinek agrees. “Having other departments right here makes a real difference,” she says. “It allows us to approach complex cases as a unified medical team.”
The new space will also extend Columbia’s academic mission by giving residents and fellows a chance to train in a high-volume suburban setting with the same level of academic rigor as the Manhattan campus.
“The One is a model for what modern clinical practice should look like: efficient, collegial, and patient-focused,” Dr. Florakis says. “It brings Columbia Ophthalmology closer to the communities we serve while maintaining the highest standards of care.”