Salus University Alumni Magazine Fall 2024

From President Mittelman

Salus alumni,

I am excited to share with you the insights and experiences I gathered during my participation at the Oxford Conclave 2024, where I had the privilege of discussing “Leading a Future-Focused University Merger.” Our partnership with Drexel University is not just a strategic decision; it is a transformative journey aimed at enhancing the educational landscape for our students.

For Salus at Drexel University, innovation is at the core of who we are. As we collaborated with Drexel, we discovered a shared commitment to cutting-edge programs that prepare students for the evolving demands of the workforce. While Salus may be smaller, we are undoubtedly mighty, enriching the Drexel community with our unique strengths and vision.

This merger opens doors to a vast pool of talented students at Drexel who can now consider joining our innovative programs. Our guiding question remains, “What’s in it for the students?” Together, we are committed to crafting a new educational model that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our current and future students.

As we navigate the challenges ahead—both financial and academic— our focus will always return to our students and the communities we serve. This merger is about creating a better system, one that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of those we educate and the patients we care for.

I understand that this journey may involve tough decisions, but I assure you that transparency and communication will remain paramount. I am dedicated to keeping all stakeholders informed as we progress through this process.

In this issue of the Alumni Magazine, you will find inspiring stories about our recent milestones, including the Drexel flag-raising ceremony at our Elkins Park campus and the 20th anniversary of our Pennsylvania Ear Institute. You’ll also get to know the interim dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Together, let us embrace this new chapter with optimism and determination. The future is bright, and with your continued support, we can ensure that Salus at Drexel University remains a leader in preparing the next generation of innovators and healthcare providers.

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE

Published by Salus University FALL 2024

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE President

Jacqueline Patterson, MPA, CFRE Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Community Relations

Managing Editor

Alexis R. Abate, MA Director, Marketing Communications

Editor

Michael E. Morsch Senior Writer/Publications Coordinator

Contributors

Alexis R. Abate, Marcie Baker, Samantha Byles, Caren Cremen, Nicole Garcia, Savanna Hailu, Michael H. Mittelman, Michael E. Morsch, Juliana Mosley-Williams, PhD, CDP, Riya Paranthan, OD ’14, Jacqueline Patterson

Editorial Assistance

Alexis R. Abate, Marcie Baker, Caren Cremen, Savanna Hailu, Michael E. Morsch, Jacqueline Patterson

Design

Octo Design, Iron Peony

Photography

Alexis R. Abate, Ryan Brandenberg, Megan Burke, Crane Communications, Caren Cremen, Hope Daluisio, Drexel University archives, Nicole Garcia, Grad images, Dan Z. Johnson, Michael E. Morsch, Salus archives, and student, faculty, and alumni submissions

Salus at Drexel University Alumni Magazine is published bi-annually for alumni, staff, faculty, parents and friends. Please send comments, contributions and address change to:

Office of Institutional Advancement

Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027

215-780-1397

salus_alumni@drexel.edu www.salus.edu

Salus University declares and reaffirms its policy of complying with federal and state legislation and does not in any way discriminate in education programs, employment, or in service to the public on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disabilities or veteran status. In addition, the University complies with applicable federal regulations including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions concerning any of the above policies should be addressed to: eic@drexel.edu at Drexel University’s Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture.

August 19, 2024

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Osborne Audiology, we asked current students what they love about the program and this is what they had to say. #salusuniversity #studentlife #audiology #osborneaudiology #OCA #AUD25

July 1, 2024

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has approved the merger of Salus University with Drexel University. With both accreditor and judicial approvals granted, Drexel officially welcomes Salus students, faculty and professional staff into the Drexel community. #salusuniversity #salusatdrexel #drexeluniversity

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!

Pennsylvania Ear Institute Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Patients, Training Students

Several years ago, Richard Schmeltzer was walking through the grocery store with a friend when a man approached them.

“You need hearing aids,” the man said to Schmeltzer.

“What?” said Schmeltzer.

“I’ve been calling out to you, but you haven’t turned around,” said the man, who happened to be a neurologist, who knew Rebecca Blaha, AuD, the lead audiologist at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), and recommended Schmeltzer set up an appointment.

As the clinical teaching facility for Osborne Audiology at Salus University, Schmeltzer was wary about going to a university clinical site. He wasn’t enthused about being in a situation that involved students. But Dr. Blaha eased his fears.

“She said could come to her because she does the work while she’s teaching the students at the same time,” he said. “It worked out fine and it also gave me a little extra confidence in that she’s teaching somebody and she’s not going to do something in front of her students to embarrass herself.”

At that initial appointment, Dr. Blaha let Schmeltzer try on several different types of hearing aids and he selected a brand. But for the first several years, he “really didn’t get along” with the hearing aids.

“I was sort of in denial. I would only put them in part-time,” he said.

But Dr. Blaha wouldn’t let Schmeltzer give up. She eventually helped him find hearing aids he found compatible and that really helped him.

“Dr. Blaha always listens and she’s always helpful,” said Schmeltzer. “Now, I can’t get along

without her. I trust her, that’s the bottom line. If my hearing comes back to where it’s perfect, I will still visit her at PEI every nine months.”

Those are common stories among PEI patients, how they have been treated and taken care of over the past two decades as PEI celebrates its 20th anniversary, part of a larger 25th anniversary celebration in 2025 for Osborne Audiology.

How it Started

The Audiology program, and ultimately PEI, were visions of George S. Osborne, DDS, PhD. In 2000, Dr. Osborne helped establish the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology, creating a curriculum that combined high academic standards and a strong biomedical component. As founding dean, Dr. Osborne first created a robust and comprehensive program designed specifically as a bridge for licensed, practicing audiologists. At the time, the PCO School of Audiology was one of only five schools nationwide approved for such a program and was the second largest program.

It started with the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) approaching PCO about starting a Doctor of Audiology program.

“They came here and asked us would we start a Doctor of Audiology program. And, we said yes, it’s consistent with our mission and we want to try to replicate as much of the Doctor of Optometry program into the Audiology program as we can,” said Thomas Lewis, OD ’70, PhD, FAAO who was president of PCO, and then Salus University, from 1989 to 2013.

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology was founded by the late Dr. George S. Osborne and offered an online bridge AuD program for licensed practitioners.

The PCO School of Audiology launched the four-year, on-campus Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree.

As dean of the then PCO School of Audiology, Dr. Osborne presided over the opening of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) on November 19.

Following that model forward, if an institution wants to have a doctorate level program, it needs to have clinical training.

“The idea was that we would train our Audiology students the same way as our Optometry students with an on-campus clinic,” said Dr. Lewis.

According to Anthony Di Stefano, OD ’73, MEd, MPH, FAAO, FCOptom then vice president and dean of PCO and now vice president emeritus, one of the biggest challenges Dr. Osborne faced was where to put PEI. And, it took some time and strategic planning to carve out a portion of the north building on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus, the same space in which PEI inhabits today.

“Dr. Osborne‘s vision was to have PEI as a full-service practice in which students and clinical faculty would collaborate in seeing patients,” said Dr. Di Stefano. “It was quite an effort to design the facility, to hire the appropriate faculty, and very importantly, to make sure it was equipped with the latest technology.”

It was important for PEI to distinguish itself from other clinical facilities in the Philadelphia area, said Dr. Di Stefano. Probably most symbolic was Dr. Osborne’s effort to purchase the latest technology in vestibular and balance testing.

The Early Years

If an institution is going to train its students in a clinical profession, it needs patients. And, in the early days of PEI, it was fortunate in that regard to receive help from the United States

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which had a backlog of patients in the Philadelphia region who had to wait long periods of time for audiology services.

“At the time, the VA had a challenge to decrease the waiting time for patients of all types nationwide,” said Dr. Di Stefano. “This was particularly the case for audiology services with the waiting times being rather long, sometimes weeks and maybe months to get an appointment.”

To address this issue, the VA nationally, and particularly in Philadelphia, started to use the private sector to decrease these waiting times. Initially Philadelphia VA patients were referred to PEI on an individual basis, but eventually the demand and the satisfaction with PEI services created an opportunity to expand the relationship between PEI and the Philadelphia VA. The contracts between PEI and the VA lasted for a few years, and were successful in addressing the backlog. PEI then had to increasingly rely on local and regional referrals, as well as ramp up its external marketing efforts.

“But we weren’t so much interested in the revenue side as we were in creating educational experiences for our students. If you’re going to train in a clinical profession, you need patients,” said Dr. Lewis.

The Evolution

When the director’s job of PEI opened in 2016, it attracted the attention of Lindsay Bondurant, PhD, CCC-A. Dr. Bondurant earned her master’s in audiology from Vanderbilt University, then was in private practice in

Philadelphia for six years before securing her PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Several aspects of the position were attractive to her, including how she missed working in a clinical setting, and it also offered her an opportunity to grow a clinical facility and to work with graduate students.

“When got here, the program was in great shape,” she said. “We were the biggest Doctor of Audiology program in the country. We had a lot of really bright students coming in, but the clinic at that time didn’t have enough patient encounters to really give the students the kind of experience we wanted.”

So, Dr. Bondurant was brought in with the specific goal of growing the clinical facility, increasing the number of patient encounters, as well as the depth and breadth of what was provided at PEI so incoming and current students could have the best experience possible. In order to grow the patient base, Dr. Bondurant strategically planned on increasing the patient population with the development of community outreach initiatives.

“We did lots and lots of health fairs, hearing screenings, meeting with community leaders, trying to give talks at community centers, educate people in our community about what audiology is, what hearing loss is, and what services we provided at PEI,” she said.

In addition, Dr. Bondurant also continued to reach out to referring physicians, primary care doctors, pediatricians, and ear, nose and throat specialists to make them more aware of the services PEI offered.

Still, the focus has always remained on the student experience. PEI is the foundational

clinical experience for students in the Osborne Audiology program, so in the first semester, students observe patient care with experienced audiologists as preceptors. Students then start clinical rotations in their second semester.

“Students have the opportunity to start interacting with patients, providing evaluations from a very early time in the program,” said Dr. Bondurant. “So, that helps to build the students’ foundational skills in adult diagnostics and adult hearing aids.”

But that’s not all. In addition to basic adult diagnostics and hearing aids, students also see pediatric patients, conduct vestibular or balance testing, and learn about tinnitus, cerumen removal, auditory processing testing, other specialties within audiology and practice management.

Down the Road

PEI has been in growth mode for the past eight years. But what’s in store for the next 20 years and beyond?

Right now, the clinic is at a point where it needs to grow its actual facilities and staff so it can continue to serve the patients of this community and serve the students coming in, according to Dr. Bondurant.

“What I would really like to see is additional clinical space and additional professionals to see patients in the different specialties and to accommodate our current patients,” she said.

“What I’m hoping is to continue to grow, but in order to do that, we need more space and more people. I see that as the next frontier for us is to grow our specialty clinics.”

Salus

A BANNER DAY: Salus Flies the Drexel Flag for the First Time

A New Beginning.

That’s what Dr. Mittelman called the ceremony held on Aug. 20, 2024, where the Drexel University flag was hoisted for the first time above the Salus University flag on the Elkins Park campus.

“As we raise the Drexel University flag alongside our own, we celebrate the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration, and the beginning of a promising future together,” said Dr. Mittelman. “This flag should serve as a symbol of our unity and shared goals. We are now part of something bigger: a dynamic, diverse community dedicated to innovation, education, and service.”

Doing the honors of raising the flag were Drexel provost Paul Jensen, PhD, and Bre Myers, AuD ’06, PhD ’17, CH-AP assistant dean of Osborne Audiology, Salus at Drexel University, and the Salus faculty’s executive council president.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries, faculty and staff from both institutions, Salus students, and even a visit from the Drexel mascot, Mario the Dragon. In addition to Dr. Mittelman, speakers included Drexel’s outgoing president John Fry, who took over as president of Temple University in November 2024, and Kristen Battista, ’27 AUD Salus Student Council executive president.

Among those attending the ceremony included Denis O’Brien, Drexel’s interim president, Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, Drexel’s senior vice president, chief strategy officer, dean of the Graduate College and founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and

“This flag should serve as a symbol of our unity and shared goals. We are now part of something bigger: a dynamic, diverse community dedicated to innovation, education, and service.” — Dr. Mittelman

Professional Studies in the College of Medicine and Beth Moy, Salus at Drexel’s chief of staff, who were instrumental in planning and executing the details of the merger.

Phase one of the merger began on June 30, 2024, following approval from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The next step of the two-step merger process is pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education, specialized accreditors, and additional third parties.

The ceremony also attracted the presence of Donald M. Gleklen, JD, who has been associated with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and Salus University for 43 years. Gleklen was one of the early non-optometrists to join the PCO Board of Trustees in 1980, bringing important insight and leadership to the board. From 1980 to 1999, Gleklen served on the board and was its chair from 1991 to 1998.

“For Drexel’s extensive healthcare programs and facilities to be made available to Salus students is terrific,” said Gleklen. “I think there is a lot of pride in both institutions, and it took a lot of hard work to put this together. The beginning has been excellent and it’s going to be good for the students, good for the institutions, good for the city, and ultimately good for the patients.”

N AT IONAL OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Salus at Drexel University, offered a daylong community outreach event July 11, 2024, at the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity on the grounds of Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia.

Approximately 145 community members were able to receive free vision screenings and glasses, if needed. The event was hosted in conjunction with the National Optometric Association (NOA), which was in town for its national convention July 11 through July 14, sponsored by VSP Vision, a vision care health insurance company.

The gathering was a “serve where you go event” in conjunction with the NOA conference, and included nine volunteer NOA member doctors, some of whom are graduates of PCO, who conducted the vision screenings while being shadowed by current Doctor of Optometry students.

PCO/Salus at Drexel was the host institution for a slew of events. During the convention, PCO/Salus at Drexel and the NOA honored Robert E. Horne, Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon), who was dean of Student Affairs at PCO and then Salus and was instrumental in launching the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) at PCO/Salus before retiring in 2012.

A reception featuring dean Horne, NOA Board members and alumni, including Anthony Di Stefano, OD ’73, Med, MPH, FAAO, FCOptom, vice president emeritus, and Susan Oleszewski, OD ’76, Resident ’78, professor emerita, was hosted by PCO/Salus at Drexel the evening of July 10, 2024, at City Winery in Philadelphia. With more than 100 alumni, students, staff and friends in attendance, dean Horne was honored for his contributions to the institution and the impact he made on students.

TAKES

OVER PHILADELPHIA

Derrick Artis, OD ’89, MBA, former Salus University Board of Trustees member, presented dean Horne with the NOA Founders Award for his dedicated contribution to minority optometry on the evening of July 13, 2024 during the NOA’s 55th Annual Dinner and Awards Night.

Dr. Artis himself also was presented with the Dr. Millicent Knight Trailblazer of the Year Award for his proven and passionate leadership. Dr. Artis has a diverse background in operations, management, strategic planning and project launching and currently serves as a management consultant for several companies in the eye care industry.

Service Trips

Orthotics and Prosthetics Students Bring Hope and Happiness to Patients in Ecuador

During a recent volunteer trip to Quito, Ecuador, CAITIE STEELE ’26O&P treated a patient named Jefferson who had his leg amputated below the knee after a car accident. He had no way of affording a prosthesis and thought his life was pretty much over.

But when Steele and her Salus at Drexel University classmate MARY-KATE DENNIS ’26O&P showed up as volunteers for the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) eight years after his amputation, Jefferson had hope. He had applied and been accepted as a patient for the Range of Motion Project and Steele was about to make his first prosthesis.

“Even though he hadn’t been walking for eight years, he was up and walking without any assistive devices by the end of the week,” said Steele. “It was so rewarding. Everyone was so happy, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

The two Salus/Drexel students in the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program traveled to Ecuador from July 5 through July 14, 2024. While there, the Range of Motion group made 21 lower limb prostheses for people who otherwise don’t have access to that type of care.

‘Un-Belize-Able’ Experience During Recent Student Service Trip

JULIA SZEWCZYK ’25SLP decided to become a speech-language pathologist because of her longstanding passion for helping others and her desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

She was able to do just that on a trip Aug. 3 through Aug. 13, 2024, to Belize as part of a group from Salus at Drexel University offering speech-language pathology (SLP) and occupational therapy (OT) services for underserved communities in that country.

CAITLIN HAMMERSTEIN ’25OT gravitated toward a profession that helped others. Originally, she wanted to become a job coach for individuals with intellectual disabilities. But then she discovered OT and realized she could have the best of a couple of different worlds.

The two were part of the Salus/Drexel contingent that included nine OT students, one SLP student and two faculty members, Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair and program director of the SLP department at Salus/ Drexel; and Andrea Tyszka, OTD, MS, OTR/L, SIPT, associate professor in the OT department. The trip was coordinated by Therapy Abroad, which provides hands-on experience for undergraduate students, Post-bacc and graduate students and professionals who are ready to step out of the classroom and gain real world experience in their specific areas of study.

The OT students on the trip took part in evaluations, treatments, and assisted in maximizing independence with activities of daily living and overall safety for both children and adults.

Presidential Medal of Honor Awards

2024

Paul Freeman, OD ’74, FAAO

Dr. Freeman has spent his career focused on vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation. When he graduated from PCO, his goal was to improve the quality of life for his patients in any way he could, and five decades later, he’s still doing that.

Patricia Modica, OD ’88, Resident ’89

Dr. Modica is a clinical professor teaching neuroanatomy and neuro-ophthalmic disease at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry. For more than three decades, she has had numerous opportunities to create and grow the same type of neuro-ophthalmic disease program that exists at PCO.

Rita Chaiken, AuD ’03

Dr. Chaiken travels all over North America delivering interactive cerumen management workshops to audiologists in Veterans’ facilities, universities, national/state organizations, and private practices as well as university doctoral candidate programs.

James Saviola, OD ’85, FAAO

Dr. Saviola spent 31 years at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), where he worked on the cutting-edge of new products as director of the Bioresearch Monitoring Group in the Office of Compliance. He also spent 30 years on the staff of Bethesda Naval Hospital — now Walter Reed Bethesda — providing specialty contact lens care.

Stephanie Czuhajewski, MPH, CHE

As executive director of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), Czuhajewski has provided leadership, advocacy, education and commitment to success for the private practice audiologist. The ADA is who it is because of the forward-thinking, progressive leadership, and steady hand on the tiller.

University News

The annual White Coat Ceremony, which represents the students’ entry into their chosen health science professions, is one of the highlights of Orientation Week Aug. 12-16. There were three separate ceremonies held Aug. 14, 2024, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park campus. The keynote speaker for all three ceremonies was Dr. Mittelman. Also delivering remarks to the students was Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, Drexel’s senior vice president, chief strategy officer, dean of the Graduate College and founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies in the College of Medicine.

Taylor Schanne, MMS ’24 gave the graduate commencement address for the Class of 2024 at the University’s 129th commencement ceremonies Oct. 15, 2024, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Next year’s fall graduates will receive Drexel University diplomas, marking a new chapter in the two institutions shared journey of merging, pending approval by the United States Department of Education, specialized accreditors, and additional third parties.

The eighth annual Salus Awards Gala (SAG) was held June 14, 2024, at The Fuge in Warminster, Pennsylvania. The SAG Awards have evolved over the years to recognize outstanding educators, faculty, staff, administration and students in the Salus University community. This year, more than 100 nominations and more than 300 votes were cast to the Campus Activities Committee, which organizes the awards banquet.

PCO WORLD: Students enrolled in the Robert E. Horne Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) which provides opportunities to increase the number of underrepresented people of color within the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, got a head start into the academic year and a chance to adjust to the pace and rigor of graduate school before the fall semester. The program’s goal is to improve matriculation, attrition, and graduation rates of underrepresented applicants of color while fostering a safety net of support and mentorship. In addition to the academic takeaways, SEP also prides itself in fostering a tight-knit community that will initiate the connection between the students throughout their time at PCO, in the classroom, and the clinical setting at The Eye Institute (TEI).

PCO WORLD: A groundbreaking research article from two faculty members has been accepted for publication in the high-impact journal Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine Robert Andersson, MSc ’10, PhD ’18, FAAO, with Carlo Pelino, OD ’94, FAAO have written about their findings from the world’s largest population-based study on long-term care patients, quantifying the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and undiagnosed diabetes based on clinical ocular findings.

PCO WORLD: Daniel Hoffman, OD ’24, Resident ’25, was chosen as the 2024 William Feinbloom Low Vision Award recipient. The award is presented annually to the on-campus resident who demonstrates an outstanding performance providing quality care to low vision patients. “Dr. Hoffman received the award based on his exceptional low vision management skills during his fourth-year low vision rotation,” said Erin Kenny, OD ’15, Resident ’16, FAAO, Diplomate AAO (LV), chief of the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center and associate professor at PCO.

THE AURICLE: Eight students from Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) in Taiwan participated in a month-long clinical training program for Doctor of Audiology (AUD) and Master of Science in SpeechLanguage Pathology (SLP) students at the University’s Elkins Park campus July 1 through July 25. The program was administered by Salus at Drexel University’s Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming (GISP) department with the academic elements delivered by the Osborne College of Audiology and SLP.

AURICLE: Jonette B. Owen, AuD ’03, MHA, FNAP had inadvertently overlooked a congratulatory email from the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA), so it came as a complete surprise when she learned she had been named the Academy’s 2024 recipient of the George S. Osborne Award at its annual conference.

THE PULSE: The people that make the decisions — namely the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and SpeechLanguage Pathology (SLP) — came in and “kicked the tires” on the SLP program at Salus University and discovered the entire educational vehicle is in excellent shape.

Upon independent evaluation, CAA determined the program provides a quality education to its students, thereby receiving reaccreditation for a sevenyear period.

“They found that our faculty meet the rigors of the profession to make sure our graduates are going to be competent, confident speech pathologists upon graduation from the program,” said Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP chair and program director of the SLP program.

THE AURICLE: Eight students attended two summer workshops from July 20-26, 2024, at the Elkins Park campus, one on Diagnosis and Management of Middle Ear and the other on Hearing Loss Identification in Infants and Children and Cochlear Implants.

THE AURICLE: Prospective Audiology students attended the Audiology Learning Experience (ALE) on Aug. 2, 2024, at the Osborne Audiology campus. The daylong program offers participants the opportunity to investigate the academic study associated with the Doctor of Audiology degree program at Osborne Audiology, as well as the profession of audiology and its many career options.

THE PULSE: Salus University’s Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program graduates participated in the long white coat ceremony on Oct. 13, 2024, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park campus. During the ceremony, the students were given a lot of advice from speakers, none more relevant than from one of their own, Evan Schulz, MMS ’19, PA-C, who was named the PA Alumnus of the Year this past year. “It’s not the title stitched onto the front or the length. What differentiates Salus PA students is what’s inside of them,” said Schulz.

THE PULSE: The first-ever “Wonderland,” an event dedicated to celebrating adaptive individuals who use orthotics and prosthetics, was held Sept. 21, 2024, highlighted VIP guests, children who orthotics, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment, and was an opportunity to connect with the community and different adaptive organizations. The event was the brainchild of Victoria“Tori” Page ’25O&P, co-founder of Access Unlimbited is to provide support and assistance to adaptive individuals who use orthoses and prostheses

THE PULSE: During her first experience with a guide dog, Christine Brennan ’25O&M didn’t realize the strength of the dogs. “The dogs pull, so you have to provide some strength to maintain a good alignment,” said Brennan. That was just one of the nuances about working with a guide dog students at Salus at Drexel University learned during a week in November filled with hands-on training.

THE PULSE: Allison Bressler, MS, CPO/L, a faculty member in the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program was in grade school when USA for Africa released the song, “We Are The World,” to benefit starvation in Africa. The song begins with the words, “There comes a time, when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one….” In September 2024, Bressler was one of two orthotists who participated in the Small Steps/Healing the Children podiatry mission trip. The team of 25 hailed from different countries and, in addition to orthotists, included podiatrists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and residents.

THE PULSE: Brianna Brim, PhD ’22, MOT, OTR/L, CPAM, CLIPP, has been heavily involved and has had a lot of different roles at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) including as the POTA Legislation & Advocacy Chair, the Vision Task Force Liaison, the Practice Compact Act Liaison, and the Legislation & Advocacy Committee member. Dr. Brim has also held additional roles to support POTA conferences, including proposal reviewer, conference speaker, administrative reporter, and local conference programming committee as a member and co-chair. And because of her contributions to the group over the past nine years, POTA has recognized Brim with the Dr. Stephen L. Heater Award of Outstanding Achievement Award, given to the member for longstanding, significant contributions to the profession in the areas of clinical practice, research, education, administration, communication, and services to POTA.

FOND FAREWELLS

The Salus community extends its sincere congratulations to:

Marcy Graboyes, LSW, MSW, ACSW retired effective June 30, 2024, from the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center, housed at The Eye Institute (TEI), which is PCO’s clinical facility.

During her 42-year career at PCO/Salus, Graboyes was part of a team that developed programs including SPARC (Special Pediatric Assessment and Rehabilitation Center), a unique service that evaluates children from birth to 21 with visual impairment and any additional developmental disabilities; the Low Vision Mobile Clinic team, which went out to a variety of educational sites where there were children with blindness and visual impairments and provide services to them within their educational communities; and a support group for people with low vision and visual impairment that started in the mid-1980s and continues today.

“Marcy has been the heart and soul of the Feinbloom Center all these years,” said Sarah Appel, OD ’79, Resident ’81, FAAO, Diplomate, Low Vision Rehabilitation ’90 who retired in May 2023 as director of the Pediatric Low Vision Services at The Eye Institute. “She’s helped countless patients, listening to their concerns, helping them to find resources and navigate the rehabilitative process.”

It was that close-knit community at PCO that kept Don Kates, CPA in his job, eventually rising to Chief Financial Officer at Salus University, which PCO established in 2008, for a total of 32 years. Kates, who was named vice president for Finance emeritus upon is departure, is now the new Chief Financial Officer at the Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officers Association (PAISBOA) Health Benefit Trust, a consortium of 150 private schools created to purchase health insurance.

Kates was recognized by the board for facilitating Salus University’s transformation from a single purpose optometry college into a multi-disciplinary health science institution; and for his continued leadership throughout the University’s merger with Drexel University.

Giri Sundar, MPhil, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA found her home at the University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) when she arrived in 2010 to take a job as assistant professor and director of the Distance Education programs. Over the past 14 years, Dr. Sundar has developed OCA’s Distance Education programs into one of the most highly regarded programs in the world.

Interim PCO Dean Ready to Move the Program Forward

As he stepped into the role of interim dean at PCO, Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD ‘85, MBA, MS, FAAO, FACHE, knew he was in for a challenge.

“I’ve entered difficult situations before, but I’m committed to this one,” he said, emphasizing his dedication as an alum who wants PCO to be the best optometry school in the nation.

A pressing issue under his leadership will remain addressing the lowerthan-expected board scores of PCO students. “What are the underlying factors behind these scores?” Dr. Weaver asked, recognizing the complexity of the issue. “We need to analyze the curriculum, assess students’ testing abilities, and identify multiple factors that could influence performance.”

His immediate strategy includes gathering input from faculty and students alike. “I want to hear from anyone willing to share their thoughts,” he said. “There are numerous solutions, and it’s about pinpointing the most effective ones.”

Having chosen PCO as his sole application in the early 1980s, Dr. Weaver has a rich history in optometry. “Optometry was always at the top of my list, and nothing ever supplanted that in my mind of what I wanted to be,” he said. “I enjoyed my time at PCO, and I learned a lot.”

His extensive career experience includes serving as a principal investigator for Anterior Segment at The Eye Research Group in Erie, Pennsylvania, and director of optometry at Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers (an FQHC) in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. He has also served as Clinical Practice and Advancement Group director at the American Optometric Association and was the Founding Executive Director of the American Board of Optometry, in which he achieved National Commission for Certifying Agencies accreditation.

Wendy Woodard was hired as a junior accountant at PCO in October 1988. Over the next 36 years, she served as a grants accountant, grants analyst, assistant director of Sponsored Programs, manager of Academic Financial Affairs, assistant director of Research and Academic Finance, assistant director of Sponsored Programs, director of Sponsored Programs and Administration, director of Research and Academic Finance and director of Sponsored Programs and Academic Finance. She retired on June 30, 2024.

In addition, Dr. Weaver served as supervisory optometrist/residency coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System from 2019 through 2021. He directed evidence-based patient care operations of the eye clinic within a specialty care center and two community-based outpatient clinical facilities with a staff of 15 providers. He also oversaw the education of optometry externs from institutions such as the University of the Incarnate Word, the University of Houston, and the University of Pikeville, Kentucky. Notably, he developed and directed an accredited ocular disease residency program, gaining federal approval and funding within five months and achieving accreditation in the program’s first year.

Now, as he takes on this high-pressure role, Dr. Weaver also prepares to guide PCO through a merger with Drexel University and an upcoming reaccreditation process. “I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself because I deeply want us to succeed,” he said.

Pamela DeAnnis joined PCO in June 2003 and served as Accounts Payable coordinator until her retirement on June 30, 2024.

Campus Climate Survey Continued Employee Findings

As Salus enters the first phase of the merger with Drexel University, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all community members feel a sense of belonging.

This year, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) continued to share results from the 2023 campus-wide Campus Climate Survey. In a presentation, Juliana Mosley-Williams, PhD, special assistant to the president for DEI, and Gregory Benjamin, PhD, MPH, director of Institutional Research and Assessment, shared additional findings from the survey focusing specifically on University employees, which includes administrators, faculty and staff.

The survey results provided valuable insights into the campus climate before the merger with Drexel, providing an opportunity to identify areas of success, improvement and potential changes going forward in our new identity as Salus at Drexel University. Our focus on training, curriculum infusion, and programming will continue and evolve as we work to develop a plan of action that helps to foster a campus community where all feel accepted, included, and that they belong.

Salus is fortunate to have partnered with an institution with similar values and a strategic agenda that positions diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at the center of its teaching, learning, and service to its students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities.

HEED AWARD

For the first time in University history, Salus received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

The Health Professions HEED Award is a national honor that annually recognizes U.S. health colleges and universities demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The HEED Award review process consists of a rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and the best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.

“This award was an opportunity for the University (administration, staff and faculty) to come together to reflect and compile a comprehensive review of our practices, policies, and education,” said Dr. Mosley-Williams. “Here at Salus, DEI is not just something we put on as an accessory, but it is woven into the fabric of every facet of our institution’s existence.”

Employee Survey Highlights:

• Overall, employees feel welcome and respected on campus.

• We are a diverse campus based on identity demographics (race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and politics).

• Most respondents indicated they did not experience bias or microaggressions.

• Employees across roles and settings (e.g., Colleges, clinical facilities, non-academic offices, etc.) agreed or strongly agreed the University ensures health and wellbeing are a priority

• Faculty (61%), administrators (59%), and staff (52%) across seags report they are encouraged to weave diversity/cultural competence into their work or curriculum.

• The majority (two-thirds or more) of employees agreed or strongly agreed they received adequate diversity training to engage with students and fellow colleagues on campus.

Employee Survey Improvements:

• A greater sense of belonging so employees feel comfortable reporting their identity demographics and work location, given the large percentages of employees who selected neutral or prefer not to answer. Also, 49 of 238 (21%) employees did not indicate their work location.

• While bias was not commonly reported in the survey, when it was, an employee’s peers were the most common source.

o This was similar to the finding that students were the most common source of bias against students.

o However, for employees who identified as people of color, faculty were the most common source of bias.

• Faculty and administrators are less likely to have bias taken seriously than staff.

• Questions around respect among identities: o Administrators are the least likely group to demonstrate respect and to feel respected.

The University’s DEI office, which was founded in 2020, establishes cultural humility as foundational to the education and professional formation of emerging healthcare clinicians, educators, and scientists. The University fosters meaningful connections through critical thinking and self-reflection, courageous conversations, culturally responsive care and practices for patients and clients, and intentional collaborations with alumni and the local community.

Salus, along with 69 other awardees, will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of Insight into Diversity magazine.

October 3, 2024

Salus received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Salus will be featured, along with 68 other recipients, in the November/ December 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. #salusuniversity #onesalus #salusatdrexel #highered #unitedthroughdiversity

Alumni Association

President’s Message

SALUS ALUMNI,

I am honored to reach out to you as the new President of the Salus University Alumni Association Board. I graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2014 and have been a board member since July 2022. I cherish the memories of my time at Salus and am proud to represent our vibrant alumni community.

I am excited about Salus University’s recent merger with Drexel University, which has received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This partnership will enhance our graduate programs and foster collaborative research initiatives, ultimately benefiting our community and the patients we serve.

The mission of the Salus Alumni Association is to promote open communication among alumni, administration, faculty, and current students. We have the opportunity to give back through mentorship, financial support, and by sharing our successes. I would like to

encourage you to participate actively in upcoming events and initiatives, as your involvement is essential to our collective mission.

Thank you to those who have generously contributed to our fundraising efforts, enabling us to establish new scholarships and expand our outreach. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact in our community and uphold the values of compassion, excellence, integrity, and teamwork that define us as healthcare professionals.

I look forward to working with all of you as we embark on this exciting journey together.

Warm regards,

Riya Paranthan, OD ’14 President, Alumni Association Board Salus at Drexel University

Class Notes

1950s

Roy F. Anderson, OD ’58, arrived in Philadelphia from Minnesota in 1954 with a scholarship from PCO. A few years later he met and married Roberta “Bobbie” Kissel who lived across from the PCO building. She lived with Chris and Jean — the former wed Robert Scholes OD ’57 and the latter wed Rod Johnston, OD ’58 Alan Cohen, OD ’58 and Don Chaputa, OD ’58 joined Dr. Anderson in mining gold in the Territory of Alaska. Dr. Anderson bought a practice in Faribault, Minnesota, and served for 35 years. He and his wife served with many missions with Minnesota chapter of Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and India. The couple has three sons living in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. Dr. Anderson is proud to see all the progress at PCO and with Salus University now joining Drexel University.

1960s

Jeffrey C. Magun, OD ’69, FAAO, took the bronze medal at the World Karate Championship “Battle In Atlanta” in June this year in the 60+ Open Blackbelt Division. He’s been competing for 17 years nationally. Dr. Magun also started some teaching at a local dojo in Columbia, South Carolina.

1970s

Donald S. Teig, OD ’70, FAAO, led a team of vision care professionals to evaluate the Visual Performance Skills of 140 LPGA Women’s Golf Tour professionals at the Meijer Classic at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. The team included: Brandon Llewellyn (The I Gym); Jeff Rinkus (US Ophthalmics); Dr. Erica Croft (NECO); Dr. Neil Renaud (Eagle Eye Performance Vision), Dr. Don Teig (The Gym); Dr. Jill Saxon (Bausch & Lomb); Dr. Melissa Bussey (Sports Vision Windsor); Andrea Tellier (OT/L); Katie Kane (Bausch & Lomb ) and Tyler Ross (Optos).

Manny H. Greitzer, OD ’75, who is in his 50th year as an optometrist having practiced and owned “Optical Options” for the last 44 years in both New York and Connecticut, retired in October 2024. He intends to offer his skills on a part-time basis only in New York City, close to home.

Roger Cummings, OD ’76, FAAO, Diplomate in Low Vision, after graduation from PCO in 1976, he taught at the University until 1998. His major interests were primary care, electro diagnostic testing and low vision research and patient care. In 1998, he transferred from a part-time Veterans Affairs position in Philadelphia to a full-time job in North Carolina (NC). He was very active in the Academy and served as Chair of the Low Vision Section. He also started the NC Chapter of the Academy

September 16, 2024

“As an officer and audiologist, I hope to provide the best leadership, empowerment, and vision within my new role. I am a big believer in looking after those that I lead and taking care of those around me.” #salusuniversity #salusatdrexel #audiology #awesomealumni #airforce

at the Hefner VA Hospital in Salisbury, North Carolina. He retired from the VA 10 years ago, but then volunteered as an optometrist at the Kernersville VA outpatient clinic for five years. He recently gave up his optometry license. If you’d like to reminisce about the past or find out about current PCO activities, email Dr. Cummings at rwcod1@gmail.com.

Janet E. Summers, OD ’78, has been named to a new role as associate professor and assistant dean of Clinical Education and Curriculum at Kentucky College of Optometry.

1980s

Richard C. Edlow, OD ’80 known as The Eyeconomist, presented “Eye Care Disruptions and Opportunities,” at the New England College of Optometry’s annual Industry Collaborative. Dr. Edlow discussed the importance of understanding data as essential for tackling workforce and access issues in eyecare delivery. This session further explored how data informs strategy development, what payer data reveals about current challenges, and the need for interprofessional collaboration to improve vision health equity.

Cathy D. Stern, OD ’80, received the Skeffington-Alexander Memorial Award from the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP) at the 9th International Congress of Behavioral Optometry (ICBO) held in Quebec, Canada. The recognition, OEP’s most prestigious, was awarded for significant contributions to the international growth and development of behavioral vision care. The Skeffington-Alexander

Jeffrey C. Magun, OD ’69, FAAO

Memorial Award honors the efforts of E.B. Alexander and A.M. Skeffington for establishing the Optometric Extension Program over 90 years ago. The OEP is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of the discipline of optometry through the gathering and dissemination of information on vision and the visual process.

Mark J Cinalli, OD ’82, FAAO, was awarded the 2024 American Optometric Association (AOA) Federal Advocacy Representative (AOA FAR) Outstanding Service Award. Dr Cinalli is a past president of the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians (WVAOP) and serves on the WVAOP executive board as the past president liaison. He is the AOA FAR and AOA PAC chair for West Virginia. He is pictured with AOA PAC Chair Jeni Kohn, OD, who presented the award at AOA on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Robert I. Levy, OD ’84, retired after 40 years of optometry practice in Richmond, Virginia, and Northern Virginia, finishing up at Grove Eye Care with Jerry Neidigh, OD ’98. Retirement plans include playing more music and moving to a waterfront community and spending more time on the water.

David R. McPhillips, OD ’85, FAAO, FVI played mixed doubles pickleball in the recent Pan American games and won a gold medal for Team USA. The games, which are held every four years, were held in Cleveland, Ohio, with thousands of athletes from 48 U.S. states, six continents, and more than 70 countries. This was the first time pickleball was included as a sport in the Pan-American games.

Patricia M. Cisarik, OD ’87, PhD and third-year optometry student Gabrielle Canant presented a poster at the 2024

annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). The title of the poster was “Achromatic and Blue Contrast Sensitivity with 2 Differently Filtered Contact Lenses.”

Additionally, Dr. Cisarik announces the birth of her first grandchild, Theodore Denzel, born to her child Jill and Jill’s husband Tony.

1990s

Dana A. Cocke, OD ’94, was elected president of the Optometric Physicians of Washington in May 2024.

Osama H. Said, OD ’99 and his business partner, Sanjay Patel, OD ’01, recently launched their second business venture DayOD.com. DayOD.com is an eyecare platform designed to help optometrists and clinics efficiently find fill-in help. The novel platform allows optometrists to set their own daily rate and select whatever shifts they choose to work. DayOD.com launched in early 2024 and is currently available in 27 states.

2000s

Veronica Heide, AuD ’01 (first AuD graduating class) is president and founder of the Wisconsin Academy of Audiology (WAA) 2023-present. In November 2023, WAA was formed to have a unified voice to express the concerns of audiologists about legislation that endangered the hearing health of Wisconsin residents. They formed an advocacy group of audiologists to speak out on behalf of all Wisconsin residents they serve. Within a few weeks of forming WAA, they hired their own lobbyist and banded together to increase awareness of our profession

in the legislative process. WAA provides members with information about Wisconsin legislation to help members maintain compliance with State laws governing the practice of Audiology. They meet on Zoom every month for professional presentations and legislative updates.

Marc Taub, OD ‘01, edited “From Fracture to Function: Clinical Insights into the Visual Aspects of Acquired Brain Injury,” featuring 35 cases using a variety of treatments to treat the visual symptoms associated with brain injury. He was also named vice president of Membership for the National Academies of Practice.

Coyne Schafer, AuD ’04, retired from the Veteran’s Administration in July 2023.

Natalie Bissoon, OD ’07, JD graduated from St. John’s University School of Law on May 20, 2024. It was exactly 17 years to the date that she graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry on May 20, 2007.

2010s

Michael Baertschi, MSC ’15, which took four years and included more than 1,200 hours of work, more than 850 emails and hundreds of pages of scientific documentation, myopia management using optical aids (peripheral defocus lenses and contact lenses) — has now been officially recognized by Switzerland effective July 1, 2024. Official myopia management may only be carried out by recognized Swiss optometrists. As is usual in the Swiss healthcare system, the primary medical diagnosis of progressive myopia and its initial prescription is confirmed by ophthalmology. This is another important milestone for Swiss optometry and its official recognition as a primary eye care provider.

Davinder Sidhu, OD ’15, along with his brothers, has embarked on a new venture in Canada’s wine capital, Oliver, British Columbia. Together, they have opened Vasanti Estate Winery, a name that means “spring” or loosely “new beginnings,” reflecting the spirit of renewal and growth in their winemaking journey. As the director of operations, Davinder plays a key role in this new venture. Officially opening its doors this summer, Vasanti Estate Winery embodies their shared passion for crafting exceptional wines.

Allison R. Bowers, MS ’16, has a 1-year-old dog, Kipsie, who passed her certification test and is now a certified therapy dog. Allison can’t wait to take her to the Assisted Living Facilities where she works in order to bring a little extra joy to her patients.

Nwakuso Aruotu, OD, MPH ’18 recently received the “Dr. Uduak Udom Women Leadership Excellence Award” from the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) at the Annual NOA conference. This award is only bestowed on optometrists of impeccable character and excellent leadership skills who have been found to be of immense service to the association and have made significant contributions to the growth of the profession. Dr. Aruotu also received a plaque of honor for meritorious service as a board of trustees of the Nigerian Optometric Association 2009 to 2023 and the chairman of the board of trustees from 2020 to 2023.

Katharine Funari Harris, OD ’18, and her husband James Harris welcomed a baby girl on July 19, 2024. Madeleine Arabella was 7lbs 9.5 oz, 19.5 inches.

2020s

Saeed Al Johani, MS, PhD ’20 has been granted a patent for smart glasses to optimize adherence with amblyopia and refractive error treatment in children.

James T. Brand, AuD ‘22, was awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) certificate from the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association.

In Memoriam

We honor the memory of the alumni and friends we have lost this year, reflecting on the many lives they touched within our community and beyond. These individuals, each unique in their contributions and achievements, shared a common bond through their connection. Whether through their dedication to their professions, service to others, or the lasting friendships formed during their time here, they each left an indelible mark on the world. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of our departed alumni. Their legacies will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved them.

1940s

Herbert Kramer, OD ’49 of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2024.

1950s

Herbert J. Malkin, OD ’50, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on July 17, 2024.

Ralph A. Bologna, OD ’58, of Greenwich, Connecticut, on March 17, 2024.

Boris Corbin, OD ’58 of Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 2024.

William R. Klein, OD ’58 of Gulf Breeze, Florida, on May 27, 2024.

Staff

Richard Stankovis of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, on June 13, 2024.

1960s

Stanley H. Freed, OD ’67 of Bethesda, Maryland, on June 3, 2024.

James A. Tribbett, OD ’69 of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 2024.

1970s

Michael Caplan, OD ’70, of Keswick, Virginia, on October 29, 2023.

Alfred A. Wagner, Jr., OD ’74, of Owego, New York, on June 20, 2024.

Robert L. Hodes, OD ’77 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 2024.

1990s

David A. Cronauer, OD ’91, of Laceyville, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 2024.

Vincent R. Cerceo, OD ’93 of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2024.

2000s

Ryan J. Horan, AuD ’09 of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, November 27, 2024.

Natalie Bissoon, OD ’07, JD Davinder Sidhu, OD ’15 Allison R. Bowers, MS ’16’s dog, Kipsie

Katharine Funari Harris, OD ’18 Nwakuso Aruotu, OD, MPH ’18

Richard Stankovis, Former Staff

Mark J Cinalli, OD ’82, FAAO David R. McPhillips, OD ’85, FAAO, FVI

Where Are NowThey

Frank Wartinger, AuD ’11

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering from the State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase College, Frank Wartinger, AuD ’11 was happy to start his career in the music industry.

A musician himself, he had damaged his own ears with loud, live music and had developed tinnitus. While in high school, Dr. Wartinger had custom earplugs made to help, but by the time he got to college he was not able to find an audiologist who worked with musicians.

“That was really the impetus to start doing my own research and eventually go to grad school to become the audiologist that couldn’t find,” said Dr. Wartinger. “Instead of helping musicians make records (as an audio engineer), I wanted to help them keep making records and keep their ears healthy.”

He looked at a lot of different audiology graduate programs, but many of them required pre-requisites in the traditional communication disorders or speech sciences, a background he didn’t have with his audio engineering degree.

And, then he found the audiology program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry School of Audiology.

He now has his own private practice, Earmark Hearing Conservation, remotely out of Philadelphia, and is one of only a handful of full-time music audiologists in the country. In addition to also being an adjunct for his alma mater, Osborne Audiology, he teaches virtual Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) classes to nurses and doctors.

As his career moves forward, Dr. Wartinger hopes to continue his virtual teaching and to eventually have a music audiology physical practice that is specifically designed for the comfort and functional use of musicians.

EL PASO, TEXAS

David Baptiste, OD ’96

When David Baptiste, OD ’96, was a youngster, he would wait for his father, a nursing assistant in a military hospital in New Orleans, to get off from work. The 5-year-old would sit patiently in the hospital cantina and watch as workers at the facility came into the restaurant in their scrubs and white coats. And, many of them would recognize the boy.

“Hey, you’re Mr. B.’s son, let me buy you some ice cream,” they would often say to him. The lad had a thing for ice cream and was certainly impressed that being Mr. B.’s son apparently gave him a leg up in that area. So, he wanted to know more about the people who worked at the hospital like his father.

“I’d ask them, ‘What do you do?’ And, they’d say, ‘We’re all doctors,’” recalled Dr. Baptiste. “And, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, any job that provides you enough money to buy all the ice cream you want for kids waiting for their parents, well, that’s what I want, too. I’m going to be a doctor!’”

It wasn’t that easy, the doctors explained to him. To be a doctor, one has to love math and science. Fortunately, at a young age, the boy had already developed an affinity for math and science.

Dr. Baptiste would grow up and go on to attend Xavier University in New Orleans. During his time there, he shadowed two optometrists and two ophthalmologists. After graduating from Xavier with a degree in chemistry and a minor in biology, Dr. Baptiste started looking for the best optometry schools in the country. He settled on visiting three: New England College of Optometry (NECO), Indiana University School of Optometry, and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO).

During his visit to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Dr. Baptiste was interviewed by Bernard Lepri, OD ’79, MS, MEd and came away impressed with the College. Dr. Baptiste then stopped by the office of Robert Horne, who was then the associate dean for Student Affairs. Dr. Baptiste told dean Horne that the interview with Dr. Lepri had gone well and PCO seemed like a great place to be, but added he was flying out of Philadelphia the next day for a visit to the Indiana University School of Optometry.

“And, Mr. Horne said, ‘No, you’re not. You can cancel that flight,’” recalled Dr. Baptiste. “I told him that I didn’t even know if was going to be accepted into PCO and he said, ‘I’ve seen your credentials, you don’t need to go to Indiana.’ I changed my ticket, and that was that.”

Dr. Baptiste, one of 12 African American students in his class, credits PCO and Philadelphia as “the place where I grew up.” It was his first time away from home and his time at PCO was marked by a rigorous academic schedule with a lot of direction from the faculty, and an overall welcoming attitude.

He currently has his own practice, El Paso Optical Center in Texas, where he works and lives with his wife Regina, daughter Amaya, and son David, II.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

#SalusUniversity

May 18, 2024

How are we celebrating National Speech-Language-Hearing Month?

By training future audiologists and speech-language pathologists!

#salusuniversity #audiology

#speechlanguagepathology #nslhm

October 11, 2024

Holly Galli-Daveski ‘27OD was commissioned into the United States Air Force by Dr. Gabriel Fickett and officially witnessed by TSgt Collymore on the Elkins Park campus earlier today. #salusuniversity #salusatdrexel #optometry #airforce

August 22, 2024

It’s here! Grab your Salus at Drexel swag from our online store: salus. ccbrands.com #salusuniversity

#salusatdrexel #campusstore #campusswag #schoolspirit

July 30, 2024

Physician Assistant students practiced their delivery skills during a simulated obstetrics lab. #salusuniversity

#salusatdrexel #physicianassistant #studentlife

August 26, 2024

First-year Occupational Therapy students practiced their goniometer skills in today’s Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology lab. #salusuniversity

#salusatdrexel #occupationaltherapy #studentlife

September 5, 2024

Check out our new bus wrap! If you see it around town, be sure to snap a pic and tag. #spotsalus #salusuniversity #salusatdrexel #drexeluniversity #philadelphia

October 1, 2024

“We have been told by professors that therapy can be provided with the items in your pocket, and with this experience we were able to see what that really meant.” See what a day in Caitlin’s life looks like (in Belize!)

#salusuniversity #ichosesalus #occupationaltherapy

July 5, 2024

Have you seen our Blindness and Low Vision Studies students practicing with white canes on campus?

#salusuniversity #salusatdrexel #lowvision #BLVS

June 1, 2024

“I attended the Optometry Learning Experience (OLE) two summers ago and it made me fall in love with the school. Salus was the only school I applied to because I knew that I didn’t want to go anywhere else, especially for something as important as my optometry education.” See why Helen chose Salus link in bio #optometry #salusuniversity #ichosesalus

June 28, 2024

Orthotics & Prosthetics students had the opportunity to evaluate pediatric patients during a recent lab. #salusuniversity #orthotics #prosthetics #pediatrics

Salus University

2023-2024 Annual Report

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and share some important updates in our final issue of the Salus University alumni magazine, covering the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. As you may know, on July 1, 2024, we officially became part of Drexel University, transitioning to Salus at Drexel University while we await final approval from the U.S. Department of Education.

I’ve received many questions from our alumni, and I’d like to address a few of the most common ones. First and foremost, your support matters now more than ever. Many of you have asked whether you can continue to contribute to the funds that support your respective colleges, such as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Osborne College of Audiology (OCA), and programs in the College of Health Sciences Education, and Rehabilitation (CHER). The answer is Yes, Drexel is committed to honoring your contributions, particularly to the restricted funds you’ve supported over the years.

Additionally, I want to emphasize that PCO will continue to function as a college. Other colleges and programs will begin to integrate under the umbrella of the College of Nursing and Health Professions or the College of Medicine. While there is currently an interim dean at PCO, I understand that transitions can be difficult and worrisome. However, with PCO’s rich history of 100+ years, I trust that we will thrive for another century ahead.

Your enthusiasm and support during this transition have been truly heartwarming. Many of you have reached out since the merger and I appreciate your inquiries and ongoing commitment. Soon, you will officially be Drexel alumni, and I can’t wait to share more about the benefits that come with being part of the Drexel family in the spring!

Thank you again for your support and engagement.

Jacqueline Patterson, MPA, CFRE Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Community Relations

Salus University Private Funding Report

REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT

NONOPERATING GAINS (LOSSES)

Closing date for the above figures was June 30, 2024. All gifts received after that date will be reflected on the next Board Report. Based on Office of Institutional Advancement pre-audit figures.

“…with PCO’s rich history of 100+ years, I trust that we will thrive for another century ahead. Your enthusiasm and support during this transition have been truly heartwarming.”

— Jacqueline Patterson, MPA, CFRE Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Community Relations

Leadership Gifts Tribute Gifts

The University recognizes donors who have made significant cumulative gifts providing major institutional support.

We also recognize generous gifts in the current year.

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$25,000 or more this fiscal year

Alcon *

Gilbert Memorial Fund

Reade Fahs, MBA

Hanger Clinic Foundation

Independence Blue Cross Foundation *

National Vision Inc.

Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation

ODP Business Solutions *

Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation

Salus University Student Council

Sarah K. DeCoizart Perpetual Charitable Trust

DEAN’S CIRCLE

$10,000–$24,999 this fiscal year

Alcon Foundation

Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD and Manikandan Rajappa, MPH ’14

CooperVision, Inc.

Elizabeth King Trust

Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith

Memorial Fund

Hafter Family Foundation *

Robert H. Hafter

Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., LLC

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

Lindy Family Trust

Marco Family Foundation, Inc.

New Jersey Academy of Optometry *

PA Foundation

Pennsylvania Vision Foundation

SeeShore Fest

TD Charitable Foundation

Towers at Wyncote

KEYSTONE SOCIETY

$5,000–$9,999 this fiscal year

Estate of Joseph F. Bacon, OD ’63 (d)

The Beeman Family Foundation

Community Foundation for

Greater Atlanta

Rebecca Delia

E. B. O’Reilly

Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation *

J. Roland Gilbert, Mary R. Gilbert and Elizabeth A. Gilbert

Joyce Koh

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FACHE *

Jeffrey S. Nyman, OD *

Marilyn S. Nyman, MEd

The Scholler Foundation

Charles Stone, AuD

Girija Sundar, PhD

The Gitlin Foundation

Melissa E. Trego, OD ’04, PhD *

PILLAR SOCIETY

$2,500–$4,999 this fiscal year

AbbVie

The Barra Foundation

Thomas E. Beeman, PhD, FACHE Blackney Hayes Architects

Brass Lock & Key Corporation

James M. Caldwell, OD ’89, EdD *

Cescaphe

Dominic Conicelli

Conicelli Toyota

Alfred Christopher B. Dezzi

Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD ’73, MEd, MPH *

Richard M. Echevarria *

Tamara Echevarria

Elevator Construction & Repair Co., Inc.

Fox Rothschild LLP

John M. Gaal *

General Vision Services

Steven J. Gentner

Graduate Program Recruitment Solutions

Daniel S. Liberman

Marie A. Marrone-Moriarty, OD ’89

Jane Martin

Mr. & Mrs. Brian McNally

Donna McNally

North American RX I Wear, Inc.

Karen Oleszewski

Ryan Oleszewski

Rajeev K. Raghu, OD, ’98

Brandy J. Scombordi-Raghu, OD ’98

Sharp’s Landscaping, Inc.

Signia Hearing

Eleanor Stasio

Stevens & Lee

T3 Construction, Inc.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank

Topcon Healthcare

Ha-Phuong T. Tran, OD ’98 *

Emily Turner

Vision Innovation Partners

Webber Associates, LLC

CORNERSTONE SOCIETY

$1,000–$2,499 this fiscal year

Daniel A. Abramowicz, PhD *

Diane T. Adamczyk, OD, ’85 *

American Endowment Foundation

American Painting & Decorating

Anonymous Anonymous

Tenesha A. Bazemore, OD ’95

Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Bristow

Edward V. Cordes, III, OD ’77

Georgia K. Crozier, OD ’84, MS ’87

CVS Health Foundation

Krista M. Davis, OD ’96

Howard R. Day, OD

Neil W. Draisin, OD ’71

B. Scott Fine, OD ’72

John J. Fitzgerald, III, DO *

Patrick M. Fleming, OD ’87 *

Kim Gaal

Anne J. Griffin, OD ’07

Victoria V. Guthrie *

Paul E. Harvey, OD ’88

Stanley W. Hatch, OD, MPH

Carolyn Hirsh

Maura A. Keenan *

Dr. Kathleen Kinslow

Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown

George S. Kornfeld, OD ’71

Thomas L. Lewis, OD ’70, PhD

Alan Lindy

Brian P. Mahoney, OD ’85

Dana Mattingly

Meyer and Associates

Bhawanjot K. Minhas, OD

Sarah W. Mitchell

Marla L. Moon, OD ’82 *

Elizabeth Moy

MyEyeDr.

Richard J. Neuer, OD ’54 *

Susan C. Oleszewski, OD ’76, MA

Jacqueline Patterson

William I. Rapoport, OD ’78 *

Henry B. Samson, OD ’73 *

Michael A. Satryan, OD ’84 *

David C. Scharre

Donald R. Smith, OD ’73

Robert D. Strohecker, OD ’89

Jo Surpin *

The Dezzi Group, Ltd.

Brian S. Urban, AuD ’06

Melissa A. Vitek, OD ’95 *

Scott S. Weaver, OD ’77 *

Eugene A. Winakor, OD ’71 *

Debbie Winneberger

*

Heritage Society Members

Heritage Society Members have made provision for Salus University as part of their estate planning in the form of a bequest, gift annuity, trust agreement or life insurance. Through their foresight and generosity, these donors help preserve the heritage of the University and build a stronger future for Salus University.

George A. Angello, Jr., OD ’75

Sheree J. Aston, OD ’82, MA, PhD

Markus I. Barth, OD ’74

Charles and Anne Beier Class of ’76 (1)

Edward V. Cordes, III, OD ’77

Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD ’73, MEd, MPH

Burton Eisenberg, OD ’67

B. Scott Fine, OD ’72

Kathy A. Foltner, AuD ’02

David H. Foster, OD ’82

Donald M. Gleklen

Bernard D. Miskiv, OD ’71

Marla L. Moon, OD ’82

Adele D. Paul, OD ’80

Kevin Ryan, OD ’78

Satya B. Verma, OD ’75

Salus University appreciates contributions to honor or celebrate important people in our lives. We also are grateful for gifts in memory of loved ones.

IN HONOR OF

GLENN S. CORBIN, OD ’82

Mr. & Mrs. James Silverstein

ERIN M. KENNY, OD ’15

Phill Goldberg

DANIEL LUCIANO

Andrew R. Buzzelli, OD, MS

BRUCE M. MAY, OD ’52

Stuart S. Cohn, OD ’67

SUSAN C. OLESZEWSKI, OD ’76, MA

Bob S. Atkinson

Roger W. Cummings, OD ’76

Amanda M. Friess, OD ’02 & David W. Friess, OD, ’02

Stephanie R. Holt, OD ’04

Jeffrey S. Nyman, OD

Marilyn S. Nyman, MEd, CCC-SLP

Neal N. Nyman, OD

Dan J. Tulman, OD ’76

Sandra T. West, OD ’93

GEORGE S. OSBORNE, PHD, DDS

Rita R. Chaiken, AuD ’03

MITCHELL SCHEIMAN, OD, PHD ’16

Marla L. Moon, OD ’82

SAM SCHILBE

Miles J. Newman, OD ’80

MELISSA E. TREGO, OD ’04, PHD

Gregory Benjamin, PhD, MPH

Marla L. Moon, OD ’82

IN MEMORY OF

CATHERINE BENJAMIN

Gregory Benjamin, PhD, MPH

KEVIN J. GUTHRIE, OD ’74

Victoria V. Guthrie

ROSE KELLY Caren Cremen

ALGERNON A. PHILLIPS, OD ’69, MD

James A. Tribbett, OD ’69 (d)

LAWRENCE A. RAGONE, OD ’53

MaryAnn Ragone, MPH ’13

GERSHON RAPOPORT

William I. Rapoport, OD ’78

Alumni Contributors

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Alumni Contributors

CLASS OF 1943 Spring

Freda Sattel *

CLASS OF 1947

Harriet F. Sigel *

CLASS OF 1951

W. Donald Plava *

CLASS OF 1954

Richard J. Neuer *

CLASS OF 1955

David Sarason *

CLASS OF 1956

George L. Fechter

Donald G. Hohe

Leonard Pine

CLASS OF 1958

Roy F. Anderson

CLASS OF 1959

John G. Kulba *

CLASS OF 1960

Thomas J. Joyce, Jr. *

Allan Korot

CLASS OF 1961

Benigno J. Fernandez *

Robert A. Rosenberg *

CLASS OF 1962

Richard A. Feldstein

Philip Gerson *

Nathan Solat

CLASS OF 1963

Estate of Joseph F. Bacon (d)

Donovan C. Blanchard, Jr.

George C. Pence *

CLASS OF 1964

John R. Ferrari

Robert J. Fleishman, Jr.

CLASS OF 1965

John R. Anthony

Allan N. Brull *

Joseph G. Gackenbach *

Richard W. Ottaviani

CLASS OF 1966

Edward S. Campell *

CLASS OF 1967

Bernard H. Blaustein *

Rudolph W. Croce *

Chester L. Kolley *

Theodore M. Walman

CLASS OF 1968

Everett B. Fainberg

Martin Goldman *

Robert M. Greenburg

Jeffrey I. Kaufman

Melvyn S. Mazer *

James J. Polkabla *

Melvin W. Simmons

CLASS OF 1969

Arnold R. Eger

Gary B. Irish

John H. Marsteller

Walter S. Ramsey

Marlene C. Richardson *

Joseph B. Segal *

James A. Tribbett (d) *

CLASS OF 1970

Kenneth B. Bandolik *

Michael Caplan (d) *

Walter J. Drill *

Daniel Feiner

Harvey O. Feldman *

Harold G. Kohn *

Thomas L. Lewis

Gary L. Scheib

David L. Schmolly *

Michael R. Spinell

Wayne W. Unice

CLASS OF 1971

Gerald N. Adams

Neil W. Draisin

Reid L. Grayson *

Donald P. Gutekunst *

Bruce A. Kellner

George S. Kornfeld

Richard E. Margerum *

Sam C. Smart *

Ryan R. Sorg

Wilbert E. Stock, Jr. *

Nicholas J. Theisz

Eugene A. Winakor *

CLASS OF 1972

Dennis R. Delp *

Mark L. Farbman

B. Scott Fine

Stanley A. Fruzynski

James E. Hill

Elliot F. Lasky *

Martin A. Mass

Edward F. Pinn *

David A. Rupp *

CLASS OF 1973

John Bielinski *

Stuart P. Creson *

Anthony F. Di Stefano *

Douglas K. Gauvreau *

Kenneth R. Gift *

Douglas N. Glazer *

Gene G. Lund

Dennis H. Lyons *

David Miller

Ronald J. Minsky *

Eugene B. Person

Joel H. Rogol *

Henry B. Samson *

Raymond J. Seeley

Donald R. Smith

Andrew J. Sokolik

Larry D. Sumner

Barry D. Tuerkheimer

Thomas P. Webb *

CLASS OF 1974

Martin D. Arkin

Markus I. Barth

Jay L. Burstein

Bernice A. Machamer *

Hal R. Mendel *

Howard B. Stromwasser *

William T. Suhr *

George M. Toohey

CLASS OF 1975

Fred J. Bresler

Herb C. Bressler, III

Stephen J. Drabick

Monroe N. Farmer, Jr. *

Robert I. Goldstein *

David J. Harakal

Joseph S. Ieni

Steven M. Laderberg *

Steven A. Linas *

Satya B. Verma

Christopher A. Weidig

CLASS OF 1976

Donald K. Alexander *

Timothy H. Atkinson

Roger W. Cummings

Howard M. Davies, Jr. *

David A. Gourwitz *

Sue C. Oleszewski

Leon J. Pendracky

Stuart J. Pollan

Dan J. Tulman *

CLASS OF 1977

Carol L. Aycoth

Dale Ching

Edward V. Cordes, III

Alexander R. Crinzi *

James C. Frangos

Kenneth J. Hue

Joseph Lebovic

Eugene J. McDonough

Robert J. Parnes

Leonard J. Press

William J. Prinsket *

David J. Strunk *

Scott S. Weaver *

CLASS OF 1978

Leslie P. Brodsky *

John C. Duff *

Ken N. Factor

Jane Orenstein Fradkin

Jerry S. Hardison *

Emery C. Huber

Anthony E. Latagliata *

Larry M. Levine

Frank J. Pirozzolo

Lloyd M. Pritz

William I. Rapoport *

Leonard M. Steiner *

Janet E. Summers

Jeffrey S. Wigton *

CLASS OF 1979

Artamarie S. Barclay

G. Richard Bennett

Stuart J. Burg

J. Michael Burke *

Joan M. Cirbus *

Richard J. Clompus *

Robert L. Kardos *

Paul J. Lobby *

Gary E. Oliver *

CLASS OF 1980

Jeffrey M. Brosof *

Raymond W. Corry

Michael J. Deitz *

Walter R. Foster

Joseph M. Hanson

Roger K. Johnson

Daniel P. Kramer *

Richard D. Lappen

Paul A. McManus

David M. Melgary

Michael H. Mittelman *

Miles J. Newman

Robert L. Owens *

Joseph P. Shovlin *

David A. Siegel *

Cathy D. Stern

Leonard M. Thurschwell *

Janis M. White

CLASS OF 1981

Joseph W. Babcock *

David J. Csonka

Alan H. Diamond

David Paul Dozack *

Charles H. Fitzpatrick

Alan P. Levitt

Edward V. Niemczyk *

Michael L. Raff

Mark S. Rakoczy

Margaret J. Swinker

Steven M. Weisbond

CLASS OF 1982

Kenneth W. Best

Michael D. DePaolis

Marie R. Levine *

Leslie B. Miller

Marla L. Moon *

George E. Ozer

Marci K. Wolfe *

CLASS OF 1983

Joseph Audia

Robert P. Bittel, Jr.

Lisa A. Carroll *

Nina J. Cox

Steven H. Friedman *

Scott A. Fuerman *

Nancy L. Herrold

Timothy G. Jessee

William T. Lenart

Gerald P. Lubert

Kurt J. Moody

Lawrence J. Mroz *

Joann B. Strain

Barry J. Toyzer

Marc S. Wiener *

Karen M. Wrigley-Haak *

CLASS OF 1984

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Richard Centar *

Therese M. Farugia

Gary J. Havranek *

Craig M. Match

Andrew M. Moschitta

Lynne E. Pierce

Michael A. Satryan *

Steven R. Stanek

Lawrence J. Sylvester

CLASS OF 1985

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Diane T. Adamczyk *

Michael C. Baughan

Michael A. Berenhaus

John P. Boscia

Kelly A. Frantz *

Wayne J. Goldschneider

David A. Hardic *

Jeffrey P. Krill *

Brian P. Mahoney

Stuart J. Neft *

Maria L. Parisi

James F. Saviola

Robert W. Stetekluh

Jeffrey L. Weaver *

Karl W. Wolfe

CLASS OF 1986

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

John M. Aimino

Mark B. Boas *

Suzanne O. Boas *

Joseph J. Carillo *

Craig A. Cassey *

David D. DiFranceisco

Kim B. Even *

Louis R. Iacoponi *

Binae Karpo *

M. Alan McLin *

Leigh A. Moser

Linda M. Melough

CLASS OF 1987

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Isaac Bak

Patricia M. Cisarik

Veronica A. Constantine

Patrick M. Fleming *

Gregory P. Gaglioti

Michael P. Gowen, Sr. *

Monika H. Groff

Elisa B. Haransky-Beck

Maureen J. Kimmeth

Myles S. Neiman

Rita Orren

Jean Marie Pagani

Kenneth W. Savitski *

Marie E. Sokol

Jeannene L. Soodek

Sharon C. Stein

Perry C. Umlauf

Steven R. Warstadt

CLASS OF 1988

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Janice J. Durham *

Anne A. Geiger *

Paul E. Harvey

John T. Nutaitis

Fernando L. Silva *

Jonathan A. Stevens

F. Joseph Werner

Patricia A. Youngquist

CLASS OF 1989

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Derrick L. Artis

John L. Burns

Randy J. Cakanac

James M. Caldwell *

Nancy C. Cooper-Gregory

Elinor L. Descovich

John W. Diering *

Sarah L. Foster

Michele R. Haranin

Brad E. Hauser *

Jerome M. Hernandez

Jeff R. Jolley

Helene M. Kaiser *

David I. Kepner

John Kurovsky

Marie A. Marrone-Moriarty

Mark A. Shust *

Robert D. Strohecker

Annette D. Zamboni-Werner

CLASS OF 1990

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Samuel E. D’Onofrio

Gina A. Dyda-Schmid

Douglas J. Kelley

ToniAnn D. Sagnella

Philip J. Schaville *

Mark E. Schmidt

Peter G. Theodorous

Benjamin C. Yanofsky

CLASS OF 1991

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Neil P. Casey *

Rachel A. Coulter

Matthew J. DeLuca

Michael J. Dolan

Francis J. Dzwieleski

John A. Facchin

Joanne F. Reed

Christopher H. Son *

Linda M. Stolfo *

Beth E. Triebel *

CLASS OF 1992

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Ruth A. Miller

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Sheeba Bhaskaran

John J. Burrell, Jr.

Robert F. Gilligan *

John A. Godfrey

David S. Johnson *

Elisabeth K. Kim

Carole S. Levin

Richard C. Malara

Maria A. Pimley

Tara K. Rose *

Gregory W. Vallino *

Alumni Contributors

CLASS OF 1993

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Felicia A. Whitney-Williams *

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Pamela G. Conrad

Allan E. Davis *

Jerry R. Hensel

John H. Lee

Paul G. Pascarella

Sandra T. West

CLASS OF 1994

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Jean A. Astorino

Anthony Efre *

Robert J. Esposito

CLASS OF 1995

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Mr. Raymond Peloquin, III

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Joseph Hartman

Tenesha A. Bazemore

Lisa A. Buraks

Greg A. Caldwell

Christy A. Coleman

William J. Ference

Shereen Hakki

Marc D. James

Timothy S. Kueny

Eric R. Miller *

Jessica L. Reiniger

Todd A. Shuba *

Barbara J. Thomson *

Melissa A. Vitek *

CLASS OF 1996

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Carol A. Moog

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Robert G. Alianiello

Marianne E. Boltz

Krista M. Davis

Tracy M. Schroeck

Mark J. Witte

CLASS OF 1997

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Vivian M. Descant

Talitha R. D’Italia

Noah M. Eger

David A. Haine

Krystal T. Nguyen

Colm Quigley

Keith E. Votens *

Frederick Young

CLASS OF 1998

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Bethany H. Brady

David J. Holler

Thomas P. McLaughlin

Rocio C. Pasion *

Rajeev K. Raghu

Brandy J. Scombordi

Ha-Phuong T. Tran *

Marc J. Ullman

Stephanie E. Yee

Nicole F. Zangler

John C. Zelazowski

CLASS OF 1999

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Gretchen J. Brewer Schneider

Leane E. DelBalso

Karen L. King

Kevin J. Krajewski *

Claudia C. Morgan *

Lisa A. O’Brien *

CLASS OF 2000

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Lisa J. Kott

Kimberly A. Suche-Agostinelli

David A. Wagner *

CLASS OF 2001

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Cathleen A. Alex

Veronica H. Heide

Kay D. Krebs *

Debra E. Williams *

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Andrew J. Doyle

William R. Forse *

Anne P. Holmes

Kerry E. Longo Williams

Sarah S. Mackie

Hang H. Thai

Kimberly A. Yee

CLASS OF 2002

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Jennifer L. Edgar

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Barbara L. Kurman

Tom W. Morris

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Amanda M. Friess *

David W. Friess *

Richard G. Gardner *

Quan L. Pham *

Roushanak Roushanaei-Fadavi

C. Tucker Van Dyck

CLASS OF 2003

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Rita R. Chaiken *

Linda M. Gonya-Hartman

Jonette B. Owen *

Ed J. Szumowski, Jr.

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Audrey S. Fung

Sally Y. Halim Kado

Shital V. Mani

Andrew J. Rixon *

Eric J. Thiem

Heather A. Vallino *

CLASS OF 2004

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Tomi Thibodeaux Browne

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Youykham Chanthavilay

William J. Fridel, III

Stephanie R. Holt

Melissa A. McCracken

Dieuminh K. Nguyen

Melissa E. Trego *

CLASS OF 2005

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Kathleen A. Aspinall

Anne M. Puglisi

Christina Vail

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Justin W. Beamer *

Joseph D. Dzibela

Tina H. Keshava *

Joanne D. Nguyen

Amy E. Suda

David J. Vinci *

Ulysses W. Yau

CLASS OF 2006

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Jennifer A. Detsch

Bre L. Myers

Brian S. Urban

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Justin S. Campbell

Holly A. Kiker

Brett W. Neal

CLASS OF 2007

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Joni S. Bullough

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Natalie P. Bissoon

Amanda L. Curling

Anne J. Griffin

Joseph Hartman

Suzanne Parker Bulakowski

CLASS OF 2008

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Gail A. Linn

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

William Chang

Jamie L. Magnotta

Alesha L. Spellman Smith

CLASS OF 2009

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Michael J. Davenport

Mary P. Evans

Tony J. Philip

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Jonathan C. Bondroff

Erin M. Draper

Karen L. Slate

Scott Taylor *

Teresa J. Vigario

CLASS OF 2010

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

Diana Anderson

Niki L. Barwick

Emma Garcia

Amanda M. Marchegiani *

Katheryn Monk

Loreen B. Zimmerman

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Alissa M. Coyne

Essence N. Johnson

Tracy A. Losinski

Cara J. Reitnauer

CLASS OF 2011

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Jacobi T. Cleaver

Darryl E. Glover, Jr.

CLASS OF 2012

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Andrew P. Paszko

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Sara A. Bierwerth

CLASS OF 2013

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Ms. Kelp Armstrong

Margaret M. Opalka

MaryAnn Ragone

Elizabeth A. Tonkery

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Gregory M. Barbush

Tiffany Y. Pao

CLASS OF 2015

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Anthony M. Firetto

John C. Whitham

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Christina M. DalPorto

Jerson G. Desiderio

Nicholas J. Gidosh

Andrew L. Meagher

CLASS OF 2016

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Marissa B. Lewis

Mitchell Scheiman *

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Emily R. Carr

Jenna M. Sembrat

CLASS OF 2017

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Lynn D. Greenspan *

Zachary D. Saunders

CLASS OF 2018

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Kinyatti Gakuhi

Lauren N. Sponseller

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Mark A. Nelson

Pelashia S. Rhodes

CLASS OF 2019

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Chad C. Killen

CLASS OF 2020

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

Kaylin T. Magosin

Sabrina Syed

CLASS OF 2022

COLLEGE OF HEALTH

SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

William Shashaty

OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

James T. Brand

CLASS OF 2023

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Brandon D. Garces

Kelvin A. Nunez Compres

Mr. Li Zhang

CLASS OF 2024

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Diamond N. Abbate

Michelle C. Lopez

Chantana M. Moapichai

Naomi Nixon

Danielle Pavic

Bryan P. Ross

Sabrina Syed

Nicholas O. Thomas

Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Alexis R. Abate *

Daniel A. Abramowicz, PhD *

Chima Acholonu, MBA

Terri Albertson

Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD

Derrick L. Artis, OD ’89

Bob S. Atkinson

Marcie Baker

Felix M. Barker, II, OD *

Chaitali Baviskar

Thomas E. Beeman, PhD, FACHE

Gregory Benjamin, PhD, MPH

G. Richard Bennett, OD ’79

Sara A. Bierwerth, OD ’12

Bernard H. Blaustein, OD ’67 *

Mark B. Boas, OD ’86, MS *

Hannah Boettger

Victor H. Bray, MSC, PhD *

Patricia Burke

Andrew R. Buzzelli, OD, MS

James M. Caldwell, OD ’89, EdD *

Lindsey A. Cardillo

Linda Casser, OD

Craig A. Cassey, OD ’86 *

Stuart S. Cohn, OD ’67 *

Alissa M. Coyne, OD, MS ’10

Caren Cremen

Roger W. Cummings, OD ’76

Marilyn E. Daltry

Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker, PhD *

Edward A. Deglin, MD

Janet Swiatocha Delatte, OD

Rebecca Delia

Alfred Christopher B. Dezzi

Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD ’73, MEd, MPH *

David P. Dozack, OD ’81 *

Neil W. Draisin, OD ’71

Erin M. Draper, OD ’09

J. Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO

Richard M. Echevarria *

Christopher J. Esposito

Reade Fahs, MBA

Thomas A. Falkowski

John J. Fitzgerald, III, DO *

Carolyn Forcina

Caitlyn J. Foy, DOT, MOTR/L

Lydia Friel

John M. Gaal *

Joseph G. Gackenbach, OD ’65 *

Nicholas J. Gidosh, OD ’15

Donald M. Gleklen, JD

Marcy Graboyes

Lynn D. Greenspan, OD, PhD ’17 *

Anna M. Griffin *

Alena Hackett

Savanna Hailu

James W. Hall, III, PhD

Karen J. Hanson, PhD

Stanley W. Hatch, OD, MPH

Stephanie R. Holt, OD ’04

Keith D. Ignotz *

Anna Intartaglia

Helene M. Kaiser, OD ’89 *

Donald C. Kates *

Maura A. Keenan *

Monae S. Kelsey

Chad C. Killen, OD ’19

Kathleen Kinslow, CRNA, EdD

Joyce Koh

Brooke C. Kruemmling, PhD

Bisant A. Labib, OD ’14

Allison E. Levitt

Thomas L. Lewis, OD ’70, PhD

Daniel S. Liberman, JD, MSc

Jamie L. Lindsay

Lorraine Lombardi, PhD

Amanda L. Lusaitis

Amy P. Lustig, MPH, PhD

Shital V. Mani, OD ’03

Marie A. Marrone-Moriarty, OD ’89

Joseph W. Marshall, III

Elizabeth Marunde, OD

Dana Mattingly

William McCune, MPH

Bernadette McNulty, PhD

Andrew L. Meagher, OD ’15

Jenny Metzger

Alycia M. Miller

Bhawanjot K. Minhas, OD

Sarah W. Mitchell

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MBA, MPH, FACHE *

Marla L. Moon, OD ’82 *

Juliana M. Mosley-Williams, PhD, CDP

Elizabeth Moy

Margaret A. Mulligan, MD

Dana M. Nissenfeld

Jeffrey S. Nyman, OD *

Neal N. Nyman, OD

Tracy N. Offerdahl- McGowen, PharmD

Susan C. Oleszewski, OD ’76, MA

Gerard OSullivan

Jonette B. Owen, AuD ’03 *

Maureen E. Owens *

Joanne Packer, BSN

Jean Marie Pagani, OD ’87

Maria L. Parisi, OD ’85

Sumathi Parthasarathy

Jacqueline Patterson

Jennifer Pilchman, MSPAS, PA-C

Maria A. Pimley, OD ’92

Pelashia S. Rhodes, OD ’18

Glenn R. Roedel

Jane Scaccetti, MS, CPA, MST

Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD ’16 *

Monica J. Scirrotto

Brandy J. Scombordi-Raghu, OD ’98

Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-LP

Margie Singer

Audrey J. Smith, PhD

Winifred A. Sontag

Michael R. Spinell, OD ’70

Lauren N. Sponseller, OTD, PhD ’18

Richard Stankovis (d)

Girija Sundar, PhD

Jo Surpin *

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Sweeney *

Chawn A. Thomas

Elizabeth A. Tonkery, OD, MPH ’13

Melissa E. Trego, OD ’04, PhD *

James A. Tribbett, OD ’69 (d) *

Dan J. Tulman, OD ’76 *

Emily Turner

Satya B. Verma, OD ’75

Melissa A. Vitek, OD ’95 *

Brian D. Zuckerman, Esq.

In-Kind Gifts

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Daniel A. Abramowicz, PhD * ALPS South

American Painting & Decorating

America’s Transportation Experience Museum

Anna’s Bees Honey

Barry’s Cares

Thomas E. Beeman, PhD, FACHE

Bohmora

Bradford World Renowned Portraiture

Brass Lock & Key Corporation *

Tomi Thibodeaux Browne, AuD

Bucks County River Country

James M. Caldwell, OD ’89, EdD *

Craig A. Cassey, OD ’86 * Chanticleer

College Park Industries

Crayola Experience

Rebecca Delia

E. B. O’Reilly

Eastern State Penitentiary

Fearless Restaurants

Fill-A-Bagel

Carolyn Forcina

John M. Gaal *

Glencairn Museum

Alena Hackett

Hand & Stone - KOP

Helium Comedy Club

Hershey Gardens

Hershey Story Museum

Keith D. Ignotz, MBA *

Donald C. Kates, CFA *

Maura A. Keenan, MHRM, CEBS, CPSP *

Kathleen Kinslow

Daniel S. Liberman

Longwood Gardens

Mad Golfer Golf Club

Marzano Ristorante

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FACHE *

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

Mount Cuba Center

Elizabeth Moy

National Constitution Center

Nealson Hauling

Nothing Bundt CakesAbington-Elkins Park

Old Navy - Radnor

Ossur Americas Incorporated

Penny’s by Plaza Flowers

People’s Light &

Theatre Company

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Orchestra

Rajeev K. Raghu, OD

Brooke Rogers

Brandy J. Scombordi-Raghu, OD

Seedling and Sage

Sesame Place

Shady Brook Farm

Shapiro Fire Protection Company

Sharp’s Landscaping, Inc.

Speigelworld

Richard Stankovis (d)

Star Plumbing & Heating Company

Jo Surpin, MA *

T3 Construction, Inc.

Tamarack Habilitation

Technologies

Thuasne USA

Emily Turner

Upper Dublin Sports Center

The Wawa Foundation

Waxing The City

Woodmere Art Museum

Yard House Restaurant - KOP

Foundations, Corporations and Associations

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

AbbVie

Alcon *

Alcon Foundation

American Endowment Foundation

American Painting & Decorating

Estate of Joseph F. Bacon, OD ’63 (d) *

The Barra Foundation

The Beeman Family Foundation

Blackney Hayes Architects

Brass Lock & Key Corporation

Cescaphe

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

The Community’s Foundation DCCF

Conicelli Toyota

CooperVision, Inc.

Crane Communications, Inc.

CVS Health Foundation

The Dezzi Group, Ltd.

E. B. O’Reilly

Elevator Construction & Repair Co., Inc.

Elizabeth King Trust c/o BNY Mellon

Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith

Memorial Fund

Fox Rothschild LLP

General Vision Services

GenServe Inc.

Gilbert Memorial Fund

The Gitlin Foundation

Graduate Program

Recruitment Solutions

Hafter Family Foundation *

Hanger Clinic Foundation

Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., LLC

Hoxie Harrison Smith

Foundation *

Hurst Electric LLC

Independence Blue Cross Foundation *

Johnson & Johnson Matching

Gifts Program

Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown

Liberty Mutual Affinity

Marketing *

Marco Family Foundation, Inc.

Meier & Moser Assoc PC

Meyer and Associates

MyEyeDr.

National Vision Inc.

New Jersey Academy of Optometry *

North American RX Wear, Inc.

Northeast Pennsylvania Lions

Service Foundation

ODP Business Solutions *

PA Foundation

PayPal Giving Fund

PB Lindy Family Trust-AL

Pennsylvania Vision Foundation

Provision Financial Resources of NC Baptists, Inc.

Readers Digest Partners for

Sight Foundation

Salus University Student Council

Sarah K. DeCoizart Perpetual Charitable Trust

The Scholler Foundation

SeeShore Fest

Sharp’s Landscaping, Inc.

Signia Hearing

Southampton Estates Residents Association

Stevens & Lee

Strategic Health Alliance, LLC

T3 Construction, Inc.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank

TD Charitable Foundation

Topcon Healthcare

Towers at Wyncote

Toyota Dealer Match Program

Valley Forge Casino Resort

Vision Innovation Partners

Webber Associates, LLC

*

* Denotes ten or more years of consecutive giving

Friends and Parents

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Bernadette Abate

Jody Abernethy

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Abernethy

Mr. & Mrs. John R. Albor

Nancy Albor

Virginia M. Alvarado *

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Andrejko

Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD

Jean A. Astorino, OD

Mr. & Mrs. John Bachman

Frank Baer

Stephanie J. Bailey

Kurt W. Baker

Robert A. Barclay, OD

Linda Barder

Niki L. Barwick, AuD

Michael C. Baughan, OD

Tenesha A. Bazemore, OD

G. Richard Bennett, OD

Sheeba Bhaskaran, OD

Sara A. Bierwerth, OD

Bernard H. Blaustein, OD *

Mark B. Boas, OD *

Suzanne O. Boas, OD *

Mr. Rodney Boettger

Marianne E. Boltz, OD

Mr. & Mrs. John Bonanno

Teresa Bonanno

Mr. & Mrs. Barry Bondroff

Tammi Boris

Bethany H. Brady, OD

Geoffrey Brandon

Mr. & Mrs. Michael R. Brennan *

Gretchen J. Brewer Schneider, OD

Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Bristow

Roberta Brooks, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Jeffrey M. Brosof, OD

Stuart J. Burg, OD

Padraic P. Burke *

Megan Burns

John J. Burrell, Jr., OD

Jay L. Burstein, OD

Andrew R. Buzzelli, OD

Randy J. Cakanac, OD

James M. Caldwell, OD, EdD *

Justin S. Campbell, OD

Lynn Carapellotti

Emily R. Carr, OD

Linda Casser, OD

Craig A. Cassey, OD

Roland Chalifoux

Maria Colavita

Dominic Conicelli

Nancy C. Cooper-Gregory, OD

Thomas A. Copulos

Rachel A. Coulter, OD

Alissa M. Coyne, OD

Roger W. Cummings, OD

Kathleen Cuprys

Mr. & Mrs. Ryszard Cuprys

Amanda L. Curling, OD

Jennifer D’Arrigo Zuckerman

Talitha R. D’Italia, OD

Howard M. Davies, Jr., OD

Krista M. Davis, OD

Mr. & Mrs. James E. DeDionisio *

Leane E. DelBalso, OD

Richard Delia

Matthew J. DeLuca, OD

Patricia Dickey

John W. Diering, OD

David D. DiFranceisco, OD

Erin M. Draper, OD,

Walter J. Drill, OD

David Echevarria

Tamara Echevarria

Kristina M. English, PhD

Mr. & Mrs. David Evans

Richard Fazio

Yelena Feldkamp

Lisa Fortney

Caitlyn J. Foy, DOT, MOTR/L

Mr. & Mrs. William J. Fridel

Kim Gaal

Tiffany Gaal

John Gallagher

Mo Ganey *

Steven J. Gentner

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gidosh

Phill Goldberg

Rebecca Griswold

Victoria V. Guthrie *

Robert H. Hafter

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Halatin

Cathleen Hartley

David Hartshorn

January Higgins

Mr. & Ms. Michael Hildebrandt

Carolyn Hirsh

Maya Jensen

Florence Johnson

Helene M. Kaiser, OD *

Mr. & Mrs. John Kalovcak

Mary Lou Kerwin

Abbe & Scott Kessler

Anne P. Keyser

Karen L. King, OD

Amanda Kraft

Brian Kroker

Ray Kuruc

Karen Lacanilo

Richard D. Lappen, OD

Ricky Laslo

Kristin Latter

Carole S. Levin, OD

Mr. & Mrs. Jan A. Lewis

Veranika Li

David Liang

Michael Liberman

Alan Lindy

Brian Lorigan

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Love

Amy P. Lustig, MPH, PhD

Roger S. Madigan *

Marie C. Marrone

Jake Marshall

Joseph W. Marshall, III

Nikki Marshall

Jane Martin

Representative & Mrs. Keith McCall

M. Alan McLin, OD *

Mr. & Mrs. Brian McNally

Donna McNally

Eric M. McNeil*

Andrew L. Meagher, OD

Stephen Meier

Jenny Metzger

Deborah Miller

Bhawanjot K. Minhas, OD

Michael Moore

Lauri Morganstein, MA, CCC-SLP/L

Shelby Murwin

Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Nace

Sara Neumann, AuD

Robin Nutes

Jeffrey S. Nyman, OD *

Marilyn S. Nyman, MEd, CCC-SLP

Neal N. Nyman, OD

William J. Oberle

Joe Oleszewski

Karen Oleszewski

Richard Oleszewski

Ryan Oleszewski

Tom Ostrowski

Vicki Owens

Emily Pavelko

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Pellegrini

Mr. & Mrs. James Penney

Veronica Penney

Maria A. Pimley, OD

Travis Poston

Leonard J. Press, OD

Jacob Reeves

Cara J. Reitnauer, OD

Steve Rosinski, OD

Carolyn Rosner

David C. Scharre

Philip J. Schaville, OD

Margie Serianni

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Shalamanda

Natalie Sherman

Kaylin Shuke

Mr. & Mrs. James Silverstein

Mr. & Mrs. Ron Simones

Lisa Simpson

Susan Smat

Corey Smith

Donald R. Smith, OD

Alesha L. Spellman Smith, OD

Nancy Spritz

Eleanor Stasio

Rebecca L. Sterner, OD

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stochla

Charles Stone, AuD

Jerald W. Strickland, OD, PhD

Lesa Sulimay

Leander A. Tassoni

Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Taylor *

Karen Tepper

Matt Tevnan

Marcia Thompson

Christina Vail, AuD

Jeff Vogel

Patricia Weaver

Christopher A. Weidig, OD

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Weinberg *

F. Joseph Werner, OD

Debbie Winneberger

Lisa M. Witomski

Mark J. Witte, OD

H. Ted Woodcome, OD

Barbara G. Yanofsky

Mary Zahorsky

Annette D. Zamboni-Werner, OD

Joyce Zamorski

Jeffrey Zimmerman

Leadership

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

CHAIR

Rebecca Delia

VICE CHAIR

Daniel A. Abramowicz, PhD

SECRETARY

Craig Casey, OD ’86

TREASURER

Emily Turner, CFA

MEMBERS

Terri Albertson

Derrick Artis, OD ’89, MBA*

Christopher Dezzi, MBA

Thomas E. Beeman, PhD, MBA

Reade Fahs, MBA

Carolyn Focina

Caitlyn Foy, DOT, MOTR/L, Faculty Representative

Kathleen Kinslow, CRNA, EdD, MBA

Joyce E. Koh, Esq.

Sean Lewis, OD ’24, Student Representative

Daniel L. Liberman, JD, MSc

Dana Mattingly

William McCune, MPH

Sarah Mitchell, JD

Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, Ex-Officio

Michele Palos-Samsi, PA-C

Shannon Tornoe

Emeriti Members

Mark Boas, MS, OD ’86

I. William Collins, OD ’47

Barry J. Farkas, OD ’71

Donald M. Gleklen, JD

Keith D. Ignotz, MBA*

Carl Polsky, JD

Jane Scaccetti, MS, CPA, MST

Jo Surpin, MA

Harold Wiener, OD ’50

* Concluded January 2024

Alumni Association Board of Directors

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Riya Paranthan, OD ’14

PRESIDENT ELECT

Pelashia S. Rhodes, OD ’18

DIRECTORS

Diane T. Adamczyk, OD ’85, FAAO

Markus I. Barth, OD ’74

Marianne E. Boltz, OD ’96, FAAO

James T. Brand, AuD ’22

Gretchen J. Brewer-Schneider, OD ’99

Emily R. Carr, OD ’16

Rita R. Chaiken, AuD ’03

Ryan J. Horan, AuD ’09

Blaine A. Littlefield, OD ’83

Valerie L. Miller Geller, MSOT ’17

Caitlin J. Raymond, MS ’17

Bridget T. Turnbach, MS ’17

Perry C. Umlauf, OD ’87

Christi-Marie Williamson, AuD ’20

* Denotes ten or more years of consecutive giving (d) Deceased

MUHR

MOBILE UNIT FOR HEALTHCARE RESOURCES

The Mobile Unit for Healthcare Resources — Exciting News! The MUHR Mobile is officially on the road, bringing essential vision, hearing, and speech-language screenings to children in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place outside The Eye Institute on June 26, 2024. Following in the footsteps of the beloved “Big Red Bus,” this new mobile unit is set to impact underserved communities across the Greater Philadelphia area positively. Together, they’ll ensure every child has the necessary care!

Services provided include comprehensive vision screenings and exams, hearing and speech-language screenings.

Thank you to our contributors:

• Pennsylvania Vision Foundation/Vision Benefits of America, Inc.

•American Heritage Federal Credit Union

•America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses

•Patrick Fleming, OD ’87

•The McLean Contributionship

•Cathie Muhr

Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027-1516

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

www.salus.edu