ALUMNI MAGAZINE T H E F U T U R E O F H E A LT H S C I E N C E S I N C E 1 9 1 9 .
Dr. Lorraine Lombardi retires in June, leaving a remarkable legacy of excellence
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FROM PRESIDENT MIT TELMAN As we approach the University’s 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to reflect on the last decade of bustling activity at Salus. As Gretchen Rubin famously said, “the days are long, but the years are short.” While we toil away at our daily tasks, it is easy to forget about the bigger picture and all that we have accomplished together. Since 2008, we have expanded and diversified our academic offerings to include Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology as a complement to Optometry, Blindness and Low Vision Studies and Audiology. We are now giving consideration to the next programs that will expand and complement our offerings. We continue to update our campus facilities, including the Speech-Language Institute, an updated and modernized Eye Institute, a new Learning Resource Center, an Optometric Clinical Procedures Lab with adjacent Virtual Reality Lab, the College of Education and Rehabilitation Lab and the soon to be dedicated “Lombardi Classroom” that will be large enough to accommodate an entire class year of students across all of our programs. As we mark the University’s 10th anniversary and approach the 100th anniversary of the University’s founding college, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), our most important recognition should go to those who were instrumental in our programmatic evolution and their legacy of excellence in teaching and administration. After a collective 130 years of service, Drs. Lorraine Lombardi, Susan Oleszewski, and Bernie Blaustein will leave the institution and move on to the next chapter of their lives. Their numerous contributions represent the foundational elements that have made PCO and Salus the institution it is today. We are grateful for their remarkable dedication over many decades. As the University celebrates its first decade and enters another, we ask you for your continued support and participation to further our mission of advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.
Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, FAAO, FACHE
On July 1, 2008, upon approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, once a single-purpose institution, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry became a multidisciplinary University. Salus University and its subsequent new logo were unveiled with help from the inaugural class of Physician Assistant Studies at the Hafter Student Center.
In this issue INSIDE COVER
From President Mittelman
FEATURE
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Salus University — 10 Years of Living Up to its Name
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The Lombardi Legacy of Excellence
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNIT Y
12 Making an Impact on Children’s Vision
DEPARTMENTS
8 ON THE COVER
The Lombardi Legacy of Excellence Without a doubt, Lorraine Lombardi is a gifted educator. After a fifty-year teaching career, she is also — without a doubt — beloved.
14 University News 18 Alumni News 22 Dedicated to Clinical Education: “Uncle Bernie” Retires after 40 Years 24 Passion with Purpose: Dr. O’s Powerful Impact 26 In Memoriam
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28 2018 Alumni Association Awardees BACK COVER
Centennial Gala Save the Date
SHARE YOUR STORY
Are you a Salus or PCO graduate with a story to share about your commitment to community? If so, please email communications@salus.edu.
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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRAMER PORTRAITS
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Michael H. Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, FAAO, FACHE President Dennis C. Washington, MP Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Community Relations Lynne C. Corboy, MS, MPH Director, Institutional Advancement Jamie Lemisch Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving EDITOR
Alexis R. Abate, MA Director, Communications CONTRIBUTORS
Alexis R. Abate, Taylor Buotte, ‘19AUD, Anthony F. DiStefano, OD ’73, MPH, MEd, Harriet Goodheart, Ashley Jefferson, Jamie Lemisch, Dennis H. Lyons, OD ’73, Peggy Shelly, Macy Zhelyazkova, Brian Zuckerman
@philadelphiaeagles spirit is strong on campus today! #flyeaglesfly #philadelphiaeagles #salusuniversity #philadelphia #letsgobirds #number1 February 2, 2018
Our physician assistant class of 2018 is back on campus for only two days this week for their “Transition Days.” As they near graduation in fall of their 25-month program, Transition Days involve workshops preparing them for future clinical practice, review for their board certification, and capstone presentations. #SalusUniversity #HPW2017 #PhysicianAssistantStudies #PA November 10, 2017
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE
Lynne C. Corboy, Karen Greave, Lesley Westerfer, Susan C. Oleszewski, OD ’76, MA, Macy Zhelyazkova DESIGN
Roni Lagin & Co. PHOTOGRAPHY
Kate Braemer, Ryan Brandenberg, Ashley Jefferson, Kramer Portraits, Dennis Lyons, Alyssa Nuyen, Lesley Westerfer, Jane Martin Salus University Alumni Magazine is published bi-annually for alumni, staff, faculty, parents and friends. Please send comments, contributions and address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027
Our OT students love their new padfolios from the Alumni Office! #salusuniversity #OT #occupationaltherapy December 20, 2017
215.780.1391 alumni@salus.edu www.salus.edu Salus University by choice, 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 federal regulations issued under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions concerning any of the above policies should be addressed to: Maura Keenan, Affirmative Action Officer, Salus University, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 at 215.780.1267.
A group of the University’s audiology, optometry and speechlanguage pathology students and faculty took part in the Veterans Expo at @mccc. They worked together to provide multisensory screenings to veterans. November 21, 2017
NOSA along with Dr. Ruth Shoge took party in yesterday’s #MLKDayofService and provided vision screenings at Girard College. #salusuniversity #philadelphia #optometry #MLKDay January 16, 2018
“When the glasses came, I could see better and I was proud of myself.” Hear more from third grade student and recipient of LOFK’s vision care services, Yerani. @RosemaryConnors #LOFK November 13, 2017
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Salus University — 10 Years of Living Up to its Name by Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD ’73, MPH, MEd Shakespeare knew the power and magic of words. He understood that within each word, each name, there lies a story, a symbol, a deeper meaning that touches our senses, our intellect and our heart. The choice of Salus as the name of our academic home in 2008 reflected a historical moment in our evolution. In order to appreciate that moment, a journey back in historical consciousness, not to live there, but to again feel, smell and experience the texture of our institutional history and how those aspirations gave birth to who we are today is important.
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THE PHOTO MONTAGE DEPICTED ON THE MURAL OUTSIDE OF THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER RETELLS THE HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION FROM THE ORIGINAL SITE ON SPRING GARDEN STREET TO THE UNIVERSIT Y’S MODERN DAY CAMPUS IN ELKINS PARK.
PERSPECTIVE The founding of the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO) in 1919 was led by its first president, Albert Fitch. Fitch understood that the transformation of the profession of optometry from opticianry would have to be built on an understanding of the needs of the public for quality vision care and the absolute importance of a proper educational foundation. As such, Fitch postulated that “A proper college of optometry must compare with any of the colleges of the other health professions, such as medicine and dentistry, and be on a par with the best of them.” Biomedical sciences formed a distinctive academic and clinical foundation of the curriculum, in contrast to other programs which gave almost exclusive emphasis to visual science. Bringing the strength of the biomedical sciences together with the foundational visual sciences propelled the institution to become the first program to award a legislature-approved Doctor of Optometry Degree in 1923. Fitch’s progressive ideals led to the 1937 introduction of Pennsylvania State House Bill No. 1119, which would have
granted optometrists full privileges to diagnose and treat eye diseases. While it fell one vote short because of political deception, it was the catalyst for the transformation of optometry to the full scope primary eye care profession it enjoys today. Fitch’s drive, boldness and spirit became the defining character of the institution. This root belief in the necessity to grow, to go beyond the norms of the day, to look beyond oneself and aspire to be more and do more, ultimately led to the decades of leadership the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry and then the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), which it became in 1964, played in curricular innovation, political action and clinical expansion. This spirit of leadership led to a number of firsts such as the development of a comprehensive inter-disciplinary clinical facility, The Eye Institute, for education and patient care; the first school or college of optometry to develop a comprehensive, off-campus externship program; the first to establish graduate programs in the fields of blindness and visual impairment; the first to launch international programs to advance optometry worldwide; and the
first college of optometry to expand its offerings beyond its core program and initially included audiology and physician assistant studies. Today, the institution has four doctoral level programs and eleven master’s level graduate and professional degree programs including occupational therapy, public health, biomedicine and speech-language pathology. In addition, the institution has wide-ranging research initiatives and expanding clinical services, which currently also include the Pennsylvania Ear Institute and Speech-Language Institute. By the early 21st century, the continued growth and diversification of educational programs led the Board of Trustees to ultimately approve seeking University status as the appropriate new foundation for the institution. On January 31, 2008, PCO received official notice it had been granted University status by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. On July 1, 2008, the institution officially changed its name and status to Salus University. That nearly 90-year journey was defined by an enduring commitment and a refusal to accept the status quo in addition to the realization that the University’s future
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THE SALUS UNIVERSIT Y NAME IS DISPL AYED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ELKINS PARK CAMPUS AS IT BRIDGES THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE FOR THE UNIVERSIT Y.
was rooted in the spirit that gave birth to its founding. Grasping this founding spirit gives us continued purpose. On July 1, 2018, Salus University will celebrate its tenth anniversary.
PURPOSE Notwithstanding the unique accomplishments of the institution during its first 90-years, the institution became increasingly and acutely aware of the significant internal and external challenges it must address as a private independent institution in the 21st century. The diversification of its programs continually challenged its identity and demanded greater clarity in its mission and vision. As a result, a comparison of our mission statements over the past 25 years communicates our story of growth and evolution. The mission of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry incrementally evolved from “graduating doctors of optometry…” to “educating healthcare professionals and educators…” In 2010, the University’s mission moved from being discipline-centered to patient-centered. This shift was profound in as much as it put the emphasis on our ultimate purpose and less on the means of getting there.
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Today, the mission of “advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services” solidifies and further enhances the initial foundation. The new University mission provides a broad platform for growth, affirming the essence of its name, Salus, the Latin term for health and well-being. It is holistic and underscores the interdependent goals of education, research and patient care. Very importantly, it extends the University‘s reach and impact to the global community. In a very real way, our name is our mission.
SO, WHAT’S IN A NAME? The change in name to Salus (a story in itself) brings with it fascinating history, etymology and mythology — all providing a deeper and richer insight into who we are and who we can become. Salus was the name of a Roman goddess and was an enduring image throughout the Roman Empire. She was often depicted on the reverse side of many Roman coins. She was the protector and symbolized health, well-being, welfare and security. Most interestingly, she was the protectorate of both the individual and the public across the Roman Empire — Salus Publica Populi Romani. If we dig deeper literally, we find that
the root of Salus is even more historically and etymologically fascinating (and relevant to our mission). The root of the word Salus is the same as that of salt. For centuries, nations fought over salt for its commercial, religious and life-sustaining value. We crave salt because of its importance to the health of our bodies, the Himalayan salt crystal is known for its healing power, and everyone has been exposed to the magical properties of salt for cleansing, purification and protection. Our language is filled with salt idioms, underscoring its ubiquitous significance: “salt of the earth,” “salting something away,” “worth his salt,” and “sending him back to the salt mines,” etc. So, what’s in a name? The University name Salus provides a sharp focus for our overarching purpose. It is defining and aspirational. It bridges our past historical evolution with our future direction.
PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL: BUILDING ON THE FIRST 10 YEARS Our first decade as a University has been marked by growth. Since its inception in 2008, the University has added programs in public health (2010), biomedicine (2011), occupational therapy (2012) and speech-language pathology (2015) to our existing strengths in optometry (1919), blindness and low vision studies (1983), audiology (2000) and physician assistant studies (2007). With this programmatic growth, our enrollment has increased from 1,045 in fall 2010 to 1,214 in fall 2017. We have undergone significant facilities improvements and expansions, including: • More than an $11 million investment for the renovation of The Eye Institute (TEI), the main clinical training facility for optometry students completed in 2012. The renovation included an expansion of 14,000 square feet to the building’s lower level and the integration
Feature of new and state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment and electronic medical records. The final phase of the renovation of TEI became a reality in 2017 when CityLife Neighborhood Clinics established a primary care medical practice on the upper level to better serve the Oak Lane community’s needs. • In 2017, the library was transformed into a Learning Resource Center that currently serves as the main focal point of our Elkins Park campus. • Another transformative renovation that occurred in 2017 was the redesign and expansion of the Clinical Skills Laboratory for the Optometry program. Long overdue, this renovation not only provided additional study and practice space for students but the adjacent virtual reality lab will also significantly enrich an optometry student’s ability to master important clinical skills prior to graduation and practice. Our last decade of institutional evolution has also been characterized by integration at the curricular, service delivery, and strategic levels. Interprofessional education (IPE) has been a natural outgrowth of curricular and service delivery integration at Salus. IPE represents a commitment to our students’ future, as they are functioning
THE NEWLY RENOVATED LIBRARY NOW SERVES AS THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER (LRC) PROVIDING MORE AVAIL ABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS AND PRIVATE MEETING SPACE.
within an integrated healthcare system that embraces medical home models, team-based group practice, in addition to coordinated care. The next ten years of the University’s evolution will undoubtedly bring forth both challenges and opportunities as does any evolution. The University’s historical commitment is to go above and beyond the norms of the day, to look beyond itself and to aspire to be more and to do more. We will ultimately
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T. S. ELIOT
continue to play a leadership role in curricular innovation, political action, and clinical expansion in the decades ahead. These commitments will be embraced as we consider new programs and strategic relationships that contribute to the realization of our mission of “advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research, and clinical services.” Tomorrow’s health care system will include profound changes in biomedicine, information technology and artificial intelligence, cost and organizational shifts, and public needs and expectations. This transformation will demand that Salus seize this opportunity and responsibility for continued leadership. Tomorrow’s health care will never be the same. So, what’s in a name? Salus gives us perspective, purpose and potential. It tells a story of our past, present and future. It symbolizes health and well-being at individual, community and organizational levels. Ultimately, it will challenge us to realize that our mission is life-affirming as we complete our circle. To quote T. S. Eliot: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”
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The Lombardi Legacy of Excellence by Peggy Shelly Without a doubt, Lorraine Lombardi is a gifted educator. After a fifty-year teaching career, she is — also without a doubt — beloved.
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DURING HER NEURO-ANATOMY LECTURES, DR. LOMBARDI’S TWO-HANDED DRAWINGS CAME TO LIFE WITH HER SIGNATURE COLORED CHALK — THE ORIGINAL MULTIMEDIA — AS ONE METHOD SHE USED IN EXPL AINING HER LESSONS.
MOST PEOPLE CAN NAME at least one teacher whose influence is remembered with affection and gratitude. For more than 7,000 Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and hundreds of Salus University alumni, that person is Dr. Lombardi. Her name evokes an immediate reaction of smiles and reminisces, usually followed by declarations of “I loved Dr. Lombardi’s classes!” or “I learned so much from Dr. Lombardi.” Hired by Dr. Onofrey (“Rybie”) Rybachok as a full-time instructor at PCO in fall 1968, Lorraine Lombardi, with masters’ degrees from Hahnemann Medical College Graduate School in hand, arrived on PCO’s thirty-two acre Oak Lane campus, now the site of The Eye Institute and Philadelphia Community College of Philadelphia. According to Robert M. Mintz, OD ’72, a student in Dr. Lombardi’s first class, “Rybie brought Lorraine into the class and, with a big smile, said, ‘I would like to introduce my best choice to you.’” It did not take long to prove Dr. Rybachok right. From the beginning, Dr. Lombardi (who earned her PhD in Anatomy, with a Specialization in Neuro in 1981 from Hahnemann Medical College Graduate School while also working full-time at PCO), “wanted to be the best neuro-anatomist” she could be. She recalls being younger than most students in her predominantly male first class (Class of 1972), and only one or two years older than the others. Prior to her PCO appointment, Dr. Lombardi lectured at Hahnemann Medical College Graduate School. Her mentor there was Mary Jane Showers, PhD, “a marvelous neuro-anatomist,” herself a soft-spoken but high-expectation-setting instructor, words that have been used many times to also describe Dr. Lombardi. In addition to Dr. Showers, another great mentor was Dr. Rybachok. Her “best, most positive mentor” however, was Gilda Crozier, OD ’43. “Gilda taught me to think about what you are teaching, and what its application was to what you had to teach,” she said.
Dr. Lombardi’s words about her mentor are echoed by her own former student, now colleague, Susan Oleszewski, OD ’76, who says she regards her mentor, Dr. Lombardi, as a PCO trailblazer. Dr. Oleszewski notes one particular “pedagogical pearl” from Dr. Lombardi that helped shape the way she herself lectures. “Lorraine taught me you must make a compelling case for how important this information is to your students,” she said. “You have to tell the story; you have to keep reminding them — and you have to connect the dots throughout your lecture.” In speaking of the high-quality content of Lombardi lectures, she adds, “Lorraine’s notes were studied by Temple University medical students. She taught a hard topic in a no-nonsense style, but she always had time to help her students connect the dots.” According to Dr. Oleszewski, “students always wanted to do well for Lorraine.” The nights before Lombardi exams during the pre-email, voicemail era would find frenzied students trading phone calls, quizzing one another on minutiae, which Dr. Oleszewski notes was never in the quizzes. “Lorraine was so respectful and kind, and she worked at engaging students… she was always available to go over concepts… and she spent many hours in her office with her students,” Dr. Oleszewski said. Another former Lombardi student, current Salus University president, Michael Mittelman, OD ’80, speaks of her “uniquely creative and effective teaching style combined with her unparalleled commitment to excellence” that results in a “large cohort of professionals with an appreciation and understanding of neuro and gross anatomy that most healthcare professionals don’t enjoy.” Dr. Mittelman says he has “never had an instructor of her caliber since attending PCO,” noting, “Lorraine has that very special way of teaching that results in her students really learning the material and understanding how to apply that learning to their specific profes-
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TO READ SHARED MEMORIES OF DR. LOMBARDI’S STUDENTS, VISIT SALUS.EDU/LOMBARDI-TALES
sions.” He adds, “That is very special — and so is Lorraine.” From the beginning, Dr. Lombardi understood neuro was an important part of optometry and believed strongly PCO graduates could distinguish themselves not only as professional experts, but as experts in the neurologic basis for vision and neuro-ophthalmic disease. To help her students, she developed head and neck gross anatomy, and neuro-anatomy courses that were stimulating and exceptionally challenging, believing these courses would ensure PCO alumni could distinguish themselves and the optometry profession in the diagnosis of neuro-based diseases. She says now, “Neuro doesn’t change, so I taught optometry students about neuro, and added eyes and vision.” When asked if she was responsible for introducing neuro-anatomy at PCO and in turn, raising its profile within optometry, Dr. Lombardi is quick to say no. “Rybie, Gilda, and Dr. [Harold] Simmerman ‘30 were the scholarly clinicians who introduced neuro before I got there,” she said. She did note that PCO led other optometry schools in the
biological sciences “for a very long time” because it was in a city with five medical schools. In speaking of her contribution, she explains, “I worked hard to be the best neuro-anatomist, and to make sure clinical neuro was explained by the science. Later, Larry Gray, OD ’72 (a student in her first and second years of teaching) was working hard to study neuro diseases, and in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s we planned lectures and presented together.” Dr. Gray then trained Leonard Messner, OD ’84, currently vice president of Patient Care Services at Illinois Eye Institute, and Patricia Modica, OD ’88, who is now an assistant clinical professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry’s Eye Center. Kelly Malloy, OD ‘96, began her neuro-ophthalmic disease studies under Dr. Gray at The Eye Institute (TEI), and is now its chief of Neuro-Ophthalmic disease service. In turn, Dr. Malloy taught neuro-ophthalmic disease to Cheri Farkash, OD ’03, now a University of Michigan clinical instructor in Ophthalmology and Visual Science, and Erin Draper, OD ’09, PCO assistant professor, who works
“Lorraine was so respectful and kind, and she worked at engaging students… she was always available to go over concepts… and she spent many hours in her office with her students.” SUSAN OLESZEWSKI, OD ’76
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alongside Dr. Malloy in the Neuro-Ophthalmic disease service at TEI. In 2017, Drs. Malloy and Draper taught a twoyear neuro-ophthalmic residency at TEI to Ashley Maglione, OD ’15 and Kelsey Moody, OD ’15, both of whom are now PCO instructors. Lombardi students all. Over the past several months, Continuing Education (CE) lectures — now dubbed the “Lombardi Farewell Tour,” have traveled to North Carolina, and Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Elkins Park, Pa. The “Tour” happily provides alumni an opportunity to see Dr. Lombardi before her official June retirement, and will conclude in New Jersey in August. During these receptions, many have shared their memories and stories of Dr. Lombardi. When Lorraine Lombardi arrived at PCO in 1968, the institution was younger (49) than the number of years she would teach there before retiring. Optometry was still finding its voice and making its contributions known to the medical profession, and she would play a large part in helping to define optometry’s neuro-anatomy impact. Dr. Lombardi’s legacy continues in her students. When questioned about her career she says, “What you do gives you purpose, though I didn’t think about that when I was teaching… it’s hard to say if I would do anything differently… I had a sense of fulfillment that I had purpose… hearing these stories has been wonderful and unexpected. I wish everyone could have a career like I had.” To that, the thousands of PCO and Salus students Lorraine Lombardi taught would say, “I wish that everyone could have a teacher like I had.”
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Commitment to Community
Making an Impact on Children’s Vision
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hird-grader, Yerani Diaz-Hernandez, once sat quietly in the back of her classroom at Whitehall Elementary School in Norristown, Pa. A good student, she often hesitated to participate in class because she was unable to see what her teacher was writing on the board. But once she received proper eye care and prescription eyeglasses, both her vision and confidence improved. “Before, when I didn’t have the glasses [my teacher] would ask me questions, and I couldn’t see the board that well,” she said. “I would just feel kind of bad for myself, but when the glasses came, I could see better, and I felt proud of myself.” Eighty-six percent of children begin each school year without having had an eye exam. A large part of a child’s success in the classroom depends on their ability to see clearly. Early detection of vision problems in children and treatment with eyeglasses and other management strategies could eliminate one of the barriers to learning and academic success that economically disadvantaged children encounter. Children who have vision issues may also have difficulty reading, remembering numbers and letters, completing math equations, and writing. Compre-
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hensive vision care can help resolve many of these issues. Unfortunately, in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, access to comprehensive eye care services is not always available. This is particularly true for children living in poverty whose families don’t have the means to access quality eye care services. In the ‘90s, The Eye Institute (TEI), the clinical facility of the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), collaborated with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to address the vision care needs of socio-economically disadvantaged children. According to Susan Oleszewski, OD ‘76, MA, PCO associate professor, Paul Vallas, who served as the superintendent of the SDP from 2002 through 2007, had a particular interest in children receiving vision care services as early as possible. What originally started as a project that provided vision care to children enrolled in summer school soon expanded. The partnership not only benefitted Philadelphia’s children, but it also helped the University’s optometry interns get pediatric clinical experiences. “It is a symbiotic relationship that has worked well for both organizations,” Dr. Oleszewski said. Since the collaboration began, each
academic year, a vision care team from TEI travels to local schools to provide vision screenings. The team screens between 30 to as many as 90 children. Any child who fails the state-mandated screening is then referred to TEI for a comprehensive exam. TEI uses its charity fund to transport children for care. If a child requires prescription eyeglasses to remediate their vision problem, they receive two pairs — one for home and one for school. Since 2010, more than 13,000 children have been helped through the program. According to Franklin S. Edmonds Elementary School nurse, Margo Owen, many students who fail the vision screenings do not have adequate follow-up care. “This program enables students who would otherwise not be further evaluated the opportunity to have their evaluations, receive prescriptions for corrective eye wear and/or therapy for various eye defects,” she said. “Many of these students have improved in the areas of their academics, reading and testing due to better vision with corrected deficits/challenges.” The program has expanded in the last five years and now provides vision care services to underprivileged children in Montgomery and Delaware county school districts.
Commitment to Community
program enables students who would “This otherwise not be further evaluated the opportunity to have their evaluations, receive prescriptions for corrective eye wear and/or therapy for various eye defects.” MARGOT OWEN, FRANKLIN S. EDMONDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NURSE
In 2013, a vision care team from TEI started providing vision care services for children in the Norristown Area School District (NASD). A rotating school-based vision clinic was established that moves from school to school. Last year, 180 children enrolled in the NASD received comprehensive eye care. Luis Trujillo, OD ’09, one of the vision care providers in the NASD initiative has been involved in every aspect of both initiatives in Philadelphia and Norristown. As a PCO student, he participated in vision screenings in Philadelphia’s schools; during his pediatric residency at TEI, he supervised school vision screenings and provided follow up exams for children who failed the screening. Five years ago, he was the provider involved in the pilot project in Norristown’s Gotwals Elementary School.
Dr. Trujillo has continued to be a vision care provider in the school-based clinic in Norristown. The totality of his experiences has increased his passion for providing care to those who have difficulty accessing quality healthcare services. “We need to take responsibility for the care of those that need it,” he said. A highlight of his time in the NASD has been seeing first-hand the dedication of the school nurses. “We were there [at Musselman Learning Center] distributing glasses and a nurse gave money out of her own pocket to help clothe a homeless student,” he said. “This is the level and the caliber of people we are dealing with when it comes to caring for the community. Just being able to be part of that is pretty rewarding.” According to Kerry Gidley, Whitehall’s
school nurse, the convenience of the program and the care the Salus team has provided this year alone has made a significant difference. And, the look on each child’s face when they receive their glasses is “the best part of her job.” “It’s made an unbelievable difference; some families in the community rely on it and it’s the first time they received glasses,” she said. Ultimately, the goal is to correct a child’s vision problem and in the process, help improve classroom performance and self-esteem — like Yerani. “I have students who struggle academically and we tend to find the vision problem plays a huge role in that,” Marshall Street Elementary School nurse, Kim Falco, said. “Once they get glasses it helps so much with their individual education plan to customize it to say okay, it’s not a vision issue.” Using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the University targets school districts who have a large percentage of economically disadvantaged children. Over the last two years, the vision care initiative has also expanded to Chester Upland, Abington, Cheltenham, and Jenkintown School Districts to name a few. The programs are funded through local foundations and the University’s annual “Looking Out for Kids” (LOFK) charity fundraiser, originally spearheaded through the efforts of Dr. Oleszewski. With corporate and community support, the fundraiser is crucial for maintaining and expanding the programs. To learn more about “Looking Out for Kids” or to contribute, please visit SalusUhealth.com/LOFK.
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University News Interprofessional Training and Screening for Veterans
the Year award presented to Dr. Lorraine Lombardi; the Lombardi Emerging Professional of the Year award (dedicated to Dr. Lombardi) and presented to Kaitlyn Kolzow ’19OD; and the Student Organization of the Year (Crozier Cup) award presented to the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA).
Dean’s Winterfest
Therapy Animals Visit Campus
On October 31, Salus hosted an interprofessional training seminar for the 2017 Veterans Readiness Initiative multisensory screenings. The third annual event took place on November 20 as part of Montgomery County Community College’s Veterans Expo.
Salus Awards Gala
Students were able to take a break from studying and enjoyed the company of therapy animals from the Montgomery County SPCA at the Learning Resource Center in December. Bringing therapy animals to educational institutions is becoming a common practice for the added health benefits for students.
The second annual Dean’s Winterfest was a success with an ugly sweater contest, holiday edition trivia, cookie decorating contest, seasonal food, and prizes for Salus students. The University community was also encouraged to lengthen the season through the donation of new and gently used winter coats and warm outerwear for those in need.
Winter Art Shows
Faculty Development Day In mid-November, the University’s Campus Activities Committee held another successful Awards Gala at Normandy Farm Hotel in Blue Bell, Pa. It was an opportunity for various members of the Salus community to come together and honor those who have made an impact throughout the year. Among the awards were the Rybachok Educator of
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On January 5, University faculty took part in a multipart development learning session where they also had the opportunity to socialize with colleagues.
From mid-January through February, the University’s D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Student Community Center showcased the work of local artists for the 3rd Street Gallery Members Exhibition. The exhibition incorporated canvases that encouraged diversity,
University News innovation and creativity in the community. From the end of February through April, the second annual “Community Expressions” included a variety of mediums and artwork from Salus students, faculty, staff and family members.
Four New Board Members
Program Updates PCO WORLD Pennsylvania College of Optometry THREE PCO STUDENTS AWARDED SCHOL ARSHIPS The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) awarded Kylie Auman ‘18OD the 2017 J. Pat Cummings Scholarship and Monica Udaykumar ‘19OD was awarded the 2017 Vincent Salierno Scholarship.
In January, the University announced four recent appointments to its Board of Trustees: • Rebecca C. Delia, senior vice president, Financial S&Lutions, LLC
Spencer Lin ‘19OD was recently named the recipient of the Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship presented by the American Optometric Association and Optometry Cares. Lin was one of eight applicants nationwide who received a $10,000 award.
ASCO CLINICAL WORKSHOP
More than 160 of the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry students attended an educational program on the InfantSEE initiative on Friday, December 8. The following morning, local teachers, nurses, and community activists gathered at The Eye Institute to meet with pediatric specialists and learn how to help families ensure the eye health of their young children.
THREE NEW FACULT Y MEMBERS PCO recently welcomed three new faculty members: • Doan Kwak, OD — assistant professor and clinical instructor at The Eye Institute • Erin Sherman, OD ‘16 — assistant professor and clinical instructor at The Eye Institute • Darryl M. Horn, PhD — assistant professor of Basic and Biomedical Sciences
• Sarah Wiggins Mitchell, JD, independent consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Massachusetts Legal Services Corporation
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
• Michele Palos-Samsi, PA-C, executive director and co-founder of the St. Catherine Laboure Medical Clinic • Terri Albertson, controller, Haverford College
INFANTSEE: EYEING YOUR BABY’S FUTURE
In November, the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) hosted clinic directors, administrators and externship directors from optometry schools across the U.S. and Canada for a three-day conference held in Philadelphia.
At SECO 2018, Thomas Lewis, OD ‘70, PhD, FAAO, was honored with a Career Achievement Award from the Review of Optometry during an annual dinner on March 1.
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University News
INSIGHTS College of Education and Rehabilitation
BLVS STUDENTS COLL ABORATE WITH PENN STATE ENGINEERING
JAMIE MAFFIT NEW O&M PROGRAM DIRECTOR Blindness and Low Vision Studies chair, Dr. Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVR recently announced assistant professor Jamie Maffit, MS, COMS, CLVT as director of the University’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program. Maffit will lead day-to-day operations of the O&M program and will assist with developing a vision for its future.
MILLION DOLL AR GRANT AWARDED The Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) was awarded a five-year, $1.25M grant from the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. The grant supports Project LEGIT (Learning Experiences Grounded in Interprofessional Training), which will provide students with interprofessional experiences that emphasize working with children with high intensity needs, particularly Cortical Visual Impairment — a vision issue caused by the brain rather than the health of the eye.
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caregivers expertise and experiences and have them interact with Salus students and teach alongside faculty. Special thanks to faculty members Elise Ciner, OD, FAAO, Fern Silverman, EdD, OTR/L and Kyomi Gregory, PhD, CCC/SLP for collaborating with BLVS faculty Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVR; Kerry Lueders, MS, COMS, TVI, CLVT; Lachelle Smith; Emily Vasile, MAT, TVI, MS, CLVT; and Jamie Maffit, MS, COMS, CLVT to bring these efforts to fruition.
EXPANDED CER L AB RIBBON CUT TING During a four-week period, students in the Blindness and Low Vision Studies program collaborated with engineering students from Penn State Abington on the creation of a new electronic travel device for those who are blind. Dr. Yi Yang, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Penn State Abington, and his team will be testing the latest model of the electronic travel device and working with Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVR and the University’s BLVS students to devise an experiment that will adequately test the device’s ability to guide individuals with vision impairments.
FAMILIES AS FACULT Y (FAF) PROGRAM BLVS recently formed an Interprofessional Steering Committee (ISC) to guide the University’s efforts in preparing high quality education and rehabilitation professionals for the real world. This committee includes optometry, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, teachers of children with visual impairments, school administrators and, most importantly, a significant number of parents/family members of children with visual impairments. FAF is a new initiative to tap into parents/
On February 5, the newly renovated, expanded and aptly renamed College of Education and Rehabilitation (CER) Lab was unveiled to the University community. Double the size of the original space, the former Independent Living Skills Lab will be utilized by all programs within the University’s College of Education and Rehabilitation.
University News
THE AURICLE Osborne College of Audiology PEI OPEN HOUSE
In November, the Pennsylvania Ear Institute conducted 44 hearing screenings as part of their fall “Open House.”
COFFEE TALKS SERIES The Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) hosted their very first “Coffee Talks” lecture series in January. Along with complimentary hearing screenings, each weekly session featured a short lecture from one of PEI’s expert audiologists on topics including: hearing aids, tinnitus and balance.
MARTIN PIENKOWSKI, PHD HONORED BY AMERICAN AUDITORY SOCIET Y Martin Pienkowski, PhD is this year’s winner of for the Ear and Hearing Editor’s award which was presented at the 2018 American Auditory Society (AAS) meeting in March. In his article, On the Etiology of Listening Difficulties in Noise Despite Clinically Normal Audiograms, Dr. Pienkowski stated, “attempted to synthesize all potential contributors to speech in noise problems, and provided suggestions on how to clinically differentiate between them, with the ultimate goal of better tailoring treatments such as computer-based perceptual training to the deficits of individual patients.”
The Physician Assistant Class of 2019 is hosting their own Olympics to raise money to build a Miracle Field for Horsham’s Little League Challenger Program. The brother of Danielle Barron ‘19PA started this non-profit to create a playing field for kids with physical and intellectual disabilities.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICINE Our first female Saudi Arabian Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedicine student, Aljohara Alkanaan, successfully defended her dissertation in November. We currently have five first-year students enrolled in the PhD program for the fall of 2017.
THE PULSE College of Health Sciences PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 100% PANCE PASS RATE
PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF AUDIOLOGY During the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology Conference in Lancaster, Pa., Jim Zeigler, AuD, a clinical preceptor, was recognized with the George S. Osborne Honors Award.
PA OLYMPICS
RESEARCH Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD ‘16, is part of a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded grant as part of Oculogica’s Phase I STTR submission, 1 R41 NS103698-01. In this small business grant the investigators from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Salus University will be performing a clinical study to investigate a device called the VisBox as a tool to identify traumatic brain injury patients with vision disorders.
The Physician Assistant (PA) Class of 2017 achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Graduating in October, the PA students exceeded the national mean in 17 of the 20 task and content areas of the boards.
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Alumni News ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Alumni, Whether you graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Pennsylvania College of Optometry School of Audiology, or any of the other evolutionary names that have existed in the history of this institution, as alumni we are united under Salus. Irrespective of our areas of practice, the common thread that joins us together is our focus on people and individuals. Our education has taught us to care for the entire person, which means we get to know our patients, students and their families. In doing so, each of us has the opportunity to change a life and support the growth and prosperity of our University — but only if you recognize the opportunity at the very moment in which it is presented to you. About six months ago, I had a college student come in for an eye exam. When I asked Tyler Lesko, a senior at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. what he planned to do after college, he mentioned a conversation he and his dad had with an optometrist some years before. From that tiny bit of interest I took the opportunity to invite him into my practice to shadow me — he took me up on the offer. The only thing I asked was that he put on a tie. He complied and arrived with a note pad and pen. He then asked to come back for more shadowing and eventually started coming into the office multiple times a week after class and after he finished his job at a local retailer. Eventually, he said he wanted to apply to PCO and asked for my help in the application process. It was my honor to do so. After writing a recommendation letter, I made sure he met all the deadlines for the application process. I am thrilled to say Tyler has been accepted and will begin his journey at PCO this fall. Mentoring Tyler has been a wonderful experience for me. While I believe he is destined for greatness (FYI for those looking to hire in 2022!), he has given me more than I have given him. He has allowed me to share my innate pride for my profession while giving back to the institution that gave me the means to provide for my family. As a side, I am now talking to Tyler’s girlfriend about Salus University’s Occupational Therapy program. I would encourage all of you to look for opportunities to mentor the next generation of Salus graduates. Recognize the opportunity when it presents itself and have the University’s program information on hand so you can talk knowledgably about each profession. To request program information for your office, contact the Office of Admissions at 215.780.1300 or admissions@salus.edu. Remember our common thread and let’s showcase our pride for our professions. Together, we can help all of our colleges within the University grow and prosper in the years ahead.
Dennis H. Lyons, OD ’73, FAAO
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Class Notes
Class Notes 1960s Emerson R. Tracy, OD ’62, was recognized for a speech and slideshow presentation he provided on senior eye care at the Brigantine Lions Club’s twice-monthly dinner gatherings. During the presentation, Dr. Tracy discussed routine eye care throughout the aging process, glaucoma, and performed an activity for participants to determine which eye is their dominant eye. Joseph R. Miele, OD ’63, uncle of Linda M. Melough, OD ’86, wrote an editorial in Optometry and Visual Performance (Volume 4 Issue 5) on the importance of optometrists helping athletes increase their speed and stamina by prescribing certain types of lenses. He also wrote a second article, Prevention, Correction and Compensation Using the Range of Clarity, (Volume 5 Issue 4) which focuses on the stages of optical development of myopia and hyperopia.
1970s Stuart D. Schatz, OD ’77, was named a 2017 Top Doctor in College Park, Md. The Top Doctor award is dedicated to practitioners who have demonstrated clinical excellence while delivering the highest standard of patient care. Dr. Schatz’s practice — Contact Lens Associates — specializes in contact lenses and offers testing for a variety of ocular diseases.
2000s Ryan T. Mihalus, OD ’03, and his wife Anne competed on Wheel of Fortune January 11, 2018. Dr. Mihalus is from Thunder Bay, Ontario and currently lives and practices in Wassau, Wis.
Amanda L. (Verprauskus) Curling, OD ’07, and her husband Mitchell welcomed their first child in October. Brad M. Lane, OD ’07, MBA, was recognized as Optometrist of the Year by the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians in November. Kristen M. Parkinson Peabody, OD ’07, has released a new book, titled Jacques. The children’s book tells the story of a family’s kindness when they purchase a $1 stuffed monkey from a rest stop claw machine, which in turn brings joy to a young boy. Lauraine L. Wells, AuD ’08, was recognized as the co-author of an EHS Daily Advisor article on noise-induced hearing loss and the ways in which employers can develop a hearing conservation plan for employees. The article, titled Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: An Irreversible Health Issue that
is Preventable, detailed the seven main elements of a successful hearing conservation program. Dr. Wells currently serves as a regulatory affairs specialist for 3M Personal Safety Division as well as a certified professional supervisor of the Audiometric Monitoring Program. Additionally, Dr. Wells is the chair of the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) and a frequent professional lecturer. Deanna L. (Reynolds) Alan, MMS ’09, PA-C, has been nationally recognized for earning a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Orthopedic Surgery from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Alan joins the ranks of only six Physician Assistants in Pennsylvania to earn this distinction in the specialty area since its inception in 2011. The CAQ is a voluntary credential beyond certification that may be earned in seven specialty areas: orthopaedic surgery, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, hospital medicine, nephrology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Alan earned this distinction by meeting licensure, education and experience requirements, in addition to passing a national exam in the specialty.
Christine T. McAndrew, MMS ’09, welcomed a new baby to the family in the summer of 2017.
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Class Notes Maria A. Pribis, OD ’09, recently launched a website titled OcularPrime — ocularprime.com. Dr. Pribis described her website as an educational vehicle for anyone who wants to learn more about their eyes in an easy to read way. OcularPrime focuses on five major topics such as: computer vision, dry eye, nutrition, systemic health, and fitness. Patients are also able to ask Dr. Pribis more specific questions through an “Ask the Doctor” section of the site.
2010s Elizabeth X. (Nguyen) Allen, MMS ’13, welcomed a new son, Nolan Christopher Allen, this fall. Allen is the cousin of alumnae, Lorrie T. (Nguyen) Cheng, OD ’10, and Thanh-Loan T. (Nguyen) Dorsam, OD ’02.
Erica N. Davis, OD ’13, and her husband Maj Jonathan Davis, MD welcomed their second daughter, Angel Nicole Davis, on March 17, 2017. Matthew S. Edwards, OD ’13, and his wife Nancy welcomed their first child Finley Scott Edwards, on November 20, 2017. Both parents are proud and looking forward to raising their new bundle of joy.
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Jessica R. (Saive) Hollister, OD ’15, and her husband Ryan T. Hollister welcomed a new daughter Avery Dawson Hollister, on November 23, 2017. Ryan is associate director of the University’s Bennett Career Services Center. Daniel C. Byron, OD ’16, has accepted a new position at Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates. Dr. Byron will be responsible for seeing patients in the Havre de Grace, Md. and Bel Air, Md. offices. Sepinood Sebghati, OD Resident ’17, was awarded a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry during the 2017 Academy meeting in Chicago. Dr. Sebghati submitted extensive written work and passed an oral examination to be awarded the fellowship. Fewer than 10% of optometrists are Fellows of the Academy.
Heather D. Whyte, OD ’16, and Jordan T. DeMarco, OD ’16, were married on October 7, 2017 in Raleigh, N.C. Among the wedding party were fellow Salus PCO alums Kelsey M. Sieg, OD ’16, Erin M. Kenny, OD ’15, Scott D. Doherty, OD ’16, and Peter J. Perno, Jr., OD ’16. Additionally, the couple welcomed many PCO graduates and current faculty as guests. Daniel J. Densley, MMS ’17, has accepted a new position at the Wendover Clinic in West Wendover, Nev. Bianca Tang, OD ’17, has joined the staff at Moran Eye Associates, P.C. in Bethlehem, Pa., where she will focus on low vision patients and specialty contact lenses.
Thank you to the 2017 Looking Out for Kids Charity Sponsors TITLE SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSORS
National Vision, Inc.
Abington-Jefferson Health Brass Lock and Key CityLife Neighborhood Clinics Crane Communications Crown Holdings, Inc. CulinArt Group Dr. Derrick Artis Elevator Construction and Repair, Co. NextGen Healthcare North American RX iWear PA Flooring Patriot Construction Sharp’s Landscaping Sonomed Escalon Star Plumbing, Inc. Stevens & Lee and Financial S&Lutions T3 Construction, Inc. U.S. Vision Visionworks of America, Inc Vistacom
CRYSTAL SPONSOR
Lindy Property Management Co. PL ATINUM SPONSOR
Essilor GOLD SPONSOR
MyEyeDr. SILVER SPONSORS
Fox Rothschild LLP Conicelli E.B. O’Reilly
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Class Notes
Dedicated to Clinical Education: “Uncle Bernie” retires after 40 Years After more than 40 years of service to the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), professor Bernard H. Blaustein, OD ‘67, FAAO, affectionately known as “Uncle Bernie,” recently retired. meeting, a resolution was passed for Dr. Blaustein’s professor emeritus status, in which he was presented with a special embossed certificate at his formal retirement reception earlier this year. At the same reception, Dr. Mittelman announced a primary care exam room at The Eye Institute (TEI) will be named in his honor to highlight the impact he made at TEI, PCO and Salus. “Not only do we owe you, but also all of the patients that you touched directly, and that you touched with us,” University president Michael Mittelman, OD ’80, said during the announcement. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in 1960, Dr. Blaustein went on to receive his Doctor of Optometry degree from
AT A RECENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1967, graduating summa cum laude. Since 1974, he has served as an assistant and then associate professor at PCO. For six years, from 2003 through 2009, he also managed the On-Campus Residency Programs. In addition to educating students at PCO, he spent time as chief of the Optometry Service at the VA Medical Center in Coatesville, Pa., and in private practice. Just a few of Dr. Blaustein’s accomplishments to the profession include his contribution of over 30 professional articles and chapters in various optometric texts, his presentation of over 30 papers at scholarly conferences, being a member of both the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society and the American Optometric Association, and
being a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dozens of friends, colleagues, and family members, including his wife Paula of 54 years, were in attendance at Dr. Blaustein’s retirement celebration earlier this year. His students — which included fellow colleagues whom he taught — shared their own personal and professional memories of him. Dr. Blaustein was not only known for his extensive wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of optometry, but also for his kindness, character and many often called him a role model. “Dr. Blaustein is a true gentleman — kind, compassionate and humble,” said Maria Parisi, OD ‘85, associate dean of Clinical Affairs at PCO. “I came in 1986 and I’ve known Bernie
Class Notes
DR. BL AUSTEIN RECEIVES PROFESSOR EMERITUS STATUS, RETIRES
DR. BL AUSTEIN AND HIS WIFE, PAUL A, IN 1967.
for quite a long time,” said associate professor of PCO and primary care provider at TEI, Neal Nyman, OD. “We all know what a great teacher he is and what a great provider of care he is, but the thing that struck me most about Bernie is what a humanitarian he is. I think everybody here can probably tell a personal story about what it has been like to know Bernie on a personal level — what a kind and giving human being he is.” “When I first came here 40 years ago, I remember being so impressed with the breadth and depth of his knowledge,” said Jeffrey Nyman, OD, associate professor of PCO and director of TEI’s Emergency Services, adding, “but also who he was.” Lorraine Lombardi, PhD, who also retired this year, always admired the amount of information Bernie knew both didactically and clinically. “He’s been a good role model for all of the clinicians in terms of being a good scientist,” she said. “Every time he teaches them something clinically, he teaches as a scientist too.” Carlo Pelino, OD ’94, chief of TEI’s Chestnut Hill site, reminisced about how much of a pleasure it was to work with and learn from him clinically over the past 25 years. “His vocabulary is wonderful and he dresses spectacular,”
DR. BL AUSTEIN AT HIS FINAL GRAND ROUNDS.
he said. “That being said, I will miss him very much... the things that he’s done for this institution, you can’t put them down on paper.” Dr. Blaustein has been a mentor for generations of students, residents and faculty alike and it is without a doubt that he will be missed here at Salus. “It’s been a labor of love and it’s been an intellectual feast. The perspective I
have on where this profession has been and where it’s going to go is wonderful and I feel blessed to have been a part of it,” Dr. Blaustein said. “Thank you for a great 50 years. I have enjoyed working with everybody and I have always had a smile on my face here. It’s going to be a bit of an adjustment but I’m entering a new chapter in my life and I know that I’ll enjoy that too.”
DR. BL AUSTEIN SHOWCASED HIS PROFESSOR EMERITUS CERTIFICATE WITH HIS FAMILY DURING HIS RETIREMENT CELEBRATION.
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Class Notes
Passion with Purpose: Dr. O’s Powerful Impact Susan C. Oleszewski, OD ‘76, MA — or “Dr. O” as she is more familiarly known — is a Salus icon. at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and Salus University, she has served in a variety of didactic, clinical and administrative capacities. In the early part of her career she was both a classroom and clinical instructor. Over time, she gradually assumed additional administrative responsibilities, first as chief of a Primary Care Service at The Eye Institute (TEI), PCO’s clinical training facility, followed by associate dean for Optometry and director of Clinical Services. In 2005, she was named vice president for Patient Care Services. During her time as vice president, she shepherded the $11 million dollar renovation of TEI, which was completed in 2012. The following year, she was
IN HER NEARLY FOUR DECADE CAREER
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appointed chief of staff at the University and most recently has served as the vice president for Institutional Advancement and Community Relations. In the course of her career, she has also lectured extensively at meetings and conferences nationwide as well as to international audiences in 10 countries. Amidst these substantive roles, what has really stood out is the manner in which she has executed all of her responsibilities. Linda Casser, OD, professor and coordinator of Interprofessional Education at Salus, who has known Dr. O both personally and professionally since 1980 emphasized this characteristic. “She is consistently passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated in all of her efforts, which directly contributes to successful project outcomes,” she said. As a result, at a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Casser — on behalf of the faculty — presented Dr. Oleszewski with a Resolution of Appreciation. Spearheaded by the faculty, the document cited the “energy, enthusiasm and vision that Dr. Oleszewski has consistently demonstrated [and] her efforts [that] have resulted in successes that benefit the community and the institution.” Dr. O’s PCO and Salus fan base knows
no boundaries and includes students, residents, professional and support staff, administrators, alumni and both internal and external community members as well. “They know she considers and cares about their best interests,” said Cathie Muhr, who worked with Dr. O for 28 years as educational coordinator in the Department of Clinical Sciences. “She believes and expresses through words and actions that the achievements of others are worth acknowledging and celebrating.” This was certainly the case when she initiated a fundraising effort to dedicate a classroom at TEI in honor of Joseph Toland, OD ’54, MD. She also led the establishment of the Joseph Toland Memorial Scholarship Fund after his passing. Among her many accomplishments during her tenure, Dr. O founded the Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) initiative, personally garnering strong corporate and community involvement to provide comprehensive vision care services for children who otherwise would go unserved. Since establishing the charity, Dr. O has been the central figure in raising over $600,000 to support vision
TO WISH DR. O WELL, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO HER AT SUEO@SALUS.EDU
Class Notes
care and eyeglasses for economically disadvantaged children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. Dr. Oleszewski was recently acknowledged with the Alumni Association’s Special Recognition Award. Past recipients of the award have included both organizations and individuals who have significantly contributed to Salus, their profession or community. Dr. O is the epitome of that description. “I can think of no one more deserving of the Special Recognition Award from the Alumni Association of Salus University than Dr. Susan Oleszewski,” said Thomas L. Lewis, OD ‘70, PhD, Salus president emeritus and PCO professor. “For 40 years she has served the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and Salus University with distinction.” According to Dr. Lewis, no one has worked harder to make PCO and Salus better than Dr. Oleszewski. “As an outstanding student, resident, clinician, faculty member and senior administrator, her contributions have been invaluable to the growth and development of the institution,” he said. In addition to her dedication to the institution, he also noted “her devotion to the education of optometrists is unmatched.” “Whether as a teacher or through administrative actions, Dr. Oleszewski’s first priority was improving the education offered to optometry students,” he said. Fellow alumna and friend, Diane Adamczyk, OD ‘85, who is currently professor and director of Residency Education at the State University of New York College of Optometry, added, “Dr. O has been a cornerstone to PCO over the last four decades.” She also noted that “her contributions in the various
roles she has had over this time span are immeasurable, and with confidence one can say these contributions have played a key role in PCO’s excellence in education.” Dr. O was also a pioneer for women in optometry, one of only four women in her graduating class. In her nomination letter for the Special Recognition Award, Georgia Crozier, OD ’84, MS ‘87, reflected on Dr. O’s leadership role in advancing women in the optometric profession. “Forty years ago, women in optometry were still very much the minority,” she said. “For myself and my fellow female colleagues, Sue was an exceptional role model.” According to Dr. Crozier, she taught her female students, by example, to be confident in their abilities and to be assertive in a male-dominated field. “I believe that her impression has had a lasting impact for all women in optometry,” she said. A native of Derry, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, Dr. O attended Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., as a biology major. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry degree from PCO in 1976 and a master’s degree in biology from Temple University. She completed her residency at PCO where she was among the first group of residents to work at The Eye Institute (TEI) when it initially opened in 1978. She credits her father with leading her on the path to optometry — as a high school guidance counselor, he encouraged her to enter the healthcare field. “In the eighth grade, I began investigating different healthcare fields,” she said. “I visited my local optometrist and I was impressed by his exam, his practice and the profession. So I made the decision
to become an optometrist.” As her final contribution, Dr. O is assisting with the ‘Lombardi Farewell Tour,’ a celebratory fundraising program in honor of the retirement of Lorraine Lombardi, PhD after nearly 50 years of service to Salus and her tireless commitment to the success of the more than 7,000 students she taught. In fact, the tour was Dr. O’s idea. So far, the tour’s positive outcomes have been two-fold — both for students and faculty who will enjoy a “first rate classroom” which will be dedicated in May and for Dr. Lombardi personally. “The tour joins countless wonderful memories of reconnecting with great people and of a happy career,” she said. “The idea and success of the ‘tour,’ not a small task, are just what Sue does,” Dr. Lombardi said. “In all of her responsibilities in the past forty years, I would describe Sue as being creatively brilliant, hardworking and above all dedicated to our institution. She is fearless to a challenge and in analyzing information and expressing a point of view; and because of this she has advanced PCO/Salus.”
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In Memoriam WITH SORROW, THE UNIVERSIT Y NOTES THE PASSING OF
1940s Sidney J. Pariser, OD ’41, passed away on January 9, 2018 at the age of 97. Dr. Pariser is survived by his daughter Ellen, his two sons Benjamin and Ronald, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Jerome A. Sacks, OD ’43, passed away on March 13, 2017. Bernard Stanton, OD ’43, passed away on September 12, 2017 at the age of 95. Dr. Stanton served his country as an optometrist in the United States Navy. Dr. Stanton also enjoyed a passion for art, fishing, golf, and dancing. The die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan is survived by his children Alan, Brad, and Lori; his grandchildren Brian, Jeffrey, Sean, Cody and Anna; and his great-grandchildren Max, Maya, Olivia, Sophia, Lily, Annabelle, Daisy, and Oliver. Sidney Strongin, OD ’49, passed away on July 28, 2017.
1950s Luis R. Garcia, OD ’50, passed away on January 9, 2018. Dr. Garcia was a leader in the professional optometric community in Puerto Rico. He served on the College Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1990 and was president of the Alumni Association
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from 1986 to 1987. Dr. Garcia was an organizer of the School of Optometry of the Inter-American University and he was also president of the Puerto Rico Board of Examiners in Optometry.
avid golfer was predeceased by his wife Jean, and is survived by his two sons Robert and Richard, his daughtersin-law Lauren and Sharon, four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Harry C. Kennedy, Jr., OD ’50, passed away on July 30, 2017 at the age of 92. Following his graduation from PCO, Dr. Kennedy went on to join his older brother, the late William H. Kennedy, OD ’43, and father as a third generation optometrist in the family business. Dr. Kennedy is survived by his wife June, their children Scott A. Kennedy, OD ’80, Jill, and Harry, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Alvin S. Lang, OD ’53, passed away on August 9, 2017 at the age of 88. Prior to his time at PCO, Dr. Lang served his country as a member of the United States Navy. Dr. Lang spent the majority of his professional career at East Maiden Vision Center. He was also actively involved in his church, the YMCA, the Washington-Green County Blind Association, and his condo association board. In his spare time, Dr. Lang enjoyed volleyball, pickle ball, swimming, and was a tough competitor in the Florida Senior Games. Dr. Lang is survived by his wife Audrey, daughters Leslie and Suzanne, granddaughters Julia, Laura, and Alexandra, and his sister Kathleen.
Victor Mazza, OD ’52, passed away on August 13, 2017 at the age of 92. Prior to his time at PCO, Dr. Mazza served in the United States Army Air Force. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars, Air Medal with three bronze clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Good Conduct Medal during his service in the military. Dr. Mazza worked in the Washington, Pa., community for 48 years. During this time, Dr. Mazza was active with the American Association for the Blind and he worked at Centerville Clinic, where he examined members of the United Mine Workers. The
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Mario J. Pallotta, Jr., OD ’53, passed away in January of 2018. If he wasn’t on the golf course, Dr. Pallotta could be spotted at a NY Giants game, where he held seats for many years. Dr. Pallotta was a lifetime member of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians where he started and maintained a foundation for Dr. Les Mintz, who devoted his life to the profession of optometry. Dr. Pallotta was also actively involved
with the American Legion, AmVets, and Knights of Columbus. Dr. Pallotta practiced in Glen Rock and Ridgewood, N.J. for over 50 years following his time enrolled in the Army as an optometrist. Dr. Pallotta is survived by his wife Barbara, his sister Emily, his niece Kristi, his nephew Joseph, two brothers-in-law, two step-children, several step-grandchildren, and a step-great-grandchild. Allan H. Romanoff, OD ’53, passed away in May 2017. Stratton C. Murrell, OD ’54, passed away on January 29, 2016 at the age of 88. Dr. Murrell was a devoted Christian and computer guru — maintaining his own website at 88-years-old. Dr. Murrell is survived by his wife Billie Jean, his son Mark, and his brother Vann. Wayne A. Becker, OD ’55, passed away on October 6, 2017 at the age of 86. Following his graduation from PCO, Dr. Becker ran an optometry practice out of his home in Philadelphia, Pa. He was later also affiliated with Wills Eye Hospital until his retirement. In addition to a love for travel, Dr. Becker was a lifetime member of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons Post #587. Dr. Becker is survived by his good friends Marrijo Baker, Geoffrey and Cheryl Brubaker, Marcella Brubaker, and Ashley Schnitzenbaumer and her husband Erik.
In Memoriam Peggy R. Block, OD ’55, passed away on September 29, 2017 at the age of 85. One of the first female graduates from PCO, Dr. Block went on to open a practice in an East Baltimore rowhome. Dr. Block was also actively involved with Temple Emanuel and was a dedicated member of the congregation. In her spare time, Dr. Block could be seen square dancing in her home-made western dresses or out with her duckpin bowling league. Dr. Block enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, and was a lover of animals and children. She is survived by her daughters Linda and Deborah, her son Paul, her sister Beverly, and her granddaughter. Kenneth B. Brehne, OD ’57, passed away on October 18, 2017 at the age of 82. Following his graduation from PCO, Dr. Brehne practiced for many years in New Jersey and Tennessee. Following his retirement from private practice, Dr. Brehne taught at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Brehne had a keen sense of humor, a deep appreciation for food, loved to travel, and cherished time with his friends and family. Dr. Brehne is survived by his wife Gale, his sons Paul and Michael, his daughter Ellen, his grandchildren Matthew, Gabrielle, Shawn, Erika, and Nickolas, and his step-son Ed.
1960s Robert D. Bard, OD, ’69, passed away on November 24, 2017 at 72 years of age. Following his graduation from PCO, Dr. Bard served in the United States Army as a Captain, providing eye care as an optometrist. After completing his military service, Dr. Bard opened his own optometry practice. Adamant about providing eye care to those in need, he served on many missions to Mexico and Nicaragua. In his spare time, Dr. Bard was passionate about ranching and organic farming. He also loved to learn about leading a healthy lifestyle and meeting new people. Dr. Bard is survived by his wife Judy, his sons Mike and Kevin, his daughtersin-law Eybeth and Jennifer, his grandsons Jonathan, Joshua, Blake, and Logan, his granddaughter MacKenzie, his sister Margaret, and family friend Larry.
Loaves and Fishes, and Meals on Wheels at the Farmington Senior Center. The avid New York sports fan loved to travel and spend time with his family. Dr. Springut is survived by his wife Honey Sue, his step-sons Joel and Alan, their spouses Brian and Gilda, his grandchildren Frank and Lucia, his brother Milton and his wife, his brother-in-law and his children, a niece, two nephews, and many cousins.
survived by his wife Bernie, his children Caitlin, Allison, and Zachary, his mother Donna, his siblings Lisa, Scott, and Gerri, his mother-in-law Ann, and several nephews, and a niece.
Francis A. Tarantino, OD ’79, passed away on November 18, 2017 at the age of 64. Following his graduation from PCO, Dr. Tarantino operated a private practice in Hopewell Junction, N.Y. for over 30 years. Dr. Tarantino is survived by his wife Diane, his children Christine and David, his stepchildren Alexa and Steven, his brother Joseph, his sister Camille, and eight grandchildren; Sophia, Annabelle, Julia, Rocco, Matthew, Nicholas, Olivia, and Dominic.
1990s 1970s Joseph Springut, OD ’74, passed away at the age of 67 on November 1, 2017. Dr. Springut spent the majority of his career practicing optometry in Connecticut at a practice he came to own until his retirement in 2007. Dr. Springut was an active member within his local community, showing involvement with the Beth El Men’s Club, the Lions Club, an outreach ministry non-profit
Steven T. Van Gorden, OD ’90, passed away on December 31, 2017 at the age of 58. Dr. Van Gorden spent his career working for HealthDrive, a healthcare facility dedicated to seniors. An avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, Dr. Van Gorden could often be seen on the golf course or managing his fantasy football team. Well known for his sense of humor, Dr. Van Gorden was additionally an M*A*S*H aficionado, often reciting back lines from the episodes. Dr. Van Gorden is
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2018 Alumni Association Awardees The Salus University Alumni Association annually recognizes the professional contributions and achievements of graduates and friends of the institution. Awardees are nominated by alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Salus. Lorraine Lombardi, PhD
Susan C. Oleszewski, OD ’76, MA, FAAO
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
In recognition of her outstanding service to Salus University and Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the thousands of students and faculty members she has influenced, Salus University Alumni Association is proud to award Dr. Lombardi with the Distinguished Service Award. To read more about Dr. Lombardi, please see The Lombardi Legacy of Excellence (p. 8).
Having executed all of her roles and initiatives at Salus University and Pennsylvania College of Optometry with dedication, passion and distinction, the Salus University Alumni Association proudly awards Dr. Oleszewski with the Special Recognition Award. To read more about Dr. O, please see Passion with Purpose: Dr. O’s Powerful Impact (p. 24).
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David R. McPhillips, OD ’85, FAAO, FVI ALBERT FITCH MEMORIAL ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD After earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. David McPhillips served the Horsham, Pa. community through his private practice for 24 years. He went on to cofound the Pennsylvania chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), participating in over 50 missions himself and serving as the president of VOSH International from 2013-2015. Dr. McPhillips has recently been involved in developing and supporting permanent eye clinics in Haiti (as well as Guatemala) and has been instrumental in working with the medical school in Haiti to implement the country’s first optometric program which is now accepting students. In recognition of his tremendous commitment and dedication to improving eye care in Haiti and professional optometry, it is with pride that the Salus University Alumni Association name David R. McPhillips, OD, FAAO, FVI ’85, as the Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year. This award is presented to an alumnus of the Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the profession of optometry, bringing honor and prestige to the College.
2018 Alumni Association Awardees
FOR FULL AWARDEE BIOGRAPHIES, VISIT SALUS.EDU/ALUMNI-AWARDS
Angela M. Morris, AuD ’03 AUDIOLOGY ALUMNA OF THE YEAR Dr. Angela Morris completed her Doctorate of Audiology at the University’s Osborne College of Audiology in 2003. Her numerous leadership roles for state and national professional organizations have included being president of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) and president of the Kentucky Academy of Audiology. Dr. Morris was recently elected to the National Academies of Practice, in which she will be installed at the annual conference later this year. She remains on the Executive Board for the ADA as immediate past president and serves on additional ADA committees. She is also a current board member of The Audiology Project. In recognition of her leadership in and advocacy for the profession of audiology, Salus University is proud to name Dr. Morris the Audiology Alumna of the Year. This award is presented to an alumnus of the Salus University Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) or the PCO School of Audiology who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the profession of Audiology, bringing honor and prestige to Salus University and OCA.
Sister Lisa Ann Lettiere, IHM, MEd ’00, TVI, COMS BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION STUDIES ALUMNA OF THE YEAR Sister Lettiere received her Master’s degree in Education in Blindness and Visual Impairment from Salus University, as well as a certificate in the University’s Orientation and Mobility program. She is the principal of Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments where she works tirelessly to ensure her students’ success. This past August, when she was unable to recruit a middle school teacher in time for the start of the school year, she stepped into the role while also maintaining her administrative role as principal. Prior to becoming principal at St. Lucy’s, she taught every grade from first through eighth. In recognition of her commitment to the success of her students, the Salus University Alumni Association is proud to award Sister Lisa Ann Lettiere with the Blindness and Low Vision Studies Alumna of the Year award. This award is presented to an alumnus of the Salus University Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the field of Blindness and Low Vision Education and Rehabilitation, bringing honor and prestige to Salus University.
Jennifer M. Heibel, MMS ‘15, PA-C PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ALUMNA OF THE YEAR Jennifer M. Heibel, MMS ’15, PA-C, graduated with high honors from the University’s Physician Assistant Studies program and has already made remarkable progress in creating a career of meaning. Heibel is a strong member of the palliative medicine team at the Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) in Mankato, Minn. On a daily basis, she is challenged to ensure the management of symptoms and optimization of medications for her patients with life-limiting illnesses. Last year, she founded a non-profit service known as “ReMEmber” (pronounced Remember Me). Through her service, she provides guidance in composing letters and other personalized projects in an effort to “capture an unwavering expression of love that lasts beyond the final breath.” In recognition of her outstanding achievement and dedication to the physician assistant profession, Salus University Alumni Association is pleased to name Jennifer M. Heibel, MMS ’15, PA-C, the 2018 Physician Assistant Alumna of the Year. This award is presented to an alumnus of the Salus University Physician Assistant Studies program who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the physician assistant profession, bringing honor and prestige to Salus University.
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How Alumni Can Stay Connected Tell us what’s new. Whether you just got married, had a baby, got a promotion or moved — we love to hear from our alumni. Let us know your updates by emailing alumni@salus.edu or calling 215.780.1391. Attend an alumni event or continuing education course. There are numerous alumni reunion receptions held at professional conferences throughout the U.S. to gather past alumni together for an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and memories. The Office of International and Continuing Education also hosts a variety of events to help our alumni advance their knowledge within their respective healthcare professions. Learn more at salus.edu/events.
Apply to become a member of the Alumni Association Board. By becoming a member, you’ll have the ability to influence and direct efforts to better serve our increasingly diverse alumni base. Learn more at salus.edu/board-membership.
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Sign up to be an Alumni Ambassador.
Share your Stories with us.
Salus Alumni Ambassadors can assist with Admissions recruitment events, refer an applicant to Salus, welcome admitted students via phone or by sending a letter, or host a reception for admitted students. Learn more at salus.edu/alumni-ambassadors.
Give back. Charitable contributions allow Salus University to continue educating the health science leaders of tomorrow and embarking on important community outreach initiatives. Gifts can be made in tribute to someone, by dedicating a bench on campus, to support a specific scholarship fund and in many other memorable ways. Learn more at salus.edu/givingback.
How do you capture 100 years of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and 10 years of Salus University history? It is a story best told by those who lived it. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Salus, and in preparation for the upcoming 100-year anniversary of PCO, a special centennial microsite has been created to celebrate some of the College’s and University’s most memorable moments. We hope you’ll share your memories and personal stories with us. Learn more at salus.edu/centennial or call us at 215.780.1284.
Help Us Contact Our Alumni WE HAVE NO CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE ALUMNI LISTED BELOW.
Can you provide information about a classmate? If so, please contact Jamie Lemisch at 215.780.1391 or jlemisch@salus.edu.
Nicolaj Aagaard, MSc 2008 Patricia M. Auger, AuD 2008 Judith Behm, MSc 2008 Harald Buchner, BS, MSc 2008 Sabine E. Buchner, BS, MSc 2008 Anne-Marie Calkins, AuD 2008 James Chong, BS, MSc 2008 Gerardina Competiello, AuD 2008 Heidi Dittmann, MSc 2008 Jaime L. Ehret, AuD 2008 Klaus Gmeiner, BS, MSc 2008 Christine Haegstad, MSc 2008 Wanja Hansen, MSc 2008 Helmut Hassmann, BS, MSc 2008 Gerd S. Hollund, MSc 2008 Jeramy J. Jenkins, AuD 2008 Atry Karami, AuD 2008 D. Jason Kemp, AuD 2008 Beth F. Rasmussen, AuD 2008 Carmen Schier, MSc 2008 Snyde Simbert-Pierre, AuD 2008 Sara J. Stone, AuD 2008 Helene Stromsvik, MSc 2008 Ellen P. Torvik, MSc 2008 Brianne B. Tully, AuD 2008 Lisa J. Berkeley, AuD 2009 Revital Buganim, BS 2009 Lourdes Crespo, MS 2009 David M. Horowitz, AuD 2009 Nabila Hussaini, OD 2009 Jill C. Iles, AuD 2009 Yaakov Israeli, BS 2009 Lindsay Welch Johnson, AuD 2009 Eitan Karney, BS, MSc 2009 Simon I. Kee, BS, MSc 2009 Natasha Kiperman, AuD 2009 Chien Hui Lee, BS 2009 John N. Mayer, OD 2009 Elizabeth M. McLees, MS 2009 Christiana M. Palmer, MS 2009 Hagit Sagy, BS 2009 Patti-Jo Sullivan, AuD 2009 Fani Tavor, BS 2009 Sharon Velich, BS 2009 Jessica E. Loyd-Zellmer, AuD 2009 Kristin S. Agustsdottir, MSc 2010 Bjornar Alsvik, MSc 2010 Sara P. Barcelo-Mendoza, AuD 2010 Raegan J. Bergstrom, AuD 2010 Stine D. Christiansen, MSc 2010 Elena B. Doyle, MS 2010 Marie Eidhammer, MSc 2010 Malin Anna M. Fagrell, MSc 2010 Johanna Fahlen, MSc 2010 Robin L. Fiscus, AuD 2010
Eldbjorg Forberg, MSc 2010 Christine A. Gallagher, OD 2010 Iris I. Gonzalez-Velazquez, AuD 2010 Christy A. Maddux, AuD 2010 Michael A. McKenna, AuD 2010 Tina Melbye, MSc 2010 Ronald W. Miller, AuD 2010 Mohammad Natour, BS, MSc 2010 Tom Sand, MSc 2010 Cintia Savransky, AuD 2010 Anat Seiden, BS, MSc 2010 Daniel Spiegel, MSc 2010 Danielle L. Stiles, AuD 2010 Gro Sundvoll, MSc 2010 Ogechi N. Ukegbu, OD 2010 Vicente J. Urbistondo-Soto, AuD 2010 Marte H. Vataker, MSc 2010 Alexandria V. Wong, OD 2010 Elena Y. Zhuchenko, OD 2010 Shannon S. Roberson Knox, AuD 2011 Stacey J. Lorenz, MMS 2011 Michael J. Schumacher, OD 2011 Nicole M. Collins, OD 2012 Jigna D. Patel, OD 2012 Jaclyn Phan, OD 2012 Sarah A. Nowling, AuD 2013 Haejin E. Han, OD 2014 Marta Molak, MMS 2014 Tamara M. M. Mendez Romero, OD 2015 Melissa Ochlan, OD 2015 Timothy J. Roberts, MMS 2015 Ukinebo O. Abu, OD, MPH 2016
Brunch of Fun with the Board Join Salus University Alumni Association board members for brunch and a day of camaraderie and fun at The Franklin Institute.
Sunday June 10, 2018 10am–1:30pm THIS YEAR'S EVENT INCLUDES:
• The "I" Care Raffle Drawing • The election of Alumni Association Board Members • A presentation by Martin Pienkowski, PhD, associate professor at Salus University Osborne College of Audiology, speaking about sensory/motor neural prostheses for the deaf, blind and paralyzed. This is a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring spouses/ significant others and children. Registration includes brunch and access to the museum. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER VISIT SALUS.EDU/EVENTS
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Dr. George Osborne during the audiology program’s otoscope ceremony held during orientation week. As one of the week’s highlights, Dr. Osborne thoroughly enjoyed distributing and explaining the significance of the otoscope as the first piece of equipment incoming Doctor of Audiology students received marking the beginning of a long lasting career.
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Looking Back
NONP R OFIT ORGAN I ZATI ON U.S. POSTAGE PAID P H IL A DELPHI A, PA P E R MIT N O. 773
Office of Institutional Advancement Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027-1516 ADDRE SS S E RV ICE REQUE S TE D
www.salus.edu
Save the Date
Centennial Gala
VISIT SALUS.EDU/CENTENNIAL FOR DETAILS
April 27, 2019 Hilton at Penn’s Landing 201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Join us in celebration as we honor the first 100 years of our founding institution FORMAL INVITATION TO FOLLOW