Dr. Sarah Appel: Passing Along a Passion for Generations of Low Vision Practitioners

chief when Dr. Appel was an intern. He believed that clinical low vision should be an interdisciplinary model of practice included not only with optometry, but with social work, orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy.

“I was proud to be part of the group that worked to bring Dr. Jose’s vision to the Feinbloom Center,” said Dr. Appel. “We were a passionate group of people who were dedicated to teaching and to helping people with low vision achieve their life goals. We also had the opportunity to work with and learn from Dr. Feinbloom, who was responsible for developing the low vision devices that changed the lives of so many people. Dr. Feinbloom was a brilliant doctor and a remarkable man. It was a wonderful time and I was so lucky to be a part of it.”

Another source of pride for Dr. Appel is that she, along with Marcy Graboyes, ACSW, LSW, coordinator of social services at the Feinbloom Center, and Elise Ciner, OD, FAAO, PCO/Salus professor, developed SPARC at the Feinbloom

Center.

From that sprang the Pediatric Low Vision Satellite Program that enabled Dr. Appel and Graboyes, low vision interns and residents to provide low vision services to students with visual impairments at schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Generations of low vision specialists have since benefitted from Dr. Appel’s dedication.“She has touched and changed so many lives, not only from a patient perspective but with the many students she’s educated in the low vision world,” said Dr. Kenny. “So many of her students and residents are now leaders in the field of low vision rehabilitation. They are chiefs all across the U.S., they’re a part of major low vision rehabilitation programs, and they’re directors of programs.”

READ MORE AT SALUS.EDU/APPELRETIREMENT

Dr. Appel considers her 40-plus-year career a labor of love and said receiving the Presidential Medal means a great deal to her. #salusuniversity #recognition #optometry #presidentialawards

October 5, 2021