Welcome to the 126th commencement of Salus University. We have conferred degrees on healthcare professionals since our first commencement in 1922 as the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO). Over the years the name of our institution may have changed, but the excitement and anticipation of commencement day has remained the same.
Salus University was established by the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO), later renamed to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), which was founded in 1919 to create a professional school of optometry on par with those of medicine and dentistry. That century-old legacy continues, as the University maintains and increases higher standards of education and clinical proficiency for the professions we serve.
From 1919 to 1983, Optometry was the College’s sole program. In 1983, master’s degrees in Blindness and Low Vision Studies were introduced. In 2000, the Audiology program began, followed by Physician Assistant Studies in 2007. Today, Salus offers additional degree programs in Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Speech-Language Pathology and Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Salus University is a diversified, globally recognized professional academic center of learning that offers a wide range of accredited postgraduate degree programs. There are more than 1,200 Salus students and more than 14,000 alumni worldwide.
This is a day of great pride for our graduates as well as their families and friends. The faculty and staff of Salus University are proud of what our graduates have achieved during their time with us and hope you will join us in this celebration of their achievements.
Congratulations to the families and friends of the Class of 2023 for your ever-important, unheralded support of your graduate. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We are proud of what each of you has accomplished. The University’s Colleges continue to celebrate major milestones over the last two years and we will continue to celebrate our legacy of changing lives and the exciting vision we have for the future.
Typically at the spring commencement, the University bestows doctoral and master’s degrees in the professions of Optometry, Audiology, Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Blindness and Low Vision Impairment and Speech-Language Pathology.
Order of Ceremonies
Music Prelude
Allegretto Percy Whitlock
Folk Tune Percy Whitlock
Andante Tranquillo
Percy Whitlock
Scherzo Percy Whitlock
Pæan ............................................................................................ Percy Whitlock
Donald Meineke
Organist
Academic Procession* Pomp and Circumstance .................. Edward Elgar
National Anthem*
music by John Stafford Smith lyrics by Francis Scott Key
Star-Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Introduction
Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, LHD (Hon.), MBA PresidentGraduate Commencement Address .................
April Guo Dongni Mishley
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Honorary Degree
Doctor of Science
Oration
Juliana M. Mosley-Williams, PhD
Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Conferring of Honorary Degree President Mittelman
Ala Stanford
Dr. Ala Stanford is a national leader in health equity and a health care policy advisor. She is a trusted messenger and an advocate for vulnerable populations in the United States and globally.
Dr. Stanford recently served as the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the Mid-Atlantic, appointed by President Joseph Biden overseeing the health and well being of all Americans. A practicing physician for over 20 years, Dr. Stanford is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both pediatric and adult general surgery. She serves as a medical and health correspondent for national media outlets. Dr. Stanford gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic using the infrastructure of her pediatric surgery practice to create a grassroots organization focused on education, testing, contact tracingband vaccination in communities devoid of access to care and resources. Her focus on those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 saved lives. The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium directly served over 100,000 and countless others through the reach of their work. Dr. Stanford subsequently opened a Center for Health Equity in a Philadelphia zip code community with the lowest life expectancy; providing expert health care and improving health outcomes. She has received many accolades, a few notable include 2023 STATNews Status List Changemaker in health and medicine, Named Most Influential Women in 2021 & 2022 by Forbes Magazine, 2021 Top 10 CNNHero, 2021 Fortune Magazine: World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, 2021 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, the City of Philadelphia Commissioned a street in her name and In April 2023 Dr. Stanford delivered a TEDTalk at the University of Pennsylvania on the subject of medicine and social justice. Simon & Schuster will share her memoir and roadmap for achieving health equity in 2024. Dr. Stanford is a wife and mother to three teenagers.
Music Interlude
Awards
A complete list of award recipients is presented on the University website at www.salus.edu/commencement
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation Alumni Association Award
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Programs
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies AmbuTech O&M Award
Demonstrated excellence in the Orientation and Mobility program, especially during the fieldwork and internship experiences.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Noir Low Vision Award
Demonstrated academic excellence in the area of low vision rehabilitation.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Excellence in Direct Service Award
Demonstrated excellence in the provision of direct services to individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Dr. Audrey J. Smith/Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness Award
Demonstrated excellence in scholarly work.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Association of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Academic Excellence Award in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
Demonstrated excellence academic achievement pursing a degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.
Alumni Association Award Speech Language Pathology Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Speech-Language Pathology Leadership Award
Demonstrated exceptional, consistent leadership in student government and/or program organizations.
Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Excellence Award
Demonstrated clinical excellence and professionalism during the
assessment of speech, language and swallowing disorders.
Occupational Therapy Outstanding Leadership Award
Demonstrated exceptional, consistent leadership in student government and in contributions to the Salus Occupational Therapy program.
Occupational Therapy Excellence in Scholarship Award
Demonstrated excellence and achievement in scholarship and has promoted occupational therapy through scholarly activities.
Occupational Therapy Superior Professionalism Award
Demonstrated superior professional behavior and modeling of high standards of conduct valued within the profession.
Occupational Therapy Clinical Excellence Award
Demonstrated exceptional performance during their fieldwork rotations.
Occupational Therapy Service to the Community Award
Demonstrated willingness to volunteer, serve and give of their time and talents for the benefit of others.
Alumni Association Award
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Department of International and Continuing Education Master of Science in Clinical Optometry Program Leadership Award
Demonstrated exceptional leadership in organizing, administrating and advocating excellence in international optometry. Osborne College of Audiology Alumni Association Award
Accelerated Audiology Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Alumni Association Award Audiology Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Student Academy of Audiology George S. Osborne Service Award
In remembrance of Dr. George S. Osborne for his extraordinary vision and passionate service to the profession of audiology.
Victor Hugo Bray Clinical Excellence Award
Demonstrated exceptional clinical skills during the externship year.
Pennsylvania College of Optometry Alumni Association Award
Optometry Accelerated Scholars Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Alumni Association Award
Optometry Traditional Program
Attainment of the highest academic average.
Crozier Memorial Award
Demonstrated excellence in the study of anatomy and pathology.
Good-Lite Award
Demonstrated professionalism and advanced competency in binocular vision and pediatric vision care.
Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service Award for Excellence
Demonstrated excellence in the fourth-year pediatric rotation at The Eye Institute.
Clinical Excellence Citation
Demonstrated excellence in the application of visual science in resolving problems of the human visual system.
College of Optometrists in Vision Development Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy
Demonstrated outstanding proficiency in both academic knowledge and clinical care in functional vision.
Dr. Arthur Shlaifer Memorial Award
Demonstrated overall excellence in clinical and didactic courses in ocular pathology.
Alcon Student Scholarship Award
Authored outstanding case report.
Eshenbach Award for Excellence in Low Vision
Demonstrated excellence in the evaluation and prescription of low vision devices.
The Sarah Appel Excellence in Special Populations Assessment and Rehabilitation Center (SPARC) and Pediatric Low Vision Award
Demonstrated exceptional case management skills which include the clinical examination, low vision device selection, understanding of psychosocial components and the appropriate rehabilitation referrals.
Noir Low Vision Award
Demonstrated academic excellence in the area of low vision rehabilitation.
Beta Sigma Kappa Award
Attainment of highest academic average among the BSK members.
MacuLogix AMD Advocacy Endowed Award
Demonstrated exceptional care with age-related macular degeneration patients in the Feinbloom Rehabilitation Center.
Cooper Vision Excellence in Contact Lens Award
Demonstrated ability in contact lens courses, aptitude in clinical skills, a willingness to take advantage of professional development opportunities, and financial need.
GP Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award
Demonstrated interest and overall excellence in contact lens design and application of fitting criteria.
Blanchard Contact Lens Excellence Award
Demonstrated expertise in contact lens.
Conforma Laboratories Award
Demonstrated clinical excellence in contact lens design and application of fitting criteria.
The I.
William Collins, OD, FAAO,
Award for Achieving Excellence in the Study of Contact Lens Science
Demonstrated exceptional case management skills which includes the clinical examination, design, fitting and troubleshooting of specialty contact lens.
Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Verma Award
Demonstrated above average community service while maintaining a high standard of academic performance.
Degrees
Presentation of Candidates Gerard O’Sullivan, PhD
Interim Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Conferring of Degrees .................................................... President Mittelman
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation
Master of Education
Blindness and Visual Impairment
Kristy Lee Bilger
Kayla Jean Marks
Kiara Janee McSween-Holmes
Kathryn Julia Pierce
Amanda Marie Soper
Jonathan R. Zobek
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation
Master of Science
Low Vision Rehabilitation
Reginald C. Ford Jr.
Alexis Eve Morrison
Sandra Toma
Orientation and Mobility
Justin Laffey
Sasha Nicolt Pineda
Mary Patricia Price
Jeffrey Rodriguez
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
Meredith Jill Lowy
Nancy Rodriguez
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Sultana Abdur-Raheem
Veronica P. Baez
Carly L. Buchakjian
Bailey R. Cohen
Claudia Rae Cranmer
Luke A. Damiani
Paige Kathryn deBlecourt
Ember Elizabeth
DeBonaventura
Jenna D'Entremont
Emma Teresa Dierkes
Antonina Disco
Jamie Dorotov
Lindsay Nicole Edling
Rhiannon Joanne Elias
Cara K. Figarotta
Margaret Finn
Taylor Foley
Alicia Renee Forrest
Madison Gates
Alexandra Lynn Harrer
Sara E. Herman
Alexandra Hart Johnson
Rachel Elizabeth Morris
Rachel Lynn O'Brien
Hannah Leah Perloff
Alyssa Susan Peter
Brenna Rose Phillips
Madison T. Pisut
Hailey A. Plantarich
Alexa Michaela Pollice
Kathryn M. Reichel
Reshma Reji
Lindsay Erin Rock
Kelly Ann Senkow
Helene M. Shapley
Kaitlin Taylor
Makenzie Jo Tobin
Lindsay Wachs
Sophie Brianna Wollman
Carly Helen Zeltt
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Lisa Amaquandoh
Camaron Noelle Arnao
Stephanie Kaye Brossmann
Aaron Valdin Laeno Brown
Madison Courtney Buchys
Erin Louise Cleaver
Chrystyna Colón
Shannon Conlon
Kelly K. Coonahan
Lauren Rita DeAngelo
Angela Lynn Delfino
Nicole A. Dybus
Danielle Marie Ferrera
Ava Grace Fratus
Alexis Mary Graham
Maiya Halasa
Bridgid R. Harkin
Kara M. Hastings
Brianna High
Alexis K. Long
Samantha K. Love
Wei Lu
Isabel Rachel Lubin
Aileen Luh
Callista R. Lutz
Shannon Rose Magee
Hannah Grace Markley
Teena Mariam Mathew
Callie Amanda McDowell
Paige Alysha Murray
Yuliya Nesteryuk
Emily Marie Nichols
Erin Elizabeth O'Sullivan
Merlin V. Philip
Brendan Michael Phillips
Chloe D. Phipps
Meghan A. Pompper
Samantha Nicole Powell
Sophia Ann Romalino
Gina Saliola
Jessica Seiple
Sarah Deane Sturgill
Olivia Anna Succi
Miranda Tan
Diane Kim Tarr
Amy Thai
Rebecca Nicole Timmerman
Kaitlin Valentin
Zoe Elizabeth Weiss
Gabriela Yllatopa
Timaj Yusuf
Demetra Zissios
Department of International and Continuing Education
Master of Science in Clinical Optometry
International Advanced Studies Certificate
Abdulmohsen Almuhsin
Farris Homam Ghraibi
Yue Li
Xiaocui Liu
Khadro Awad Mohamud
Ohueri Benson Emeka
Lyuqi Tan
Li Zhang
Junyi Zhu
Osborne College of Audiology
Master of Science in Clinical Audiology
Thahira Kallumurikkal
Neevita Narayan
Presentation of Candidates
Interim Provost O’Sullivan
Conferring of Degrees President Mittelman
College of Health Sciences, Education
and Rehabilitation
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Gina Nicole Bischof
Chelsea Anne Blaney
Suzanne Briggs
Tavii Aleasha Denise Burrell
Johana L. Fortune
Sharon B. Marcy
Healey Lynn Miller
Julia Mun
Kelly Erin Quigley
Victoria Ann Syracusa
Jordan Rae Wentz
Mary Zhu
College of Health Sciences, Education and
Rehabilitation
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedicine
Edgar U. Ekure
Michael Robert McFarland
Osborne College of Audiology
Doctor of Audiology - Accelerated Program
Jessica Lauren Alunni
Meagan Alexis Canales
Courtney Luikert
Yeva Mishailov
Jenna E. Putnam
Osborne College of Audiology
Doctor of Audiology
Jade Dowling
Presley Fiorilli
Taylor Kay Fisher
Sarah Beth Gallagher
Jessica Ann Heritage
Alexandra K.E. Howski
Joshlyn Sara Jacob
Jenna Jalowiec
Julie Anne Jimenez
Maria Alexandra Kirifides
Renee Judith Kochinski
Zachary William LaBarth
Elezabeth Mounier Labib-Zuniga
Carleigh Elizabeth Lemay
Kathleen Patricia McGovern
Luke P. Obenrader
Gabriela Zofia Rachmaciej
Serafin Raya
Halle Grace Roesser
Paige Wendling
Kathleen A. Wezensky
Jessica K. Witt
Alexander James Woznicki
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry – Accelerated Scholars Program
Katherine Biscaha
Beck Ryan Branton
Taylor Leigh Champagne
Cambrie Shae Chandler
Insoo Cho
Benjamin D. Gutsin
Fatima Mutasem Masadeh
Lillian Jane Matheney
Courtney Elizabeth McCall
April Guo Dongni Mishley
Israel Rose Moore
Amaka Lauren Okeke
Misa Le Sueyoshi
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry – Advanced Placement Program
Min Chen
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry – Traditional Program
Faisal Ahmed
Raisa Ahmed
Tyler Joseph Alansky
Fahmida Ali
Maryam Ali
Shannon Michelle Alivio
Alexandra Anganova
Cristine Jundis Areola
Michael Ashurov
Amina Nahid Azam
Ojaswita Bastola
Krupa Baxi
Jenna Bayer
Zachary Joseph Beam
Hannah R. Begley
Sarah Bilal
David Jeffrey Boehme
Matthew Brillon
Zachary Todd Bryant
Jessica Helen Bulkley
Izabella Anna Busher
Maricela P. Cantuna
Dariela Cardo
David Ralph Carson
Carolina Castillo
Brenna Paige Childers
Allison Clarke
Palma-Rosita Alexandra Maria
Colalancia
Francesca Rose Collini
Lindsay Brianne Corle
Megan E. Courtney
Todesha Davis
Malino Riel Javier DeFay
Perla I. Delgado
Robert Joseph Dougherty
Victoria Duque-Ferreira
Brittany Lashae Eaton
Sinead Eileen Eck
Joseph Paul Eiffert
Sana Fasihuddin
Taylor Lynn Frank
Gretchen Mary Frantz
Chad Austin Frazier
Jasmine Setsuko Fujimoto
Abrielle Elizabeth Garber
Brandon Dakota Garces
Maryem A. Gendy
Emma Elizabeth Gohmann
Ryan M. Grabowski
Matthew Paul Graden
Aminder Hans
Hunter Reed Hoff
Kristen Grace Huggler
Gaetana Enza Iannelli
Laraib Iqbal
Mariam Khaled Jamal
Darnel A. James
Jan Nie Jiang
Jacqueline Joy
Jesse John Junttila
Amarpreet Singh Kahlon
Freshta Karemzadah
Ishpal Kaur
Yasmine Khan Qureshi
Jin Allen Kim
Hannah Rose Kinsella
Brett Robert Kline
Katlyn Alexa Kozell
Stephen John Lam
Leena M. Lari
Bo Rum Lee
Jenny Hun Keung Lee
Sarah Levy
Karen Tom Lin
Jennifer Chau Liu
Hamdi A. Mahdi
Hania Mahmood
Jensen Clair Maines
Sonja Makitan
Angela Mantzavinos
Ruhi Mathew
Said Sohrab Mayel
Kelsey Jane Miller
Natalie Marie Miller
Sidra Munawar
Sindhuja Muppa
Gurchain Singh Nann
Coma Nasrin
Jordan Tyler Oliver
Mitchell Joseph Garcia Ona
Richard P. Orsini III
Ashka Divyakant Patel
Jemi Patel
Pankti Dinesh Patel
Pooja R. Patel
Priya Patel
Rick Patel
Riya N. Patel
Anastasia Greyce Perry
Jasleen Phangureh
Nia T. Phillips
Amanda Courtney Pinkerton
Alyssa Lianne Pitre
Kelly Nicole Pouliot
Denny A. Quach
Gurjeet S. Rai
Ando Ny Aina M. Razafindrabe
Marc A. Reyes
Subely Rodriguez
David Angelo Rosner
Trang Le Russell
Shivani Sajikumar
Ledia Samwil
Jasnoor Kaur Sandhu
NoorEvelyn Sarsar
Anastasiya Savyuk
Jaime Morgan Schwarz
Druti Shikdar
Wesley Simmons
Amrit Singh
Zachary James Sloan
Serena Elizabeth Stasko
Gillian Dale Stierman
Lauren Patricia Strohl
Michelle Cecilia Sturckler
Andrew James Aht Ming
Styba
Shairin Syed
Callia A. Tweedell
Sukrana Uddin
Eleni Maria Vakirtzis
Marina Lynn Verhagen
Ethan Skylar Vogel
Morgon Christine Von Schmidt
Simone Alisha Wallace
Stacie Ann Williams
Alexis R. Wylam
Lauren Brooke Yancey
William Yee
Melissa L. Young
Yousef Abrahim Yousoufzai
Oksana Zubrzycka
∆ Advanced Studies – Advanced studies prepares students beyond entry-level, enhances their knowledge and skills in distinct areas of practice or research, and expands their breadth and concentration in personally selected knowledge bases. Content areas of study include Anterior Segment, Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy, Contact Lens and Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease.
This program was printed before final certification of graduation. Therefore, this listing is tentative only. Any errors or omissions are inadvertent, and the University cannot be held responsible. The academic transcript is the official record.
** All Health and Service Professionals in attendance, including the graduating class, are invited to stand and take this opportunity to read aloud, with Dr. O’Sullivan, "The Oath to Professionalism."