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THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF
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Inside this issue: 1
From the President
2-7
Alumni Profiles
8-9
University News
10-11 12 13-15
Commencement 2008 Reunion 2008 Class Notes
16
In Memoriam
17
Missing Alumni
Back
Calendar of Coming Events
Published by Salus University Thomas L. Lewis, O.D. ’70, Ph.D. President
The Alumni Magazine of Salus University is published bi-annually for alumni, parents and friends. Please send comments, contributions and address changes to:
Lynne Corboy Director of Development
Office of Institutional Advancement Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027
Heather S. Giampapa Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
EDITOR Peggy Shelly Coordinator, Publications and Communications
CONTRIBUTORS Erica Lamberg, Ellen M. Mansfield
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Lynne Corboy, Heather Giampapa, Karen Greave, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, Jeanne Zearfoss
DESIGN
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, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or physical or mental disabilities. 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 the Affirmative Action Officer, Salus University, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, (215) 780-1267. Office of Alumni Relations (215) 780-1391 alumni@salus.edu www.salus.edu
The Creative Department, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHY Jackie Brennan, Steven Goldblatt, Lindley Family, Dr. John D. Robinson, Dr. Kenneth Savitski ’87, Peggy Shelly
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welcome FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to the first edition of the Salus University Alumni Magazine, a publication with the same purpose as PCO World: to keep you informed. I hope you enjoy this latest news of faculty, students, and fellow alumni. As we continue to develop our newly established university, the alumni magazine is but one method we will utilize for communication. Much here on campus remains familiar. The four disciplines represented by PCO’s educational programs now can be found in the four colleges that comprise the new University: the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the George S. Osborne College of Audiology, the College of Education and Rehabilitation and the College of Health Sciences. Our degree program diversification has generated a variety of benefits. One of the challenges of having been a single purpose institution was that our Optometry program shouldered the overhead costs of the entire institution. An important financial benefit to PCO is that all four colleges will now share the cost of administration in a proportional way. This will allow more Optometry funds to be reinvested into the Optometry program, which will remain the flagship program for Salus University. Additionally, the sharing of institutional resources will strengthen each individual College. Thomas L. Lewis, O.D. ’70, Ph.D. President
The benefits of diversifying our programs have been programmatic as well as financial. Our Optometry, Audiology and Physician Assistant students now attend several interdisciplinary courses such as evidence-based medicine (EBM) and receive instruction from faculty members from other disciplines. Our goal is to bring perspective from other disciplines to our students, ensuring better preparation for their roles in today’s multi-disciplined healthcare teams. Another key area of the University affected by the diversity of our programs is research. We have been expanding our research program beyond vision related inquiries, and now benefit from the interaction between scientists of different backgrounds. Felix Barker, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O., who has led our research program for many years, was appointed Dean of Research and Development this spring. This appointment is an affirmation of Dr. Barker’s accomplishments, as well as his efforts on behalf of the institution.
…all four colleges will now share the cost of administration allowing more Optometry funds to be reinvested into the Optometry program, which will remain the flagship program for Salus University.
Please join me in congratulating Audrey Smith, Ph.D., now the Dean of the College of Education and Rehabilitation. We are fortunate to have Dr. Smith, a world-renowned expert in vision rehabilitation and the first female dean in our history, to lead this College. We have appointed a new Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Linda Casser, O.D., will begin her new tenure at PCO in early January. We look forward to welcoming her and you will learn more about her in the spring issue of the Alumni Magazine. Dr. Albert Fitch foresaw an academically vigorous curriculum to equal medical and dental programs. Not only have we seen his vision become a reality in optometry, but we have seen it grow at PCO into outstanding programs in visual impairment rehabilitation and education, audiology, and physician assistant studies. Since my student days, I have been privileged to witness and to be a part of many new initiatives. Becoming a University has strengthened PCO and guarantees that our optometry program will continue to flourish.
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OPTOMETRY
John D. Robinson, O.D. ’54 For more than a half century, John D. Robinson, O.D. ’54, has been an influential and driving force for the profession of optometry from his home base in Wallace, North Carolina. According to Dr. Robinson, North Carolina ranks high among the most progressive states in granting optometrists the statutory authority “to use and prescribe pharmaceuticals in the practice of optometry to diagnose, treat and manage diseases and injuries of the eye and its adnexa.” For the past three decades, he has testified throughout the country in support of therapeutic drug legislation similar to that enacted in 1977 in North Carolina and at 82, John Robinson remains actively involved in legislative affairs. North Carolina’s first optometry act was in 1909 and in 1977 there was a complete re-write of NC General Statute 90-114, the definition section of law. As “Dr. Jack” explains it, the re-writing of this section moved optometry from a drugless profession to one that had unlimited prescriptive authority in the practice of optometry. A new practitioner in the mid-1950’s, Dr. Robinson today believes the civil rights movement was a catalyst in the establishment of new guidelines in optometry. “…the lessons learned from the civil rights movement that was picking up momentum during the same era…impacted what was going on in our profession,” he recalls. It was during this time he became involved in the legislative activities of North Carolina. “In my opinion, without realizing it, optometry in the fifties and throughout the sixties and seventies began to take encouragement from the Civil Rights movement.” After graduating from PCO in 1954, he returned to North Carolina. Once in practice in a rural area, he began to see an urgent need for optometrists to be able to use the tools that up to that point were reserved for the traditional medical profession. “Early on, I found a great deal of sympathy for and agreement with the need to change the Optometry Practice Act to allow the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and injuries of the eye – for which prescriptive authority for pharmaceutical agents was necessary – among my North Carolina colleagues, especially those who were PCO alumni,” he recalls. By the time Dr. Robinson had been in practice for 10 years, the foundation for approaching the North Carolina legislature to make major changes in the Optometry Practice Act was being forged. When Dr. Robinson entered PCO in 1950, its founder, Dr. Albert Fitch, was Dean of the College. “He no longer taught regularly. I believe he may have given lectures to the senior class on ethics or a similar topic dealing with professionalism, but by the time I was a senior he no longer did,” Dr. Robinson remembers.
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His memory of Dr. Fitch’s office setting is still clear. “He had a huge office on the left as one entered the front of the College (Old Main on the Oak Lane campus), a beautiful two and a half story stone structure with tall white columns. There was a large fireplace at the end of a very large desk where he sat.” Dr. Robinson also remembers Dr. Albert Fitch as “a giant of a man in a small body.” “I actually learned a lot about Albert Fitch after I returned home to North Carolina,” he says today. He credits that knowledge to Dr. John Perry from Winston Salem NC, who was a PCO Trustee and a regular visitor to the College. Dr. Robinson’s long and illustrious career includes many noteworthy positions including the North Carolina State Optometric Society, American Optometric Association, Life Member American Optometric Foundation, and Life Member in the Association of Regulatory Boards in Optometry, formerly the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry. From 1957-1969 he served as Vice-President of the North Carolina State Optometric Society, Department of Legislation, during which time the Society was reorganized in the pattern of the American Optometric Association, and he was appointed to the North Carolina State Board of Examiners in Optometry in 1964, serving continuously until July 1990. These are but a few of the many positions Dr. Robinson has held over the years. He has served on a number of Boards, including the Federation of the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Robinson was also Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and President of the Federation from its inception until his retirement from the Board in January 1993. Dr. Robinson also had five-year terms on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and was NBOE Secretary, Vice President, and then President from 1987 to 1992. As he looks back on his long career, John Robinson says it’s been a privilege to serve in the cause of advancing his profession from the time it was “drugless” to what is popularly known now as “primary eye care,” which encompasses the treatment and management of diseases of the eye. “I am glad to have had a role in bringing about this change,” he says. The University administration has re-focused recently on four important tenets of our students’ educational experience: discovery, learning, engagement and impact. The immeasurable impact of John Robinson’s fight to obtain prescriptive rights for optometrists is proof positive that those PCO precepts do not end when our students become practitioners.
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impact ALUMNI PROFILE
…optometry was moved from a “drugless” profession to what is popularly known now as “primary eye care,” which encompasses the treatment and management of diseases of the eye, including prescriptive rights.
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GRADUATE STUDIES
Jackie Brennan, Ed.M., TVI ’91 With a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Bloomsburg University, and a master’s degree in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Temple University, Jackie Brennan began working at Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB*) in 1980 as a teacher in the deafblind program. As a new teacher, despite a background in special education and deafness, Ms. Brennan soon realized that she did not have much information on the impact of vision loss – or what she needed to do to address this issue in her students’ educational programs. To learn what could be done, Jackie Brennan pursued a professional certification from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to learn more. “PCO was instrumental in my career, as my training there taught me about how we use our vision, and the implications of vision loss,” she says today. “It also taught me how to adapt materials, lessons, and the environment to better meet the needs of my students and much more.” Ms. Brennan earned a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) certification (now known as Professional Preparation Programs for Teachers of Children with Visual and Multiple Impairments) in 1991 from the College, while working full time at Overbrook. She credits her “wonderful husband, Jeff,” for his support. “Whenever I’m busy, working late or traveling, he always takes care of everything else so I have the time I need to do my work.” Over the course of the 28 years she has worked at Overbrook, Ms. Brennan has held several administrative positions at the school in addition to teaching. This past summer she began a new position as Director of Education and Professional Development, coordinating the educational and residential programs for OSB students from birth to age 21, and acting as the liaison between Overbrook and the school districts and intermediate units. Her new responsibilities include ensuring school compliance with all state and federal regulations, monitoring that compliance, conflict resolution, curriculum implementation and professional development. “I feel very fortunate that I’ve had school-wide experience,” says Ms. Brennan. That experience is helpful, as she also coordinates the development of both an aquatics program for a new aquatics center and an independent living program. As with many education professionals, Ms. Brennan wears more than one hat. She also was appointed Executive Director of the Overbrook Friedlander Program, a residential and day program for adults with deafblindness and blindness with additional disabilities. “I’m very excited about this opportunity, as I taught many of these men and women when they were students at Overbrook in the early 1980’s,” she says.
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With all of her experience, Jackie Brennan has acquired an international reputation in the field of deafblindness. While she will admit only to making “some professional gains” outside the classroom, she has lectured at the College and says, “I made many professional contacts and have been fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the professors.” Ms. Brennan traveled to Germany in September to attend a DeafBlind International Council meeting. “We focused on advocacy, networked with other international organizations such as ICEVI (International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment), and worked to become a recognized organization with the United Nations,” she says. After attending the 2007 World Conference in Perth, Australia, where she presented sessions on emerging literacy for students with deafblindness, and a leadership training program for family members of children with deafblindness, Ms. Brennan was elected to the Council. When asked about the greatest challenges facing educators in deaf and blind educational settings today, Jackie Brennan notes the lack of qualified professionals working in this field. “We have a great shortage of professionals with the experience and knowledge to work with students and adults with deafblindness.” Though this disability does not affect large numbers of people, it greatly impacts an individual’s access to information, people and the environment. While children in this country are educated in the full continuum of service supports, from the general education setting to specialized settings, Jackie Brennan notes that a student with deafblindness may be the only such student in a particular school district. “This,” she says, “is a great challenge – to provide the supports and training that is needed.” As a deafblind specialist and educator, Ms. Brennan is proud to be part of the closely knit Overbrook School for the Blind. “We’re a genuine community that works together, supporting each other professionally and personally on behalf of the students we serve,” she explains. “…Overbrook is more than the sum of its people, we are family.” As for her PCO family, Jackie says, “Through the years I have come to work with them (the faculty) as colleagues,” adding, “They continue to support me in my career and we all continue to learn together.” Four words currently used to characterize the educational experience at Salus University are discovery, learning, engagement and impact. For individuals around the world affected by deafblindness, Jackie Brennan is the embodiment of discovery. *OSB, founded in Philadelphia in 1832 to educate and train visually impaired children, today offers a variety of programs for individuals with multiple impairments from infancy to 21 years.
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discovery ALUMNI PROFILE
The greatest challenges facing educators in deaf and blind educational settings today is the lack of qualified professionals working in this field.
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AUDIOLOGY
George Lindley, Ph.D., Au.D. ’03 George Lindley, Ph.D., Au.D. ’03, is Director of the Audiology Distance Learning Program at the Salus University George S. Osborne College of Audiology. AuDonline is a distance based program solely for licensed, master’s degree level, practicing audiologists. The program is designed to facilitate interaction between students and instructors and includes weekly online classes, message boards, and online discussions. When the PCO School of Audiology was established, its founding dean, Dr. George S. Osborne, hired George Lindley as an instructor. While the program stopped accepting new students in 2007, the last AuDonline programs do not end until 2010. George Osborne realized the difficulty facing most practicing audiologists in going back to school full-time, so he developed a “bridge” program to provide a work and familyfriendly option for those master level practitioners wishing to obtain an Au.D., now the entry level degree for the profession. George Lindley explains that audiologists with fewer than four years experience must take 20 courses, while those with more than four years experience take an average of 16 courses. “Which courses they take are determined based on their past experience and future goals,” he adds. “Most students complete the program in 18 months to three years.” Upon completion of their coursework, the student must pass a comprehensive exam as the last step. One of the reasons for setting the program’s end date was to avoid the possibility that students could continue to obtain a master’s degree and then get their Au.D. through a distance based program. To date, more than 1000 audiologists have successfully completed AuDonline and more than 2000 will have graduated by the program’s end in May 2010. While enrolled, audiologists with a master’s degree continue to practice and provide their patients with excellent service, Dr. Lindley points out. “No training can replace experience,” he emphasizes, “But many audiologists with a master’s degree wish to obtain an Au.D. as well, since this is the degree new practitioners now hold.” Today George Lindley’s primary AuDonline responsibilities are determining which courses need to be offered each session, creating students’ comprehensive exams, which are required to graduate, and answering emails from the 800 plus remaining students. A 1993 Penn State graduate, Dr. Lindley earned a Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995, where he received a Ph.D. in Audiology in 2001. He earned his Au.D. from the PCO School of Audiology in 2003. As an assistant professor at the College in 2002, George Lindley says he was fortunate to be involved in the development of the residential Au.D. program from its
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inception. “While working full-time as an assistant professor at PCO, I taught the hearing instrument courses to both residential and distance-based students. I also had some administrative responsibilities in the distance education program (e.g., creating the comprehensive exams),” he recalls. In 2006, Dr. Lindley accepted a full-time position with Oticon, one of the world’s major hearing aid manufacturers, while continuing as an adjunct professor at PCO, teaching in both the residential and distance based programs. After the unexpected death of George Osborne in June 2007, George Lindley was asked to become interim director of AuDonline. “Because I was familiar with the inner workings of the administration of the distance based program, I felt it was important to take on the role of acting director of the program when Dr. Osborne passed away,” he explains. “There would be less of an abruption since I was already familiar with how things worked.” Today Dr. Lindley continues his role as Manager of Pediatric Training and Education at Oticon, while continuing to administer the AuDonline distance- education program. Dr. Lindley says George Osborne influenced him in many ways, both professionally and personally. “Dr. Osborne was a pioneer in the field of Audiology and was always pushing the envelope in terms of our scope of practice, business models, and education and training requirements,” George Lindley remembers. “It was not easy to establish an Audiology program in a College of Optometry, but his enthusiasm and ‘glass half full’ mentality really drove the process forward. So I learned the value of persistence and believing in a purpose to get things accomplished.” Dr. Lindley says one of the more fun aspects of his role here at Salus University is calling each student after they pass their comprehensive exam. “It was important to Dr. Osborne that this call be made in person and it is always nice to be giving good news.” Juggling two jobs and a family with three small girls is difficult at times, George Lindley admits, but he notes that nearby family to help with childcare, and flexible work schedules help keep things organized. “My wife is a pediatrician and works some night and evening shifts and I can work from home some days,” he says. “So, with the help of a large marker board in the kitchen, we can usually do a good job of keeping track of who needs to be where and when. That’s not to say there isn’t chaos at home, but it is somewhat organized chaos.” Recently, four words have been used to describe the educational experience at Salus University: discovery, learning, engagement and impact. As he continues to engage our distance learning students, George Lindley is a superb example of how it should be done.
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engagement ALUMNI PROFILE
“It was not easy to establish an Audiology program in a College of Optometry but [George Osborne’s] enthusiasm and ‘glass half full’ mentality really drove the process forward. So, I learned the value of persistence and believing in a purpose to get things accomplished.”
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University News Dr. Thomas L. Lewis announced in September that Mr. Patrick J. Sweeney will retire at the end June 2009, after almost twenty years of service as Vice President Business and Finance. During his transition, Mr. Donald Kates, Controller, will assume responsibilities for the financial management of the University and Mr. Sweeney will lend his considerable experience in healthcare administration to The Eye Institute, concentrating on the improvement of TEI’s financial performance, the efficiency of all areas of the revenue cycle and other areas where his background in hospital administration will have the greatest impact. The Lions Clubs of Montgomery County sponsored a local health awareness event at the Hafter Student Community Center in March. The event was supported by three PCO student organizations, the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), the PCO Lions Club and the Optometric Association for the Support of Children (OASC). Students from three of our degree programs participated in the event, along with Dr. Felix Barker, Dr. Debra Busacco and Dr. George Bottomley. Held in the Hafter Student Community Center, the health awareness fair featured a host of health screenings. Our students performed vision screenings, hearing screenings and blood pressure readings, while students from the Temple University School of Dentistry offered dental screenings.
Dr. Shital Mani and Dr. John Mark Snyder were recently appointed clinical faculty members at TEI. Both Dr. Mani and Dr. Snyder are PCO graduates, and Dr. Snyder was a resident at TEI. Dr. Mani has been assigned to TEI Module 2 and Dr. Snyder will be in Module 2 and the Mount Airy Satellite Center. In announcing the appointments, Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, Vice President Academic Affairs, noted that Drs. Mani and Snyder represent a major commitment to strengthening and expanding clinical faculty capacity in our teaching and patient care programs. Dr. Charles Wormington has been named the winner of the Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education by the American Academy of Optometry. He will receive the award in October at the annual AAO conference. Twelve new residents at TEI were welcomed in June: Audrey Chen, Jennifer Duan, Randy Fitzgerald ’08, John Krempecki ’08, Jenny Myung, Kelly O’Shea ’08, Angela Pelligrini ’08, Kimberlee Sakai, Yu Su, Kellee Leangsok Tea, Tehseena Ullah ’08 and Meng Meng Xu. C O L L E G E O F E D U C AT I O N A N D R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Audrey Smith, Ph.D., has been named Dean of the new Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation. Dr. Smith, an international expert in the field of education and rehabilitation for the visually impaired, is the first female dean in the history of the institution. Dr. Missy Garber, Director of the Professional Preparation Programs for Teachers of Students with Visual and Multiple Impairments and Co-Director of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI), presented a poster in July at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Programs of the U.S. Department of Education’s Project Directors’ Conference.
P E N N S Y LVA N I A C O L L E G E O F O P T O M E T RY
Dr. Linda Casser has accepted an appointment as the new Dean of Optometry and is scheduled to assume her position in early January. As Dean, Dr. Casser will serve as the Chief Academic officer for PCO programs, promote interdisciplinary academic programs and student experiences and oversee the PCO international programs. A graduate of the Indiana School of Optometry, Dr. Casser was Chief of Primary Care Service Module 4 at TEI for four years in the 1980s and has been the Associate Executive Director of Clinical Examinations at the National Board of Examiners in Optometry since 2006.
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Dr. Kathleen M. Huebner, Associate Dean, and Co-Director of NCLVI, received the Ambrose M. Shotwell Award at the AER (Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired) conference in July for “outstanding contributions to the development of professionals and organizations for blind or visually impaired people around the world.” Dr. Huebner is the first individual to receive both the Mary K. Bauman Memorial Award and the Ambrose M. Shotwell Memorial Award, the two highest awards conferred by AER.
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Derrick Smith successfully defended his dissertation and earned his doctorate in February, becoming the first NCLVI Fellow to do so. Dr. Smith has accepted a post as Assistant Professor in Special Education at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. GEORGE S. OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY
The ongoing search for a new dean for the George S. Osborne College of Audiology is progressing. Dr. Tricia Dabrowski, Director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute, has been appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor at the George S. Osborne College of Audiology. Dr. Dabrowski and three audiology students, Naikai Butler ’10, Tony Philip ’09, and Liliana Piccinini ’10, attended the Starkey Student Focus Group conference in Minneapolis in July, where they had the opportunity to meet Dr. James Jerger, one of the pioneers of the audiology profession. The group’s presentation to the conference was “Salus University George S. Osborne College of Audiology.” Yell Inverso, Au.D., Assistant Professor, recently earned a Ph.D. in Audiology from Gaulladet University in Washington DC.
In September, Physician Assistant students received recognition for their community service, writing and medical knowledge at the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) annual meeting in Valley Forge PA. All of the Class of 2009 students worked hard to assist the three members chosen to represent them, organizing practices and putting teams of test question writers together. The competition tests students on their medical knowledge and there were twelve teams of students from the state competing. Winning this competition is rare for a “seasoned” program and unheard-of for an inaugural class. Two Salus PA students, Jenn Wagner and Joe Lamb, both Class of 2009, won first and second place in the essay division of the Thomas J. Lemley Award for Diversity at the conference. RESEARCH
The first paper submitted under the name Salus University has been accepted by the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Dr. Alexander Dizhoor, Hafter Chair of Pharmacology, co-authored the joint PCO-Harvard paper, now tentatively scheduled for the November/December issue. Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan, Assistant Professor, has received funding from the Lions Hearing Foundation for her proposed study entitled, Understanding Encoding of Speech Signal in the Lower Brain Stem: Study Using Human Frequency Following Response (FFR). Dr. Aravamudhan’s is the first Audiology study at this institution to receive grant funding. The research project will focus on how acoustic changes are represented in the auditory pathway.
C O L L E G E O F H E A LT H S C I E N C E S
Susan Dubendorfer, PA-C, has joined the faculty of the Physician Assistant program as an Assistant Professor. Joseph Spanier, PA-C, joined the faculty of the Physician Assistant program faculty in August as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Teng Leng Ooi, a co-investigator of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, has been awarded a $1.1 million continuation grant in July. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying human space perception in the intermediate distance range and how our perception of space guides and directs actions in the real and virtual reality environments. Dr. Ooi is also the principal on a second NIH study that examines the mechanisms of intermediate level vision with focus on binocular vision, perception of surface layouts and the neural plasticity of the visual system.
On July 31, the Physician Assistant program faculty and students welcomed their counterparts from the De Sales University Physician Assistant Class of 2009 to Elkins Park. The class from De Sales was able to spend time with our PA students in the cadaver lab. Our PA program has an anatomy based curriculum and is one of the few programs in the country to offer a cadaver lab.
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Commencement 2008 C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S G R A D U AT E S !
The College community celebrated two commencement ceremonies in May, awarding a total of 561 degrees to graduates of six different PCO programs. Optometry, Graduate Studies, and International Optometric Program graduates received their diplomas at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on May 22nd. Special guests Dr. Akio Kanai and Dr. Jerald Strickland received honorary degrees from the College. Dr. Kanai is the CEO and Chairman of Fuji Optical Co., Ltd. and Dr. Strickland is Vice Chancellor for International Studies at the University of Houston. More than one thousand relatives and friends congratulated 146 new Doctors of Optometry, 12 Low Vision Rehabilitation and Education specialists, and 91 international students from Austria, Germany, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland as they received their degrees. In addition, 12 TEI residents received post-graduate certificates.
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COMMENCEMENT 2008
Many Audiology graduates, their families and friends attended the May 23rd Audiology commencement held at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park. The day began with campus tours, food and fun before the afternoon commencement ceremony. The College awarded a total of 312 Doctor of Audiology degrees. Seven residential Audiology graduates and 130 graduates of the College’s AuDonline distance education program were present for the ceremony. For many AuDonline graduates, the festivities marked their first visit to the campus. Under sunny skies, students and faculty in full regalia processed from the campus to the historic Frank Lloyd Wright designed synagogue, led by Dr. Felix Barker, who carried the PCO mace. An honorary Doctor of Science degree was awarded to Dr. Lucille Beck, Director of Audiology and Speech Pathology Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This year’s hooding took on an historic flavor as, 57 years after his graduation as a new Doctor of Optometry, Charles H. Parham ’51 hooded his daughter, Dr. Pamela Parham Frankel, ’08, as a new Doctor of Audiology. Honored guests at the commencement included Joan and Brian Osborne, wife and son of PCO School of Audiology founding dean, George S. Osborne, for whom the University’s College of Audiology has been named. Following the commencement ceremony, alumni, students, faculty, family and friends gathered in front of the Hafter Center to dedicate a tree in George Osborne’s memory and shared memories of their colleague, mentor, teacher and friend.
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Reunion 2008 RUN FOR THE ROSES!
With a Kentucky Derby theme, the Annual Alumni Reunion raced to bring PCO graduates together and back to the College. On May 3rd, more than 200 alumni and their guests arrived in Elkins Park for a day of activities and reminiscing with friends, followed by an evening of celebration in the Hafter Student Community Center. During the day, those who attended the Alumni Association Annual Meeting heard Dr. Lewis speak about the College’s transition to Salus University, as well as reports on other Alumni Association business. During the meeting, two new directors were elected to the Alumni Association Board: David Friess, O.D., ’02 and Dennis H. Lyons, O.D., ’73, while four directors completed their terms: Mark Clement, O.D., ’98, William Johnston, Jr., O.D., ’81, Alan Ostroff, O.D., ’71 and Felicia Whitney, M.S., ’93. As during past reunions, tours of the Elkins Park campus proved very popular, with some alumni seeing the Hafter Student Community Center for the first time. Led by current OD students, the tours offered the chance to see that in education, some things change and some things stay the same. Dr. Maurice Sternberg, O.D., ’38, from New Jersey, represented the oldest anniversary reunion class (70th).
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The evening’s celebration began with mint juleps all around and watching the running of the Kentucky Derby on the Hafter Center’s television screens. The evening continued with a buffet dinner, casino games and dancing. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Albert Fitch Alumnus of the Year Award to Dennis H. Lyons, O.D., ’73. An active member of the New Jersey Academy of Optometry and other state optometric organizations, Dr. Lyons has served PCO by establishing the Class of 1973 Memorial Scholarship Fund, which honors seven classmates who have passed away since graduation. A plaque bearing names of donors and the departed classmates Louis Alonge, Aaron Chasan, Robert Dullea, William Mack, Carl Pearlman, Gary Synak and George Tessier, was unveiled at the reunion. Alumni representing seven classes returned for the Reunion, including eleven members of the Class of 1958, celebrating their 50th anniversary; 18 members of the 25th anniversary Class of 1983; five members of the Class of 1948 (60th); three members of the Class of 1968 (40th), and 13 alumni from the Class of 1973 (35th). The Class of 1998 had 11 members present for their 10th reunion and Dr. Shital Mani represented the Class of 2003 (5th).
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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FALL 2008
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Class Notes 1930’S
Elmer S. Friedberg, O.D. ’38 of Pottstown, Pennsylvania was featured in an article on World War II military service in The Mercury, a Pottstown newspaper. 1940’S
Hal Baumann, O.D. ’43F moved into a continuing care community in Frederick, Pennsylvania with his wife, Mildred. Dr. Baumann retired after 62 years in practice. His associate, Martin Rawdin, O.D. ’59, continues the practice in Pottstown. 1950’S
Leonard Weiss, O.D. ’51 is retiring after 56 years in practice. He currently practices in Honesdale, Pa. Dr. Weiss was president of Congregation Beth Israel from 1974 to 1984. He has been very active with the local Lions Club and chaired their “Sight for the Needy” program. Dr. Weiss received the “Melvin Jones Fellowship Award” from the Lions in 1994 and was awarded Life Member status in 1991. His other leadership positions include Jaycee president in 1955, past president of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Optometric Association, past president of B’nai B’rith, and chairman for the Wayne Region Boy Scout Advancement. Dr. Weiss and his wife Sally have three children and four grandchildren. He looks forward to having more time for travel and golf after retirement. Alvin S. Lang, O.D. ’53 of Tamarac, Fla. competed in swimming and track events at the South Florida 18th Annual Senior Games. He won five gold medals in the 50 Meter Freestyle, the 50 Meter Backstroke, the 50 Meter Breastroke, the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash. Dr. Lang is eligible to compete in the 2008 Florida Senior Games State Championships in Cape Coral in December. Shahane Kirman, O.D. ’54 celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his practice, Kirman Eye Associates, in Hummelstown, Pa. on June 2, 2008. Pennsylvania State Representative John Payne and Pennsylvania Senator Jeff Piccola recognized Dr. Kirman and his wife for their service to the community through the practice.
Roy F. Anderson, O.D. ’58 was honored in July with the Rice County (MN) 2008 Outstanding Senior Citizen Award. Retired since 1993, Dr. Anderson is a foster grandparent at a local elementary school, volunteers overseas with VOSH, is a volunteer at two County Historical Societies, helps with Senior Center fundraisers and is an active member of the Faribault MN Rotary Club. Dr. Anderson and his wife, Bobbi, celebrated their golden anniversary on June 5 and still found time to come to Elkins Park in May to celebrate his 50th class reunion! Charles H. Parham, O.D. ‘51 participated in the Audiology commencement in May, 57 years after his own graduation, where he had the opportunity to hood his daughter, Pamela Parham Frankel, Au.D. ’08, before she received her diploma.
1970’S
Neil W. Draisin, O.D. ’71, FCOVD was recently elected treasurer of SECO International. SECO is the largest optometric meeting in the world, with an attendance of over 8,000 eye care professionals. Dr. Draisin has been in practice in Charleston, S.C. since 1972. He is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, where he served as President. Dr. Draisin is a member of the American Optometric Association and PastPresident of the South Carolina Optometric Association.
Bill Winters, Jr., O.D. ’73 now sees patients parttime because his son, Ryan Winters, O.D. ’03, has joined the practice in Queensburg, N.Y. 1960’S
E. Michael Geiger, O.D. ’62 has been appointed a Founding Director of the Optometric Nutrition Society. The purpose of the society is to raise awareness of nutrition and its importance to general and eye health. The website, www.optometricnutritionsociety.org has a bulletin board for questions and answers, and features articles on nutrition topics as they relate to eye conditions. Arnold Bierman, O.D. ’68 recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his practice in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. His staff surprised him with an engraved plaque from Lansdale Mayor Andrew Szekely at the celebration.
Larry Wallis, O.D. ’74 delivered a presentation on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy to first and second year medical students from the UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine in Straford, N.J. Maintaining his current practice since 1974, Dr. Wallis continues to be on the clinical staff of the Camden Optometric Center and is Legislative Chairman for the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. 1980’S
Scott A. Edmonds, O.D. ’80 was named the 2008 Optometrist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association. The Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes a member of the POA for their outstanding service to the profession and to the visual welfare of the public. Dr. Edmonds has served the POA in many capacities for 25 years, currently as Chair of the Quality Assessment and Improvement Committee and the Nominating and Evaluating Committee and a member of the Eye Care Benefits Committee. Dr. Edmonds consults for the Council on Optometric Education (COPE) and is on the Editorial Board of Primary Eye Care News. He is also a preceptor for the PCO externship program and for Observerships of Eye Care Services to Egypt. He is a speaker at PCO, for the Macular Vision Research Foundation, for the Wills Eye Hospital speakers bureau, and for the Delaware Valley Association for Macular Disease.
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CLASS NOTES Rear Admiral Michael H. Mittelman, O.D. ’80, MPH was appointed as the medical officer for U.S. Joint Forces Command and will oversee the mission of leading the medical transformation of the Armed Forces of the United States. Dr. Mittelman was PCO’s Alumnus of the Year in 2007. Bruce Muchnick, O.D. ’81 has been named Chief of Optometry at the Coatesville Veterans Administration Medical Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The second edition of his book Clinical Medicine in Optometric Practice has been published. The first edition of the book has achieved the largest international sales distribution of any optometric medicine book of its kind. Marla Moon, O.D. ’82 was awarded the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr. Award by the American Optometric Association InfantSEE® program. She received the award in the AOA House of Delegates in June. This award recognizes the contributions of an individual to optometry and public service through the InfantSEE® program. Dr. Moon is a partner in Nittany Eye Associates in University Park, Pennsylvania. Kurt J. Moody, O.D. ’83 was recently promoted to Associate Director of Worldwide Clinical Research at Vistakon, at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Michael P. Wood, O.D. ’84 was elected Vice President of the South Carolina Optometric Association in December 2007. He has been a member of the Association since 1994. Dr. Wood currently practices in Greenville, South Carolina. Michael Gowen, O.D. ’87 opened a second office of Shenandoah Eye Care and Associates in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jonathan A. Stevens, O.D. ’88 and Patricia A. Modica, O.D. ’88 both were keynote speakers at the 2008 Southern Regional Congress of Optometrists Association Victoria Australia held at the Melbourne Convention Center in May 2008. In total they provided 19 hours of ocular disease and neuro-eye disease-oriented continuing education to over 1,000 delegates. They were accompanied by their three year old son, Jonathan, and the family toured South Australia and Kangaroo Island after the conference. 1990’S
A. Susan Keene, O.D. ’90 was selected as the Virginia Optometric Association’s 2007 Optometrist of the Year. Dr. Keene practices in an underserved region of Virginia and regularly participates in community-based health fairs and vision screenings. She has led a diabetes awareness
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project statewide with the Virginia Association of Free Clinics, during which the Virginia optometrists volunteered services to the economically disadvantaged, and has served on the Virginia Department of Health Professions’ TPA Formulary Committee. Dr. Keene is the current President of the Virginia Optometric Association. She also serves on the TLC Laser Center National Advisory Board. Dr. Keene practices in Marion, Virginia with Smyth County Eye Associates. John Garfield, O.D. ’92 and Janice Kulba, O.D. ’92 proudly announce the birth of their son, Broderick Kole Joseph in July 2007. Broderick joins brothers Andrew, age 9, and Joseph, age 23, and sister Allison, age 6. Drs. Garfield and Kulba have practiced in southern Ocean County, New Jersey, for the last 16 years. Brett C. Naponic, O.D. ’92, and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed Maya Grace in September 2004. She joins Samuel, age 8, Natalie, age 6, and Zachary and Connor, age 5. Michael Lange, O.D. ’92 of Lange Eye Care acquired Parris Optic International, a wholesale frame and sunglass company. In addition, he has recently purchased all the shares of Fortify Vitamins. The company manufactures the line of Fortifeye eye and whole body nutraceuticles. The vitamins made by Fortify target patients with dry eyes and macular degeneration, as well as supplements for total body and vision support. Lori A. Sportelli, O.D. ’95 was awarded Optometrist of the Year by the Maryland Optometric Association in December 2007. She has been active with the Maryland Society for Sight and served on its Board of Directors in 2002. Dr. Sportelli currently works with the Wal-Mart Vision Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a VISION USA and InfantSEE® provider and has provided eye examinations for Special Olympics athletes in Maryland annually. Dr. Sportelli has been on the Board of Directors of VOSH since 2003 and is currently the co-director of Haiti operations. In addition, she leads VOSH’s New Member Division and was the 2002 Maryland Young Optometrist of the Year. LaSheta D. David, O.D. ’96 opened a private practice in Concord, North Carolina. Her goal is to provide her patients with quality eye care served with compassion.
Alexandra M. Espejo, O.D. ’96 and husband, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, welcomed their second child, David Julian, on January 8, 2008. He joins big brother Lucas Daniel, now 22 months old. Dr. Espejo was named Director of Externships at Nova Southeastern University in July 2007.
Kelly A. Malloy, O.D. ’96, FAAO was featured in the March 2008 issue of Women in Optometry. She is the only neuro-opthalmic disease diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Malloy is the Director of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Service at TEI, where she diagnoses the causes of subjective visual complaints, including double vision and eye pain. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Malloy also teaches didactic and laboratory courses involving neuro-opthalmic disease to PCO’s third-year students. Christine Nicholson, O.D. ’97, FAAO, and Brian Cohen, O.D. ’97, FAAO, proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Elizabeth, in August 2007. Rachel joins big brothers Joshua, six, and Jacob, four. Dr. Nicholson is employed by Total Eye Care Centers in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Cohen works for Campus Eye Group in Hamilton Square, New Jersey. Brandy Scombordi-Raghu, O.D. ’98 and Rajeev K. Raghu, O.D. ’98, FAAO welcomed their third son, Luke Panikkar Raghu in July 2008. Michael Tortorici, O.D. ’98 and his wife, Kathy Moreira-Tortorici, O.D. announce the birth of their son, Matthew, born in August 2007. The family resides in Parsippany, New Jersey. Daniel F. Russell, O.D. ’99 has served on the Southwestern Optometric Society’s Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and is a strategic plan mentor. Dr. Russell works as acting chief at the Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center in Altoona, Pa. He piloted a teleretinal research project with Harvard Joslin Diabetic Center and the Boston VAHS. In 2006, he was named Young Optometrist of the Year by both the Southwestern Optometric Society and the POA.
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CLASS NOTES 2000’S
Jeremy Ciano, O.D. ’01 was recognized as the Business Networking International (BNI) Indiana Member of the Year. BNI is the largest business networking group in the world. Dr. Ciano practices at RevolutionEyes in Carmel, Indiana. Bausch & Lomb ranked him as the #1 bifocal contact lens prescribing doctor in Central Indiana. The Consumers Research Council of America named him one of the top 100 optometrists in the country. Dr. Ciano is a member of the Contact Lens and Cornea Association, the AOA, the Indiana Optometric Association, and the Rainmakers. He serves on the Carmel AM advisory board. Veronica H. Heide, Au.D. ’01 received the Honors of the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association on February 8, 2008. She is a board member of the Audiology Foundation of America. Dr. Heide was recognized for her work with Wisconsin students, for her work on audiology continuing education and for her commitment to her patients. Mira Silbert Aumiller, O.D. ’02 and husband Aaron are proud to announce the birth of their second child, Charli Faye. She was born in December 2007, weighing seven pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. Charli joins big brother Eli and is the granddaughter of PCO faculty member Joel Silbert, O.D. ’73, FAAO.
Mrs. Susan Ferraro, M.S. ’03 recently participated in an art show “Another View” that featured works by children and adults who are blind and visually impaired. The show benefited St. Lucy Day School in Philadelphia, The New Jersey Blind Citizens Association, and The International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment. Mrs. Ferraro, an artist and art teacher, works with students at St. Lucy Day School and with senior citizens at the The New Jersey Blind Citizens Association. Mrs. Ferraro is launching a new company, “Blind Sight.” Rebecca L. Wincek-Bateson, O.D. ’03 was named the 2008 Young Optometrist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association. She serves as the secretary of the Southwestern Optometric Society. Dr. Wincek-Bateson secures sponsorships and speakers for local society meetings and welcomes new optometrists to the Society. Dr. Wincek-Bateson promotes optometry as a career to high school, pre-optometry, and optometry students. She serves on the Board for the Center for Diabetes Care at Indiana Regional Medical Center. Dr. Wincek-Bateson is a participant in the InfantSEE program and has led the program at the Indiana Regional Medical Center. She works with the Blind Association of Indiana County and is a board member for Downtown Indiana. She is a member of the Indiana and Monroe Chambers of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of Monroeville. Jill M. (Schulze) Vocci, O.D. ’03 and husband Matthew welcomed a daughter, Caroline Grey, in January 2008 Caroline weighed seven pounds, six ounces and was 21.5 inches long. Dr. Vocci works with a pediatric ophthalmology group in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jessica (Tremel) Glass, O.D. ’02 and husband Denny announce the birth of their son, Colin Dennis, in December 2007. He was six pounds, three ounces and 20 inches. The family lives in Allison Park, Pennsylvania. Dr. Glass is employed at UPMC Eye Center St. Margaret in Pittsburgh.
John Dovie, O.D. ’04, FAAO proudly announces the birth of his daughter, Brennan Elise in January 2008. She joins big brother Sullivan James, age three.
Shannon (Hippler) Mihalacki, O.D. ’04 and husband Steven welcomed their first child, John (Jack) Stephen in December 2007. Dr. Mihalacki has started a private practice, Clear Vision Family Eyecare, with Rebecca Woodring, O.D. ’99. The practice opened in Mars, Pennsylvania in July.
Lisa (Pasqualino) Sheldon, O.D. ’04 and husband Joshua announce the birth of their son, Noah James in November 2007. He weighed five pounds, nine ounces. Anthony P. LaDota, O.D. ’05 and wife Katie announce the birth of their daughter Safina Marie in July 2008. She weighed seven pounds, seven ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Kinnari Patel, O.D. ’05 opened a private practice, Advanced Eye Care, in Clarksburg, New Jersey. Kerry A. Cohen, Au.D. ’06 proudly announces the birth of her twin sons, Samuel and Malcolm, born in March 2008. Wendi J. (Henke) Langel, O.D. ’06 and husband Tyler announce the birth of their daughter, Anna Colette in April 2008. Andrea M. Knouff, O.D. ’07 now works at Cumberland Pointe Eye Care in Atlanta, Georgia. Sarah Wise, O.D. ’07 married Andy Englehart on March 15, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She is working for Dr. Pierzchala & Associates in Willow Grove. Andy is a biomedical engineer for Merck & Co.
Heather (Lantz) Beierle, O.D. ’03 and her husband Mark proudly announce the birth of their first child, Lauren Kate, in March 2008. Emily Clark O’Meara, O.D. ’08 married Liam O’Meara on July 19, 2008 in Cape Neddick, Maine. PCO Alumni Maura Massucci, O.D. ’08, Amanda Kelley, O.D. ’08, Alisha Fleming, O.D. ’08, and Mike McCandless, Au.D. ’08 were in attendance. The couple resides in Annapolis, Maryland.
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In Memoriam With sorrow, we note the passing of:
Eugene R. Barenburg, O.D. ’48 of Baltimore, MD, on October 4, 2007.
Milton H. Zimmerman, O.D. ’31 of Pompano Beach, FL, on January, 24, 2008.
Richard B. Goldberg, O.D. ’48 of Virginia Beach, VA, on May 12, 2008.
William Elson, O.D. ’38 of Plymouth Meeting, PA, on June 7, 2008. Following his service in the Army during World War II, Dr. Elson served as the optometrist for the Panama Canal Zone for two years. For 25 years he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol squadron, flying out of the Montgomeryville Airport twice a week.
Melvin H. Neff, O.D. ’48 of Ephrata, PA, on February 20, 2007.
Jules Manning, O.D. ’38 of Clark, NJ, on September 11, 2006. Charles A. “Ted” Bayshore, O.D. ’40 of Orlando, FL, on June 8, 2008. Dr. Bayshore was a pioneer in contact lenses and the developer of the Bayshore Technique of contact lens fitting. He was an officer in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service, and among his many awards was the John C. Neill Medal from PCO. Malcolm W. Cass, O.D. ’40 of Stephentown, NY on May 26, 2008. During World War II, Dr. Cass served in the Pacific as a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a church organist until age 91 and was a Past President of the Maine State Board of Optometry.
Eli D. Pronchick, O.D. ’49 of King of Prussia, PA, on August 27, 2008. Dr. Pronchick was a distinguished member of PCO’s faculty for 20 years. During World War II, Dr. Pronchick served in the Air Force and flew missions over Germany and he later served in the Air Force Reserve. Dr. Pronchick was also an opera lover and award-winning ballroom dancer. Bernard Brooks, O.D. ’50 of Pittsburgh, PA, on July 27, 2006. Ray L. Kinch, O.D. ’51 of Hershey, PA, on July 8, 2007. Anthony LeDonne, O.D. ’51 of Pen Argyl, PA, on August 27, 2008. Dr. LeDonne served as an instructor at PCO early in his career, and practiced optometry for nearly 50 years. Dr. LeDonne was a supporter of many organizations, including the Lions Club, Boy Scouts and the Knights of Columbus. Charles H. Hartung, O.D. ’53 of Lewisburg, PA, on May 9, 2008.
Alfred Lawit, O.D. ’40 of Bala Cynwyd, PA, on July 9, 2000.
William Kanik, O.D. ’53 of Brooklyn, NY and Tampa, FL, on June 11, 2004.
Sidney Rubenstein, O.D. ’40 of Harrisburg, PA and Margate, NJ, on March 3, 2008. Dr. Rubenstein practiced optometry for over 50 years and was very involved in local politics and Jewish organizations.
Theodore L. Altman, O.D. ’54 of Monroeville, PA, on September 5, 2008. Dr. Altman was a well respected and well liked optometrist in Monroeville, who enjoyed playing golf.
Donald D. Shapiro, O.D. ’40 of Phoenix, Arizona, on March 25, 2008. Dr. Shapiro practiced optometry for over 50 years in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania and in Phoenix. His son, Gary, practiced with him for over 25 years. Dr. Shapiro was a World War II veteran who had been stationed in New Guinea as a lieutenant during the war.
Wallace L. Hess, O.D. ’55 of Beaver, PA, on May 16, 2006.
Edward H. Janbaz, O.D. ’41 of Lincoln, CA, on August 24, 2007. Joseph Wesler, O.D. ’41 of Atlantic City, NJ, on May 10, 2007. Seymour R. Wingrat, O.D. ’41 of Baltimore, MD, on October 21, 2006. John T. Miller, O.D. ’42 of Columbus, GA, on June 20, 2008. Dr. Miller flew missions in the African and Mediterranean theaters of operation during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Dr. Miller was very involved in many local organizations in his hometown and served as President of the school board.
Leon E. Tyler, O.D. ’55 of Eustis, FL, on November 22, 2006. Robert E. Kuehner, O.D. ’58 of Phoenix, AZ, on April 29, 2008. Leonard M. Cherdack, O.D. ’61 of Miami, FL, on September 20, 2006. Daniel J. Alexander, O.D. ’63 of Haddonfield, NJ, on February 25, 2007. Stephen I. Carton, O.D. ’69 of Columbia, MD, on January 12, 2007. William DeBois, O.D. ’69 of Albuquerque, NM, on October 29, 2007. Mark R. Moore, O.D. ’80 of Ellwood City, PA, on December 28, 2007. Dr. Moore was an active member of his church and many local organizations, including the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Stephen J. Wagner, O.D. ’81 of Mechanicsburg, PA, on October 3, 2006.
Myron J. Averback, O.D. ’43 of Naples, FL, on July 27, 2001.
William F. Johnson, O.D. ’83 of Bloomsburg, PA, on February 22, 2008.
Robert J. Canning, O.D. ’43 of East Falmouth, MA, on December 15, 2007. Dr. Canning was very proud of his granddaughter, Dr. Faith A. Rainnie, who graduated from PCO’s AuDonline program in the Fall of 2008.
Myong I. Chung, O.D. ’85 of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, on May 12, 2008.
Leonard A. Fields, O.D. ’43 of Chapin, SC, on September 3, 2004. Paul E. Howe, O.D. ’43 of Newport, VT and Fort Myers, FL, on March 7, 2008. Sol Holsveig, O.D. ’46 of Virginia Beach, VA, on January 8, 2008. Eleanor (Kaszonyi) Bodnar, O.D. ’47 of McKeesport, PA, on September 11, 2006.
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Kimberly Finewood McClure, O.D. ’85 passed away in April after a valiant battle with cancer. Dr. McClure is survived by her husband, Dr. Larry McClure, Associate Dean for Student Financial Affairs and Director of Institutional Research and Strategic Planning for the University, and their children, Katie and Kevin. Albert J. Tordella of Moorestown, NJ and Rydal, PA, on May 2, 2008. Mr. Tordella was a PCO Board of Trustee Emeritus.
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Missing Alumni Harry A. Klein, O.D. Saul D. Schor, O.D. Juan L. Gorbea, O.D. Jerome S. Greenberg, O.D. Murray Klaff, O.D. Donald R. French, O.D. Edward G. Smith, O.D. Sigmund P. Rutecky, O.D. William C. Witwer, O.D. Donald E. Dunphy, O.D. Stephen S. Luloff, O.D.
1944 1944 1949 1949 1949 1954 1954 1959 1959 1969 1969
Frank E. Cheney, Jr., O.D. Rafael Pacheco, O.D. Robert N. Silverman, O.D. Ira Herman, O.D. Alan M. Rosenberg, O.D. Marvin L. Schecter, O.D. David J. Smith, O.D. Clare M. Dammann, O.D. Maria C. Liotta, O.D. Frederick J. McDonald, O.D. Byung-Joon Ahn, O.D.
1974 1974 1974 1979 1979 1979 1979 1989 1989 1989 1994
Monica E. Emerson, O.D. Deborah L. Mastrangelo-Martin, O.D. Robin R. Barry, O.D. Thu T. Cai, O.D. Minh Q. Truong, O.D. Aleksandra Gonoratskaya, O.D. Margarita Gonoratskaya, O.D. Mehidad M. Keramati, O.D. Robert H. Schwartz, O.D. Tuan A. Tran, O.D. Thuy Mong T. Vu, O.D.
1994 1994 1999 1999 1999 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004
The alumni listed here cannot be invited to their reunion because we have no contact information for them. If you can provide information about a classmate, please contact Heather Giampapa (215-780-1391 or hgiampapa@salus.edu) to ensure that no one misses the celebration!
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OF COMING EVENTS
JANUARY 17-27, 2009
M AY 2 , 2 0 0 9
Continuing Education Program PCO Elkins Park Campus Ocular Therapy 100-Hour TPA Certifying Program
Annual Alumni Reunion Classes of ’39, ’44, ’49, ’54, ’59, ’64, ’69, ’74, ’79, ’84, ’89, ’94, ’99, ‘04 (’84 celebrating 25 years and ’59 celebrating 50 years) PCO Elkins Park Campus
MARCH 4-8, 2009
M AY 2 3 - 2 8 , 2 0 0 9
SECO Atlanta, GA PCO Alumni Reception: Friday, March 6th
American Academy of Physician Assistant Annual Conference San Diego, CA
APRIL 1-4, 2009
American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting Washington, DC PCO Alumni Reception: Friday, June 26th
AudiologyNOW! Conference Dallas, TX
JUNE 24-28, 2009
APRIL 23-25, 2009
Penn-Del Association for the Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) Spring Vision Conference Grantville, PA
N O N P R O F I T O R G A N I Z AT I O N U . S . P O S TA G E
PA I D 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027-1598 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA PERMIT NO. 773