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Salus University Alumni Association
Salus University Admissions
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We Salute
The University community extends congratulations to:
Travis Abel '13OD, who was married to Francine M. Sabino on Octboer 1.
Andre Achenbach, '12OD, and Ian McWherter, '12OD, on achieving the highest PCO scores on the 2011 NBEO Part 1 examination.
Tina Fitzpatrick, College of Education and Rehabilitaton, on the September birth of her granddaughter, Brianna.
Maria Grabowski, assistant Admissions director, who married Aaron Zod on September 25.
Andrew Gurwood, OD '89, professor, for his appointment to the editorial board for the Journal of Optometry: Peer-reviewed Journal of the Spanish General Council of Optometry.
Dr. Andrew Buzzelli, longtime PCO faculty member, who was named dean of the Rosenberg School of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word. _________________________ |
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NEW APPOINTMENT
Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker, PhD, has been appointed associate dean for Graduate Programs in Biomedicine for the University. Dr. Dayhaw-Barker has been developing Master of Science and PhD degree programs in Biomedicine for the past two years. These programs are expected to launch in 2012 and Dr. Dayhaw-Barker will be responsible for their leadership and administration.
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Video Competition
The American Optometric Association is sponsoring a video competition for students from optometric schools. Vitto Mena, '14OD, submitted a video from the 2011 Optometry Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The winner will receive a $1000 AOA Student Video Travel Grant. To cast your ballot: www.aoa.org/x20392.xml.
Deadline to vote is December 31.
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Audiology Lecture
The Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) hosted a lecture on wireless technology presented by Dr. Laurel Christensen, chief Audiology officer at GN ReSound, on the Elkins Park campus in September.
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New AOA President Visits PCO at Salus
The first female president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), Dr. Dori M. Carlson, visited the Salus University campus in late September.
Hosted by Dean Linda Casser, Dr. Carlson met with Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, Salus University president, and enjoyed an AOA faculty luncheon. After touring The "New" Eye Institute, Dr. Carlson had dinner with PCO students and POA Board of Directors prior to participating in an AOA/POA student forum.
Pictured above in the Hafter Center are (l to r): Dr. Linda Casser, PCO dean; Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, Salus president; and Dr. Dori Carlson.
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In Memoriam
 The University extends sincere condolences to the family of
Rebecca Lo, MSc '12, a student in the international clinical optometry program, who passed away as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in October. Ms. Lo had completed her degree requirements, including two clinical rotations in Elkins Park, and had planned to return for her commencement in May 2012. ___________________________ |
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TEI's Fifth Annual "Looking Out for Kids" Fundraiser
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Moise Fokou, and Joselio Hanson, cornerback, will host The Eye Institute's fifth annual "Looking Out for Kids" charity reception on November 5 at the Hafter Student Center.
All proceeds help provide vision care services and eyeglasses to under-served children. The event includes a full buffet, open bar and silent auction.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 215-276-6070 or visit www.TEIVision.com/LOFK. |
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Physician Assistant Commencement
 The commencement for the Salus Physician Assistant Class of 2011 was held on Friday, September 16 at Beth Sholom, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed synagogue located down the street from the University. The 37 graduates and faculty processed down Old York Road from campus on a beautiful, sunny day, with help from the Cheltenham Township Police Department, who halted traffic for the procession.
The keynote speaker was James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C, professor and chair of the Department of Prevention and Community Health of the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Mr. Cawley was instrumental in the formation of the Salus Physician Assistant (PA) program from it earliest days.
In addition to Mr. Cawley, graduates heard from class representative Jennifer Gray; University President Thomas L. Lewis, OD, PhD; vice president of Academic Affairs Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano; and Dr. Richard C. Vause, Jr., director of the PA program.
Vice president of Student Affairs Dean Robert E. Horne, with the assistance of Registrar Shannon Boss, presented awards to the following graduates: Danyelle D. Alvino; Erica L. Boliek; Michael B. Carrothers; Jennifer P. Gray; Jenna L. Henault; Brady L. Johnson, and Kimberly C. Olving.
Honors graduates included Highest Honors: Danyelle D. Alvino; Jennifer P. Gray; Jenna L. Henault; Erica M. Kocher; Stacey J. Lorenz; Amanda L. Lucik; Margaret C. Seefried; Catrina R. Shubert, and Danielle M. Wagner; High Honors: Michael B. Carothers; Brady L. Johnson; Mark Light and Alexis C. Madrack; Honors: Susan B. Brewer; Kelly A. Brooks; Erin E. Burton; Ashleigh M. Decker, and Kimberly C. Olving.
Following the hooding and presentation of degrees, graduates and faculty processed back to the University's Hafter Student Community Center for light refreshments and beverages.
PA commencement slideshow. |
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Dean Robert Horne To Retire
After 36 years of service, vice president and dean of Student Affairs, Robert E. Horne, MS, will retire on June 30, 2012. Since joining PCO in 1976, Dean Horne has served as director of Minority Student Affairs, director of Admissions, assistant dean of Student Affairs, and associate dean of Student Affairs.
Dean Horne earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in business education and a Master of Science degree in education administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he was assistant to the dean of students. Prior to his arrival at PCO, Dean Horne was the director of the University Scholars and Higher Education Opportunity programs at Colgate University.
As dean of Student Affairs, Mr.Horne has had overall responsibility for communicating and representing administrative policy to the student body, acting as ombudsman for the students; and explaining student opinion when it appears that student views are being overlooked. He also administers recruitment; admissions; minority student affairs; registration and records; the Summer Enrichment Program; the Health and Fitness Center; and student activities and organizations.
Dean Horne is a member of the Diversity Task Force of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), among other professional organizations. His efforts over the years to increase the diversity of the student body have earned commendations for PCO as well as for himself. |
In Memoriam: Dr. Martin J. Hafter
 The Salus University community lost a true and great friend on October 14, 2011. Dr. Martin J. Hafter '49, his wife, Florence, and their family have been supporters of PCO and Salus for many years, during which they have contributed major gifts.
Dr. Hafter quietly supported those causes he believed in and did not seek attention for the many contributions the Hafter Family Foundation made to causes and institutions.
The Hafter Student Community Center is the result of his awareness for a communal space for students. At the dedication of the student center that bears his name, Dr. Hafter spoke of the many such spaces he and his classmates had to choose from on the old Oak Lane campus and how beneficial such areas are to the overall well being of students.
Dr. Harry Kaplan '49, assistant professor, met Dr. Hafter at PCO in their first year. In speaking of his good friend, Dr. Kaplan said, "Marty was financially smart and had foresight and the 'golden touch' in all of his business dealings. The important things to remember however, are that Marty always was very humble about the contributions he made - he never asked to have the Hafter Student Center named after himself, and he gave a lot back to the world."
No donor in the history of PCO and Salus has been more generous than Dr. Martin Hafter.
Pictured above at the Hafter Student Community Center dedication on October 13, 2006 are: Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, Salus University president; Mrs. Florence Hafter and Dr. Martin J. Hafter. |
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PCO Goes to Harrisburg
by Olayemi Swindell '14OD
The last Monday in September marked an important day in the history of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University. More than 70 PCO students and faculty members - Drs. Melissa Trego, Andrew Gurwood, Satya Verma, Beth Tonkery, and Maria Armandi - along with Dean Linda Casser, traveled on two chartered buses from campus to Harrisburg, where they partnered with doctors from the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA).
The purpose of Optometry at the Capitol was to meet with state senators and/or senatorial staff regarding the profession's concerns about House Bill 838 (HB 838). The day long effort offered Pennsylvania optometric students an opportunity to lobby against HB 838, a predatory bill that has threatened to negatively impact the profession of optometry in Pennsylvania for years to come.
Meetings with legislators occurred throughout the day, and several students were able to attend more than one meeting. Varying responses were heard and echoed through the capitol, exposing the work that is still left for optometric professionals as well as optometry students, in order to educate lawmakers about the profession - and to protect it. The message from PCO and its students to legislators is a vitally important one, Dean Casser told the students.This experience helped optometric students understand the legislative nature of the great profession of optometry and that the safety and advancement of optometry's future is dependent on the continued commitment and involvement of everyone in the optometric community to fight for the rights of optometry.
Recruiting and planning for student involvement in the event was aided by efforts of the officers and board members of the Pennsylvania Optometric Student Association (POSA) - a campus organization newly recognized over the summer. Students became involved because they felt a sense of duty and responsibility for the optometric profession on both state and national levels. According to Dean Casser, 235 student letters were sent to state senators regarding HB 838 and she hopes the student activity regarding HB 838 will be the start of a career-long involvement in advocacy efforts related to the optometric profession.
Pictured above enroute to Harrisburg are James Deom '14OD and Taylor Babcock '14OD. |
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NOSA Mural Tour
 Members of NOSA (National Optometric Student Association) participated in a Philadelphia Mural Tour in October.
Mary Jo Baum, OD '79, was the tour guide, providing a thorough history of each of the 30 murals, allowing members to better view the murals and gain in-depth knowledge about them.
Sponsored by Walmart, the event provided the more than 25 NOSA members in attendance with an opportunity to learn more about ordering equipment, the benefits of doing a residency, and how to open multiple successful practices. Todd Pierzchala, OD '92, a Walmart optometrist, gave a presentation and answered students' questions. NOSA is hoping to make this tour an annual event. |
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