Class Notes (continued) Titus Wu, BSCO ’09, OD and his efforts on how to control myopia in children and adults were highlighted in an article in The New Age Parents in July, which discussed the increasing progression of myopia and the importance of early childhood vision screenings and examinations with the increase in myopia in Singapore. After earning his bachelor’s degree in clinical optometry from Salus, Dr. Wu went on to earn his master’s in optometry at University of New South Wales and his OD degree in Singapore. He is largely involved in advanced contact lenses, advanced clinical optometry, ocular therapeutics and dry eye management. He is also an associate lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, guiding and supervising first year optometry students.
Laura J. Knapp, OD ’11 joined Eastern Virginia Eye Associates full time with a focus on vision therapy. The practice is owned by PCO alumni Michael S. Swatts, OD ’01 and Leah M. Ramos Swatts, OD ’01. Gayle E. (Lowe) LePosa, OD, FAAO ’11 and her husband Adam extended their family with the birth of their son, Charlie, in July. Erin L. (Van Shura) Garbin, OD ’11 and husband Tom celebrated their first anniversary in October. The two were married last year in Pittsburgh where they now reside. [Photo: VanshuraOD11]
Dana E. Luzon, AuD ’10 purchased Audiology Hearing Aids of the Palm Beaches in August. Her practice is the only practice in Palm Beach to become AudigyCertified (AGX), an “unsurpassed patient satisfaction” honor awarded to less than 5% of the providers in the United States. Dr. Luzon also gives back to the community by conducting hearing screenings at elementary schools and community health fairs. Essence N. Robinson, OD ’10, FAAO now practices at the new Parkland Health and Hospital System’s Optometry Department, located at Southeast Dallas Health Center. Dr. Robinson is a faculty associate at University of Texas Southwestern Department of Ophthalmology, a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Khanh N. Trinh, OD ’10 has been awarded Louisiana’s 2015 Young Optometrist of the Year from the Optometry Association of Louisiana in recognition of her exemplary leadership. She has served as the Central Louisiana Optometric Society president and member of the Optometry Association of Louisiana (OAL) Board of Trustees for the past two years. Dr. Trinh was also recognized for creating the OAL’s social media presence and for her legislative efforts for the past four years. 18
Joshua L. Gilgen, PA-C, MMS ’13 joined the Yakima Pediatric Associates of Yakima, WA in June. Bisant A. Labib, OD ’14 has been welcomed back to the Salus community as an instructor. Dr. Labib completed her residency in 2015 at The Eye Institute.
2010s Debbie L. Davis, AuD ’10 has expanded her business, Eastside Audiology & Rehabilitation Inc. by opening a second clinic and hiring another doctor. Eastside Audiology & Rehabilitation provides services that include auditory processing disorders testing and tinnitus retraining therapy.
Erica Nicole (Turner) Davis, OD ’13 married family physician Dr. Jonathan C. Davis on March 14, 2015 in North Carolina. The couple are currently serving as active duty members of the United States Air Force.
Elisa Bano, OD ’12 joined the team of eye doctors at Outlook Eyecare, a Princeton-base ophthalmology practice, as it continues to grow in New Jersey. Dr. Bano specializes in a variety of contact lens fittings, including ectasia and keratoconus. Angela N. (Burda) McLaughlin, OD ’12 married Edward McLaughlin in Cape May, New Jersey on June 27, 2015. She is employed at Visionworks of America in Quakertown, PA. Her husband Edward is employed as a special education teacher for Aspira, Inc. of PA. Dr. McLaughlin is also the niece of Gary M. Andrus, OD ’95. [photo: BurdaOD]
Nicole Kershner, OD ’12, FAAO joined Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates in July. The practice has three locations in Maryland. Dr. Kershner is a clinical investigator in national research studies. Katherine F. Steele, PA-C, MMS ’12 recently joined the in-house Clinical Care team of Highland Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Elko, NV. Ms. Steele has joined Highland Manor in 2013, working at Geriatric Specialty Care, a medical group based in Reno consisting of MD’s, nurse practitioners and PAs. She is also a Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society, the American Academy of Physician’s Assistants and the Nevada Academy of Physicians Assistants.
Ashley M. Wolanski, OD ’14 and Joseph M. Wagner, OD ’15 were married on December 13, 2014 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Dr. Wolanski practices at Biernacki Eye Associates and Dr. Wagner is in practice at Northeastern Eye Institute. Biernacki Eye Associates is owned by PCO alumni Drs. William and Donna (Biernacki) McLaughlin, Class of 1981, and was founded by the late Dr. John Biernacki ’52. Meredith L. Fogg, MSOT ’15 announced her engagement to Frederick Van Dongen, Jr., a Penn State engineering graduate employed by CertainTeed in Harleysville, PA. Cassandra M. Bruno, OD ’15 is now in practice at Blount County Eye Center (BCEC) in Maryville, TN. In his announcement to Salus, Dr. William Tantum, BCEC’s practice director, referred to Dr. Bruno as an “incredibly impressive applicant.” Dr. Bruno will practice full-scope eye health care and offer low vision consultation services. Joseph M. Wagner, OD ’15 and Ashley M. Wolanski, OD ’14 were married on December 13, 2014 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Dr. Wagner is in practice at Northeastern Eye Institute and Dr. Wolanski practices at Biernacki Eye Associates. A future Salus PCO alumnus? This photo is of Owen Hess, who is pictured with his aunt, Class of 2016 optometry student Erica Hess. Owen’s parents are Troy C. Hess, OD ’08 and Valera R. Hess, OD ’09. His uncle and aunt are Nicholas A. Hess, OD ’07 and Katherine A. Hess, OD ’06.
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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FALL 2015