THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF
“The University’s future is now anchored in a growth agenda that will provide more choices for more students.” Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano
SPRING 2010
Inside this issue: 1
From the President
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New Academic Initiatives Expand the University’s Future by Anthony F. Di Stefano, O.D. ’73, FAAO, MPH, Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Meet Richard C. Vause, Jr., PA-C, DHSc Director, Physician Assistant Program, College of Health Sciences
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Alumni Profiles: Shital Mani, O.D. ’03, FAAO; Gail Gudmundsen, Au.D. ’02; Elaine Hendricks, M.S. ’92 O&M; Physician Assistant Class of 2009
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University News
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Annual Academy Meetings
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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 Lynne Corboy Director of Development Heather S. Giampapa Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
EDITOR Peggy Shelly Coordinator, Publications and Communications
CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, Heather S. Giampapa
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Lynne Corboy, Heather Giampapa, Karen Greave, Lisa Lonie, Jeanne Zearfoss
DESIGN
The Alumni Magazine of Salus University is published bi-annually for alumni, parents and friends. Please send comments, contributions and address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement Salus University 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027 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 Lynne Corboy, Steven Goldblatt, Peggy Shelly
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dr. Lewis with students in the second floor lounge of the Hafter Student Community Center.
Preparations for this magazine begin early and the promise of spring is not yet on the horizon as this is written. After unusually heavy snow and cold weather here in Elkins Park, spring cannot arrive soon enough for many. Right now the springtime beauty of our campus is impossible to envision, as piles of snow and broken branches give testimony to winter’s intensity, making spring a distant dream. Much like winter benefits spring, planning the growth of this University is not a wholly visible process, making it easy to forget that the University continues to grow and expand. As students, faculty and staff go about the daily business of learning, teaching and supporting our current programs, it is easy to lose sight of the future. Just as spring makes us forget the difficulties of winter, the success of the University eclipses the challenges of growth. On January 25 the Board of Trustees approved a new Five Year Strategic Plan that promises more choices for more students. New initiatives will comprise a growth agenda that continues our transformation as a university, allows us to expand programmatically and, in turn, affords additional financial stability. In this issue, an article written by Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, Vice President for Academic Affairs, details the new plan and new programs. These innovative and exciting additions to our curricula will attract focused students motivated to succeed beyond the entry-level expectations of their chosen profession. As graduates they will become leaders in their professions.
“…the Board of Trustees approved a new Five Year Strategic Plan that promises more choices for more students. New initiatives will comprise a growth agenda that continues our transformation as a university…”
As we move forward, the Admissions office is busy scheduling interviews and we are on track to meet class goals for Fall 2010 incoming students. Our Admissions officers have welcomed the many qualified students who have been recommended by alumni. Since you, as alumni, are the strongest and best recruitment means we have, I thank each of you for being mentors and examples of your professions. Committed alumni sending us motivated students, combined with a dedicated faculty equates to stronger graduates – a combination that ensures our 91-year old legacy of innovation, leadership and commitment to education will endure.
Thomas L. Lewis, O.D. ’70, Ph.D. President
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STRATEGIC PLAN
New Academic Initiatives Expand the University’s Future by Anthony F. Di Stefano, O.D. ’73, FAAO, MPH, Vice President for Academic Affairs
On January 25, 2010, the University Board of Trustees approved the University’s new Five Year Strategic Plan – a bold and historical step in expanding the mission and vision of the institution. The institution’s evolution from a singlepurpose, premier college of optometry into a multifaceted institution has been driven by the spirit and vision of its founder Dr. Albert Fitch, who established its distinctive character, and who challenged the status quo. Over the decades, this institutional philosophy has been translated into an enduring and progressive commitment to academic excellence; distinctive clinical training programs rooted in “real-world” community-based settings; a strong biomedical science foundation; an interdisciplinary environment that promotes and respects the interdependent role of all service providers, and an aggressive commitment to professional development, at the individual, professional and international levels. The University’s future is now anchored in a growth agenda that will provide “more choices for more students.” This includes all students across all programs within the four colleges, as well as graduates, both domestically and internationally. The platform for this growth is the University’s new mission and vision statements: The mission of Salus University is to protect and enhance health and well being through education, research, patient care and community services worldwide. Our vision is to be recognized nationally and internationally for excellence and innovation. The overarching goal for the new academic programs is to create greater interdisciplinary vitality for both students and faculty, while yielding greater organizational strength and additional financial stability. The following are highlights of the exciting new initiatives on the horizon: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO)
Scholars Program; Advanced Studies
PCO is exploring the development of a Scholars Program for academically talented and motivated students. As currently conceived, PCO Scholars will complete an accelerated Doctor of Optometry degree program equivalent to the fouryear program, with the goal of reducing time and expense for the student. The program builds on PCO’s experience in competency-based education and integrative learning by utilizing additional problem-based and independent study strategies. The Scholars Program at PCO will be a potential first for optometric education and will ultimately enroll approximately 20 students per year. It is anticipated that the academic concepts of the Scholars Program will prove applicable to additional programs for internationally trained optometric professionals.
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In addition, PCO will incrementally roll out Advanced Studies initiatives designed to address the rapidly expanding scope of optometric practice. These programs will prepare both students and graduates to develop specialized knowledge and skills beyond entry level. These offerings will use a variety of traditional, case-based, on-line, and handson learning approaches to achieve advanced competencies in areas such as retina, clinical medicine, anterior segment and neuro-ophthalmic disease. College of Education and Rehabilitation (CER)
New, diverse Master’s Degree and Certificate Programs in Sensory Disabilities; NLCSD
The unmet need for specialized personnel preparation programs in sensory disabilities continues to drive the growth of the College of Education and Rehabilitation. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of individuals with sensory impairments through excellence in interdisciplinary education, service delivery and research. Over the next five years, CER plans to increase the numbers, diversity and leadership roles of education and rehabilitation professionals worldwide. New master’s degree and certificate programs are projected in the fields of Speech and Language Pathology, Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Education of Individuals with Deafblindness. These new programs not only will impact new students entering the field, but also provide professional development opportunities for existing practitioners in education and rehabilitation. These new initiatives build on CER’s successful National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and capitalize on the newly established National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD). This consortium is a unique, multidisciplinary, collaborative effort designed to increase the number of doctoral leadership personnel in sensory disabilities. It is supported through a $5.0 million, five-year grant from the Office of Special Education Programs. Currently, the consortium includes 25 Universities and 32 Leadership Doctoral Programs in Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and Deafblindness. The Osborne College of Audiology (OCA)
Advanced Studies, Certificate Programs; Expansion of Residential AuD Program; New Distance AuD Bridge program
Building on the success of its nationally recognized Doctor of Audiology Bridge Program, and its steadily growing Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), the Osborne College of Audiology proposes to expand its residential doctoral program in the next five years. By 2011, OCA expects to launch a new distance AuD Bridge Program that has an expanded market targeting the needs of the international audiologist and expands the University’s global footprint.
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
STRATEGIC PLAN
Practicing audiologists are also experiencing growth in specialization. As such, OCA will be delivering Advanced Studies and certificate programs in such areas as American Board of Audiology Certification with specializations in Cochlear Implants and Pediatric Audiology, Leadership, Team Management, and Business Administration; and University Educational Leadership. OCA also plans to implement an Audiologist’s Assistant Certificate Program by 2011 in collaboration with professional associations and industry partners. The role of the assistant is to support the audiologist in performing routine tasks and duties so that the audiologist is available for the more complex evaluative, diagnostic, management and treatment required by the level of education and training of a licensed audiologist. College of Health Sciences (CHS)
Distance MPH Degree and Certificate Programs
The University’s College of Health Sciences, currently home to a steadily growing Physician Assistant Program, plans to launch an all distance Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program in the fall of 2010. The program is designed to bridge the gap in public health training in the fields of optometry, audiology, blindness and visual impairment and physician assistant studies – underrepresented professions in the public health workforce. For example, a joint MPH degree program for physician assistant students is envisioned. Because of its flexibility, the program will be able to target both existing students, as well as practitioners seeking additional public health knowledge and skills. This part-time program will appeal to both domestic and international students and practitioners. Non-degree Public Health Certificate Programs will begin as early as the fall of 2010 and target students interested in a shorter public health training program. Certificate programs will be offered in such areas as Humanitarian Health Care; Health Policy; International Health and Development, and Community Education and Health Promotion. Both degree and certificate programs will involve collaborating partners, such as professional associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which will bring “real world” context to the learning experience. The Office of Research and Graduate Programs in Biomedicine (OPB)
PhD in Biomedicine; MSc Research Programs
The University proposes to establish a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Biomedicine with an embedded Master of Science (MSc) research degree program to meet the needs of the University’s unique international and domestic student markets. These programs are designed to be responsive to the professional growth and development
needs in the fields of optometry, audiology, rehabilitation and related disciplines. They would help to bridge the gap in the need for professionals to receive advanced graduate research training and apply their skills in a variety of academic, laboratory, clinical and industrial settings. The proposed program builds on the University’s collaborative PhD program with Cardiff University, United Kingdom, which has provided significant experience with the developmental, instructional design, and organizational components of graduate research training. These graduate research-based degree programs will utilize a distributed training model that will link student research projects with established mentors in successful research laboratories. These will provide both our international MSc graduates and our professional degree students an opportunity for advanced leadership roles in their chosen profession. The addition of graduate research degree programs in biomedicine (PhD/MSc) will support research growth by integrating graduate students into the University’s research development plans. For example, one of the goals is to establish an interdisciplinary Dual Sensory Center of Excellence (DSCE) that supports effective collaborative research projects across the various University colleges and positions us for competitive extramural funding. Strategic Impact
The University’s new academic initiatives will add value and synergy to our current offerings by adding “more choices for more students:” accelerated degree tracks, joint degree offerings, leadership growth opportunities, advanced studies and new certificate programs, dual sensory educational and research options, etc. Our goal is to differentiate Salus University, its programs, environment and interdisciplinary culture. These choices for current, future and past students will be distinctive, building on the University’s rich history of innovation and leadership. Our development strategy recognizes and builds on the very unique national and international market position that Salus now enjoys. In addition, it is a strategy of integrative programming that offers innovative approaches to education, including greater utilization of distance education, problem-based and directed independent learning. Very importantly, it is a strategy that will continue to utilize interdisciplinary collaboration, both internally and externally, that will advance the mission of the University.
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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Richard C. Vause, Jr., PA-C, DHSc A rich variety of experiences as a health professional have led Dr. Richard C. Vause, Jr. from federal prisons to the office of the Surgeon General to the first anniversary of 9/11 at Ground Zero. Add to that a record of service as a Pennsylvania National Guardsman, a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army, and an officer of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps* and you begin to have a sense of the man who became director of the Physician Assistant (PA) program in the College of Health Sciences in September. A native son, Dr. Vause is a graduate of St. Thomas More High School, St. Joseph’s University and Hahnemann University (now Drexel University), where he earned a Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant degree in 1978. He worked in medical/surgical hospitals, completing his residency in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine while finding time to join the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1982. Dr. Vause went on active US Army duty in 1985, training in Aviation Medicine and practicing as an Aeromedical Physician Assistant (APA). In 1990 he traded one uniform for another, joining the USPHS Commissioned Corps with the rank of lieutenant (USPHS utilizes US Navy ranks). USPHS officers can serve in various agencies within the US Department of Health and Human Services. During his fifteen years with USPHS, Dr. Vause served as Chief Physician Assistant for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Operations Branch Chief, and Northeast Regional Health Professions Consultant. Dr. Vause also was attached to the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States, where his accomplishments included founding the Surgeon General’s Honor Cadre in 1999. Approximately 35 officers of the Honor Cadre represent the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) throughout the nation. Dr. Vause authored the regulations and procedures for the Honor Cadre and, after transferring from D.C. to Philadelphia, remained as its Commander for five years at the request of the Surgeon General. To honor Dr. Vause’s contributions to the Cadre, Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu, USPHS, Deputy Surgeon General and Acting Surgeon General, established the “Captain Richard Vause Award” for Cadre members who have served with distinction. On September 11, 2002, the Surgeon General’s Honor Cadre was invited to participate at Ground Zero for the first anniversary ceremonies. Dr. Vause recalls that singular honor with pride as he remembers that day. “We arrived at Ground Zero at 8:00 a.m. It was very quiet and still, so it was almost eerie when, at 8:45 a.m. (almost the moment of impact by the first plane), the wind came up and did not stop. A priest who
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was there told everyone, ‘It’s the spirit of all who perished, letting us know they are still here.’” Dr. Vause adds that the wind blew constantly, stopping only at the end of the day. Dr. Vause earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2000, and a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2004. Retiring from USPHS active duty in 2005, he joined NSU in their Southwest Florida PA program, serving as clinical director and then academic director. Dr. Vause left NSU when he accepted the directorship of the PA program at Salus. Dr. Vause hit the ground running in Elkins Park. His arrival on campus coincided with a new class of entering students, several new faculty members and a new semester. Additionally, preparation for a continuing accreditation visit of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the governing body of the profession, was in process, led by interim program director, Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker. (Ed. All new PA programs are granted ARC-PA provisional accreditation and must submit to a continuing accreditation site visit within two years of the program’s start date.)
Dr. Vause says now that “even with new people in the department, the current faculty and staff were able to meet all of the ARC-PA deadlines and submit the application for the site visit and self-study report on time… we were prepared and able to provide all of the information requested by the ARC-PA team without difficulty.” He believes his experience in going through an initial site visit as well as a continuing accreditation visit within the last four years was a plus and adds, “I believe that this experience, combined with the talented individuals comprising the department will enable us to do well.” (Ed. Note: The University’s PA program was awarded continuing accreditation status in March).
When asked about the challenges and concerns of the clinical training component of the program, Dr. Vause spoke at length about the need to find quality sites. “Acquiring quality clinical training sites is a problem faced by every PA program in the nation,” he notes. “We are in competition with medical schools, nurse practitioner programs, and other PA programs.” He credits Dr. John Fitzgerald, the new Medical Director/Director of Clinical Programs, as “netting us a significant increase in clinical sites in the local area due to his knowledge of and network within the local medical community.” Efforts have been made to continue to reach beyond the local area, says Dr. Vause, in places such as the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda MD, the Federal Bureau of Prisons
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
Dr. Vause with Marta Jaramillo, PA-C, Salus PA Preceptor of the Year 2008-2009, at the 2009 PA commencement.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Dr. Vause with several members of the Class of 2011.
facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. Contact also has been made with a number of other PA programs willing to share sites underutilized by those programs. Another key issue is getting rotation site information to PA students as early as possible, since many move away for a rotation. “While it would be ideal to publish a list of every rotation a student is assigned at the start of the clinical year, it is not always possible, or even realistic. Many factors must be taken into consideration,“ he explains. “For example, preceptors – like everyone else – can burn out or, after having students for four rotations (20 weeks), may need a break.” He notes that some preceptors may (and have) announced their intention not to take a student for a rotation in as little as three days before the start of a rotation. Such last minute changes “necessitate quick action on the part of the medical director, clinical coordinator and educational programs assistant to locate and secure a replacement site.” The program currently plans to notify students of their rotation assignments as far in advance as possible, according to the director. “As we secure more and more rotation sites this will become more of a reality and it is the program’s intent to pursue this course of action.” Dr. Vause continues, “That said, I would submit to you that flexibility, adaptability and professionalism
Dr. and Mrs. Vause with Acting Surgeon General of the United States, Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu, M.D., MPH.
are the hallmarks of any good PA. I believe that, regardless of the assignment or the timing in which it is made, the students should be able to well represent themselves and the University in any clinical or other setting in which they find themselves.” It also could be said that these same attributes, along with a commitment to quality standards, dedication to his students and pride in his profession, are the hallmarks of Richard Vause. Dr. Vause is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a Life Member of the Society of Army Physician Assistants, and one of only two Physician Assistant Fellows of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (*The US Public Health Service is an elite team of more than 6,000 fulltime, highly qualified public health professionals with a mission to deliver the Nation's public health promotion and disease prevention programs and advance public health science.)
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OPTOMETRY
Shital (Shah) Mani, O.D. ’03, FAAO, Director, PCO Resident Program* Filling a class of residents can keep a resident program director as busy as any coach hoping to reach the Final Four in the months between December and March. In addition to the sometimes punishing pace of contacting potential candidates and scheduling interviews from December through February, Shital Mani had an enviable challenge this year in the record number of candidates who applied to TEI’s respective programs. In filling the 2010-2011 class of residents, the program director noted, “The challenge… was not so much finding qualified applicants, because there were so many phenomenal candidates; the challenge was to determine which personalities would best fit our program.” A New Jersey resident since childhood and an alumna of Rutgers University, Dr. Mani purposely chose not to pursue a TEI residency after her PCO graduation. “I had some terrific mentors as a student,” she says, “and the decision to pursue a residency elsewhere was very tough. I felt that I had learned a great deal from them and, though there was much more to learn, I felt I needed to gain a different perspective.” Feeling the need “to challenge myself to come outside my comfort zone and be somewhere not so familiar,” she became a resident in Ocular Disease at SUNY – New York. As to why she chose optometry, Dr. Mani says her work as a Rutgers sophomore under the mentorship of Dr. Béla Julesz (the originator of random dot stereograms) at the Laboratory of Vision Research stimulated her interest in learning about the visual system. Knowing a fulltime laboratory setting was not for her, and recognizing her need to “connect with people and make a difference in their lives,” optometry “seemed like a perfect fit.” While a PCO student, Dr. Mani completed a four month clinical rotation with Indian Health Services in New Mexico,
an experience she shared with her then fiancé, who was on a medical school rotation at the same time. Working primarily with the Navajo nation, Dr. Mani calls her time in New Mexico “fantastic,” noting “the amount of pathology was really unique.” New Mexico also allowed her to indulge her interests in hiking and cooking whenever time permitted. After completing her SUNY residency, Dr. Mani and her husband Ram, (now a neurologist and Fellow at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), married in what she laughingly notes was “a typical Indian wedding ceremony – with 400+ guests!” The couple, who were college sweethearts, moved to Boston after the wedding, where Dr. Mani was a full-time clinical assistant professor at the New England College of Optometry. The insight gained at NECO would serve her well in the future. “Having worked in multiple academic settings, I have realized that the challenges at PCO are also present at other institutions,” she says now. “PCO continues to show the same level of hard work and creativity as the other institutions in facing these challenges.” Dr. Mani’s experiences away from PCO were a perfect segué into her current position. Her student training experience, along with her post – PCO experiences convinced Dr. Mani that, “the clinical exposure and experience the students have at The Eye Institute is second to none.” She adds, “It wasn’t until I started my clinical rotations during my fourth year that I realized the caliber of training I had received.” That knowledge, combined with her focus and talent, are part of Shital Mani’s commitment to upholding that same quality of experience for today’s residents at The Eye Institute. (*An optometric residency is a form of graduate training traditionally completed after receiving a doctorate in Optometry. Most optometry residencies are one year in duration. The residency allows an optometrist to obtain sub-specialized training in areas such as Ocular Disease, Pediatrics, Low Vision Rehabilitation, and Cornea and Contact Lenses).
Dr. Mani and TEI 2009-2010 residents, from left to right, first row: Drs. Mani; Cassandra Ng, Beth Tonkery, Michelle Gutman, Erin Draper Row 2: Left to Right: Drs. Balprit Dhillon, Mahsa Salehi, Rachel Brackley, Lynn Trieu Row 3: Left to Right: Drs.Lynne Achenbach, Marie-Lou Garon, Erin McConnell
Dr. Mani and her husband, Ram Mani, MD, at the 2008 Alumni Reunion.
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THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
AUDIOLOGY
Gail Gudmundsen,, Au.D. ’02 ER 200 Personal Dosimeter, Etymotic Research’s device that estimates noise doses and alerts users when risk of overexposure is high.
On any given day Gail Gudmundsen’s schedule would make a marathoner cry. Arranging an interview with the director of sales and marketing for Etymotic Research poses a challenge with presentations, appointments, time zones and flight schedules entering the mix. Since October, Dr. Gudmundsen has increased her schedule even more, leaving the University’s Board of Trustees after five years of service to pursue a goal near and dear to her heart: hearing protection awareness. At Etymotic Research, a research, development and manufacturing company whose mission includes hearing conservation, Dr. Gudmundsen’s background of clinical audiology, private practice, teaching and research meshes well with the company that invented insert earphones. Dr. Gudmundsen’s ties to the company are also personal, as her husband, Mead Killion, Ph.D., is the company’s founder and president. A native of Winnetka Illinois, Dr. Gudmundsen earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa in preparation for teaching high school English. Deciding instead that a career in speech-language pathology was a better fit with another interest, linguistics, the would-be teacher earned a master’s degree in audiology from the University of Iowa. “Audiology was not a household word 35 years ago, she says now. “I chose audiology the same way many students did when I was in graduate school: I defected from speech pathology during my first course in audiology – and immediately knew it was the right decision.” This is in contrast to the students of today who, she notes, “decide to become audiologists long before they begin graduate school.” In the late 1970s, Dr. Gudmundsen was one of the first private practitioners in Illinois, a distinction she shared with her good friend, Dr. George S. Osborne. “Private practice is a mainstream career path for audiologists in this millennium, but it was highly uncommon in the late 1970s when we took the plunge,” she remembers. “I developed the confidence to open a private practice while freelancing evenings and weekends in otology offices and hospitals that did not have audiology coverage,” she says. Dr. Gudmundsen had a multioffice practice for more than twenty years.
Dr. Gudmundsen with Dr. Lucille Beck, National Program Director for the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service and Chief Consultant for Rehabilitation Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Beck was the honorary degree recipient for the 2008 Audiology commencement.
In the 1990s Dr. Osborne asked her to join the faculty of the then PCO School of Audiology. “George convinced me to teach the ethics course in the distance learning program simply by saying it was the right thing to do,” Dr. Gudmundsen recalls. “It was difficult to say no to such an enthusiastic advocate for the profession,” she adds. “George was a mentor to all his colleagues. He shared his knowledge and experience, and he encouraged us to be collegial instead of competitive. It worked.” Ask her what is a typical week or day and Dr. Gudmundsen laughs, “Wish I knew!” Ask her why she is so motivated about hearing protection and you learn quickly why her professional life is so busy. “Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable,” she says, explaining that hearing loss from excessive exposure to noise is cumulative over our lifetime. “What we used to think of as old-age hearing loss is actually the result of many noise traumas that add up… ears usually recover; however, eventually the loss becomes permanent.” Since many are unaware of receiving excessive noise doses, her company has developed a device “that alerts people to the need to wear earplugs that allow them to work or play in the noise and still be protected.” Dr. Gudmundsen notes, “all sports require protective gear, but music students and music educators are exposed to hours of sound that is potentially dangerous to their hearing.” Five of Etymotics Research’s 60 employees hold Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees (four are Salus alumni) and a number of employees are accomplished musicians. Dr. Gudmundsen says, “It is our goal for ear protection to be required in all music classrooms, drumlines and marching bands. Awareness of the risk of hearing damage is the first step.” Given her commitment and belief in the importance of this message, Gail Gudmundsen’s future daily schedules will remain packed. 7
EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION
Elaine Hendricks, M.S. ’92 O&M In 1983, Elaine Hendricks had a four year old, a Master of Social Work degree, and was considering advocacy law at Temple University when her second baby, Becky, was born prematurely and suffered the loss of her vision. When Becky was three she went to a school where her mother “became mesmerized” by what Becky’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialist, Judy Sharko, was accomplishing with students. Elaine recalls Judy telling her to “get connected to PCO, because you have a rough road ahead of you.” (PCO had begun graduate studies programs in low vision and blindness in 1983). Elaine was a social worker at the Montgomery County Association for the Blind* (MCAB) in 1989 when she recognized the need for Orientation and Mobility. O&M specialists teach blind or visually impaired children and adults critical skills that allow them to remain oriented in their environment and to travel safely, efficiently and as independently as possible. That fall PCO was launching its first O&M graduate studies program, so Elaine took a year’s leave of absence to return to school full time. Her three children were then ten, six and five years old and she credits her husband, friends and extended family for their help. It was a “constant juggling act” but well worth it, as Elaine notes, “once I graduated, everything I had learned fell into place.” O&M instruction is another balancing act. After earning a master’s degree in O&M, Elaine returned to MCAB, where today she is an O&M therapist. Working primarily with people over 18, her days vary. “Every environment is different; every student is different,” she says.
“You have to be able to read people and connect with them,” she notes. “You can’t push someone too far too fast, but you do have to push.” Elaine generally sees three to four people a day, spending from one hour to one and a half hours with each. She travels to her consumers, seeing them weekly and assigning homework. Elaine works with people who use common blindness/low vision devices such as the long cane and/or electronic travel devices. She also works with students and their guide dogs and a few years ago, worked with a student who had a miniature guide horse – then one of just three in the country. At MCAB, Elaine has supervised more than 30 Salus interns. She is a firm believer that interns need a “warm, nurturing educational experience” and says “you have to teach with confidence in order to instill confidence in your students.” Elaine tries to give interns “many opportunities with different types of consumers.” Her students reciprocate. One of them buys a “gadget” for Elaine’s department every year, another “hounded news stations” to have them tell about MCAB and Elaine, while another nominated her for Channel 3’s “Person of the Week.” Elaine Hendricks has three great passions: her family and their thirty acre farm, her horses (she competes at shows in hunter jumping), and rescuing racing greyhounds, which she has been doing since 1993. To hear Elaine speak of O&M is to discover a fourth passion. Well aware of the need for low vision and blindness professionals, Elaine would advise prospective students of the major impact O&M has on people. “As just one person providing everyday lessons, I have helped hundreds of individuals to gain independence,” she says with a sense of wonder, even after 18 years. Elaine’s impact on people with visual impairments and blindness continues with her push to get Accessible Pedestrian Signals at Montgomery County (PA) intersections. She has advocated for this with and without consumer help and there are now twenty in place. “I just have to work harder with legislators,” she says, pointing to quieter hybrid cars that are more dangerous for those who rely on their sense of hearing rather than sight.
Shown here with two of her consumers, Elaine Hendricks teaches independent navigation using a guide dog and a long cane.
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While Elaine freely admits to the challenges her profession faces, such as Medicare billing, third party payments and budgetary cuts, she says of her job, “We open the door to freedom for our students. Everyone loves their mobility lesson. What could be better?” *Not part of county government, MCAB is funded through donors, private foundations and corporate grants.
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Physician Assistant Class of 2009 The University’s inaugural class of twenty Physician Assistants graduated on September 20, 2009. A twenty-five month program of study resulted in the awarding of the degree of Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) to each graduate. After completing their degrees, all physician assistant graduates must take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination – PANCE – before they can practice. The University is especially proud of the 100% pass rate of our first class. In lieu of a single alumnus profile from the class, the areas of practice and locations of the PA alumni respondents to our request are listed here.
The class in the Bennett Lounge of the Hafter Student Center in 2007 after receiving their white coats.
Katie Bacik, PA-C,
Daniel Millward, PA-C,
Internal Medicine, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD
Family Practice, Utah Navajo Health Services, Blanding, UT
Jennifer Benfield, PA-C,
Erik Ness, PA-C,
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Orthopedics, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Elizabeth Bruce, PA-C,
Emily (Weber) Parker, PA-C,
Urgent Care and Orthopaedics, Nashville, TN
Family Practice, Pinehurst Family Care Center, Pinehurst, NC
Melissa (Rosenthal) Kluesner, PA-C,
Virel Prajapati, PA-C,
Urgent Care/Emergency Department, Fairview Medical Center, Red Wing, MN
Emergency Medicine, Voorhees, NJ
Brittany Klugh, PA-C,
Julie Psota, PA-C,
Orthopedics, Orthopedic Specialists of North Carolina, Raleigh and Wake Forest, NC
Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Pediatrics, Bethlehem and Allentown, PA
Joseph Lamb, PA-C,
Internal Medicine, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, VA
Urology, with specialty in minimally invasive and robotic urology, Atlanta, GA
Steven Rohe, PA-C,
Henry Sauer, PA-C,
Emergency Medicine, Bradford Regional Hospital, Bradford, PA Christopher Strassberger, PA-C,
General, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA Jennifer Wagner, PA-C,
Ophthalmology, The Eye Center of Central Pennsylvania, Mifflinburg, PA Christine Wilson PA-C,
Orthopedic Surgery, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, PA
9
University News The University Board welcomed two new members, Mr. A. Christopher Dezzi and Mr. Ian McWherter. Mr. Dezzi, the Pennsylvania legislative appointee to the Board, is vice president of The Dezzi Group, Ltd., a full service political and business-consulting firm located in Philadelphia. Mr. McWherter is the new student member of the Board and a member of the PCO Class of 2012.
PCO WORLD (Pennsylvania College of Optometry)
Charles F. Mullen, O.D., FAAO, past member of the University’s Board of Trustees and former Chief of The Eye Institute, was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame during the American Optometric Association’s Annual Meeting in June 2009. Dr. Mullen, a graduate of the New England College of Optometry, is a past president of the Illinois College of Optometry.
Hosted by PCO dean, Dr. Linda Casser, the day’s events included the first Preceptor’s Conference, an equipment fair for first year optometry students, an equipment showcase, CE lectures and clinical workshops. Attendees enjoyed box lunches, saw demonstrations and viewed the latest equipment and products offered by the event’s sponsors. PCO Turns 90 preceded a two-day Continuing Education session and CE attendees were encouraged to attend the clinical workshops held during Saturday’s event.
The University hosted a special reception for members of the American Public Health Association (APHA) attending the annual meeting of the APHA in Philadelphia in November. Held in the Bennett Lounge of the Hafter Student Community Center, the reception was sponsored by the College of Health Sciences and presented the University with the opportunity to greet and welcome public health colleagues from around the world and update them on the establishment of Salus University by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. The occasion also provided a forum for the announcement of the University’s plans for a degree and certificate programs in public health that are expected to welcome students in Fall 2010.
Students enjoy the vendor exhibits at PCO Turns 90 held in October.
In front of the Carl Zeiss exhibit at the PCO Turns 90 event are (left to right): Zeiss representatives Jacqui Sweeney, Jeff Hopkins, Lori FIoravanti and PCO Dean Linda Casser, O.D.
October 16, 2009 was the 90th anniversary of the first class to enter the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry. In honor of that historic date, PCO Turns 90: A Celebration of Education for Practitioners and Students was held on the Elkins Park campus on Saturday, October 3.
Kelly A. Malloy, O.D. ’96, FAAO, assistant professor, and DeGaulle I. Chigbu, O.D., assistant professor, co-authored “Ocular manifestations uncover chronic subdural hematoma secondary to abuse,” an article highlighted in Optometry, the journal of the American Optometric Association in February (Volume 81, Number 2, 61-70). In the same issue of Optometry, Mr. Walter Gutstein, M.Sc. ’03, international optometric programs adjunct, Austria, coauthored “Screening athletes with Down syndrome for ocular disease” (pp.94-99) Charles Wormington, Ph.D., O.D., associate professor, was honored by the Optometry Class of 2012 in January for his dedication and commitment to his students and for “going to great lengths to pass along the knowledge and skills students need to have as optometrists.” Additionally, the class designed and sold T-shirts that used an image of Dr. Wormington with the words “I’m a Cardholder” on the front and a Wormington Card on the back to raise money. The project proved so successful the students had to offer a second release of the shirts.
Dean Linda Casser and Dr. Thomas L. Lewis join officers of the Class of 2012 to honor Dr. Charles Wormington in January.
Faculty and students form a “W” on Wormington Appreciation Day in the Bennett Lounge.
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THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
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SPRING 2010
UNIVERSITY NEWS THE OSBORNE AURICLE (George S. Osborne College of Audiology)
Left to right, front row: Michal Vyityslicky; Alex Steinmedzer, Tom Reider and Wolfgang Falb. Middle row: Melissa Padilla, Director, International Programs; Dr. Melissa Vitek, adjunct; Dr. Mary Jo Thomas, adjunct; B. Suzanne Janner-Gottschal; Daniel Speigel; Janet Wilbur, Manager, International Programs; Eva Gangelberger. Back row: Norbert Feichter; Michael Tinzl; Stefan Prior and Abraham Gonen, O.D. ’73, Associate Dean and Director, International Optometric Programs.
Dean Victor Bray was invited to serve as a member of the American Academy of Audiology task force that formed a response to the American Medical Association Scope of Practice Data Series.
The Center for International Studies welcomed ten returning students from Austria and the Czech Republic on March 15. The students, here to complete a final clinical rotation in Elkins Park, are on track to earn a Master of Clinical Optometry (M.Sc.) degree in May. Pictured above are the students, their instructors and University staff. Janice Mignogna, FAAO, director of the Bennett Center for Practice Management, contributed two chapters to Business Aspects of Optometry, Third Edition, a practice management manual of the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME). Satya Verma, O.D. ’75, FAAO, assistant professor, was elected to a two year term as Chair of the National Academy of Practice in Optometry (NAPO) during NAPO’s annual meeting at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Orlando. INSIGHTS (College of Education and Rehabilitation)
The College of Education and Rehabilitation has been awarded a five year, $5.0 million grant to fund a new National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD) by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Dr. Kathleen M. Huebner, associate dean, is the project director, and Dr. Brooke Smith, assistant professor, is project coordinator. The new consortium consists of 24 universities offering doctoral programs with an emphasis in one or more of the three sensory impairment areas: blind/visually impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, and deafblindness. NLCSD will provide a unique doctoral study experience for up to 25 qualified individuals committed to the education of infants, toddlers, children and youth affected by these disabilities. Full tuition and a minimum $20,000 annual stipend will be provided to NLCSD Fellows for up to four years of full-time, on-campus study while they earn their doctorates at consortium universities. Dr. Duane Geruschat, adjunct, has been appointed co-director of the Low Vision Rehabilitation program. Dr. Fabiana Perla, director of the Orientation and Mobility program, presented Engaging Students in the O&M Process: Why and How, at the 13th Annual International Mobility Conference in Germany in October.
Shown during an open house at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute are faculty members (left to right): Susan Calantoni, Au.D.; Radhika Aravamudhan, Ph.D.; Yell Inverso, Ph.D., Au.D. (seated); Tricia Dabrowski, Au.D.
Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan, assistant professor, presented data from her current research project, “Understanding speech representation in the lower brain stem,” at the Acoustical Society of America’s October meeting in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Aravamudhan’s research is funded by a Lions Club Hearing Research Grant. Dr. Tricia Dabrowski, director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute, gained national exposure for the University and PEI in an article that ran in the January issue of Self magazine. Dr. Yell Inverso was elected vice president of education by the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology at their annual meeting. Dr. Inverso will serve a two-year term on the state association’s Board of Directors. THE PULSE (College of Health Sciences – Physician Assistant Program)
Commencement for the inaugural class of Physician Assistant graduates was held on September 20, 2009 at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The keynote speaker was William H. Fenn, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA. The Class of 2009 distinguished itself with a 100% pass rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Linda Haffelfinger, PA-C, was appointed assistant professor in September.
A moment of celebration at the PA commencement!
Dr. Fabiana Perla instructing optometry students in how to read using special goggles with lenses that simulate low vision. 11
American Academy of Optometry 2009
ACADEMY MEETINGS
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) held its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida this year. In addition to those listed below, PCO faculty, residents, students, and alumni were well represented.
Dr. Joseph Shovlin ’80; Dr. Barry Farkas ’71; Dr. Thomas L. Lewis ’70.
Dr. Jeffrey Nyman; Dr. Melvin Wolfberg ’51; Dr. Lewis; Mrs. Linda Wolfberg
Poster Presentations Daniel J. Baruffi ’10; Clark Y. H. Chang, O.D. ’07; Bryn E. DeBass, O.D. ’07; Erin M. Draper, O.D. ’09; Jennifer Duan, O.D.; Michael F. Gallaway, O.D.; Lynn D. Greenspan, O.D.; Kristine B. Hopkins, O.D.; Julie K. Hutchinson, O.D. ’09; Imran A. Khan, O.D. ’02; John Krempecki, O.D. ’08; Shital Mani, O.D. ’03; G. Lynn Mitchell, BAS, MAS; Gale Lynn R. Orlansky, O.D., MEd; Jean Marie Pagani, O.D. ’87; Carlo J. Pelino, O.D. ’94; Christopher Rinehart, O.D. ’77; Cara Wolfish ’11; and Meng Meng Xu, O.D.
Workshop Presenters James M. Caldwell, O.D. ’89, M.Ed.; Janice Mignogna, FAAO
Multiple poster presentations, whether solo or co-authored, were made by Andrew Gurwood, O.D. ’89; Kelly Malloy, O.D. ’96; Derek Mladenovich, O.D. ’02, MPH; Y. Su, MD, O.D. Paper Presentations Srihari Narayanan, O.D.; Teng Leng Ooi, Ph.D. Continuing Education Instructors Bernie Blaustein, O.D. ’67; Andrew S. Gurwood, O.D. ’89; Kelly A. Malloy, O.D. ’96 (multiple courses); Marc D. Myers, O.D. ’99; Jeffrey S. Nyman, O.D. (multiple courses); Carlo Pelino, O.D. ’94; Charles M. Wormington, O.D., Ph.D. Symposium Presentations Andrew Buzzelli, O.D.; Andrew Gurwood, O.D. ’89; Marc Myers, O.D. ’99
Meeting and Committee Participants Lynne C. Corboy; Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker, Ph.D.; Andrew Gurwood, O.D. ’89; Shital Mani, O.D. ’03; Janice Mignogna, FAAO; Melissa Padilla; Jeffrey Nyman, O.D.; Maria Parisi, O.D. ’85; Carlo Pelino, O.D. ’94; Mitchell Scheiman, O.D. and Satya Verma, O.D. ’75 American Optometric Foundation – Carl Zeiss Fellow Timothy Brown ’10 New Fellows of the Academy Evy K. Bittner O.D. ’01; Christopher M. Brennan, O.D. ’06; Clark Y.H. Chang, O.D. ’07; Syreeta Daniels Lawrence, O.D. ’07; Bryn E. DeBass, O.D. ’07; Kimberly K. Friedman, O.D. ’91; Sharyn Healy, O.D. ’92; Christian W. Jordan, O.D. ’06; Ali Khoshnevis, O.D. ’08; Matthew Mastrine, O.D. ’08; Nisha Panjwani Mehta, O.D. ’06; David Meltzer, O.D. ’02; Jeanne Suzanne Parker, O.D. ’07; Karen F. Perry, O.D. ’87; Christopher A. Rinehart, O.D. ’77; Jason C. Rinehart, O.D. ’06; Andrew John Rixon, O.D. ’03; Mark Shust, O.D. ’89; James Sickler, O.D. ’06; Gregory M. Smith, O.D. ’06; Karen Squier, O.D. ’01 and Joseph D. Udvari, Jr., O.D. ’74
Left photo: Dr. Linda Casser and Dr. Lynn Greenspan Right photo: Front row: Dr. Kelly Malloy ’96; Dr. Bernie Blaustein ’67 Back row: Dr. Srihari Narayanan; Dr. Melissa (Jervis) Vitek ’95; Dr. Shital Mani ’03
2010 Academy Meetings American Academy of Audiology San Diego CA April 14-17
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American Academy of Physician Assistants Atlanta GA May 29- June 3
THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SALUS UNIVERSITY
American Academy of Optometry San Francisco CA November 17-20
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SPRING 2010
Class Notes 1950s
1980s
Bernard A. Applebaum, O.D. ’58 was honored in January by the American Optometric Association for his 50th anniversary in optometry. Dr. Applebaum still enjoys the practice of optometry and goes to his office in Miami, Florida three days a week.
Bruce G. Muchnick, O.D. ’81, Chief of Optometry at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, is proud to announce that his book, Clinical Medicine in Optometric Practice (Mosby, 2009) became a top selling medical book of 2009. Dr. and Mrs. Muchnick’s son, Jordan, won the gold medal in ice hockey at the Canadian-American Games in Lake Placid, NY, with the winning assist in double overtime.
Lawrence Ragone, O.D. ’53 was featured in a front-page story in the Philadelphia Inquirer on July 28 for his work over the years with the Camden Eye Center, known now as the South Jersey Eye Center. A member of the PCO faculty for many years, Dr. Ragone founded the Center in 1961 to provide eye care for those who could not afford it. As executive director, he is working harder than ever to raise money to replace the state’s budget cuts, which included the Center’s $350,000 grant.
Michael L. Raff, O.D. ’81 is working with Gulden Ophthalmics on a new trial frame modification with a level in the middle to ensure a balanced lens presentation to the patient. The product is being marketed as the “Raff Trial Lens Flipper.” ▼
1960s
Errol Rummel, O.D. ’65, FAAO, FCOVD, FNORA spoke at last year’s Las Vegas meeting of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists about a development in the treatment of people with constricted side vision due to eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Dr. Rummel designed a special vision rehabilitation protocol for treatment of hemianopsia side vision loss for patients with stroke or head injury. He also developed a lid massage technique protocol for treating stroke related ptosis (eye drooping) or blepharoparesis (eyelid paralyzed open) that has been successfully used by occupational therapists in his area (Jackson, NJ). 1970s
Joseph D. Udvari, Jr., O.D. ’74, FAAO was inducted into the American Academy of Optometry on November 14, 2009, after completing five patient case reports, plus an oral examination by Academy members. Richard J. Clompus, O.D. ’79, FAAO has joined CooperVision as Vice President, Global Professional Relations. Dr. Clompus will support clinical studies, education and professional affairs on a worldwide basis.
Elisa Haransky-Beck, O.D. ’87, FCOVD was awarded a COVD fellowship in October and presented Optometry and the Environment at last year’s Kraskin Invitational Skeffington Symposium (http://skeffingtonsymposium.org/2009Presentations. aspx). Dr. Beck was also named one of 40 “Environmental Heroes” in Pittsburgh for her work on environmental issues. Dr. Beck, her husband and their two daughters, Laura, 18, and Rachel, 14, reside in Monroeville, just outside of Pittsburgh. Christine Mary Smith, O.D. ’89, R.N. was featured in Women in Optometry magazine for her volunteer work with VOSH/DelVal and her trips to Haiti and Guatemala. Dr. Smith heads the Delaware Valley branch of VOSH and proudly reports that she and her branch are very active in many areas of the world. VOSH is always looking for interested optometrists, for more information or to volunteer, contact Dr. Smith at cmsmithod@gmail.com. 1990s
Glenn S. Corbin, O.D. ’82 has been appointed to the medical staff at St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA. Jeffrey L. Weaver, O.D. ’85, FAAO has been named Executive Director of the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Weaver will serve as the CEO of the newly formed organization that will oversee board certification and maintenance of certification for the profession. Prior to accepting this position, he had served as Director of the American Optometric Association’s Clinical Care Group for 12 years. He also serves as Adjunct (Full) Professor at University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. He is a Colonel in the Army Reserve, serving as Reserve Optometry Consultant to the Surgeon General, and was named the 2010 Armed Forces Optometric Society Reserve Forces Optometrist of the Year. He and his wife Robin live in St. Louis and have two children, Michele, 17, and Daniel, 7. ▼
Maria Richman, O.D. ’90, FAAO was named the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians’ 2009 Optometrist of the Year. Dr. Richman’s peers selected her as the 2009 recipient in recognition of her contributions to the visual welfare of the community, the association, the profession of optometry and the state of New Jersey. Dr. Richman is the founder of NJSOP’s Low Vision Committee and serves as the Chair of the Clinical Care Center and the Continuing Education Committee. Michael P. Lange, O.D. ’92 will be opening his ninth office, called Lange Eye Care Optical Gallery and Lasik Center, in Clearwater, FL in April. Dr. Lange has also begun hosting a new talk show on www.newstalk820.com, “Ask the Doctor.” He has begun a study to look at the absorption properties of carotenoids, specifically Lutein, beta carotene, zeaxanthin and alpha carotene. He also has developed a new one-a-day multi/eye vitamin called Fortifeye One-A-Day, as well as a new super purified and concentrated natural triglyceride fish oil called Fortifeye Super Omega.
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Jean A. Astorino, O.D. ’94, Feinbloom Center Resident ’95, has welcomed Dana M. Mignogna, O.D. ’95, to Astorino Vision Rehabilitation, which provides low vision care in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Lehigh counties in PA and New Castle County, DE. Maryellen Bednarski, M.S. ’90, CLVT, is director of occupational therapy education for the Center, which employs four OTs. For more information: www.astorinovisionrehab.com or jastorino@verizon.net. LaSheta P. David, O.D. ’96 is the current president of the National Optometric Association (NOA.) The NOA provides referral services to students interested in a personal contact with a minority optometrist in their area. Patricia A. (Curran) Clark, O.D. ’99 and husband Edward happily report the birth of their daughter, Colleen Patricia, in August, 2008. Dr. and Mr. Clark are also the parents of Ryan, born in July 2005.
2000s
Joseph M. Haggerty, O.D. ’00 cheerfully reports that he and his wife Lisa had a baby girl, Meghan Elizabeth, in July 2009. Cynthia G. Charnetski, O.D. ’01 has been appointed to the Wilkes University Alumni Board of Directors and serves as its secretary. She has also been appointed to the Board of Directors of Step By Step, an organization that provides community support services to children and adults in Pennsylvania with mental and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Charnetski is a mentor for undergraduate psychology majors and a volunteer for the Luzerne County SPCA. Sarah S. (Saputo) Mackie, O.D. ’01 and husband Michael proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Bailey Katherine, in May 2009. ▼
Heather M. (Lantz) Beierle, O.D. ’03 and husband Mark are proud to announce the birth of their second daughter, Kristin Alexis, in October 2009. Kristin joins big sister Lauren, born in March 2008. ▼
Kerry J. Burrell, O.D. ’03 has been appointed to the medical staff at St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA. Stephanie A. (Strittmatter) Brien, O.D. ’03 and husband James happily report the birth of their son, Harrison Cooper, in October 2009. Robert M. DiSogra, Au.D. ’03 has been appointed president of the New Jersey Academy of Audiology.
Michael H. Osterhoudt, O.D. ’99 and wife Lisa write that they are the proud parents of Kaitlyn Rose, born October 15, 2009. ▼
Shira S. (Goldstein) Goldberg, O.D. ’03, FAAO was married to Jason Goldberg on August 2, 2009 at Ohev Shalom Temple of Bucks County, PA. ▼ David W. Friess, O.D. ’02, FAAO recently co-authored a paper published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. The article would be of interest to alumni co-managing surgery patients. Titled “Incidence of epithelial ingrowth in primary and retreatment laser in situ keratomileusis,” the article can be read online or in print by journal subscribers. Nathan E. Isaacson, O.D. ’02 and his wife Jill are the proud parents of Connor Jacob, born in October 2009. ▼ Michel L. Pawlosky, O.D. ’03 writes that she and husband Matt Maiers are the proud parents of Maggie Sophia Maiers, born in May 2009. Manuel R. Zambrano, O.D. ’03 was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy on July 1, 2010.
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CLASS NOTES Heather (Bomberger) Betsko, O.D. ’04, FAAO and her husband Michael welcomed their first child, a son, Marek Ryan Betsko, in January 2010.
Heidi L. Sensenig, O.D. ’08 has been appointed to the medical staff at St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA.
Juawana C. (Coleman) Hall, O.D. ’05 celebrated the one year anniversary of her private practice, Hillcrest Vision, in Winston Salem, NC in January 2010. Dr. Hall and husband Matthew have a three year old son, Caleb.
Valerie L. (Johansen) Foytik, O.D. ’09 married Peter Foytik in Portsmouth, VA on September 26, 2009. Two PCO alumnae served as bridesmaids: Caitlyn A. Woods, O.D. ’09 and Huyen (Winnie) Dang, O.D. ’09. ▼
Emily (Weber) Parker, PA-C ’09 was married to James Parker on October 24, 2009 in North Carolina. James is a software engineer with Cisco Systems. ▼
Wendi J. (Henke) Langel, O.D. ’06 and husband Tyler welcomed another beautiful baby girl, Maggie Jo, into their family in November, 2009. Maggie joins big sister Anna, born in April 2008. ▼ Jennifer Wagner, PA-C ’09 is busy with plans for her June 26, 2010 wedding to fiancé Brett Hoffmaster, an elementary education teacher. Karen L. Heaney, O.D. ’09 has been appointed to the medical staff at St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA.
James A. Harper, O.D. ’07 and wife Christine welcomed son Montgomery Douglas in February, 2010. “Monty” weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. ▼
Melissa (Rosenthal) Kluesner, PA-C ’09 was married to Paul Kluesner on September 25, 2009 in St. Joseph, MN. Three PA classmates, Lizzy Bruce, Julie Psota and Jennifer Wagner, were guests at the wedding. ▼
Christine Wilson PA-C ’09 is engaged to Ryan McAndrews and planning a June 4, 2011 wedding. Her fiancé is a correctional officer at the federal prison. ▼
Brooke A. Smith, O.D. ’07 was married to Dr. Brent Segeleon, O.D. ’05 on August, 29, 2009 in New Jersey. Victoria H. Robertson, O.D. ’08 was married to Samuel Grinstead on March 19, 2009.
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In Memoriam With sorrow, the College notes the passing of: Marvin L. Fiegelman, O.D. ’43 formerly of West Pittston, PA, and of Sarasota, FL on September 24, 2009. Dr. Fiegelman served in the U.S. Army and was buried with full military honors. An accomplished trumpet player, Dr. Fiegelman was a member of the Northeastern Philharmonic Society, loved attending concerts with his wife and taught his son to appreciate classical music. Leonard D. Friedman, O.D. ’44 formerly of Levittown, PA and Freehold, NJ, and of Sun City West, AZ, on November 16, 2009. Robert B. Hodges, O.D. ’50, P.C. of Front Royal, VA on June 7, 2009. John J. Rushton, O.D. ’50 of Pittsburgh, PA on October 23, 2008. Edwin S. Wilson, O.D. ’50, of Charleston, WV on May 5, 2008. Charles B. Gay, O.D. ’52 of Vassar, MI on February 2, 2010. Dr. Gay practiced optometry in Vassar for over forty years. He was an active member of the Vassar Rotary and never missed a meeting in fifty years. Dr. Vassar was a founder and charter member of the Vassar Golf and Country Club. Eugene L. Gould, O.D. ’55 of Kittanning, PA on December 19, 2009. Dr. Gould served in the U.S. Navy. He practiced in Kittanning for forty years and also developed several optometric products. He started Resident Eye Care, which brought eye care into nursing homes, and served on a round table discussion panel at PCO to discuss the care of nursing home patients. Dr. Gould, who was survived by his fiancee, enjoyed racquetball, sailing, aviation and model airplanes. John D. Renyo, O.D. ’56 of Millville, NJ on March 6, 2010. Dr. Renyo was a past member of the board of directors of the New Jersey Optometric Association, and a past president of the South Jersey Optometric Society. He practiced in Florence Township NJ for more than 35 years and during that time had served as president of the Florence Township Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Florence Township Zoning Board. Herman H. Gensler, O.D. ’63 of Potomac Falls, VA on March 21, 2009.
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Carol A. Gackenbach, the wife of Joseph G. Gackenbach, O.D. ’65 of Ocean City, NJ, passed away on January 2. Mrs. Gackenbach was a past president of the Auxiliary of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and a past treasurer of the American Optometric Association. The Gackenbachs were married for 46 years and have two children and five grandchildren. Leo R. Gutstein, O.D. ’68 of San Jose, CA on June 10, 2009. Dr. Gutstein worked for thirty-six years as Chief Optometrist of Kaiser Permanente-Santa Clara. He was a world traveler, sang in a choir and performed in local musical theater. Carl C. Cordova, O.D. ’69 of Richboro, PA on December 8, 2009. Dr. Cordova served in the U.S. Army as a nurse. He was a lifelong lover of Scottish history and music and was a member of the McGregor Pipe Band for over twenty years. Philip Stern, O.D. ’73 of Woodmere, NY. Dr. Stern leaves behind a vast array of friends, family and admirers and his friends say Dr. Stern had the rare ability to make everyone he met feel as though he was their best friend. Robert F. Brodeur, O.D. ’82 of Fall River, MA on July 29, 2008. Francis A. Buffett, O.D. ’85 formerly of Nesquehoning and Lansdale, PA on December 19, 2009. Dr. Buffett was an Eagle Scout. Emily J. Jaffe, Au.D. ’03 of Tustin, CA on January 11, 2009. Alison Friedrich Berry, Au.D. ’09 of San Antonio, TX, on October 1, 2009, from injuries received in an automobile accident. Alison had successfully completed her Doctor of Audiology degree online and was planning to receive her diploma in person in May. Dean Bray has announced that graduates will observe a moment of silence in honor of Alison’s memory.
Missing Alumni Sander B. Stern, O.D. Sidney M. Albert, O.D., FAAO Harold Berman, O.D. Robert M. Edelstein, O.D. Ray W. Emery, Jr., O.D. Gerald J. Kalb, O.D. Francis V. Baran, O.D. Daniel Goldstein, O.D. Craig J. Morris, O.D. Gerald R. Safier, O.D. Bernard J. Topfer, O.D. Sheldon Morgenstern, O.D.
1940 1950 1950 1950 1950 1950 1955 1955 1955 1955 1955 1960
Thomas B. Attea, Jr., O.D. Robert A. LaMare, O.D. Philip S. Langer, O.D. Sandy H. Schiffman, O.D. Guy J. Russo, O.D. Wendy P. Carter, O.D. John E. Ellis, O.D. Taiwo A. Kuyinu, O.D. David C. Wogksch, O.D. Mary M. Woods-Brown, O.D. Bruce E. Fauls, O.D. Erik G. Weller, O.D.
1965 1970 1970 1970 1975 1980 1980 1980 1980 1985 1985 1985
Steffi J. Lofink, O.D. Patricia D. Riley, O.D. Naomi H. F. Nsubuga, O.D. Leland J. Sarrell, II, O.D. Fernando A. Arteaga, O.D. Paul S. Rhee, O.D. Nga T. Truong, O.D. ZhenYing Yang, O.D. DeAmbra L. Boucher, O.D. and Joshua P. Boucher, O.D.
1990 1990 1995 1995 2000 2000 2000 2000 2005
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!
It’s Time to get together with classmates and old friends, hear what they’ve been doing, meet their spouses and partners, swap photos of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and just enjoy the day. We hope to see you, because it won’t be the same if you’re not there!
Saturday, May 1 Campus Tours Alumni Association Meeting Preceptor Roundtable Buffet Luncheon Reminisce with PCO Faculty Cocktail Reception Dinner Dance Sunday, May 2 Breakfast Continuing Education Elkins Park Campus Contact Heather Giampapa for details. 215.780.1391 or hgiampapa@salus.edu
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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 P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA PERMIT NO. 773
8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027-1598 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Calendar
OF COMING EVENTS
APRIL 21-23, 2010
M AY 2 9 - J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 0
Penn-Del Association for the Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) Spring Vision Conference Grantsville, PA
American Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Conference Atlanta, GA
M AY 1 - 2 , 2 0 1 0
Annual Alumni Reunion Classes of ’40, ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ‘05 (1985 celebrating 25 years; 1960 celebrating 50 years) Elkins Park Campus M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 0
Commencement George S. Osborne College of Audiology Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, Elkins Park, PA M AY 2 3 , 2 0 1 0
Commencement Pennsylvania College of Optometry, College of Education & Rehabilitation, International Studies and PCO Residents Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
JUNE 16-20, 2010
American Optometric Association: Optometry’s Meeting PCO Alumni Reception: Friday, June 18th Orlando, FL SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
Commencement Physician Assistant Studies Normandy Farms, Blue Bell, PA SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2, 2010
Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology Annual Convention State College, PA NOVEMBER 17-20, 2010
American Academy of Optometry San Francisco, CA