Medal Monday: Irving Bennett, OD ’44

President’s Medal Recipients

Many people have been part of the proud history of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and Salus University.  Alumni, faculty, and friends of the College helped establish PCO as a pioneer and leader in the field of optometric education and the profession of optometry. The following people - highlighted on Medal Mondays - were honored on May 20, 1995 at the 75^th Anniversary Gala Celebration for their outstanding contributions to the College and the field of optometry and vision care.

At the Centennial Gala Celebration on April 27, 2019, additional alumni, faculty, and friends will be honored. 

Irving Bennett, OD ’44, DSC (Hon.) ’87, FAAO

Dr. Irving Bennett is an internationally renowned authority and publisher in the field of optometric economics and practice management. He has served the American Optometric Association (AOA) in a number of capacities, including the second-ever editor of the Journal of the American Optometric Association, and as a member of the AOA Board of Trustees. In 1973, Dr. Bennett was honored by the AOA as the National Optometrist of the Year. He is also a National Optometric Hall of Fame member and recipient of the prestigious AOA Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Bennett founded the magazine, Optometric Management and Optifair, an annual exposition of product introductions and continuing education, held at different locations throughout the country.

Dr. Bennett also co-founded the annual Allenberry Conference on eye care delivery issues and founded Advisory Enterprises which published four successful journals in the eye care field. 

In 1961, he was named the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Alumnus of the Year. He served on the PCO Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1980. Through Dr. Bennett’s generous support and commitment to educating students and practitioners in the business aspects of the practice of optometry, the College was able to establish the Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center (now Bennett Career Services Center).   

In 2015, Dr. Bennett was presented with an honorary degree from New England College of Optometry.