Centennial
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 75th 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.
From his time as a student to present day, Dr. Harvey P. Hanlen has been an important part of the optometry profession. After earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1974, Dr. Hanlen has remained an active member of state and national optometric associations. He served as president of the Mid-Counties Optometric Society in 1978, president of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association in 1982, and as president of the American Optometric Association in 1999.
Dr. Hanlen has also remained actively involved with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), and now Salus University. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for six years and as a consultant for the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center[AA1] . In 1987, Dr. Hanlen was named as the PCO Alumnus of the Year and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letter three years later.
Serving in private practice for more than 40 years, Dr. Hanlen has remained fiercely committed to fostering quality patient care. In 2010, he opened a new practice in Boalsburg, Pa. utilizing state-of-the-art technology to better serve his patients. His practice has been designated as an “AMD Center of Excellence” for instituting specific protocols for patients who have age-related macular degeneration or who are at risk for developing the disease.
Over the years, Dr. Hanlen has received a number of honors including the Pennsylvania Optometric Association’s Optometrist of the Year Award and the H. Ward Ewalt, Jr. OD Meritorious Service Award – the organization’s highest honor. Dr. Hanlen continues to work tirelessly to serve his patients and the surrounding community.
