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.
During the weekend of the Centennial Gala Celebration, additional alumni, faculty, and friends were honored.
Dr. Wallis, third President of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) from 1972 to 1979, has led a distinguished career in the field of optometry. He conceived and brought to fruition, through federal grants and fundraising, The Eye Institute at PCOwhile restructuring, expanding, and modernizing the overall curriculum at the College. He was one of the original architects for the inclusion of diagnostic and therapeutic drug legislation for optometry. He conceived and developed the Center for Continuing and Post-graduate Education at PCO, responding to the educational needs of the profession as the scope of practice expanded. Dr. Wallis was tireless in his advocacy, lecturing, testifying and promoting of optometric use of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs in many states.
Dr. Wallis’ seven-year presidential term ended in late 1979, when he became the second full-time executive director of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO®) on Jan. 1, 1980.
In the 25 years that Dr. Wallis was executive director, the National Board gained the respect of optometry internationally and gained recognition by other health professions for its excellence in assessment programs to assure entry-level competence on behalf of the state licensing boards and the public.
Presently, Dr. Wallis is the president of PAI Management Corporation (PAI), which he founded in 1984. PAI is an association management company with extensive experience helping biomedical and health-related professional membership societies increase membership and conference attendance in addition to establishing a sound financial base.
