Alumni News
Occupational Therapy
Biomedicine
General News
During his 40 years at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD ‘16, FAAO, has worked for three of the University’s presidents — Melvin Wolfberg, OD ‘51, FAAO; Thomas Lewis, OD ‘70, PhD, FAAO; and current president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FACHE, FAAO, all of whom have been inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame.
And, now Dr. Scheiman has joined them. He was inducted into the prestigious hall of fame during a ceremony at the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) annual conference “Optometry’s Meeting” on June 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
“It's certainly a professional milestone that I will cherish for a long period of time,” said Dr. Scheiman in his acceptance speech. “I’m deeply honored and grateful to be inducted into this hall of fame, and thank you for this incredible experience.”
In addition to the three University presidents, Dr. Scheiman — who is the University’s dean of Research and director of Graduate Programs in Biomedicine — cited Anthony Di Stefano, OD ‘73, MEd, MPH, FAAO, vice president emeritus at Salus, as influential in his career.
"The person at Salus University who was most important in my career development was Tony Di Stefano when he was both dean and provost,” said Dr. Scheiman. “When we became a University, he encouraged me to develop my skills as a vision researcher and provided all the resources that I would need to accomplish that.”
Dr. Scheiman has also volunteered for AOA projects, including working on several AOA clinical guidelines, and more recently, the evidence-based Comprehensive Pediatric Eye Exam. “These experiences with the AOA have always been fulfilling for me and a very important part of my career,” he said.
Dr. Scheiman added all of his key research accomplishments related to Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trials over the years have been achieved as a result of collaborative work with hundreds of other investigators and colleagues across the nation.
“These large randomized clinical trials that I've been part of required a huge effort and commitment, cost millions of dollars and required many dedicated investigators and teamwork,” he said, citing collaborations with Susan Cotter, OD, MS, Marshall B. Ketchum’s Southern California College of Optometry; Marjean Kulp, OD, MS, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Michael Gallaway, OD, Resident ’81, FAAO, PCO/Salus; and G. Lynn Mitchell, MAS, The Ohio State University College of Optometry. “I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to serve as the overall study chair and lead these studies and our group success is a tribute to all of the extraordinary collaborators that I've had the pleasure of working with.”
Dr. Scheiman is a nationally known optometric educator, lecturer, author and private practitioner and has played a major role in the areas of binocular vision, vision therapy and pediatric optometry. He has also published two books for occupational therapists, “Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists,” and “Low Vision Rehabilitation.” Dr. Scheiman is also a diplomate in binocular vision and perception and a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Also inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame this year was Joseph Shovlin, OD ‘80, FAAO, adjunct faculty at PCO/Salus. Dr. Shovlin, who specializes in primary eye care and contact lenses, was named Salus University Alumni Association’s Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year in 2011 and a past Presidential Medal of Honor recipient.
He is a board-certified optometrist, the immediate past president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), as well as a Fellow of AAO. He is a distinguished Practitioner of the National Academy of Practice in Optometry, and a member of the AOA and the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA). He is a diplomate and past chair of the section on Cornea and Contact Lenses of the AAO, past chair of the Contact Lens section of the AOA, and a former voting member of the of the Ophthalmic Advisory Panel of the FDA. He is a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the American Public Health Association.
