The First Residency Class at The Eye Institute

​A Closer Look: The First Residency Class at The Eye Institute

In 1978, The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University officially opened its doors to serve as the first interdisciplinary training site of its kind for optometry students and as a community vision care center for the public at large. While TEI provided the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) students with a new and advanced quality learning environment, opportunities for post-graduate training also began to grow.

The development of a post-graduate residency program at PCO began in the early 70s. Designed to provide optometrists with extensive training and participation in patient care alongside highly trained clinical faculty, the residency program emphasized learning through teaching.

While the first available residency programs were in Pediatric Optometry/Vision Therapy and Primary Eye Care/Ocular Disease, today it has expanded to cover Cornea and Contact Lenses, Low Vision Rehabilitation, and Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease.

In 1978, Dr. Joel Silbert ‘73, became the first chief of Primary Care Module 1 at TEI – a role that he would serve for the next 10 years, caring for patients and training countless PCO students and residents. Dr. Silbert reflected fondly on this important time in PCO history. “As their skills rapidly grew, in biomicroscopy-related techniques, in gonioscopy, dilated fundoscopy, in retinal 3-mirror exam, in lacrimal dilation and irrigation, and many more, this led to the incorporation of these new procedures into the realm of the comprehensive optometric primary care examination,” he said.

In celebration of this important part of our history, we would like to highlight the careers and accomplishments of the residency class of 1978.

Dr. Leonard Press ’77, FAAO, FCOVD

“Doing my residency at The Eye Institute the first year it opened was a special experience,” Dr. Press said. “Due to the layout of the building, we developed a close working relationship with the staff of the Feinbloom Center, as well as the Electrodiagnostic Service.”

After his residency, Dr. Press served as chief of the Pediatric Binocular Vision Unit of TEI and associate professor at PCO.  In 1982, he was recruited to the State University of New York (SUNY), College of Optometry to serve as chief of the Vision Therapy Service, where he was associate professor of Clinical Optometry for 15 years.

Recognized internationally for his work in the field of learning-related vision problems, Dr. Press is the author of three textbooks, two monographs, two book chapters, and over 100 articles in ophthalmic journals.

Awarded the Albert Fitch Alumnus of the Year in 2003 for his outstanding contribution within children’s vision and vision related learning problems – Dr. Press will also receive a Presidential Medal of Honor in April to commemorate PCO’s 100th anniversary.

Today, Dr. Press continues to see patients at his practice, Press Consulting, P.C., in Lakewood, NJ.

Dr. Carl Kukielka ’77

Dr. Carl Kukielka received his bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher College in Rochester N.Y. and his Doctor of Optometry degree from PCO. He then completed his residency at TEI in Primary Eye Care. Dr. Kukielka has worked for LasikPlus in Columbia, Md. since 2001. He is dedicated to keeping up with the newest technology and advances in laser vision correction.

Dr. Susan Oleszewski ’76, MA, FAAO

Famous within the Salus community, Dr. Susan Oleszewski, or “Dr. O” as she is affectionately known, served PCO for nearly four decades. Upon completing her residency, Dr. O began her career in the classroom and as a clinical instructor. Over time, she served as the chief of a Primary Care Service at TEI, associate dean for Optometry and director of Clinical Services.

In 2005, she was named vice president and executive director for Patient Care Services at TEI. During her time as vice president, she spearheaded the more than $11 million dollar renovation of TEI, which was completed in 2012. She was also responsible for founding the Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) initiative, created to garner strong corporate and community involvement to provide comprehensive vision care services for children who otherwise would go unserved.

Dr. O’s incredible work was acknowledged last year with the University’s Alumni Association Special Recognition Award and she will also receive a Presidential Medal of Honor at PCO’s Centennial celebration in April.

Salus president emeritus, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, ‘70, PhD, said “no one has worked harder to make PCO and Salus better than Dr. O.”

Dr. Christopher Rinehart ’77

Dr. Rinehart graduated from PCO in 1977 and began his residency in Primary Eye Care at TEI. While working together with Dr. Silbert, the two became good friends and remain close to this day. “He was remarkable in his grasp of advanced optometric procedures during the early years at TEI, at a time when diagnostic pharmaceutical agents were coming to the fore,” Dr. Silbert said about his friend.

Upon completing his residency, Dr. Rinehart joined the clinical faculty at TEI and later became chief of Primary Care Module 1. He also served as associate professor, teaching an ophthalmic optics course for many years at PCO until his recent retirement.

Dr. Stephen J. Feinberg ’77, FAAO

After his graduation from PCO, Dr. Feinberg began his residency in Pediatric and Binocular Vision. Over the years, Dr. Feinberg has gained experience in clinical practice, research and teaching. He specializes in contact lens care, vision therapy, surgical reduction in nearsightedness using special contact lenses, and computer related vision problems.

Dr. Feinberg lives with his wife, Dr. Wendy Garson, ’79, in the D.C. area where they own their own private practices. For the last five years, Dr. Feinberg has also worked as a clinical consultant for Maidige, an international myopia correction center located in China.

Dr. Steven Friedman ’77

Dr. Friedman graduated with honors from PCO and began his residency in the Pediatric and Binocular Vision Service. After completing the program, Dr. Friedman moved to Cornelius, N.C. and opened his own general practice with a focus in pediatrics. “My experience as a resident at TEI gave me a good grounding and understanding about how to work well with children,” Dr. Friedman said. He has remained at his practice in Cornelius ever since.

“So as you can see, our first group of PCO residents were very special indeed!” said Dr. Silbert.