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Optometry
Distinguished Educator Louis Catania, OD, FAAO, DSc to Deliver Salus University’s Spring Commencement Address
Louis J. Catania, OD, FAAO, DSc will deliver Salus University’s 2019 Spring Commencement address on Thursday, May 23, at 2 p.m., at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.
Dr. Catania is an internationally acclaimed clinical educator; author of nine textbooks and over 200 journal articles; and a recognized expert in anterior segment disease and new eye care technologies. He has practiced eye care for 50 years as well as serving as the Chief of Eye Services for two large medical groups in Rochester, N.Y. and Philadelphia, Pa. Currently, he is associated with Nicolitz Eye Consultants, a multispecialty ophthalmology group in Jacksonville, Fla.
“In my opinion, Dr. Lou Catania represents the soul of optometry and the way it should be practiced,” said Michael H. Mittelman, OD, Salus University president. “He always set the bar high and forged a path for our profession that we have embraced at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), and now Salus.”
During commencement, Dr. Catania will be honored with a Doctorate of Science degree, the highest honorary degree awarded by the University, in recognition for his many years of outstanding contributions to optometry, but also his work to enhance the global population health; higher education; and healthcare integration and engagement.
After graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1969, he completed a two-year residency in primary eye care and anterior segment disease with the University of Rochester, School of Medicine's Associated Hospital Residency Program where he also taught primary care optometric and medical interns and residents for eight years. He has held academic rank at numerous optometric and medical schools in the U.S. and internationally and sits on nine editorial boards. He has lectured numerous times in all 50 states and 28 countries. Dr. Catania’s current interests include artificial intelligence – including writing a book, AI in Health Care, and doing research on numerous eye care technologies, immunology and genetics.
Dr. Catania has been awarded many honors including Baron's Five Star rating for medical textbooks – the highest rating – for Primary Care of the Anterior Segment: 2nd edition; voted one of the 10 most influential optometrists of the 20th century by the Review of Optometry Journal and 20/20 Magazine; Distinguished Service Awards from the Ocular Surface Society of the American Optometric Association (AOA) in 2012 and the Optometric Glaucoma Society of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), also in 2012; voted the first Pioneer in Optometry Award from Primary Care Optometry News in 2015; one of 50 Most Influential Optometrists by Optometric Management Journal in 2015; and inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2016. He was awarded the Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year from the PCO Alumni Association in 1994 and was a Presidential Medal of Honor recipient at the College’s 75th anniversary in 1995.
