U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Graduates from PCO/Salus

U.S. Army Reserve soldier Gabrielle Murphey ‘21OD always knew she wanted to join the military, but she credits a high school science class tradition as her inspiration to pursue the optometry profession.

“It was my senior year of high school, and my AP biology teacher, who was also a hunter, came in with a pickle jar of deer eyeballs,” said Murphey, a native of Canandaigua in the Finger Lakes region of New York. 

For many high schoolers interested in healthcare professions, the science class dissection is the moment they figure out whether they’re cut out for a medical future. Murphey didn’t flinch. 

“It was pretty cool,” she said. “That was the first thing we ever dissected and that's how we learned about optics and eye anatomy.” 

Murphey will graduate this week during the University’s virtual commencement with her Doctor of Optometry degree. Additionally, upon graduation as a recipient of The F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), Murphey will be promoted to the rank of captain and assigned to active duty. 

Earning the extensive scholarship after a competitive application process in 2019, when she was commissioned as second lieutenant, was quite a feat. Only a few optometry students were chosen nationwide – a honor that has helped prepare Murphey for something she has always wanted to do – give back. 

“I'm really proud of our country and what they give back to us,” she said. “I think that vision is one of the most important things for soldiers, and I always wanted to do something to give back to them.” 

And, being a commissioned officer through the HPSP while enrolled at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus provided Murphey with unique clinical opportunities to help shape her as a medical professional as well as a military professional.

“I did one of my externships in Hawaii at the army base,” Murphey said. “So, it was really great to gain some insight into what my day-to-day will look like working with the soldiers. And I absolutely loved working with the pilots, especially because their vision is so crucial.”

Murphey was especially inspired during her last rotation at the VA, getting to know the veterans and how they sacrificed to serve the country. 

After a few months of post-graduate training that starts in July, Murphey is looking forward to embarking on an active-duty career. Her first duty station is at Winn Army Community Hospital in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, as a staff optometrist. 

“We're actually working with ophthalmology, and we'll see active-duty soldiers and their families,” she said. “We will also see any veterans who live in the area. So, it's a mix of a normal primary care clinic and a VA. They also have two emergency walk-in clinics for the soldiers. I’m so excited.” 

And, Murphey has a lot to be excited about this week. Two days after she earns her doctorate degree and receives her promotion, she will finally get to celebrate her recent nuptials with her husband Derek, a U.S. Navy pilot, at their official wedding.