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During his rotation at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center housed at The Eye Institute (TEI) of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Salus at Drexel University, Daniel Hoffman, OD ‘24, Resident ‘25, was, in his words, “deeply immersed in enhancing my clinical management skills and understanding the profound impact of vision on a patient’s life.”
That’s resident-speak for “I was pretty busy.”
Once there was a break in the action, Dr. Hoffman was informed he had been chosen as the 2024 William Feinbloom Low Vision Award.
His reaction was a mix of surprise and gratitude.
“I felt a surge of pride, not only in receiving the award but also in reflecting on how much I had grown during my rotation,” said Dr. Hoffman. “It was a moment of validation that my efforts and passion for improving patient care had been recognized.”
The award is presented annually to the on-campus resident who demonstrates an outstanding performance providing quality care to low vision patients. The award is named for William Feinbloom, OD, one of the world’s most renowned optometric scientists, who was a true innovator in low vision, vision rehabilitation and contact lens development. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Dr. Feinbloom dedicated his life to helping the visually impaired and his longstanding legacy continues today through the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center.
"Dr. Hoffman received the award based on his exceptional low vision management skills during his fourth-year low vision rotation,” said Erin Kenny, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, Diplomate AAO (LV), chief of the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center and associate professor at PCO. “Daniel had a great rapport with each patient and understood the fundamentals of low vision rehabilitation. We look forward to seeing him grow during his low vision residency.”
Dr. Hoffman said the award signifies more than a personal achievement for him. He believes it represents the culmination of his growth in managing ocular diseases, developing emotional intelligence in patient care and embracing the potential technological advancements in optometry.
“Receiving this award has significantly motivated me to continue striving for excellence in my career,” he said. “The recognition fuels my passion for optometry and reinforces my dedication to making a meaningful impact in the profession. Moving forward, I am more determined than ever to contribute to advancements in vision care and uphold the high standards of patient-centered practice.”
The Feinbloom Center has been nationally and internationally recognized as a center of excellence in low vision rehabilitation. Staffed by a team of professionals who work together to address the needs of those who have a visual impairment, this team approach includes the affected individual, family members, an optometrist and one or more optometric interns, certified low vision therapists, orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, occupational therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists and a social service staff member.
The award, Dr. Hoffman said, highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and reinforces his commitment to those values.
“I will say that as a student and residency applicant, Dr. Hoffman always stood out for his enthusiasm, dedication to our patient population, and advocacy for those with visual impairments," said Chad Killen, OD ‘19, Resident ‘20, FAAO, director of On-Campus Residency and assistant professor at TEI. “He is the ideal candidate to represent the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center.”
