General News
Optometry
Alumni News
1950s
Roy F. Anderson, OD '58, arrived in Philadelphia from Minnesota in 1954 with a scholarship from PCO. A few years later he met and married Roberta “Bobbie” Kissel who lived across from the PCO building. She lived with Chris and Jean — the former wed Robert Scholes OD '57, and the latter wed Rod Johnston, OD '58. Alan Cohen, OD '58, and Don Chaputa, OD '58, joined Dr. Anderson in mining gold in the Territory of Alaska. Dr. Anderson bought a practice in Faribault, Minnesota, and served for 35 years. He and his wife served with many missions with Minnesota chapter of Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and India. The couple has three sons living in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. Dr. Anderson is proud to see all the progress at PCO and with Salus University now joining Drexel University.
1960s
Jeffrey C. Magun, OD '69, FAAO, took the bronze medal at the World Karate Championship “Battle In Atlanta” in June this year in the 60+ Open Blackbelt Division. He’s been competing for 17 years nationally. Dr. Magun also started some teaching at a local dojo in Columbia, South Carolina.
1970s
Donald S. Teig, OD '70, FAAO, led a team of vision care professionals to evaluate the Visual Performance Skills of 140 LPGA Women’s Golf Tour professionals at the Meijer Classic at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. The team included: Brandon Llewellyn (The I Gym); Jeff Rinkus (US Ophthalmics); Dr. Erica Croft (NECO); Dr. Neil Renaud (Eagle Eye Performance Vision), Dr. Don Teig
(The I Gym); Dr. Jill Saxon (Bausch & Lomb); Dr. Melissa Bussey (Sports Vision Windsor); Andrea Tellier (OT/L); Katie Kane (Bausch & Lomb ) and Tyler Ross (Optos).
Manny H. Greitzer, OD '75, who is in his 50th year as an optometrist having practiced and owned “Optical Options” for the last 44 years in both New York and Connecticut, retired in October 2024. He intends to offer his skills on a part-time basis only in New York City, close to home.
Roger Cummings, OD '76, FAAO, Diplomate in Low Vision, after graduation from PCO in 1976, he taught at the University until 1998. His major interests were primary care, electro diagnostic testing and low vision research and patient care. In 1998, he transferred from a part-time Veterans Affairs position in Philadelphia to a full-time job in North Carolina (NC). He was very active in the Academy and served as Chair of the Low Vision Section. He also started the NC Chapter of the Academy at the Hefner VA Hospital in Salisbury, North Carolina. He retired from the VA 10 years ago, but then volunteered as an optometrist at the Kernersville VA outpatient clinic for five years. He recently gave up his optometry license. If you’d like to reminisce about the past or find out about current PCO activities, email Dr. Cummings at rwcod1@gmail.com.
Janet E. Summers, OD '78, has been named to a new role as associate professor and assistant dean of Clinical Education and Curriculum at Kentucky College of Optometry.
1980s
Richard C. Edlow, OD '80, known as The Eyeconomist, presented “Eye Care Disruptions and Opportunities,” at the New England College of Optometry’s annual Industry Collaborative. Dr. Edlow discussed the importance of understanding data as essential for tackling workforce and access issues in eyecare delivery. This session further explored how data informs strategy development, what payer data reveals about current challenges, and the need for interprofessional collaboration to improve vision health equity.
Cathy D. Stern, OD '80, received the Skeffington-Alexander Memorial Award from the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP) at the 9th International Congress of Behavioral Optometry (ICBO) held in Quebec, Canada. The recognition, OEP’s most prestigious, was awarded for significant contributions to the international growth and development of behavioral vision care. The Skeffington-Alexander Memorial Award honors the efforts of E.B. Alexander and A.M. Skeffington for establishing the Optometric Extension Program over 90 years ago. The OEP is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of the discipline of optometry through the gathering and dissemination of information on vision and the visual process.
Mark J Cinalli, OD '82, FAAO, was awarded the 2024 American Optometric Association (AOA) Federal Advocacy Representative (AOA FAR) Outstanding Service Award. Dr Cinalli is a past president of the
West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians (WVAOP) and serves on the WVAOP executive board as the past president liaison. He is the AOA FAR and AOA PAC chair for West Virginia. He is pictured with AOA PAC Chair Jeni Kohn, OD, who presented the award at AOA on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Robert I. Levy, OD '84, retired after 40 years of optometry practice in Richmond, Virginia, and Northern Virginia, finishing up at Grove Eye Care with Jerry Neidigh, OD ’98. Retirement plans include playing more music and moving to a waterfront community and spending more time on the water.
David R. McPhillips, OD '85, FAAO, FVI, played mixed doubles pickleball in the recent Pan American games and won a gold medal for Team USA. The games, which are held every four years, were held in Cleveland, Ohio, with thousands of athletes from 48 U.S. states, six continents, and more than 70 countries. This was the first time pickleball was included as a sport in the Pan-American games.
Patricia M. Cisarik, OD '87, PhD, and third-year optometry student Gabrielle Canant presented a poster at the 2024 annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). The title of the poster was “Achromatic and Blue Contrast Sensitivity with 2 Differently Filtered Contact Lenses.” Additionally, Dr. Cisarik announces the birth of her first grandchild, Theodore Denzel, born to her child Jill and Jill’s husband Tony.
1990s
Dana A. Cocke, OD '94, was elected president of the Optometric Physicians of Washington in May 2024.
Osama H. Said, OD '99, and his business partner, Sanjay Patel, OD '01, recently launched their second business venture DayOD.com. DayOD.com is an eyecare platform designed to help optometrists and clinics efficiently find fill-in help. The novel platform allows optometrists to set their own daily rate and select whatever shifts they choose to work. DayOD.com launched in early 2024 and is currently available in 27 states.
2000s
Veronica Heide, AuD '01, (first AuD graduating class) is president and founder of the Wisconsin Academy of Audiology (WAA) 2023-present. In November 2023, WAA was formed to have a unified voice to express the concerns of audiologists about legislation that endangered the hearing health of Wisconsin residents. They formed an advocacy group of audiologists to speak out on behalf of all Wisconsin residents they serve. Within a few weeks of forming WAA, they hired their own lobbyist and banded together to increase awareness of our profession in the legislative process. WAA provides members with information about Wisconsin legislation to help members maintain compliance with State laws governing the practice of Audiology. They meet on Zoom every month for professional presentations and legislative updates.
Marc Taub, OD ‘01, edited “From Fracture to Function: Clinical Insights into the Visual Aspects of Acquired Brain Injury,” featuring 35 cases using a variety of treatments to treat the visual symptoms associated with brain injury. He was also named vice president of Membership for the National Academies of Practice.
Coyne Schafer, AuD '04, retired from the Veteran’s Administration in July 2023.
Natalie Bissoon, OD '07, JD, graduated from St. John’s University School of Law on May 20, 2024. It was exactly 17 years to the date that she graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry on May 20, 2007.
2010s
Michael Baertschi, MSC '15, which took four years and included more than 1,200 hours of work, more than 850 emails and hundreds of pages of scientific documentation, myopia management using optical aids (peripheral defocus lenses and contact lenses) — has now been officially recognized by Switzerland effective July 1, 2024. Official myopia management may only be carried out by recognized Swiss optometrists. As is usual in the Swiss healthcare system, the primary medical diagnosis of progressive myopia and its initial prescription is confirmed by ophthalmology. This is another important milestone for Swiss optometry and its official recognition as a primary eye care provider.
Davinder Sidhu, OD '15, along with his brothers, has embarked on a new venture in Canada’s wine capital, Oliver, British Columbia. Together, they have opened Vasanti Estate Winery, a name that means “spring” or loosely “new beginnings,” reflecting the spirit of renewal and growth in their winemaking journey. As the director of operations, Davinder plays a key role in this new venture. Officially opening its doors this summer, Vasanti Estate Winery embodies their shared passion for crafting exceptional wines.
Allison R. Bowers, MS '16, has a 1-year-old dog, Kipsie, who passed her certification test and is now a certified therapy dog. Allison can’t wait to take her to the Assisted Living Facilities where she works in order to bring a little extra joy to her patients.
Nwakuso Aruotu, OD, MPH '18, recently received the “Dr. Uduak Udom Women Leadership Excellence Award” from the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) at the Annual NOA conference.
This award is only bestowed on optometrists of impeccable character and excellent leadership skills who have been found to be of immense service to the association and have made significant contributions to the growth of the profession. Dr. Aruotu also received a plaque of honor for meritorious service as a board of trustees of the Nigerian Optometric Association 2009 to 2023 and the chairman of the board of trustees from 2020 to 2023.
Katharine Funari Harris, OD '18, and her husband James Harris welcomed a baby girl on July 19, 2024. Madeleine Arabella was 7lbs 9.5 oz, 19.5 inches.
2020s
Saeed Al Johani, MS, PhD '20, has been granted a patent for smart glasses to optimize adherence with amblyopia and refractive error treatment in children.
James T. Brand, AuD '22, was awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) certificate from the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association.
In Memoriam
We honor the memory of the alumni and friends we have lost this year, reflecting on the many lives they touched within our community and beyond. These individuals, each unique in their contributions and achievements, shared a common bond through their connection. Whether through their dedication to their professions, service to others, or the lasting friendships formed during their time here, they each left an indelible mark on the world.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of our departed alumni. Their legacies will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved them.
1940s
Herbert Kramer, OD ‘49, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2024.
1950s
Herbert J. Malkin, OD ‘50, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on July 17, 2024.
Ralph A. Bologna, OD ‘58, of Greenwich, Connecticut, on March 17, 2024.
Boris Corbin, OD ‘58, of Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 2024.
William R. Klein, OD ‘58, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, on May 27, 2024.
1960s
Stanley H. Freed, OD ‘67, of Bethesda, Maryland, on June 3, 2024.
James A. Tribbett, OD ‘69, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 2024.
1970s
Michael Caplan, OD ‘70, of Keswick, Virginia, on October 29, 2023.
Alfred A. Wagner, Jr., OD ‘74, of Owego, New York, on June 20, 2024.
Robert L. Hodes, OD ‘77, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 2024.
1990s
David A. Cronauer, OD ‘91, of Laceyville, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 2024.
Vincent R. Cerceo, OD ‘93, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2024.
2000s
Ryan J. Horan, AuD ’09, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, November 27, 2024.
Former Staff
Richard Stankovis, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, on June 13, 2024.
