Elkins Park PA, August 8, 2011 - Long time Salus University president, Thomas L. Lewis, OD, PhD, whose leadership of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) resulted in unprecedented growth that led to the establishment of Salus University, has announced he is stepping down effective June 30, 2012.Jo Surpin, chair of the University's Board of Trustees and president of Strategic Health Alliance, LLC, noted, "Tom Lewis' vision has had an extraordinary impact on this institution. Always with a focus on students, the results of his leadership are seen in the university's programs and clinical facilities and its ability to implement new initiatives at a time when some institutions have postponed their plans."
Dr. Lewis, the institution's second longest serving president, led the transition of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry from a single to multi-purposed institution with the addition of a variety of degree programs that built on PCO's legacy of educating health care professionals. As a result of this growth, Salus University was established in 2008. Today the university consists of four distinct colleges that offer 10 accredited degree programs in optometry, audiology, physician assistant studies, blindness and low vision rehabilitation and education, and public health.
"Dr. Lewis has been an outstanding leader of Salus University," said Dan Abramowitz, vice chair of the university's Board of Trustees and executive vice president of technology and research at Crown Holdings, Inc. "Through his actions and leadership, he has ensured Salus continues to educate tomorrow's leaders . . . he has been an unrivaled educator and champion of the university."
During Dr. Lewis' 23 year tenure as president, Pennsylvania College of Optometry moved from the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia to its present campus;the Hafter Student Community Center was built;an innovative curriculum featuring early introduction of clinical skills that became a model for other colleges of optometry was launched, and the university's largest clinical teaching facility, The Eye Institute, was successfully renovated.
Initiatives accomplished during Dr. Lewis' tenure as president include:
- An international Master of Science (MSc) degree program in clinical optometry;
- Curriculum 2000, an innovative optometry program of integrated teaching and learning,whose premise - learn in the classroom;apply new knowledge in the lab;hone those skills in the clinic - continues to be applied in other Salus programs;
- Master's degree and certificate programs in Orientation and Mobility, and Vision Rehabilitation Teaching;
- National Center for Leadership in Vision Impairment (NCLVI);
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD) professional degree, both residential and distance programs;
- Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree program in Physician Assistant Studies;
- A wholly online Master of Public Health degree program;
- A joint PhD program with Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom;
- Master of Science/PhD dual program in Biomedicine (to begin 2012)
Well-known and well-respected in the optometric profession, Dr. Lewis is past president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO);the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO);the Partnership Foundation for Optometric Education;the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) and the faculty organization of PCO.
Dr. Lewis is a current board member of Jeanes Hospital, the Primary Eyecare Advisory Council - OPTOS, and the executive committee of the Optometric Glaucoma Society. He is a past board member of the American Board of Optometry, has served the American Optometric Association as a past board member on three committees: Federal Relations, Clinical Guidelines Coordinating, and Optometric Executive Project Team, and also is a past board member for the Campus Boulevard Corporation. Dr. Lewis is an ex-officio member of the Salus University board and the board of the PCO Foundation.
He is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, among them the Distinguished Scholar Award of the National Academies of Practice in Optometry (2003);Education Person of the Year (2000) for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce;Otsuka Glaucoma Educator of the Year award of the American Academy of Optometry (1998).
Dr. Lewis, who will begin a one year sabbatical on July 1, 2012, informed the Salus Board of his decision to step down some time ago and the Board's executive committee currently is in the process of choosing a search firm.
Salus University was established by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in July 2008. Now the University's founding college, PCO was founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1919, and has long been recognized as a leader in the education of health care professionals. Salus University has three additional colleges: the George S. Osborne College of Audiology, the College of Education and Rehabilitation, and the College of Health Sciences. For information on the ten accredited degree programs offered by Salus University, please go to: www.salus.edu
