Salus University to establish endowed chair in honor of longtime public health champion
November 19, 2010
Norman Haffner, O.D., Ph.D., has contributed to the public health community through his work as chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Section on Public Health and Environmental Optometry, service to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Special Medical Advisory Group, university instruction and other advancements.
With the start of its Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and certificate programs in November 2010, Salus University is working to raise the profile of optometry and other health care professions within the public health workforce. The university, which includes the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) among its four colleges, has a new initiative under way in connection with its new public health program: the establishment of the A. Norman Haffner Endowed Chair in Public Health Policy.
The A. Norman Haffner Endowed Chair in Public Health Policy is the university’s tribute to the contributions and legacy of Norman Haffner, O.D., Ph.D., whose name is synonymous with optometry and public health policy.
Dr. Haffner is the founding president of the State University of New York (SUNY) State College of Optometry and former vice chancellor of SUNY.
“Dr. Haffner’s leadership within the public health community provided an invaluable bridge to the optometric profession and vice versa,” said Anthony F. Di Stefano, O.D., MPH, vice president for academic affairs.
From its inception, Dr. Haffner was the chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Section on Public Health and Environmental Optometry for a period of 23 years.
His critical work with the Department of Veterans Affairs through its Special Medical Advisory Group is well-known.
In 1966, Dr. Haffner constructed and taught the first semester-long course in public health at PCO, his alma mater.
Thomas L. Lewis, O.D., Ph.D., president of Salus University and a 1970 PCO graduate says of his teacher, mentor and advisor: “Norman Haffner has been a thought leader for decades in the profession. Forty years ago he envisioned where optometry is today, and his many contributions to optometry are inestimable.”
The Haffner Endowed Chair will be dedicated to the continuation of Dr. Haffner’s career-long work of serving society through the advancement of public health education and practice in optometry.
The work of the occupant of the Haffner Chair will be to further the scholarly work of the Master of Public Health program at Salus University.
The school plans an annual Haffner Symposium in Public Health Optometry at an appropriate venue as well.
Additionally, an Advisory Committee has been established to guide the formation and continuation of the endowment.
The committee’s combined experience will ensure that the education and skills training provided to students will enhance graduates’ ability to competitively participate in the public health arena, where optometry is currently an underrepresented profession.
Initial Advisory Committee members include Irving G. Bennett, O.D.; Florence Kavaler, M.D., MPH; Robert Newcomb, O.D., MPH; John D. Robinson, O.D., LLD; Irwin Suchoff, O.D., DOS, and John C. Whitener, O.D., MPH, with more members to be named, according to Dr. Di Stefano.
In addition to raising an endowment to establish the Haffner Chair in Public Health Policy, the university’s ultimate goal is to influence the development of future generations of optometrists to chart the profession’s role, through public health, in the nation’s health care system.
This, the university believes, will be a fitting tribute to Dr. Haffner’s legacy in optometry.
Information about these new programs can be found online on the Salus University Web site at www.salus.edu/publichealth.
