Melissa A. Vitek, OD, EdD, FAAO, PNAP
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Pennsylvania College of Optometry
College of Nursing and Health Professions
College of Medicine

Melissa A. Vitek, OD, EdD, FAAO, PNAP

Melissa Vitek
Associate Professor
Optometry

Contact Info
mv649@drexel.edu

View CV



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Education:

  • EdD, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
  • OD, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
  • BS, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
  • Optometric Technician Program, Manor College

Role at the University:

  • Associate Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
  • Associate Dean, Graduate and Specialized Programming
  • Director, MSc in Clinical Optometry degree program
  • Director, Advanced Placement OD program
  • Salus' Interprofessional Evidence Based Practice Course Coordinator and Instructor

Clinical Specialty:

  • Clinical teaching and patient care at The Eye Institute, Chestnut Hill satellite clinic

Lecture Experience:

  • Evidence Based Practice Course: An Interprofessional, Team-Based Approach, Salus University: August 2012-present
    Ocular Emergencies, Chestnut Hill Family Medicine Residents, April 2015
    Salus Time IPE Presentation, Salus University: February 2015
    Case Panel Discussion, Salus MSc degree program, Berlin, Germany: December 2013
  • Can You Trust Your Antibiotic? New Jersey Academy of Optometry:  November 2012
  • Introduction to Optometry, Chestnut Hill Family Practice, Philadelphia, PA:  August 2012 
  • Salus University Interdisciplinary Evidence Based Medicine Course, Elkins Park, PA:  January 2012-present
  • Introduction to Optometry, Chestnut Hill Family Practice, Philadelphia, PA:  August 2012 
  • Orals Credentialing Course: Antifungals, Elkins Park:  May 2012
  • Case Panel Discussion, Elkins Park:  October 2011
  • Latest Topicals, Elkins Park:  July 2011
  • Case Panel Discussion, Poland:  April 2011
  • Practice Management, Poland:  April 2011
  • Case Panel Discussion, Spain:  April 2011
  • Ocular Indications for Oral Antibiotics, New Jersey Academy of Optometry:  November 2010
  • Case Panel Discussion, Austria:  July 2009
  • B-Scan Performance and Interpretation, Switzerland:  July 2009
  • Case Panel Discussion, Norway:  June 2008
  • Goldmann Tonometry, Israel:  January 2008
  • Case Panel Discussion, Spain:  April 2007

Professional Publications:

  • Vitek, M.A. & Mosley-Williams, J. (2023). Health Inequities: Closing the Disparities Gap in the Aging Population In: A Comprehensive Guide to Safety and Aging. Edited by Eckert, B. Ehrlich, A. Wolf, B. Chapter 31. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, Publishers; Boca Raton, FL.
  • Vitek, M.A. & Weingert, T.A. (2022). Results and action plans from an Optometric Education Global Summit. Optometric Education, 48(1). 
  • Vitek, M.A. & Hoppe, E. (2022). Evidence Based Practice in Optometry In: Public Health Optometry: Beyond 2020. Edited by Hatch, S. Chapter 13. Ktobee Reader. Under Contract.
  • Casser, L. & Vitek, M. (2020). Interprofessional Evidence Based Practice Course Exemplar Project, ASCO’s IPEC Toolkit. Pages 32-34. 
  • Aravamudhan, A., Vitek, M. & Casser, L. (2015). The implementation and assessment of an IPE interprofessional educational initiative at Salus University. Optometric Education, 40(3),1-6. 
  • Baker, J. & Vitek, M. (2015). Interprofessional education and collaborative patient care in US schools and colleges of Optometry: A special report. Optometric Education, 40(2), 72-76. 
  • Vitek, M. & Pagani, J. (2013). A 53-year-old woman with “spots on her eyes”, clinical cases in Optometry. Medscape Optometry; Sept. 18. 

Professional Presentations:

  • Aravamudhan, R., Vitek, M. Envisioning AI-Driven Possibilities in Interprofessional Education
    and Practice. Submitted Abstract for Lecture presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing
    Association, Nov, 2025.
  • Vitek, M. & Pelino, C. It’s Not Rare if it’s in Your Chair: Recognizing and Managing Ocular
    Paraneoplastic Syndromes Affecting the Visual System.Lecture presentation, CE Wire, January
    2025.
  • Hanson KJ., Hollister RT., Vitek MA. Interprofessional Education Using the Co-Curriculum and
    Microcredential Badges. Presentation at Interprofessional Care for the 21st Century. 8th
    Biennial Conference of the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education; 2023
    Nov 3-4; Philadelphia, PA.
  • Tyszka A., Aravamudhan R., Orr C., Salmon K., Vitek, M. Expansion of an Interprofessional
    Education Course in Response to Institutional Growth. Presentation at Interprofessional Care for
    the 21st Century. 8th Biennial Conference of the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice
    and Education; 2023 Nov 3-4; Philadelphia, PA
  • Vitek, M. Cultural Humility Workshop, Hadassah Academic College; Jerusalem, Israel,
    November 2022.
  • Vitek, M. Cancer and the Eye. Lecture Presentation, Hadassah Academic College; Jerusalem, Israel. November 2022.
  • Vitek, M. & Pelino, C. It’s Not Rare if it’s in Your Chair: Recognizing and Managing Ocular
    Paraneoplastic Syndromes Affecting the Visual System    . Lecture presentation, American
    Academy of Optometry; San Diego, CA, October 2022.
  • Vitek, M, Pelino C. It’s Not Rare if it’s in Your Chair: Recognizing and Managing Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes Affecting the Visual System. Lecture presentation, American Academy of Optometry, Boston, MA, November 2021.
  • Vitek, M, Aravamudhan, R, Konopack, J. Addressing Missing Links in Interprofessional Education and Assessment. Workshop presentation, 8th Annual Drexel University Assessment Conference, Virtual Event 2021.
  • Vitek. M, Aravamudhan R. Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Leadership Development Program Interprofessional Education Showcase Presentation: A Decade of Delivering an Interprofessional Evidence Based Practice Course: A Shift to Online Delivery Due to COVID Results in Positive Outcomes: Virtual IPEC Leadership Development Program June 2021.
  • Vitek M. Evidence Based Practice Virtual Faculty Workshops: at Hadassah College, Jerusalem, Israel. June 2021.
  • Serianni, R. Benjamin, G. Brim, B. Ditoro, R. Killen, C. Mayro, P. Myers, B. Owen, J., Pennington, J. Perla, F. Verma, S. Vitek, M. Developing an interprofessional education session for clinical supervisors: Reflections on the collaborative process and outcomes [Workshop]. National Academic of Practice Virtual Forum. March 2021.
  • Vitek M. Cultural Humility Workshop: Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel. Collegewide Virtual Lunch and Learn. March 2021.
  • Vitek, M. Cancer and the Eye. Virtual Lunch and Learn Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel. December 2020.
  • Vitek M, Evidence Based Practice Beginner and Advanced Faculty Workshops: at Hadassah College, Jerusalem, Israel. January 2020.
  • S. Segu, A. Lustig, L. Sponseller, M.Vitek. Vision Care Section of the American Public Health Association. Panel Discussion on Salus Professions and Interprofessional Approaches. Philadelphia, PA. November 2019.
  • Vitek M, Evidence Based Clinical Decision-Making in the Optometric Care of Patients with Glaucoma. Workshop presentation at the European Academy Meeting, Rome, Italy. May 2019.
    Vitek M, Evidence Based Clinical Decision-Making in the Optometry: Lecture presentation at the Hadassah College Optometry Conference, Jerusalem, Israel. June 2019.
    Vitek M, Scharre J. Evidence Based Clinical Decision-Making in Optometric Care. Workshop presentation at the European Academy Meeting, Pula, Croatia. May 2018.
  • Vitek M, Khan I. The Impact of Patient Needs on the Evolution of The Profession of Optometry. Lecture Presentation, World Congress of Optometry, Hyderabad, India. September 2017.
  • Vitek M. Continuing Education for Optometry in Thailand, Panel Discussion, Rangsit University International Optometric Conference, Thailand. April 2017.
  • Vitek M. Integrating Evidence Based Clinical Decision into your Optometric Practice. Lecture presentation at the Swiss Board of Optometry and Opticians Conference, Berne, Switzerland. March 2017.
  • Vitek M. Anterior Segment Case Discussion. Lecture presentation at the Swiss Board of Optometry and Opticians Conference, Berne, Switzerland. March 2017.
  • Vitek M. Posterior Segment Case Discussion. Lecture presentation at the Swiss Board of Optometry and Opticians Conference, Berne, Switzerland. March 2017.
  • Vitek M, Khan I. Optometry in the World: Historic Perspectives, Current Trends and Future Projections: Lecture at the American Academy of Optometry Meeting, Anaheim, CA. November 2016.
  • Vitek M. Optometric Training and Practice in the USA: Lecture presentation at the Rangsit University International Conference on Optometry, Bangkok, Thailand. May 2016.
  • Coyle J, Hoppe E, Baker J, Troilo D, Nishimoto J, Cavallerano T, Vitek, M. ASCO IPECP Summit Facilitator, Marshall B. Ketchum University, CA. February 2016.
  • Casser L, Perla F, Vitek M, Serianni B, Owen, J, Mittelman M, Foy C, Appel S, Henderson J. Interprofessional Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Optometric Education Continuing Education Event, Salus University. November 2015.
  • Vitek M, Aravamudhan R. Implementing Interprofessional Education at Salus University: The Evolution of the Evidence Based Practice Course: Workshop Presentation at the Drexel University Annual Conference on Learning and Assessment, Philadelphia, PA. September 2015.
  • Vitek M, Aravamudhan R. Urban Legend or Proven Pedagogy? University Development Day, Salus University. August 2015.
  • Vitek M, Baker J. Interprofessional Education at Schools and Colleges of Optometry in the US: Current Practices and Challenges, Chief Academic Officer Meeting, American Academy of Association Meeting, Seattle, WA.
  • Aravamudhan R, Vitek M, Casser L, Di Stefano A. Interprofessional Education at Salus University: Pilot Initiatives. Salus Time presentation, Salus University. February 2015.
  • Vitek M, Baker J. Current Practices of Interprofessional Education at Schools and Colleges of Optometry in the US, Paper Presentation, American Academy of Optometry Meeting, Denver, CO. November 2014.
  • Vitek M, Baker J. Current Practices of Interprofessional Education at Schools and Colleges of Optometry in the US, Residency Sig Meeting, American Academy of Optometry Meeting, Denver, CO. November 2014.
  • Aravamudhan R, Vitek M, Casser L, Di Stefano A, Owen J, Henderson J. Role of
    Interprofessional Education in Clinical Education: A Study Using Clinical Problem Solving    , American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Florida. October 2014.
  • Aravamudhan R, Vitek M, Casser L, Di Stefano A. Interprofessional Education Initiatives at Salus University: A Unique Perspective in Both Didactic and Clinical Education, Jefferson Medical College Interprofessional Care for the 21st Century: Redefining Education and Practice Conference, Philadelphia, PA. October 2014.
  • Casser L, Aravamudhan A, Perla F, Vitek M. Interprofessional Education, University Development Day, Salus University. August 2013.
  • Vitek M. Introduction to Optometry, Chestnut Hill Family Practice, Philadelphia, PA. August 2012.
  • Vitek M. Can You Trust Your Antibiotic? New Jersey Academy of Optometry Meeting, Neptune, NJ. November 2012.
  • Vitek M, Narayanan S. Injection Skills Workshop, American Academy of Optometry, Boston, MA. November 2011.
  • Vitek M. Ocular Indications for Oral Antibiotics, New Jersey Academy of Optometry Meeting, Neptune, NJ. November 2010.
  • Vitek M, Mader A. Oh The Pressure! Optometric and Paraoptometric Continuing Education, Atlantic City, NJ. June 2005.

Professional Poster Presentations:

  • Serianni, R., Aravamudhan, R., Duncan, C., Fischer, M., Orr, C., Salmon, K., Tyszka, A. & Vitek, M. Refining the Student Experience in an Integrated IPE Course through Preceptor Training. Poster Presentation (Accepted), National Academies of Practice, Annual Meeting and Forum, Washington, DC; March 2023.
  • Aravamudhan, R., Duncan, C., Fischer, M., Konopack, J., Orr, C., Salmon, K., Serianni, R., Tyszka, A. & Vitek, M. Evolution of an IPE Case: An Interprofessional Approach for Large Student Cohorts. Poster Presentation: Winner of Best Poster Award, Interprofessional Education Collaborative Virtual Poster Fair; November 2023.
  • Vitek, M. & Wingert T. (2021, November 3-6). Results of an optometric education summit: How to mobilize and advance shared educational resources culminating in improved patient outcomes [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry, Boston, MA.
  • Andersson, R. & Vitek, M. (2020, May 17-20). Clinical competency outcomes of a patient-centered supplemental education for Finish students studying in the United States [Poster Presentation]. European Academy Meeting; Rome, Italy. (Accepted, but postponed due to COVID).
  • Serianni, R., Aravamudhan, A., Vitek, M., Sponseller, L., Agnew, D. & Ditoro, R. (2018, November 15-17). Effectives of strategies used to employ interprofessional education at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. American Speech & Hearing Association Meeting; Boston, MA.
  • Aravamudhan, A., Vitek, M., Serianni, R., Sponseller, L., Ditoro, R. & Agnew, D. (2018, April 21- 27). Effectiveness of strategies used to teach interprofessional education at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Audiology Meeting; Nashville, TN.
  • Verma, S. & Vitek, M. (2017, September 11-13). Customized pathways for international practitioners to earn the OD degree at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. World Congress of Optometry Meeting; Hyderabad, India.
  • Vitek, M. & Aravamudhan, R. (2017, March 17-18). Interprofessional education at Salus University: The continued transformation of the evidence based practice course. [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice Annual Forum; Philadelphia, PA.
  • Casser, L., Aravamudhan, R., Foy, C., Hanson, K., Henderson, J., Lueders, K.,Owen, J., Perla, F., Serianni, R., & Vitek, M. (2017, March 17-18). Getting started: Creating a culture of interprofessional education and practice at Salus University. [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice Annual Forum; Philadelphia, PA.
  • Vitek, M. & Aravamudhan, R. (2016, April 8-9). Interprofessional education at Salus University: The transformation of the evidence based practice course [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice Annual Forum; Baltimore, MD.
  • Vitek, M. & John, B. (2016, April 8-9). A longitudinal analysis of current practices of interprofessional education at schools and colleges of Optometry in the United States [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice Annual Forum; Baltimore, MD.
  • Casser, L., Serianni, B., Appel, S., Perla, F., Owens, J., Foy, C., Henderson, J. & Vitek, M. (2015, December). Role-modeling interdisciplinary team-based patient care: A new approach to continuing professional education [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice Annual Forum; Baltimore, MD.
  • Vitek, M., Brilliant R., Draper, E., Malloy, K., Trujillo, L., Trego, M., & Grover, L. (2015, October
  • 7-10). The Association of School and Colleges of Optometry to convene an interprofessional education summit in February 2016 [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; New Orleans, LA.
  • Aravamudhan, R. & Vitek, M. (2015, October 20-23). Developing mid-level leadership in academia: “Leading from the middle” at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. University of New Mexico, “New Perspectives on Mentoring: A Quest for Leadership Excellence and Innovation” Conference; Albuquerque, NM.
  • Vitek, M., Sundar, G. & Scharre, J. (2015, August 14-16). Interprofessional collaboration yields post-graduate fellowship program design [Poster Presentation]. World Council of Optometry Meeting; Medellin, Colombia.
  • Vitek, M., Brilliant R., Trujillo, L., Trego, M., & Grover, L. (2015, August 14-16). Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry offers new advanced studies content areas [Poster Presentation]. World Council of Optometry, Medellin, Colombia.
  • Vitek, M. & Casser, L. (2015, August 14-16). Clinical proficiency assessment in the advanced placement Doctor of Optometry degree program at the Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry [Poster Presentation]. World Council of Optometry Meeting; Medellin, Colombia.
  • Vitek, M. & Aravamudhan, A. (2015, June 24-28). Implementing interprofessional education at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. American Optometric Association Meeting; Seattle, WA.
  • Vitek, M. & Baker, J. (2015, April 17-18). The Association of Schools and College of Optometry to convene an interprofessional education summit February 2016 [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice; Alexandria, VA.
  • Vitek, M., Padilla, M. & Di Stefano, A. (2014, November 19-28). Educational program strengthens clinical proficiencies of Saudi Arabian Optometry students: A pilot project with Salus University and Qassim University [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Denver, CO.
  • Vitek, M. & Baker, J. (2014, November 19-28). Current practices of interprofessional education at schools and colleges of Optometry in the US [Paper Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Denver, CO.
  • Vitek, M., Baker, J., Coyle, J. & Hoppe, E. (2014, June 25-29). Interprofessional education at schools and colleges of Optometry in the US: Current practices and challenges [Poster Presentation]. American Optometric Association Meeting; Philadelphia, PA.
  • Casser, L., Verma, S., Aravamudhan, A., Lueders, K., Scott, D., Vitek, M., Deputy, T. & Di Stefano, A. (2014, April 4-6). Interprofessional educational initiatives at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. National Academies of Practice; Alexandria, VA.
  • Casser, L., Vitek, M. & Pendley, V. (2014, May 1). Family medicine residents, optometry students, and faculty members engaged in health professions education and collaborative patient care: An example of a community-based interprofessional initiative by a member institution of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) [Poster Presentation]. Institute of Medicine’s Global Health Forum on Health Professions Education; Washington, DC.
  • Vitek, M., Chen, X. & Casser L. (2013, October 23-26). PCO’s advanced placement OD degree program: an international offering for faculty members from Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Seattle, WA.
  • Vitek, M., Pendley, V. & Casser, L. (2013, October 23-26). Family medicine residents, Optometry students, and faculty collaborate in clinical care at PCO: Interprofessional education at Salus University. [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Seattle, WA.
  • Vitek, M., Casser, L. & Padilla, M. (2012, June 26). The refresher course for graduates of the Clinical Master’s Degree program at PCO at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. World Council of Optometry Meeting; Chicago, IL.
  • Vitek, M., Casser, L. & Trego, M. (2012, June 26). Advanced studies offerings at PCO at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. World Council of Optometry Meeting; Chicago, IL.
  • Bierwerth, S. & Vitek, M. (2012, October 24-27). Corneal erosion: An atypical ocular sarcoidosis presentation [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Phoenix, AZ.
  • Vitek, M, Casser, L. & Trego, M. (2012, October 24-27). Advanced studies in contact lens at PCO at Salus University [Poster Presentation]. American Academy of Optometry Meeting; Phoenix, AZ.

Professional Activities/Recognition/Awards:

  • Fellow of The American Academy of Optometry
  • ASCO Interprofessional Education Committee:  June 2013-present
  • Salus University Interprofessional Committee:  Fall 2012-present
  • American Optometric Association:  member
  • Pennsylvania Optometric Association
  • American Optometric Society:  member
  • Pennsylvania Optometric Association:  member
  • Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society:  member during enrollment at PCO

Professional Certification:

  • Pennsylvania license to practice Optometry 1995-present
  • CPR certification (current)
  • First Aid certification (current)
  • ACLS certification (current)
  • Duke University: Teaching and Leading EBM: A Workshop for Teachers and Champions of Evidence-Based Medicine, March 2011
  • Duke University: Teaching and Leading EBM: A Workshop for Teachers and Champions of Evidence-Based Medicine, March 2012
  • Thomas Jefferson University:  Interprofessional Education and Care Winter Immersion Program, February 2013
  • Duke University, Teaching and Leading EBM: A Workshop for Teachers and Champions of Evidence-Based Medicine, March 2013
  • McMaster University: Evidence-Based Practice Workshop, June 2014