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In true Boston fashion—with cobblestone charm, fall colors, and plenty of clam chowder—the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) 2025 delivered an unforgettable blend of education, networking, and celebration.
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University made a powerful impression at this year’s Academy meeting, held at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. With several notable faculty members, residents and alumni leading presentations and continuing education sessions on a variety of topics, PCO at Drexel made its mark and reinforced its legacy of leadership in the profession.
Alumni & Friends Reception: Reconnecting the PCO DNA
One of the week’s standout moments was the PCO Alumni & Friends Reception, hosted at the Westin Seaport. More than 175 guests – including Doctor of Optometry students, faculty, preceptors, and friends in addition to alumni - gathered for a night of reconnection and community, filling the room with warmth, energy, and pride in their alma mater.
PCO professor and chief of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Service at The Eye Institute, Kelly Malloy, OD ‘96, Resident ‘97, FAAO, Dipl, introduced newly minted dean Josephine Ibironke, OD ‘03, Resident ‘04, MPH, FAAO. With genuine pride, Dr. Malloy welcomed her colleague and fellow alumna to the podium setting the tone for the evening. Just three weeks into her new role, Dr. Ibironke shared a heartfelt welcome and expressed deep gratitude for the PCO family.
“It’s such an honor to be back at PCO—only 20 days on the job, and it already feels like I never left,” she said.
Reflecting on the evening afterward, Dr. Ibironke noted that the reception revealed something powerful about the PCO spirit. “My overall impression was that our alumni wanted to know the state of their beloved college—PCO at Drexel,” she said. “They wanted information, they wanted to be engaged.”
She said connecting with such a strong and supportive community so early in her tenure reaffirmed her priorities as dean. “It felt good connecting. One of my goals is to have intentional engagements with all our stakeholders—and we were able to start such engagements at the reception in Boston.”
The event’s success stemmed from that genuine sense of engagement and pride. Alumni were sharing their PCO stories proudly. “It was good to see the relief on their faces when they learned PCO is alive and well. I think they also see that we can only get better with our merger with Drexel University. That relief allowed people to truly enjoy the evening,” she said.
Several moments from the meeting stood out for the new dean, but one instance in particular was meeting a Class of 2017 alum who shared that Dr. Ibironke was the motivation behind the student attending optometry school years before. “That interaction was heartwarming because it shows how far-reaching our PCO impact is,” she said.
Eagles Take Flight: EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge
On Thursday night, PCO pride soared at the EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge, where students Malachi Beck ‘26OD, Tsion Demissie ‘26OD, and Cheyenne Willard ‘27OD, represented PCO decked out in Philadelphia Eagles gear in a spirited, Jeopardy-style competition. Held at Big Night Live—right next to the Boston Bruins hockey arena—the event buzzed with excitement as each school or college of optometry’s students were decked out in themed apparel. An eagle costume even made an appearance for PCO.
“The energy was INSANE! Any chance I get to represent PCO is something I don’t step away from,” said Willard. “Being surrounded by over a thousand future optometrists working toward the same goal was mind-blowing.” She credited both of her teammates for their knowledge and support, noting that the experience reminded her how much she has learned to date in optometry school and how those lessons are still ingrained in her brain.
Demissie agreed. “It was such a fun experience, the energy in the room during the Academic Challenge was incredible,” she said.
Student Perspectives: Learning and Leadership
According to both Willard and Demissie, attending the Academy was both inspiring and transformative. “Academy was a different beast altogether because there were more chances for education that resonated with me, now that I’m further in my educational journey,” Willard said.
Among some of the sessions she attended that were impactful included “OTC Treatments for Allergic Conjunctivitis” by Dr. Milton Hom – as a chronic allergy sufferer, she was eager to learn how to relieve both her personal symptoms, but also how to attack patient concerns in the future. And, a panel on Human Trafficking featuring PCO’s own Lynn Greenspan, OD, PhD ‘17, FAAO, and Rachel Brackley, OD ‘09, Resident ‘10, FAAO, she deemed “extremely eye-opening and informative.”
Demissie appreciated the great CE lectures, and with an ever-evolving profession, she noted how important it is to stay up to date. “It reminded me how important lifelong learning is in optometry,” she said. Speaking with residency directors also helped solidify Willard’s goal of pursuing a post-graduate residency after graduation while attending helped reaffirm Demissie’s desire to be more involved and attend future meetings, underscoring the many paths being a Doctor of Optometry offers. “It reminded me how valuable it is to stay connected with the profession, keep learning beyond the classroom, and engage with other students and doctors who share the same passion,” Demissie said.
Adding to the celebration of students, Kathrine Franklin ‘26OD and Janet Garcia ‘26OD, were recognized as recipients of VSP scholarships.
From academic excellence to student leadership and alumni engagement, PCO’s presence at Academy 2025 captured the spirit of connection and community that defines PCO.
As Dr. Ibironke summed it up, “PCO is strong—and we can only get stronger from here.” And looking ahead, she plans to keep that momentum going. “I look forward to doing more meet-and-greets with our alumni and friends,” she said. “With these interactions, I can share PCO success stories and show how continued alumni support is vital for our ongoing success.”
Framing this as a time for a “soft reset,” she invited alumni to re-engage through mentorship, outreach, and advocacy—anchored by her vision of engagement, excellence, and impact.
