Optometry
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Josephine O. Ibironke, OD ‘03, Resident '04, MPH, FAAO, was appointed dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University, effective Sept. 15, 2025, following a national search. A pediatric optometrist and public health scholar with more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ibironke’s work includes landmark research including the Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study and the Baltimore Reading and Eye Disease Study that advanced the understanding of refractive error, and amblyopia and vision’s link to academic success. She has spearheaded community-based eye health initiatives and served in national leadership roles within the American Academy of Optometry.
As a founding faculty member of the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), Dr. Josephine Ibironke helped design the college’s pediatric optometry curriculum and Leadership in Healthcare course sequence, shaping learner-centered programs that defined KYCO. She later served as associate dean of professional engagement and professor, leading initiatives in residencies, continuing education, international outreach, and career development—efforts that drove enrollment growth, expanded clinical opportunities, and launched the KYCO Vision Initiative to deliver eye screenings to every third grader in the region.
Dear PCO family:
It is both an honor and a profound responsibility to step into the role of dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University. For more than a century, our college has been a pioneer in optometric education, clinical innovation, and the preparation of professionals who have shaped vision and ocular health across the nation and the world.
Today, we find ourselves at a transformative moment. With the recent merger of Salus University and Drexel University, PCO is now part of a world-class research institution with an expanded reach and a renewed platform to strengthen our impact. This change builds on our proud history while opening new pathways for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration while further strengthening our status as a national leader in optometry.
For prospective students, you will find that preparing to enter the profession will be a challenging and satisfying experience – one unlike any that you have encountered before. You will be required to draw upon not only your intellectual aptitude but also your human empathy and understanding; because optometry, as with the other health professions, is both a science and an art. We are confident that the thorough preparation you will receive here will enable you to be a productive and successful member of the profession.
I recognize that, in recent years, PCO has faced challenges that have tested our reputation. As your new dean, I am committed to ensuring the college not only restores its standing but thrives in this new chapter.
In the months ahead, I look forward to meeting many of you — hearing your stories, learning from your experiences and working together to ensure PCO continues to inspire pride.
I look forward to building this future with you.
With gratitude and determination,
Josephine O. Ibironke, OD ’03, Resident ’04, MPH, FAAO
Dean, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
