Advanced Residency in Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Program Re-Accredited

The two-year Advanced Residency in Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University has been given a renewed classification of “accredited” by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), the primary accrediting body for professional optometry degree programs and optometric residency programs in the United States and Canada. Launched in 2015, this program has strengthened PCO’s legacy as a leader in education, research, and new approaches to health science delivery.

“This re-accreditation landmark provides us with an opportunity to look back on the remarkable achievement by our Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Department in establishing a first-of-its-kind residency program that has pushed forward the boundaries of our profession,” said Nicholas Karbach, OD ‘17, Resident ‘18, FAAO, acting director of the On-Campus Residency Programs at The Eye Institute, the clinical facility for PCO.

Dr. Karbach cited the work and dedication of the program’s co-coordinators, Kelly Malloy, OD ‘96, Resident ‘97, FAAO, Dipl, and Erin Draper, OD ‘09, Resident ’10, FAAO, with developing a robust self-study document and ensuring compliance with the ACOE site visit in September 2025, as well as neuro-ophthalmic disease faculty members, Ashley Maglione, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, and Elizabeth Marunde, OD, Resident '22, FAAO.

In addition to Drs. Maglione and Marunde, the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease residency program boasts a distinguished list of graduates, many of whom have become leaders in the optometric profession both as clinicians and academics. Those include: Kelsey Moody Mileski, OD ‘15, Resident ‘17, FAAO; Kelly Seidler, OD ‘18, Resident ‘20; Tina Zeng, OD, FAAO; Kiera Jeschke, OD ‘21, Resident ‘22, FAAO; Ryan Keenan, OD ;22, Resident ‘23; Heidi Hernandez, OD, Resident ‘25.

“Our neuro residency program has gained a national reputation of excellence and is highly sought after at student residency fairs at (the American Academy of Optometry) AAO and (the American Optometric Association) AOA meetings - all thanks to the hard work of the program coordinators, Drs. Malloy and Draper, the entire Neuro faculty, as well as current and prior Neuro residents,” said Shital Mani, OD ‘03, FAAO, Off-Campus Residency program director at PCO.