Salus University names Mark Boas, OD ’86 the 2023 Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year

Salus University recently named Mark Boas, OD ‘86 the 2023 Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year for his achievements in optometry and beyond.

From the University’s press release:

The award is presented to a PCO/Salus alumnus who has distinguished himself/herself through extraordinary service and contributions to the profession of optometry, bringing honor and prestige to the College.

In 1989, Dr. Boas was elected to the PCO Alumni Association, chaired the reunion/special events committee and the nominating committee (1998-2001), and was a member of the student relations committee. Dr. Boas was the president-elect (1993-1995) and president (1995-1999) of the Alumni Association. He was nominated for the Fitch Alumni of the Year Award by current Alumni Association president, Robert Owens, OD ‘80, FAAO.

From 1998 to 2020, Dr. Boas was a consultant at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University, eventually joining the TEI clinical faculty from 2001 to 2015 and then advancing to assistant professor at the College from 2015 to 2020. He retired from the faculty and as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in 2020.

During his time on the board, Dr. Boas would chair the Institutional Policy and Curriculum committee and TEI committee, which would eventually change its name to the Health Services committee.

Dr. Boas also served the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) in several capacities, including: president-elect in 2004; president in 2005; as a member of the nominating and evaluating committee from 2006 to 2008; and as chairman of the nominating and evaluating committee from 2008 to 2010.

In 1989, Dr. Boas and his wife would open a private practice together, Boas Vision Associates, in Exton, Pennsylvania. The practice added both daughters after their respective graduations from PCO/Salus, as well as son Robert, who handles billing and works as an optometric assistant. Robert’s girlfriend, Jessica Harsch ‘25OD, is currently an optometry student at PCO/Salus.

Photo courtesy of Salus University