Janice Mignogna, FAAO, director of the Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center at PCO Salus University, details the genesis of this comprehensive program designed to impart business skills to optometry students. Being prepared to meet business challenges is especially critical in this era of health care reform, she emphasizes. “We believe that to succeed as an optometrist, you need to have a caring attitude,” she explains, “but you need a business sense, too, and providing business skills remains our mission.”
Imparting Business Skills to OD Students
Working Together in the Era of Health Care Reform
Bennett Center: A Resource After Graduation
A Caring Attitutde…Plus a Business Sense
The Bennett Center: A Timeline
1988 Students request business skills training; a task force is formed with representatives of industry and educators.
1990 The Bennett Center opens at PCO; first initiatives are job opportunities center and business management electives.
1998 The Bennett Center, along with the PCO academic program, moves to present campus in Elkins Park, PA.
2001 A full curriculum developed in Professional Development.
2007 PCO becomes Salus University, named for a Latin word for health and well being. University status accommodates the growing needs of its College of Education and Rehabilitation, Osborn College of Audiology, and College of Health Sciences (Physician Assistant program). Currently now offer Optometry Scholars Program, Occupational Therapy, Office of Graduate Programs (MPH and PhD). Plans are for a Speech Pathology program in 2015.
2014 Expanding interdisciplinary learning with other Salus programs; extending practice management/business services and resources to all students and alumni. Offering a job opportunity web site for all disciplines.
Resources
The Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center operates the Perfect Eyesite Job Opportunity Network, which is open to all eyecare professionals.
Janice Mignogna is Director of The Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center at Salus University. To contact her: jmignogna@salus.edu or visit www.salus.edu and click on quick links at the top of the page.