Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dr. Joseph Toland

Today Salus University payed tribute to Dr. Joseph Toland, a gentleman, scholar and true professional who has played a significant role into the evolution of optometry and our institution for several decades. Thanks to the generosity of many of our alumni, faculty and staff we have named the large classroom in The Eye Institute in honor of Dr. Toland.  

Dr. Toland has single handedly trained hundreds of us, took on organized opposition to the evolution of the scope of practice of optometry while at the same time caring for thousands of patients in world-class fashion.  His loyalty to our university, his students, his patients and our profession, combined with his compassion, great sense of humor and keen intellect, has had a significant impact on the quality of care we provide for our patients and the manner in which optometry is practiced nationally.  

If you get a chance, please stop by and say thanks to Dr. Toland for all he's done - and check out his portrait in the Dr. Joseph Toland classroom on the second floor of The Eye Institute.

5 comments:

  1. Dr. Toland is a consummate gentleman and a true hero for the profession.

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  2. Dr. Toland always supported me in the beginnings of my Clinical Electrophysiology Service; a support for which I was very grateful!

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  3. Dr. Toland is all of the above and has profoundly influenced us professionally and personally. Yet last night the true testament of his success was his beautiful family and their obvious admiration and love for their husband, father, and grandfather. Dr. and Mrs. Toland are truly a couple to be emulated by all.

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  4. Dr Toland can be very proud of the impact he has had on every PCO graduate in optometry. His stalwart efforts have brought optometry into the medical model that was necessary for the advancement of our profession. Thank you, Joe, for your friendship and everything you have done for us!

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  5. As a child, on Sunday afternoons my father (Dr. Toland) would invite me to jump into his cherry red 1968 VW Beetle to go "make patient rounds" with him. We would drive to Olney, stopping at various patients' homes - many of them alone, most of them elderly. We chatted and often brought them baked goodies. Sometimes my dad would take a look at their eyes before leaving. One patient stands out in my memory. We visited her weekly for months. I can remember climbing the stairs to her second floor apartment. She sat in her living room, shades pulled down for complete darkness. My dad would pull up two chairs and we would each hold one of her hands. He spoke quietly with her. One day we stopped going, and I assumed the worst. About ten years ago I asked if he remembered her. He said "yes, of course". She had shingles in her eye. He treated her to the best of his knowledge, referred her to the best specialists, but she remained in agony. The only thing left he could do for her was "to hold her hand". And that's what we did. Turns out I was wrong about the ending - the reason we stopped going was because with the "tincture of time" she eventually got better. Thank you Dad. The gifts you have given me through living under your boundless generosity, compassion, and love are immeasurable. You are my hero, my friend, and the best father and grandfather ever!!!

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