ELKINS PARK, Pa.—The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) will significantly change its institutional structure on July 1, 2008 when it officially makes the transition from a college to a university and adopts the name, Salus University.

Salus, a Latin word for health and well-being, was unanimously adopted by the Board of Trustees as an expression of the institution’s dedication to the preservation of the health and well-being of the communities its graduates serve, according to an announcement from PCO.

“The university’s name supports the institution’s vision of an academic community that emphasizes a holistic approach to education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and includes a commitment to interdisciplinary learning,” according to Salus University president Thomas L. Lewis, OD, Ph.D

“Our faculty, students, staff and board of trustees realize that, as this institution grows and becomes more complex, the name Salus will offer direction, underscoring the value of interdisciplinary education and early clinical experience that are the hallmarks of our innovative curriculum.”

Over the past 25 years, the College has broadened its focus to include other disciplines and currently offers a total of seven graduate and two professional degrees. In addition to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, PCO is comprised of the PCO School of Audiology, four programs in Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment and a Physician Assistant program. Through its Center for International Studies, the College brings students and practicing optometrists to Philadelphia through its optometric programs in 17 countries around the world. A dynamic learning community and a multi-purpose institution, the College now will be better served by the internal structure of a university, according to PCO.