Dr. Josephine Ibironke Appointed Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry

The following message was sent to the Drexel community: 

 We are pleased to share that Josephine O. Ibironke, OD ‘03, Resident '04, MPH, FAAO, has been appointed dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), following a national search, effective September 15, 2025. 

As a founding faculty member of University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), Dr. Ibironke co-developed the college’s didactic and clinical pediatric optometry curriculum and created its Leadership in Healthcare course sequence, all while serving as a trusted advisor to students. These learner-focused innovations have become signature elements of KYCO’s program and reflect Dr. Ibironke’s commitment to developing compassionate, practice-ready clinicians. 

Dr. Ibironke currently serves as associate dean of professional engagement and professor at KYCO, where she oversees residencies, continuing education, international partnerships, community outreach and career development pipelines that span the student life cycle. Under her leadership, KYCO has experienced significant enrollment growth and a substantial expansion of clinical opportunities for students. She was instrumental in launching the KYCO Vision Initiative, which provides comprehensive screenings for every third grader in the region. 

A pediatric optometrist and public health scholar with more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ibironke’s work includes landmark research including the Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study and the Baltimore Reading and Eye Disease Study that advanced the understanding of refractive error, and amblyopia and vision’s link to academic success. She has spearheaded community-based eye health initiatives and served national leadership roles within the American Academy of Optometry. 

Dr. Ibironke earned a Doctor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, completed a residency in Binocular Vision and Pediatric Optometry from The Eye Institute (TEI), and later received a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

During nearly 12 years at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute, Dr. Ibironke blended optometric expertise with cutting-edge ophthalmology, collaborating with physicians, residents, and researchers on pediatric vision care and population health studies.  

Now returning to her alma mater, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, she arrives as Drexel pursues deeper health sciences integration. Her proven ability to unite optometry within a medical school uniquely positions her to connect PCO faculty and students with Drexel’s medicine, nursing, biomedical engineering, and public health programs to deliver team-based solutions for patients and communities. 

A Presidential Leadership Scholar and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, she is recognized for translating research into equitable eyecare access. 

Her appointment coincides with the July 2025 merger of Salus University into Drexel, which strengthens Drexel’s growing health science ecosystem. As dean, Dr. Ibironke will guide PCO’s full integration into the University, foster interdisciplinary collaborations across Drexel, and accelerate PCO’s century-long mission of preparing optometrists to tackle society’s most pressing vision health challenges. 

We extend our deepest appreciation to Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD ‘85, MBA, MS, FAAO, FACHE, who served as interim dean stewarding PCO through the merger, and to the search committee and its co-chairs, Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele, PhD, chief strategy officer, senior vice provost for Graduate Studies and dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, and James M. Caldwell, OD ‘89, Resident ‘91, EdD, acting associate dean for Academic Affairs and chief academic officer of PCO, for their dedication to this successful search.