University of Detroit Mercy Launches a New School of Optometry

University of Detroit Mercy Launches a New School of Optometry

UDM takes a bold step forward to help train the next generation of optometry professionals
and fill the regional need for optometrists throughout the country

In late November 2024, University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) announced the launch of the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, located in Novi, Michigan.

It is only the 25th School of Optometry in the United States and the second in Michigan. Applications are now being accepted for the first class that begins in fall 2025. The school will operate on Detroit Mercy’s Novi Campus, located at 41555 W. 12 Mile Road. The University opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute on that campus to statewide and national fanfare and began accepting patients in April of 2024.

“This is an exciting day for the University, our Michigan community and for the thousands of prospective students around the country who dream of becoming an optometrist,” said University President Donald B. Taylor. “More than three years of hard work by many talented and dedicated people has contributed to [this] announcement.”

Discussion about a School of Optometry began several years ago when Mert Aksu, dean of the School of Dentistry, approached leadership about the national need for schools of optometry and potential for UDM to create one in southeast Michigan.

UDM developed the school to meet a growing need for optometrists in Michigan and the United States. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for this field will grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. This rate of growth is faster than average for all occupations and is based on several factors, such as:

• An aging population that requires more vision care services
• Increasing awareness of eye health
• The need to replace optometrists who retire or leave the workforce
• Faculty, staff and University leadership have worked together to identify programs and services for the new school to meet community needs

According to Optometry Dean Maryke Neiberg, the new School will provide students “an innovative and science-based educational experience to help them become highly skilled, ethical, and culturally sensitive eye care practitioners prepared for practice and licensure upon graduation. We have an exceptional team of faculty and staff experts with years of experience ready to train the next generation of vision care leaders. We will have a unique and very strong program. I am very proud of what we will be offering.”

Neiberg said the vision of UDM’s School of Optometry is to garner recognition as an international leader for innovations in curriculum, clinical education, patient care, and community collaboration.

The School of Optometry and Eye Institute also represent examples of UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy mission in action. The development of both has provided UDM a significant opportunity to expand the University’s healthcare footprint in southeast Michigan and serve individuals in need. 

For Pamela Zarkowski, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, this new school represents an important historical step to extend UDM’s reach and provide much-needed vision care for the entire Michigan community.

“Loss of vision is such a huge public health issue and impacts millions of people in the United States,” she said. “UDM’s legacy of developing initiatives to meet these needs are essential and help us fulfill our mission as a Catholic university.”  

The U.S. BLS reports that the median salary in 2023 for optometrists was nearly $132,000 a year. In addition, the BLS projects that there will be approximately 2,200 openings for optometrists each year for the next decade or more.

Detroit Mercy School of Optometry Faculty & Administration

The faculty and administration of the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry bring years of comprehensive vision science research and health care expertise. 

Maryke Neiberg, Dean

Neiberg serves as dean and chief executive officer of the School of Optometry. She brings academic leadership experience after previously serving as dean and associate professor at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry. Neiberg previously served as the inaugural associate dean of Academic Affairs at Midwestern University College of Optometry in Chicago. She completed her Doctor of Optometry at the New England College of Optometry and a residency in primary care at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Neiberg is a fellow of the Academy of Optometry and board-certified by the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry. With interests including neuro-ophthalmologic disease and ocular complications resulting from systemic disease, Neiberg has written several book chapters and published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and posters. She has presented invited lectures at national and international events. Neiberg is an award-winning educator, having received the California State Optometric Association Excellence in Optometric Education Award and several teaching awards. She has served on the Executive Board of ASCO and the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists Board. In addition to her leadership role, Neiberg serves as an attending clinician and course director for several courses in the Doctor of Optometry curriculum.

Sulman Hans, Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor

Hans earned an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University, a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Optometry from the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry. He completed a residency in primary care with a focus on ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and has completed the Management Development Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Hans previously served as a founding dean of Optometry at University of Detroit Mercy and as director of clinical services within the Henry Ford Health System. Hans is a Michigan native and is passionate about serving the local community, with active involvement in organizations such as the Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness, the Michigan Optometric Association and the Health Unit on Davison Avenue nonprofit clinic.

Naureen Haroon, Assistant Dean of Academic Administration

Naureen Haroon is the assistant dean of Academic Administration at University of Detroit Mercy. She graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and earned her doctorate of Optometry from Rosenberg School of Optometry. Haroon completed a residency in Ocular Disease at TLC Eyecare and her master's degree in Public Health from Salus University. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is a private practice owner. She enjoys traveling the world, especially to India to provide eye care in underserved areas throughout the country.

Robert Onofre, Clinic Director

Onofre is the founding clinic director for the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute. In this role, he provides supervisory oversight of all clinical operations. He received a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Angelo State University in 2001. He completed his doctoral training at the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2005 and completed a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at Oklahoma State University in 2021. Onofre was awarded Suma Cum Laude Honors after completing each one of his degree programs. Additionally, he is one of only a handful of optometrists across the nation to have received a Certification in Healthcare Compliance awarded by the Health Care Compliance Association. Prior to joining the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute, Onofre served as the director of Clinical Business Operations at the Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, he served as the RSO chief of compliance, chief of risk management and chief of quality assurance. He was a member of the RSO Clinic Council and the Clinic Leadership Team. Prior to joining academia, Onofre had been the owner and president of three separate successful private practices.

Pablo De Gracia, Director of Research and Associate Professor

De Gracia is the director of Research and an associate professor where he oversees and guides the school’s research initiatives. In this role, he leads the strategic direction of the research program, mentors students and fosters collaboration to advance the fields of vision science and optometry. He previously held academic appointments at Midwestern University in Chicago, where he served as an associate professor. He earned a doctorate in Optics, Optometry and Vision from the Spanish National Research Council and Complutense University of Madrid, receiving an award for best doctoral thesis. He pursued postdoctoral training at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, focusing on optical design and fixational eye movements. His areas of expertise include myopia control, ocular motility and visual optics, vision science, applied optics and optical engineering. In addition to his academic and research roles, he has served as a consultant for organizations such as Bausch & Lomb and AcuFocus.

To learn more about the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry, please visit https://optometry.udmercy.edu. For more information about the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute, please visit https://www.detroitmercyeyeinstitute.com/