She was remembered at AOA’s Volunteer Meeting.
Dr. Harue Jean Marsden, a longtime educator in the optometry profession, died on Feb. 2, the American Optometric Association reports.
A resident of Fullerton, CA, Marsden graduated with her doctor of optometry degree from Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) in 1987 and promptly joined its faculty in 1989 upon receiving a master’s degree in physiological optics from the University of Houston College of Optometry.
At SCCO, Marsden climbed the ranks to become a professor, associate dean of clinical education and director of externships, where she directed student outreach missions. She also was an owner and partner of Granada Hills Optometric Center and Diamond Eye Optometry, north of Los Angeles.
She published research and lectured in the areas of orthokeratology, contact lens management of the post-surgical cornea and laboratory testing. She had primary clinical responsibilities in the cornea and contact lens service, serving as chief.
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Marsden, who was California Optometric Association president from 2010 to 2011 and a COA Legislation and Regulation Committee member, was an active AOA member and a member of the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section since 1990. She volunteered on numerous AOA committees, including the Evidence-Based Optometry and Affiliate Partner Membership committees, as well as the AOA’s Political Action Committee.
Marsden also volunteered with the Orange County Optometric Society, Great Western Council of Optometry and Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators, in addition to the American Academy of Optometry.
“On behalf of the university, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Dr. Harue Marsden,” said Dr. Kevin Alexander, president of SCCO. “Harue’s long battle with cancer was just part of the heroic efforts she made on behalf of our entire institution over many years. Dr. Marsden had a strong work ethic and was incredibly resilient until the very end, even attending the university’s annual Circle of Vision luncheon and continuing to see patients at Ketchum Health until the end of January. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered as an alumna and revered member of the faculty at the Southern California College of Optometry.”
Andrea P. Thau, president of AOA, asked for a moment of silence to begin AOA’s 2017 Volunteer Meeting in St. Louis Feb. 3-4.
“Dr. Harue Marsden was a life force who dedicated herself to the advancement of our profession and patient care as a leader and role model,” Thau said. “Always upbeat with high energy, she didn’t let her courageous battle against cancer stop her from working and volunteering up until the very end with a smile on her face. She gave her all and made the world a better place. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and her memory will serve as an inspiration to continue her life’s work.”
A memorial service will be held at the Marshall B. Ketchum University campus in Fullerton on Feb. 10. The SCCO encourages colleagues, students, friends, family and classmates to share their memories and photos of Marsden with the university by clicking here.
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