Tacoma, WA., May 13, 2013 –John S. Jarstad, M.D., F.A.A.O., Adjunct Associate Professor at Pacific NW University College of Osteopathic Medicine, participated in the 2nd graduation exercises at the medical school in Yakima, WA, where he was invited to confer the Doctoral Hood upon his daughter Dr. Allison Jarstad, a newly graduated Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Allison completed her four years of medical school with many honors, including being asked to speak during the commencement ceremonies May 10-11th at the Yakima school. She will begin an internship and residency in ophthalmology July 1st at the State University of New York in Syracuse NY to become an ophthalmologist like her father.
Dr. Jarstad, who has been on faculty at University of Washington School of Medicine and PNWU is a clinical professor and has been a visiting professor at medical universities in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, the Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Korea. He is the inventor of several instruments commonly used in eye surgery and is a leading pioneer in cataract surgery including the first eye surgeon to perform cataract surgery without stitches in Washington state and the first to perform bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery using a femtosecond laser. He is responsible for training over 1000 eye surgeons around the world in phacoemulsification, small incision cataract surgery.
“One of my greatest honors is to have Allison as my daughter,” Dr. Jarstad was quoted to say. My wife and I are blessed to have 4 wonderful children who have all excelled in their chosen professions. It’s fun to have a daughter pursue the profession that I have grown to love and appreciate and have dedicated my entire life’s work too.” I’ve trained a lot of great surgeons’ over the years and Allison is going to be a great one. She has great hands and will continue to make exciting contributions to the field of eye surgery.”