Mark Rakoczy, O.D.

President

Dr. Rakoczy graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1981. He was a recipient of the Alumni Award for Academic Excellence, the Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence and the Bausch & Lomb Soflens Award, 2nd Place Achievement Award. He spent the next three years in the US Army, practicing at Fort Campbell, KY at both the Division Clinic and the hospital. He came back to his home state, Pennsylvania, and has been in solo private practice until 2019.

He has been a member of VOSH PA since 2010 and has been President since 2012. He has been on many missions to Haiti, mostly being a trip leader. He has been an active member of the Everett Lions Club for 30 years and has served in all board positions. He also has served on the board of the Southcentral Blind Association for over 25 years. He has been on the board of directors of VOSH International since 2019 and as the current Treasurer.

He enjoys exercising, fishing trips, travel and spending time with family and an explosion of grandkids. He is now retired from practice except for an occasional fill in and will continue volunteering with VOSH-PA and VOSH International.

Diane Wilson, O.D.

Vice-President

Diane Wilson graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rockhurst University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1984. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1988. Dr. Wilson also completed a residency with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis from 1988-89.  She is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Missouri Optometric Association, and the Arnold Rotary Club. One of her special interests includes leading  mission trips to Haiti once or twice a year to provide eyecare to the material poor.  Dr. Wilson is an Arnold native and St. Pius X graduate. She attends Immaculate Conception Church and resides in Barnhart with her husband, Mitch, and three children, Jon, Caroline and Susana.  Her son Jon has joined her on three eye missions and is planning to be an optometrist.

Kelly Murphy

Treasurer/Secretary

Kelly Murphy graduated from Methacton High School in 2001.  She then went on to receive her CMA and Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Penn State University.  For fourteen years she has worked as an optometric office manager in Norristown.  Through the years, she has been active in the Shaken Baby Alliance and been a guest speaker for numerous child abuse prevention groups.  She resides in Pottsgrove with her spouse, Jason, and their four children.

David McPhillips, O.D.

Board Member

David McPhillips graduated from PA college of optometry in 1985.  He completed his hospital based residency at Hershey Medical Center and Lebanon VA Medical Center.  Since 1994, David McPhillips has worked as an optometrist in his private practice in Horsham, PA.  Before entering private practice, Dr.McPhillips was on staff at Wills Eye Hospital where he specialized in pediatrics, contact lenses, and low vision.  He was also the director of Greater Atlantic Health Plan HMO for eight years.  His accomplishments include Optometrist of the Year in PA in 2000 and four time Optometrist of the Year in Philadelphia County.  Dr. McPhillips was president of Pennsylvania Optometric Association in 2000, Philadelphia County Optometric Society, and Horsham Rotary Club and is the current President elect of Fellow of American Academy of Optometry as well as the Orthokeratology Academy of America.  He is an active board member of the Horsham Rotary, Hatboro Horsham Education Foundation, and the Horsham Chamber of Commerce. He is the current President of VOSH International and is a cofounder of the VOSH PA and VOSH Delaware Valley chapters.  Specialties include pediatrics, low vision and orthokeratology.  Dr. McPhillips resides in Horsham with his wife Joann and their two children, Matt and Nicole.  He enjoys spending time with his children and attending Philadelphia Phillies games.

Stephanie Rakoczy-Schetrompf

Board Member

Stephanie Rakoczy is a licensed clinical social worker for the state of Pennsylvania who received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from Slippery Rock University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University.  She was employeed for six years investigating child abuse and neglect, has provided outpatient and urgent mental health therapy and is currently working with military veterans. She currently resides in Everett, Pennsylvania and has traveled with VOSH to Haiti on six missions.  She has provided testimony at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa, published an article in The New Social Worker and is a member of NASW.  She is very passionate about her work and considers her trips to Haiti as International Social Work.  She would love to expand her work in Haiti to eye care and social work. During her trips to Haiti, she frequently uses the tonometer to test patients for glaucoma and has dispensed glasses and completed visual acuities.  She was inducted as the first female Lions Club Member for her branch in 2013. Stephanie does outreach on behalf of VOSH-PA. Stephanie has a family including husband Kerry, and two children, a daughter Naevia and a son Nikola.

Marcha M. Polection, O.D.

Haitian Liaison

Marcha Polection graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry in 1995 . She received her Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College Optometry in 2000. Dr. Polection is a board certified Optometrist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is currently in private practice in both states. Dr. Polection has been traveling to Haiti with VOSH PA since 2007. She is an active member of the Haitian Community in Philadelphia. Dr. Polection was awarded by the Haitian Community Help Center in Philadelphia, PA for her VOSH PA services to Haiti in 2009. She serves as a liaison to VOSH PA and the Haitian Community. Dr. Polection resides in Abington, PA with her family.

Marianne Banales, O.D.

Board Member

Marianne attended undergraduate school in California at UCLA and then went on to the Southern California College of Optometry. She graduated there first with a B.S. in Visual Science in 1992 and then with a doctor of optometry degree in 1993. She was a member of the National Optometric Student Association all 4 years and served as Secretary of the school’s Student Association for 3 years.

Marianne practiced as the optometrist for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union before opening her own private practice. She was also the Optometrist serving the California Youth Authority. She was a member of the Tri County Optometric Society and enjoyed volunteering her time performing vision screenings at elementary schools. She sold her private practice to move to Florida for a relocation of her husband’s job.

She then took time off from optometry to raise her four children. Marianne has served on three mission trips to Haiti and is looking forward to another trip soon. She enjoys spending time with her family, paddle boarding, exercising and spending time outdoors.