VOM - Terry Tressler '77

After a nearly 30-year career in Perinatology, Terry Tressler ’77 is giving back to the institution that gave him his professional start. 

“I was very well prepared for medical school,” said Tressler, who majored in Biology. “Bloomsburg was a great opportunity to see what I needed to advance in the field of medicine.”

Now retired after a 27-year career in Perinatology, a segment of obstetrics that specializes in high-risk pregnancies, Tressler is one of the newest members of the Commonwealth University College of Health, Science, and Technology (COHST) advisory board – a group of alumni and community partners dedicated to providing and enhancing professional and career experiences for Commonwealth students at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Tressler joined the board after volunteering as a poster judge during COHST Research Day last May. His experience left no doubt that Bloom students had successful careers ahead of them and instilled a strong desire to maintain the quality of their experiences.

“These students were doing exceptional investigations,” said Tressler. “They all displayed a dedication to learning. Once you learn the basic principles of scientific thinking, you can apply them in any situation.” 

Those transferrable skills like critical thinking, information synthesis, and problem-solving are universal to any career and vital for navigating the challenges of adulthood and professionalism.

“I formed a mindset that helped me solve complex issues,” said Tressler. “Thinking outside of the box is essential when dealing with high-risk pregnancies. It takes an investigator with a desire to understand and improve outcomes where no prior treatment exists. Employers will look at the strengths of the student development through their research.”

Tressler believes another valuable addition to the student experience is alumni serving as an example of success as they try to navigate their aspirations and make career decisions.

“The biology and chemistry departments were exceptional in preparing me to go forward in studying medicine. The basic first year in medical school repeated my years at BU. Students must look beyond their education and plan their careers while studying.”

“I am so impressed with the level of sophistication the university has compared to what was available when I went there,” concluded Tressler. “I feel it is important to assist the present and future student population in recognizing the value of the education they receive at the university.”