Salus Scoop: Week of September 6th

Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,

Good morning! We’ve been spared the wrath Hurricane Dorian in Elkins Park, but many of our colleagues down south and in the Bahamas were not as lucky. I ask that we keep all those affected by the storm in our thoughts and prayers.

It’s been another busy week on campus between students getting into their routines, conducting an orientation program for a prospective Board of Trustee member, hosting a State Representative and of course, preparing for the SALUS SCOOP.

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of providing a Salus Board orientation program to prospective Board of Trustee member Joyce Koh. Ms. Koh brings a vast knowledge of corporate, business and finance law to our Board. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. We look forward to seeing her at the upcoming September board meeting and officially welcoming her in January. 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hosting State Representative Matt Bradford, who is the Democratic Chairman of the State House Appropriations Committee. We discussed our work in the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Norristown, which is in his district,  our plans to integrate tele-health initiatives in FQHC’s in the city and elsewhere, how we provide free screenings in Philadelphia and Montgomery County public schools and how these initiatives positively impact the Commonwealth, as well as each profession we serve.  Following a tour of our Elkins Park campus, Rep Bradford spent time at The Eye Institute learning about how we have impacted the local community through our direct patient care services, community outreach and charitable care to both Philadelphia and Montgomery County residents.  These visits are so very important as we hope to gain support for scope of practice legislation and potential financial support from the Commonwealth. Keeping fingers crossed on both accounts!

I’d like to thank Anne Lotz, past President of the Kiwanis Club, for recently presenting Dr. Brandy Scombordi with a generous donation of $1,000 for the University’s Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity. The money was raised as a part of the Jenkintown Sunset 5K Run that was held in early June. Thank you to the Kiwanis Club and everyone else who helps to make LOFK possible!  For more information about Looking Out For Kids, please visit salus.edu/LOFK. 

As always, our Salus faculty, staff and students are keeping busy with various events throughout the community. Next weekend, Salus will be participating in a Citywide Health Fair at the Heart of Worship Restoration on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., and the Jenkintown Festival of the Arts on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. If you’re in the area, stop by and visit the Salus table.

Speaking of upcoming events, don’t forget about Salus Scoop later today! Stop by the lawn in front of the Hafter Center from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for food trucks, entertainment, prizes and for the chance to pie a professor!

Just a reminder to all new students – if you haven’t tried to schedule an appointment at either The Eye, Ear or Speech-Language Institutes, please get this done. It’s really important for you to see how your colleagues practice as well as to experience what each type of exam is like.  It won’t be too long before you’re in the clinic and come across a patient needing services other than those you’re providing in your particular specialty, but may benefit from those offered by your colleagues and classmates in our other clinics.  Think inter-professionally and interdisciplinary – because that’s the way you’ll practice when you leave here.

Well, tomorrow is my last scheduled “long run” (17 -miles) before I begin the big taper for the Berlin Marathon on 29 September.  I will be so happy when this is done!  I don’t suggest anyone tries this craziness, but the weekend will be nice, so I do encourage you all to get out and enjoy the good weather. Be safe, have some fun and come back energized to hit the books or whatever you do on Monday!   

Mike