Getting Ready for Thanksgiving: Week of November 22nd, 2019

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

Greetings this early morning from our Elkins Park campus where it’s feeling like Fall and we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving next week!

A few nights ago, Drs Eckert, Trego and I, along with Ms. Jacquie Patterson and Kate Braemer were in Chicago for our last stop on the Centennial Tour. We had a great time visiting with both optometry and audiology alumni.  I’d like to thank the whole Institutional Advancement team for planning and organizing all of the events over the last 3 months as well as all of our faculty, staff, alumni and friends who came out to see us!   We’ll start planning for similar events sometime early next year so we can continue this important outreach to all of our alumni around the country.

Speaking of reaching out to alumni and friends, Dr. Eckert and I are on the road again as you read this as we head down to Orlando to spend time with our Audiology and SLP students, faculty, alumni and friends at the annual meeting of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  Many of our students and faculty will be presenting lectures and posters during this annual meeting.  Additionally, we’ll be hosting an Alumni and Friends reception later this evening (Friday) in Plaza Ballroom 1 of the Hyatt Regency Orlando starting at 8PM, so if you’re at the meeting or just happen to be in the “neighborhood”, please stop by and join us!

December 3rd is the international day of charitable giving, Giving Tuesday.  In honor of the special day, we have a special request for you - help Looking Out for Kids and its Big Red Bus!  As some of you have seen, first hand, our 18-year old Big Red Bus has grown tired and old and is in desperate need of replacing. To learn more and see how you can help, please visit salus.edu/givingtuesday and think about giving, even as little as $10, to this most worthy cause on Giving Tuesday. Every dollar helps!

The Salus University Alumni Association, in an effort to support our students and their professional endeavors, is pleased to announce our ninth application period for financial support to students attending professional conferences or traveling with qualifying student outreach programs.  This application period is for travel that will occur between February 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020. The following link details the criteria/qualifications, the process for evaluation, and the actual application https://forms.gle/CSGxMBGKLpD6xsFH9  The submission due date is December 31, 2019.

Finally, today has historic significance in that it was the day that Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas in 1963. For those of you old enough, do you remember where you were?

I hope you all have a great weekend and have some time to get out and enjoy the late fall weather.  Be safe and look out for one another!

Mike

Have a Safe and Fun Soiree - Week of November 15th, 2019

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

Good morning from Elkins Park!  While I always enjoy learning and spending time up at Harvard, it’s always great to be back on campus.  The Harvard Seminar for Experienced Presidents that I was attending was extremely informative and thought provoking.  I can’t wait to start applying what I’ve learned!

Last evening, I had the pleasure of hosting Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker optical, on campus.  Neil and some of staff spent some time with our Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) students and 2019-2020 residents.  It was fun talking with Neil learning how he established Warby-Parker and has grown it into a very unique and successful optical chain.

Last weekend, some of our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students attended the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Thank you for helping to spread awareness about this disease, especially during Alzheimer’s Awareness month, and for representing Salus! To learn more about what SLPs can do for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia, visit salusuhealth.com/slp-dementia.

Tuesday is our very last Centennial Tour stop! We’re on our way to Chicago, IL to see alumni and friends at riverside restaurant, The Kitchen Bistro.  So, if you happen to be in the Windy City on Tuesday, 19 November, please stop by and see us.  We’ll be at the restaurant, which is located at 316 N. Clark Street, from 6PM – 8PM.  You can register here. 

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is Nov. 3-10.  Driving while drowsy is impaired driving.  After 20 hours without sleep it is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit. It is estimated that more than 300,000 crashes including more than 5000 fatalities are related to drowsy driving each year. When you realize you are drowsy, pull over and rest, or get someone else to drive. https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatigued-driving.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable time at the Salus Soiree tonight! Remember, if you drink, or are tired, please don’t drive! Have a safe and fun weekend!

Mike

President's Veteran Day Message - 2019

All,

This Sunday marks the 244^th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  Here in Philadelphia, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the Continental Marines.  Since that time, Marines have distinguished themselves defending our freedoms around the world.  During my 33-year Navy career I had the privilege of serving with the Marine Corps for almost one-third of that time.  Monday we also recognize all of our veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day.  World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.  However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”  Originally designated Armistice Day by President Wilson, November 11 commemorates the armistice that began that day.  In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to recognize all veterans. 

While I was on active duty we observed the Navy and Marine Corps birthdays and Veterans Day by participating in cake cutting ceremonies and attending a few veteran’s events.  Now, as a retired Navy veteran I think of these days a bit differently.   I regularly reflect on how lucky we all are to have men and women who, everyday make sacrifices and place their lives on the line to ensure we continue to enjoy the freedoms we have.  They do this while being held to the highest of standards, professionally, ethically and morally.   Core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment have been the moral and ethical compass that have guided the men and women in uniform for 244 years. 

As healthcare professionals we have much in common with those who serve in our armed forces.  We too have made a commitment to devote our time and energies to serve others.  Most importantly, though, as healthcare professionals we also must be guided by an ethical and moral compass – one that emulates that of our Navy and Marine Corps – that of Honor, Courage and Commitment. 

So, as we celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday on Sunday and take time to honor our veterans on Monday (and I hope every day), I hope you reflect on how we can leverage our own commitment to always conduct ourselves with honor and have the courage to always do what’s right for our patients, clients and those around us.  Semper Fi!

Feeling Like Winter Already - Week of November 8th, 2019

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

Good morning from a chilly Elkins Park!  I believe winter is getting closer – Burrrrr!

I’d like to thank everyone who organized and attended last weekend’s very successful Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity fundraiser! It was a spectacular event, all for a great cause. I know folks walked away with some really nice things that were donated for the cause.  I, for one will be happy when I can figure out how the robotic vacuum I won works!  Read more about this year’s event at salus.edu/lofk-13. 

Last night, we celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI). The Osborne College of Audiology is 20 years old next year so it’s fitting we start the celebrations now!  Congratulations to everyone at PEI that has worked so hard over the years!

Next week, we will be traveling to Boston for our second to last Centennial Tour stop! Check out where we’ll be going next at salus.edu/centennial-tour.   This past week’s visit to Pittsburgh was lots of fun and I had the chance to meet several alumni who graduated from PCO in years ranging from 1955 to 2015.  Talk about a generation gap!!!

Next Friday, our Salus Student Council will be hosting their annual Salus Soiree event at The Logan Hotel. This yearly event is a great opportunity for students from all programs to get all dressed up and enjoy a night of socializing as the fall semester winds down a bit. I hope you all have a great time!

I’d like to congratulate Drs. Caitlyn Foy and Lauren Sponseller as they were recently invited to join a select group of OT practitioners and researchers from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) esteemed Women's Health Community of Practice. As OTs specializing in women's health, including maternal health and women's mental health, Drs. Sponseller and Foy will aid in the research and dissemination of the distinct value of Occupational Therapy in Women's Health, a new and emerging practice area for their field. They both have recently presented on Women's Health at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association conference last month and have just received acceptance for their proposals to present at the national American Occupational Therapy Association conference on Women's Health for the fourth year in a row.  You make us all very proud! 

Sunday is the birthday the U.S. Marine Corps and Monday is Veterans Day.  I’ll be putting out a separate message about both of these important events, but didn’t want the “Weekly Update” to be too long.

I’m headed back to Harvard on Sunday to participate in their Seminar for Experienced College and University Presidents.  This should be an interesting few days as I have the opportunity to learn, work and discuss issues with peers who have been in their presidency for five years or more. 

As you get ready to take on this weekend, remember to break out your warm coats and thermal socks!  We’ll be running the Rugged Pumpkin Run supporting Rachel’s Helping Hands Cancer Foundation which should help to keep us warm!  

Have a great weekend – stay safe and warm! 

Mike

A Busy Week on Campus: Week of November 1st

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

Earlier this week, Dr. Aravamudhan met with OCA alumni from the distance education program at the Canadian Academy of Audiology conference. Alumni were excited to discuss how the AuD Bridge program has helped them to increase their confidence in the services they provide and the breadth of their practice. 

Today is going to be a very busy day on campus!  This morning, it’s my pleasure to be hosting representatives from Cedar Crest College in celebration of our new articulation agreement. To learn more about the agreement, visit salus.edu/ccc.

We’ll also be hosting State Representatives Steve McCarter and Jordan Harris on campus.  My intent with all of these visits is to educate our legislators about our programs and the importance of all of our providers being able to practice at the level they’re taught.  We are also attempting to have the legislature reinstate funding for us that would help to offset tuition and some of the indigent care we provide at our various clinics.  None of this is a “given”.  It takes a great deal of time and effort to gain the support of our legislators.  That’s true as we talk about scope of practice or line items on the budget.  Hence, the importance of all of us interacting with our elected officials to ensure they know the importance of their support.

Carlos Rodriguez, Director of Safety and Security, will be hosting an Emergency Preparedness Training session today at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in S305B. If you’re available, please attend this important training so you can learn how to be better prepared in the event there is an emergency on campus. 

There will also be an AccessMatters Presentation today from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in S305A that will provide education on important topics related to personal sexual and reproductive health and will also provide ways to remain patient and client-centered and avoid the “white coat syndrome” when discussing these issues with patients. 

Tomorrow night is a special night as we celebrate our 13th Annual Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity fundraiser. This year, we are proud to honor Alan Lindy as the 2019 Lighthouse Award Recipient for his long standing relationship with and commitment to recognizing the value and importance of quality vision care to ensure academic success for school-age children. If you're interested in attending, it's not too late, tickets are still available for purchase! Or if you would like to make a donation, please visit salus.edu/lofk.

On Sunday, Salus University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) will be hosting a reception and panel discussion at the annual meeting and expo for the American Public Health Association (APHA). Spearheaded by Dr. Tony Di Stefano, the reception will be in collaboration with Vision Care Section (VCS) as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Hosted at the largest and most influential gathering of public health professionals, the reception is a great opportunity to explore a variety of IPE opportunities in public health.

On Tuesday, we will be hosting another Centennial Tour stop in Pittsburgh, Pa. Held at the Federal Galley on Children’s Way, I look forward to seeing some of our alumni and friends out there. After Pittsburgh, we only have two more stops on our tour! See where we’re headed next at salus.edu/centennial-tour.

Next Thursday, Nov. 7, we will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI). PEI has grown so much over the last 15 years and I’d like to thank the entire Salus community for playing a part in its success throughout the years. It truly is a team effort and we’re excited to see where the next 15+ years take us. Come and celebrate this momentous occasion on the fourth floor lobby of the north building from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. To register for the event, click here.   

It's November and the weather is changing, so please try to get outside and enjoy what’s left of the fall leaves.  Enjoy the weekend and have some fun.  Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday!

Mike