Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Good morning from Elkins Park on a beautiful Fall morning. It’s hard to believe it’s going to be near 70 degrees today, but we’ll take it! It’s been another busy week on campus with our students and faculty working hard together in labs, clinics and virtual and face to face lectures. Here are some of the other things happening around campus and virtually:
Election Results Discussion: Dr. Juliana Mosley and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will host a Lunch & Learn event at noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Carroll, discussing “2020 Election Results, National Impact and Marginalized Populations.” I encourage all of you to participate in this. Remote access will be sent via email prior to the event.
Where Are They Now: Check out our new online feature “Where Are They Now?” which catches up with some of our recent graduates to see how they’re doing in their professional lives. This week features Susan (Barnes) Gresham, OD ‘19, a top Traditional Optometry Program graduate who gave the spring 2019 commencement address. To read more about Dr. Gresham, go here.
Private Practice Symposium: The PCO/Salus Private Practice Symposium 2020 will be held online from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Speakers include Janelle Davison, OD ‘06, James Deom, OD ‘14, MPH, FAAO, Kennard Herring, OD ‘14, and Michael Talone, OD ‘98. For more information, click here.
Long White Coat Ceremony: The Physician Assistant (PA) Long White Coat Ceremony will be held online at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. For updated information, click here.
Presidential Medals Ceremony: The 2020 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony will be online at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Keep an eye on our website for additional details.
Eye Care Tips: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is the main cause of blindness among people under 74 years of age. However, 90 percent of vision loss from diabetes can be prevented. So, we’ve got some eye care tips for those with diabetes. Read more about that here.
OT Research: A paper titled “Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy with Mothers Who Breastfeed” by Lauren Sponseller, PhD ‘18, OTD, MSOR/L, MEd, Chair of the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department, has been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, a top OT research journal. To read more about Dr. Sponseller’s research, go here.
Final Thoughts: Tuesday marks the 245th 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. Wednesday, 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, has been 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. I think this year it is even more important remember how fortunate we are to have men and women who, every day, make sacrifices and place their lives on the line to ensure we enjoy the freedoms we have as Americans. 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 245 years.
As we exercise patience and wait for our uniquely American democratic process to be completed and learn the results of the election, please don’t lose sight of the fact that the ability to hold elections such as ours was paid for by veterans, many who made the ultimate sacrifice, so we could freely choose our leaders.
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 Tuesday and take time to honor our veterans on Wednesday, 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. I think this is exceptionally true as we watch and wait to see the final results of the election.
Finally, as we approach the weekend, the weather is going to be near perfect. If you decide to participate in any election-related events, I’d like to remind you that whether your candidate wins or loses, you continue to embrace our core values of inclusion, acceptance, diversity, and respect for all people and our differences.
If you decide to participate in an in-person event, also please keep in mind the risks of the pandemic and be sure to socially distance and wear a facemask. Remember, what you do off campus affects all of us on campus.
Have great weekend and try to get out and enjoy the nice weather. Be safe, stay healthy and remain SALUS STRONG!
Mike
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