Celebrating Our Graduates: Week of May 21st, 2021

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

Greetings from a very summery Elkins Park campus. I can’t believe it was almost 90 degrees here yesterday and will be that warm today through the weekend! While the campus has been relatively quiet, we’ve had students in labs and clinics busy practicing their professional skills. In addition to this, we’ve been preparing for what will be a week-long celebration of our graduating class of 2021 next week.

NEXT WEEK’S COMMENCEMENT: We’ve got a great deal planned between the two-day in-person event May 25-26 and the livestream ceremony May 27 for the Class of 2021. In the lead-up to commencement week, we’ve featured some of our grads and their unique stories on our website, including:

—The incredible challenge that Sigalit “Sigi” Davidov ‘21OD undertook to get her degree. She was the mother of three children under five years old when she started at PCO/Salus and now she’s made it to graduation day. Read more about her journey here.

— Although it took longer than he expected because the pandemic interrupted his academic path with a “real kick in the gut,” Doug Gilbert ‘21O&M stayed the course and will graduate. Read more about Doug’s challenges and persistence here.

— What an example of endurance and strength shown by Anastasia “Annie” Goerl ‘21OD, who has maintained her studies while battling adenocarcinoma of the lung. I talk a lot about “Salus Strong,” and Annie personifies that! Read more about her journey to graduation here.

— Earning a doctorate degree is a big accomplishment, but sharing that milestone with a family member makes it feel even sweeter. After spending years forging their own separate paths, sisters Sonia Panchal ‘21OD and Maya Panchal ‘21OD, came back together at PCO/Salus and will graduate next week. Read more here.

MOVING TOWARD NORMALCY: We recently released plans for upcoming semesters, signaling a more traditional fall semester with in-person learning, labs and clinical facilities for all programs more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic drove faculty and students to online teaching and learning. As with everything associated with the pandemic, these plans are subject to change depending upon local infection rates and federal and local guidance. To read more, click here.

MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION: This week, we highlight Standard II - Ethics & Integrity. Our working group is led by Lauren Sponseller, PhD, OTD, MSOTR/L, MEd, Assistant Professor and Chair, Occupational Therapy Department, College of Education and Rehabilitation, who is joined by Thomas Beeman, PhD, Board of Trustees Member, Lindsay Bondurant, PhD, CCC-A, Assistant Professor, Osborne College of Audiology; Director, Pennsylvania Ear Institute, Stanley Hatch, OD, MPH, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Chief, Pediatric/Binocular Vision Services, Candida Mulligan, Officer, Office of Admissions, and Maria Parisi, OD, FAAO, Associate Dean of Optometric Clinical Affairs & Associate Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Together they are documenting our commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity and our core values of responsibility, collaboration, innovation and growth and sustainability.

WEEKEND FITNESS: The fitness staff at the Hafter Center wants everyone to know that the University will be returning to having weekend hours starting June 5 and June 6. The weekend fitness hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fitness blocks will be set up in the PT Fitworks app. Remember, you need to be fully vaccinated if you’re going to use the fitness center. 

VACCINATION UPDATE: For those who received their first vaccination dose at the Hafter Center on April 28, the second dose will be administered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Hafter Center. Please remember to bring your vaccine card.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we prepare to launch another group of Salus graduates next week, I want to congratulate all of you and all those who supported you during your time with us. No one could have foreseen the events that unfolded in 2020 as you’ve worked to complete your degrees. Between the worldwide pandemic, social unrest and a polarizing national election, you are leaving Salus during unprecedented times. The one thing that you have that will help you to navigate all of these challenges is the fact that your education has prepared you well to enter into your given professions. Given the challenges you’ve successfully overcome this last year, no matter what you face, you are ready to take on the world!

As I noted earlier, we’ve got a great deal planned for next week, starting with the two-day drive-up ceremonies on May 25-26, culminating with the virtual commencement ceremony that will preview at 2:00 p.m. on May 27th. I’ll also be going on Instagram Live at 9:30 a.m. to chat with you one last time, “in person” on the 27th. All you need to do is go to the Salus Instagram site and you should be able to access it.

I am so proud of all of you and I know that your faculty all feel the same way. You’ve all embarked on extremely exciting and rewarding careers. Your ability to help people improve their lives is a real gift; one that needs to be cherished, honed and continually nurtured. It’s our hope and expectation that you take full advantage of all that you’ve learned during your time at Salus and apply those skills with the utmost care and sensitivity to those patients and clients you will care for.

As you prepare to leave us, please remember that Salus will always be your academic home. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any one of us throughout your professional journeys. We’ll all be there to help you continue to succeed.

Finally, if you haven’t already gotten your COVID-19 vaccine, please get that done as soon as possible. You will be the “local experts” once you leave here and you need to continue to set the example in practicing good public health measures.

 Congratulations on a job exceptionally well done – You are SALUS STRONG and we are SALUS PROUD of your accomplishments! Please stay hydrated if you’re out in the heat and continue to follow CDC and local guidelines as you enjoy the weekend.

Mike