Students, Faculty Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Good morning. It’s a bit gray outside but I can assure you that inside things are bright and cheery. As a testimony to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, many of our students and faculty have been participating in face-to-face classes and continue to work hard in clinical labs and our patient-centric clinics. Here are some events happening around campus:
COMMENCEMENT WEEK: Wrapping up Commencement Week that led into the Memorial Day weekend, here are some stories on the Salus website that you may have missed:
— The 122nd commencement ceremony, which recognized a total of 303 students, was unique in that it offered both a virtual and an in-person option for the graduates and their families. Read about the first-ever drive-thru ceremony here. And read about the virtual ceremony here. Barring any unforeseen circumstances with the pandemic, we should be back to our traditional in-person commencement venue in the fall.
PRIDE MONTH: June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate progress, inclusion, to affirm members of and raise awareness about efforts for equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community (and the communities within). Pride Month began due to a riotous rejection of oppression known as the Stonewall Uprising. This event was a turning point in the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ Americans.
MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION: This week, we highlight Standard III - Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience. Ethics & Integrity. Our working group is led by Elizabeth Tonkery, OD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Associate Dean, Accelerated Scholars Program, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, who is joined by Samantha DiPinto, student, Osborne College of Audiology, Bhawan Minhas, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Director, On-Campus Residency Programs; Primary Care/Ocular Disease Residency Coordinator, and Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVT, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, College of Education and Rehabilitation. Together they are documenting how we design and deliver world-class curriculum and learning experiences for future healthcare professionals.
INITIAL TENURE RECIPIENTS: Congratulations to Dr. Victor Bray and Ms. Kerry Lueders on receiving their initial 5-year tenure approval from the Board. This represents a significant professional achievement.
FACULTY FOCUS: This week’s Faculty Focus is on Christin DeMoss, OD ‘17, Resident ‘18. While a student at PCO/Salus, Dr. DeMoss was vice president of her class and was also involved with the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) as a trustee and trustee-elect, and during her fourth year, was the national AOSA secretary. Now she’s an assistant professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. To read more about Dr. DeMoss, go to salus.edu/ChristinDeMoss.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Featured in this week’s Where Are They Now is Frank Mai, OD ‘16. Dr. Mai has trained under some other PCO/Salus alums — Gary Fishberg, OD ‘78 and Robert Wang, OD ‘10, FAAO — and now is a clinical supervisor at the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And he just got married last month! Read more about Dr. Mai at salus.edu/FrankMai.
FINAL THOUGHTS: As the number of Covid cases in our area continues to decline more and more people will feel comfortable getting out and about. While that is very encouraging, it does not minimize the importance of getting vaccinated. I know I sound like a broken record, but we are the ones who need to set the example for others to do the right thing and get the Covid vaccine. The safety and effectiveness of these vaccines has been well-documented with the millions of people who have already received them. More importantly, as populations have become increasingly vaccinated, the numbers of Covid cases have decreased proportionally. Vaccines work - they keep us safe and they keep all those around us safe. Please, if you’re not already vaccinated and don’t have a medical or religious reason not to be, get that jab! We don’t want anyone getting sick. Looking ahead, I am optimistic that our incoming class will follow suit, act professionally, and arrive on campus vaccinated. As you prepare for the weekend, please continue to act responsibly, wear a face mask indoors when required or if you’re not yet vaccinated. Continue to wash your hands frequently and look out for one another. Stay safe and remain SALUS STRONG!
Mike
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