A Thanksgiving Message: Week of November 19th, 2021

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

Good morning of the longest lunar eclipse (see below)in over 568 years from our Elkins Park campus. I was crazy enough to get up to see part of it, which was well worth the extra cup(s) of coffee! Even as the earth eclipsed the sun from the moon, our students, faculty and staff have been extremely busy administering and taking practical exams, sitting in both virtual and face to face lectures and providing world-class care to our patients and clients. Below are items of merit to share with you:

DISTINGUISHED CAREER: After half a century of excellence, Dr. Satya Verma is retiring at the end of the year. During his long and distinguished career at PCO/Salus, Dr. Verma has served in various capacities stacking accolades during his tenure. Read more about Dr. Verma’s storied career and future plans here and join me in wishing him fair winds and following seas as he prepares for retirement.

NEW DIRECTOR: Dr. Chad Killen has been named the new director of PCO/Salus’ On-Campus Residency Programs where he will oversee all residents at The Eye Institute (TEI) in Primary Care/Ocular Disease, Low Vision Rehabilitation/Ocular Disease, Cornea/Contact Lenses, Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease and Pediatrics/Vision Therapy. Currently, there are 12 on-campus residents. Congratulations, Dr. Killen! Click here to read more.

INSIDE AUDIOLOGY AND SLP, PART II: In part two of our latest podcast, we talk with Dr. Lindsay Bondurant, director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) and associate professor for Salus University's Osborne College of Audiology, and with Robert Serianni, chair, program director and associate professor for the Speech-Language Pathology program, about the audiology and speech-language pathology professions. Listen to the podcast here.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: This week’s Staff Spotlight features Ruby Singleton, who has been with the University for 35 years in the Technology and Learning Resource Center Services department. Find out more about Ruby, what she enjoys about her job and what she does in her free time by clicking here. 

FLU SHOTS: Many of you probably have read about the flu outbreak at the University of Michigan. None of us would like to see that replicated here. If you have not already gotten your flu shot, please take the time to get it done prior to next week’s holiday. They are available throughout our region at most pharmacies as well as healthcare institutions.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING: As an unfortunate requirement of the times, the University will host an active shooter training for the Salus community from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, in the Toland Classroom at TEI. Philadelphia Police Detective Joseph Rovnan will lead instructor our training. He is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert in active shooter strategies, programs and response. Detective Rovnan will talk about safety both in and around the workplace, communications and tips for preventing, preparing and responding to situations including unauthorized visitors and threats to our Salus community. 

AUDIOLOGY GRAND ROUNDS: This week’s Audiology Grand Rounds begin at 12:15 p.m. today, Nov. 19. Kathleen McGovern and Maria Kirifides will present on “Cochlear Implantation Candidacy after Two Decades Without Sound Stimulation.” Click here to join the meeting.

FUNDRAISER FOR PHILABUNDANCE: Our chapter of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is conducting a fundraiser for Philabundance from now through Dec. 1. Boxes are outside the cafeteria for donations of nonperishable food and drinks. The top 10 items most needed are: peanut butter and jelly, cooking oil, canned tuna or meat, canned fruits and vegetables, canned stew and soups, oatmeal/breakfast cereal, whole grain pasta, 100% juice, rice, and boxed non-refrigerated milk. Foods low in sodium and sugar, and free of high fructose corn syrup, are preferred. SOTA is also accepting money donations for the organization. 

STUDENT ACADEMY OF AUDIOLOGY FUNDRAISER: Stop by CycleBar, 1470 Old York Road in Abington, at noon Saturday, Nov. 20, to ride and raise money for the Salus chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) organization.

GRANT AWARDED: Anna Grasso, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator in the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at Salus University, was recently awarded a subgrant in partnership with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia (RTP) to help low-income older adult homeowners in the Philadelphia area age in place. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program (OAHMP), which gave the project more than $824,000 to apply safety and functional home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of the local aging population. Read more about it here. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week, COVID-19 cases have been increasing in certain parts of the country. Thankfully, our region is still doing pretty well. Thanks to the miraculous vaccines that have been developed, this year we can, once again, celebrate the holiday with friends and loved ones. If you do decide to travel during the holiday, please take appropriate precautions: know what the spread of the virus is where you are going, wear your facemask when appropriate and test yourself prior to returning to campus.

Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday when family and friends gather to recount the joys and blessings of the past year. I hope you use this time to take stock of the kindnesses we have shared; grateful for all that enriches our lives every day, even in the midst of the pandemic. With all that’s happening in our country and the rest of the world, we have much to reflect on, and also much for which to be thankful. During this challenging year, I offer thanks to our extremely dedicated faculty, residents, staff and trustees for your professional excellence, energy, compassion, enthusiasm in support of our students and our institution. You’ve accomplished so much, often without fanfare, but with great impact on our mission. It’s an honor and pleasure to work with such a committed group of professionals! I also thank our students for selecting Salus to pursue your chosen professions and for trusting us with your health and safety as we have navigated through the pandemic. You are the reason we’re here. We are extremely thankful.

As neighbors and friends pause to lend a hand to those in need, we are reminded of the indelible spirit of compassion and mutual responsibility. This spirit is alive and well here at Salus daily -- whether taking care of patients or clients in our Eye, Ear, Speech and Language or Occupational Therapy Institutes, caring for children in schools or serving clients in the many clinical settings we support. Salus people live the Thanksgiving spirit every day. I sincerely thank and admire you for that.

As we prepare for next week’s holiday, thank you for all that you do every day to make Salus the special place it is to learn, work and support our community.

Mike

Remaining Vigilant About the Pandemic: Week of November 12th, 2021

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

Good morning from a cool, soggy Elkins Park campus. It’s been another busy week with many of us catching up from a week away while attending the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting last week. I know that many of our students are preparing for finals and clinical practical exams which we recognize adds a little more stress to an already packed academic schedule. Please don’t hesitate to contact our counselors in CPPD who are ready to help support anyone who thinks it would be helpful. Below are some additional things I hope you’ll find interesting:

COMBINING FUN AND SCIENCE: According to Bre Myers, AuD ‘06, PhD ‘17, CH-AP, a lot of amusement park rides excite the vestibular system in very specific ways. That gave Dr. Myers an idea: Take her students to an amusement park and have them report on how they felt after riding the rides. Find out more about that went by clicking here.

INSIDE AUDIOLOGY AND SLP: In part one of our most recent podcast, we talk with Dr. Lindsay Bondurant, director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute and associate professor for Salus University's Osborne College of Audiology, and with Robert Serianni, chair, program director and associate professor for the Speech-Language Pathology program. They detail the audiology and speech-language pathology professions, how to know which one to choose, and how they work together in the healthcare field. Listen to the podcast here.

HOCKEY CHAMPION: Our very own David Meltzer, OD ‘02, FAAO, an assistant professor and clinical instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University and a U.S. Army veteran, can add ice hockey champion to his resume. The team on which he plays, the Flyer Warriors, won the 2021 USA Hockey Warrior Classic recently in New Jersey. The tournament is the signature annual event of USA Hockey's Warrior program, which provides hockey access to nationwide teams of military veterans with VA-certified disabilities of at least 10 percent. Congratulations Dr. Meltzer! 

STUDENTS AT LEISURE: Our latest Students At Leisure (SAL) story features Angela Delfino ‘23OT. When Angela looks to break away from studies for physical exercise and mental stimulation, she goes all out. Whether it’s rock-climbing, yarn crafting or aerial circus. Read more about Angela here.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: This week’s Staff Spotlight features Monica Scirrotto, our director of Admissions here at Salus University. Recently, much of her free time has been devoted to her seven-month-old daughter. Read more about Monica here.

AUDIOLOGY GRAND ROUNDS: The next Audiology Grand Rounds will be today, Nov. 12, at 12:15 p.m. Jocelyn Jacob and Kathleen Wezensky will present on “Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Management in a Type II Diabetic.” Click here to join the meeting.

THE COLLEGE TOUR CAST: During filming of The College Tour, Mohit Batra, OD ‘21, was a fourth-year student whose main goal upon his entrance to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) was to leave the school better than when he started. As student body president, he was able to do just that. Read more about Dr. Batra and his segment of The College Tour here.

TURKEY GIVE-AWAY: As has been our tradition for many years, as a way of saying, “Thank You” to our faculty and staff for all of your hard work, we will again be providing a free turkey, ham or tofurkey to all faculty and staff who would like one. Please sign up here by 4PM today to order one.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I go about my travels, I sometimes think I live in two different worlds – one at Salus where we have been diligent about getting vaccinated and wearing our face masks on campus and in our clinics – and one where many people are still refusing vaccination and more commonly, not wearing facemasks when out and about. This was once again accentuated in the news this week when a popular NFL star tried to rationalize why he wasn’t getting vaccinated.

The truth of the matter is that we are still very much in the throes of the pandemic (as evidenced by the recent increase in cases in many parts of the country) and to let our guard down now would be inconsistent with the way in which we’ve addressed our mitigation strategies to date. While numbers are currently trending in the right direction in our area in terms of numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, vaccination rates have slowed down considerably.

I am extremely happy and proud that our internal vaccination rate is about 98%, which speaks to everyone’s commitment to doing the right thing for themselves, their families and those we care for clinically. Our random testing program has yielded no more than a 1% positivity rate, which is well below what would be expected, which is great.

I am hopeful that sometime after the holidays the numbers will continue to trend in the right direction here and the CDC will be able to adjust the guidelines we currently follow. Until then, we’ll continue to stay our current course. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everyone’s cooperation! Like you, I cannot wait to get rid of these masks! But, until it’s safe, masked we will continue to be. For those of you who are eligible for a 3rd dose/booster vaccine, I strongly encourage you to get one as soon as you can. They are readily available through the county or most local pharmacies.

I hope everyone has a restful weekend. It won’t be long before the holidays are upon us. As you begin your planning, please keep in mind that what you do off campus will directly affect all of us on campus.

Please, remain vigilant, stay healthy, continue to look out for one another to stay SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Assuring Equitable Access with Equal Quality in Healthcare: Week of November 5th, 2021

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

Greetings from sunny and rather cool Boston, MA, where I, along with many of our PCO colleagues have been attending the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry. It’s nice to be back to an “in-person” format – of course with everyone wearing masks indoors. PCO/Salus has been well-represented at this meeting with many of our faculty and PCO alumni presenting lectures and posters. In addition to attending the meeting, I’d like to make you aware of several other important activities also going on around campus: 

STRESS MANAGEMENT: According to the American College Health Association, prior to the pandemic, 66 percent of graduate students reported “above average” stress. I suspect the pandemic has increased that number significantly. While many students experience stress, those in graduate school experience a unique set of pressures that may lead to a higher level than ever before. Here at Salus, we are very much aware of that. To help, Dr. Molly Marcus of the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) will be stationed outside the cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, to offer additional resources for stress management. Please try and stop by and pick up some tips and goodies.

COVID-19 3rd DOSE/BOOSTER SHOTS: We had approached Yorktown Pharmacy about coming to campus to provide 3rd dose/boosters but given their current staffing and the differing time frames and type of vaccines needed for the community, they are not able to provide 3rd dose/boosters on campus. They are encouraging our Salus community to get their boosters by making an appointment through their website. If Yorktown is not convenient for you, I suggest you go to the Montgomery County vaccine website and schedule your 3rd dose/boosters through them. Both options work very well. I strongly encourage you to get your 3rd dose/booster if you’re eligible.

CONVERGENCE INSUFFICIENCY STUDY: Backed by a $3.7 million grant from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD, Dean of Research and professor in the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University and an expert on convergence insufficiency (CI), will be part of a multi-institutional team seeking to establish guidelines that will help clinicians diagnose and treat concussion-related CI. To read more about the study, click here.

‘BEE THE OT’: This week’s Faculty Focus is on Brandi DeVeaux, MS, OTR/L, CLT, affectionately known as “Bee the OT.” She joined the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department just before the fall 2021 semester as an associate professor. To read more about Brandi, click here.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: This week’s Staff Spotlight is on Dr. Juliana Mosley-Williams, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Did you know that in addition to her experience and expertise in DEI, she’s a dancer and a movie buff? Read more about “Dr. J.” here. 

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: November is Native American Heritage Month. The observation is marked to recognize and pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. We honor the more than 500 tribal nations, their care, concern, and cultivation of this land, recognizing their position as the indigenous peoples of America.

DIWALI: Yesterday began the five-day celebration of Diwali, “Festival of Lights.” Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains globally, this holiday marks a period of new beginnings and triumph over darkness. Happy Diwali, peace and blessings to you and your family.

AUDIOLOGY GRAND ROUNDS: The next Audiology Grand Rounds will be today, Nov. 5, starting at 12:15 p.m. Gabriela Rachmaciej and Halle Rouser will present on “Single Sided Deafness and Cochlear Implant Success.” Click here to join the meeting.

RESIDENT CLASS OF 2022: This week’s resident profile features Kevin Feng, OD ‘21, ‘22Resident, who decided to follow in his aunt’s career footsteps and become an optometrist. Read more about Dr. Feng here.

THE RETURN OF THE SOIREE: After a hiatus because of the pandemic, Salus Soiree is back. The soiree is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12, on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Students will board from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and cruise from 8 to 11 p.m.

NOA HONOR: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University was officially presented with the National Optometric Association (NOA) 2021 School of the Year award during the University’s inaugural DEI Speaks event hosted on campus last month. The award was originally announced at the NOA’s recent 51st convention, which took place virtually earlier this year. Read about it here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The plenary session at this year’s Academy meeting featured Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, former president of Spelman College and author of the bestselling book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria”, Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Senior Vice-President for Seattle Children’s Hospital, Dr. Marcela Frazier, a member of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Medicine’s Pediatric Division and Dr. Edward Jones, President of the National Optometric Association. While there were many salient points made during the conversation, a couple of points really hit home. One related to unconscious bias, which are social stereotypes we all have about certain groups of people that form outside one’s own conscious awareness. It was pointed out that we all hold unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups. These biases originate from our tendency to organize social worlds by categorizing people into certain groups. As healthcare providers, it is essential that we all recognize this as a potential blind spot, so we are not unconsciously providing inequitable care or contributing to substandard care to certain groups.

The second point which was exceptionally striking to me was the shift we have seen in our country’s population from being predominantly white back in the 1950’s to now, where we are much more racially/ethnically diverse and projected to be majority people of color by 2045. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, white persons constituted 88.6 percent of the total population in 1960 and 89.3 percent in 1950. In 2018, according to U.S. Census data, the percentage of the U.S. population that is white has dropped to about 60% (partially due to changes is racial/ethnic classifications), with the Census Bureau projecting that more children of color than white children will be born this year. Further, people of color accounted for 92% of the U.S. population growth between 2010 and 2018, with Latinos comprising just under half of the nation’s overall growth. The patients that our new graduates will be caring for will come from much more diverse ethnic backgrounds. As we live through this change in our nation’s demographics it becomes increasingly more important to be aware of not only the changes that are occurring but the biases, we bring with us. As we strive to ensure equitable access to high quality health care, we also must be working diligently to ensure that equity remains our goal for all in current and future care. It’s easy to say, but I would suggest to you, based on history, much more difficult to execute. Thus, the importance of being acutely aware of our social blind spots as we navigate these relatively uncharted waters.

I hope everyone has a nice, restful weekend. Please, if you’re out and about, wear your face mask when around others, certainly indoors when not at home, wash your hands frequently and socially distance when you can. Remember, what you do off campus, directly affects all of us on campus. Be safe, be smart and stay SALUS STRONG!

Mike