Get Your Booster Now: Week of January 28th, 2022

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

Good morning on yet another frigid morning in our region! This is our second full week back on campus for many, and things have been going very well. Our COVID positivity rate has been 0.8%, with some face-to-face classes and labs and clinics going full speed. This past weekend our Board of Trustees, along with representatives from faculty, students, staff and administration spent several hours in our second round of Scenario Planning to update our current strategic plan. I look forward to sharing with you during our February town hall some of the exciting ideas we discussed.

Other happenings that may be of interest to you:

UD DAY: Our faculty explored teaching and learning trends in higher education and shared anecdotes and best practices in meeting the current educational needs of our students at our recent University Faculty Development Day. To read more, click here.

DEI STRONG: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) remains very active and Salus Strong with the addition of Dr. Juliana Mosley-Williams, special assistant to the president. Read a Q&A with Dr. J. here. Our updated DEI website contains a great deal of interesting and informative information about Salus that you will want to check out here.

DEI SPEAKS!: Dr. J will be hosting a “DEI Speaks!” event on February 18th at 12 PM featuring Dr. David Marquez, who will be discussing, “Importance of Culture in the Health of Latino/a/xs. You can read more about the DEI Speaks! Series here.

CLIMBING TO NEW HEIGHTS: Our latest Students At Leisure (SAL) story features Shayna Sawyer ‘24 AUD, who has taken up rock climbing for both her physical and mental health. Read more about Shayna here.

CAPSTONE FINDINGS: Physician Assistant Studies alum Eric Nguyen, MMS ‘21, used his capstone project to weigh the risks of electronic vs. traditional cigarettes. Read more here. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: A debt of thanks to our Deans and Directors and our COVID Advisory Group for helping to ensure our safe return to campus. Developed with their advisement, our pandemic safety strategy along with proven mitigation measures — boosters, upgraded facemasks, social distancing and handwashing, are working effectively to keep us safe. As conditions change, we will continue to tap the CDC, our resident experts and local health department guidance to help us meet whatever comes next. We are excited to host a booster event on our Elkins Park campus later today! I hope all in need of the jab have made appointments. Only 40% of the fully vaccinated U.S. population has gotten a booster to date [1], even though data strongly validates the importance of getting one to be protected from severe disease. [2]

This weekend the weather guessers are talking about some snow in our area with the potential for significant accumulations along the coast and possibly around here. Please monitor the weather if you plan to head out to ensure you’re not caught by surprise.

Be safe and look out for one another. Together we remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

References:

[1] Anderson, M. (2022). COVID-19 vaccine booster drive is faltering in the U.S. Associated Press News: 2.26.22, https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-492fb86ff65c0f9a2d87b129e5da90a4

[2] Thompson MG, Natarajan K, Irving SA, et al. Effectiveness of a Third Dose of mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Adults During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance — VISION Network, 10 States, August 2021–January 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:139–145. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7104e3external icon.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7104e3.htm?s_cid=mm7104e3_x

Combating the Effects of Stress and Burnout: Week of January 21st, 2022

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

Good morning on a blustery, cold morning in Elkins Park. I begin this update with sadness.

This week, we mourn the loss of Dr. Anastasia Rose Goerl, PCO class of 2021, who lost her hard-fought and brave battle with cancer. Please join me and the entire Salus family in keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers. You can read more about Annie’s very accomplished life here.

Other things happening around campus that might be of interest to you:

OT PAJAMA DAY: Occupational Therapy students recently participated in a “Pajama Day,” where they came to school in their pajamas as a way to feel more comfortable while trying to relieve some stress. Read more here.

DICE POTLUCK: The Department of International and Continuing Education (DICE) recent potluck event gave international students a chance to meet face-to-face. Read details of the event here.

NEWEST ART EXHIBIT: Check out the newest exhibit titled “The Light We See” at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the University’s Hafter Student Community Center. Click here for details.

CAPSTONE LINK: Salus PA grad Kaitlyn Carmo, MMS ‘21, draws a connection between vitamin D deficiency and thyroid disease in her capstone project. Read more here.

BOOSTER CLINIC: A reminder that Sun Ray Drugs is holding a booster clinic today at TEI from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, January 28, 2022 at The Hafter Center, Elkins Park Campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family members are welcome. Bring your vaccine card with both dates/doses; photo ID and insurance information, if applicable.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The last two years have been poignant reminders that life is fragile and much too short. As healthcare providers, offering respect, thanks, care and kindness to one another are central to who we are and what we do. I am so very thankful to be part of our Salus community where we strive to personify these qualities every day.

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, these skills become even more important in combating the effects of stress and burnout. The good news is that the Omicron variant is waning both nationally and regionally. Montgomery County cases, while still relatively high, are significantly lower than last week. This is encouraging! Until cases significantly decrease, we will stay our current course, which has proven successful.

As you prepare for this upcoming cold weekend, try to relax, get outside and take some time or yourself. I will be catching some football match-ups on TV. While I’m among many disappointed Eagles fans, I’ll be rooting for the Packers as they take on the 49ers on Saturday!

Whether you get together to watch a game or just hang out, please continue to mask, socially distance and wash your hands frequently. What you do off campus really does affect all of us on campus.

And to Dr. Goerl’s family, our students, faculty and all of us who share the loss of Annie, we are keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers. Together we are SALUS STRONG.

Mike

Keeping Pace With COVID: Week of January 14th, 2022

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

Greetings from a cold, cloudy Elkins Park campus. I would like to thank all of you for contributing to our enhanced mitigation strategies across our clinics and campus to improve everyone’s safety. Together we are successfully implementing: our vaccination booster requirement, upgraded mask requirement, MERV13 filtration systems, surveillance testing, de-densified spaces, and alternative teaching modalities. Check out the full list of updates on our COVID Protocol Summary Update page. You may wonder: “is all this working?” As of this week, our positivity rate is 2.3%. We can expect our rate to follow the region’s case trends. We will stay the course – listening to your feedback, monitoring changes in CDC guidance, and adjusting our Salus Safety Strategy accordingly. Additional efforts are underway:

• Booster Events. Sun Ray Drugs Chelten Avenue is holding booster events on Friday, January 21, 2022 at The Eye Institute from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Friday, January 28, 2022 at The Hafter Center, Elkins Park Campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family members are welcome. Bring your vaccine card with both dates/doses; photo ID and insurance information, if applicable. Special thanks to Dr. Tracy Offerdahl for helping us to organize these.
• Register your booster. Our booster requirement is effective February 13th. Students can expect an email to upload their booster data. Faculty and staff can register their booster data here.
• 
  Outdoor Dining. Just off the Café at our Elkins Park campus, we have created an additional space to eat and relax. Check out the great heaters!
• Questions. Our Pandemic Safety Officer Brian Zuckerman is your single point of contact if you have questions regarding what to do if: you are exposed, develop symptoms, test positive or wonder when it is safe to return to campus and clinics. Email him at bzuckerman@salus.edu. We will also be issuing additional guidance early next week.

In other news:

DEI GETS A FACELIFT: Check out our new mission statement, logo and revised web page for the Office of DEI here.

NEW SLI DIRECTOR: The Speech Language Institute (SLI) of Salus University welcomes Kara Maharay, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, as director of Clinical Education. Read more about Kara here.

TOLAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Taylor Frank is the 2021 Toland Memorial Scholarship winner. Read more about Taylor here.

FACULTY FOCUS: Click here to read about Anne Marie Ruckdeschel, MA, CCC-SLP, a clinical educator in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: This week’s Staff Spotlight is on Cheryl Keslar, who works in our Finance department. Read more about Cheryl here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I am in awe of your abilities to roll with the many changes we’ve experienced throughout the pandemic. I am also aware this takes a great deal of mental and physical energy, and like me, you may also feel tired, frustrated and disheartened. We should be done with this pandemic!!! The pandemic will end, but in the meantime, we will continue to be vigilant and adaptable. The Marines have a term for this – Semper Gumby – Always flexible!

Guidance from official entities such as the CDC may appear confusing and difficult to follow. They are following the science, which also is constantly changing. With every adaptation, we are becoming smarter and more resilient. My best advice (which I try to follow myself) is to stay busy, try to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep and regular exercise. While this won’t curtail the pandemic, these habits help us all better cope with the stresses that come along with it.

Please continue to wear your masks when out and about, socially distance, wash your hands frequently and look out for one other. We are SALUS STRONG because of what you do every day to help keep us all healthy and safe! Thank you for that!

Mike

Additional Mitigation Strategies to Enhance Protection of Our Salus Community: Week of January 7th, 2022

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to welcome all of our students back as you prepare for next week’s activities on this snowy, frigid Friday! We look forward to seeing you in labs and clinics next week!

As COVID cases mount in the current surge, we will continue to update you on the steps we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our Salus community. Here is the latest: 

BOOSTER CLINICS: All students, faculty and staff are expected to have their booster by February 13, 2022, or as soon as eligible per CDC guidelines. Chelten Drug Store will host two booster clinics on campus for those who still require the booster:

• The Eye Institute on Friday, January 21: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Elkins Park Campus on Friday, January 28: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Registration information is forthcoming.

UPGRADED MASKS: In last week’s update, I announced our upgraded mask requirement to provide increased protection against rampant transmission of the Omicron variant. If you do not have an upgraded mask, you can request one at the security desk.

VENTILATION: Last week, we noted the addition of MERV13 filtration systems in classrooms at Elkins Park. These filtration systems have also been added to multiple work areas and public spaces at The Eye Institute. These units will run continuously.

DINING: Food is permitted in designated dining areas only. No food is permitted in classrooms, stairwells or hallways. People are permitted to have water in classes.

RETURN TO WORK PROTOCOL: To all of our Salus family members who are recuperating from COVID-19, please know we are thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery. Our Pandemic Safety Officer, Brian Zuckerman, is your single point of contact if you have questions regarding what to do if: you are exposed, develop symptoms, test positive or wonder when it is safe to return to campus and clinics. Please email him first at bzuckerman@salus.edu. He will then contact your program. 

In other news:

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: This week’s Staff Spotlight is on Natalie Standig, who works in the Department of International and Continuing Education (DICE) department. Find out what new hobby Natalie and her husband took up when the pandemic hit and how it has become rewarding and enjoyable for the couple. Read more here.

OTD PROGRAM BENEFITS: In our latest podcast, we talk with Tavii El, MSOT ’21, and Mary Zhu, MSOT ‘21, two students currently in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. They discuss their transition from the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program to the OTD program, and the benefits of completing it all back to back at Salus University. To listen, click here.

FITNESS CENTER HOURS: The Hafter Student Community Center (HSCC) fitness center hours have changed. The new hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

FOND FAREWELL: Landon Godsey III, program director at the Hafter Center, has departed from Salus effective January 3, 2022. Landon served as a mentor and friend for many of our students over the years. We send him our best wishes for his future endeavors. Click here to read more about Landon. 

One more word about COVID: Thanks to the work of many members of our University community, our pandemic safety track record over the past twenty-one months suggests we are well prepared to handle this latest surge. Still, the coming few weeks will test our collective resiliency and fortitude. Know that as conditions change, we will remain focused on the health and safety of our Salus community. Together we are SALUS STRONG!

Mike