Remembering Those We've Lost: Week of March 25th, 2022

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

Good morning on a chilly Spring morning for Elkins Park. It’s been another busy week at Salus as our students prepare for boards and exams in addition to their busy didactic and clinical schedules. We continue collect clothing, medical supplies and non-perishable foods in the lobby outside our cafeteria in support of families displaced by the war in Ukraine. We also keep all Ukrainians in our thoughts as they courageously defend the sovereignty and freedom of their country.

Other items of interest include:

UKRAINE ADOPTION ODYSSEY: It’s been a long, challenging and sometimes dangerous journey for Maryana Kravchenko, OD ‘12, and her husband Dmitriy, to adopt a Ukrainian teenager. And, it’s not over yet. Read more here about Dr. Kravchenko’s firsthand experience with the war currently raging in Ukraine.

TEI EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Congratulations to our Patient Care Services Team Employee of the Year 2021, Teryl Simmons! This award recognizes exemplary performance by the Patient Care Services Team (Patient Service Representatives and Medical Records Clerks) who have been identified by their supervisors, peers and providers as having consistently excelled in their positions and demonstrated integrity and a strong commitment to The Eye Institute’s mission.

DEI SPEAKS! EVENT: Nydia Han, an investigative reporter and a Sunday morning co-anchor with 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia, was the featured speaker at our recent DEI Speaks! event. She shared excerpts from her work #ThisIsAmerica (issues of race, discrimination, and bias) documentary. Read more about the presentation here. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Our next Where Are They Now features Allison Bicskei, MSOT ‘16, OTR/L, LSVT. Allison’s father is an occupational therapist, so she’s had a front-row seat for seeing how great of an impact OTs can have on someone’s life. Read more about Allison here. 

REMEMBERING DR. RAGONE: Lawrence A. Ragone, OD ‘53, FAAO, who joined the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) faculty in 1965 and at the time of his retirement in 1993 held the rank of associate professor, passed away March 7, 2022, at the age of 94. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week began with the tragic loss of two, brave Pennsylvania State Policemen and the person they were aiding, and ended with the passing of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Secretary Albright was a beacon of democracy and honesty during her tenure as Secretary of State. As the first female to serve in that position, she set the bar extremely high for anyone, man or woman, who would follow. This week we have also seen the utter destruction of the city of Mariupol in Ukraine contrasted by the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people still living there. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all who have been affected by these tragedies.

There are people here at home who are trying to raise awareness and assist those currently in harm’s way. Our colleagues at Manor College have been leading the charge in collecting food, clothing and medical supplies for Ukrainian refugees. What most people don’t know is that Manor has a well-established museum of Ukrainian Heritage which I had the opportunity to visit yesterday with Manor College President Jon Peri. Visiting helped me fully appreciate the culture, creativity and spirit of the Ukrainian people and their determined resistance to Russian dominance.

Our world is experiencing traumatic, era-defining changes. Not since the beginning of World War II have we seen this level of atrocity in Europe, nor have we seen environmental challenges wrought by climate change in our lifetimes. While it’s easy to get pretty depressed over all of this, I do believe it’s also important to highlight the things we have that are good. We are so very lucky to live in a country where we are free to express our opinions, go about freely and get the type of education you all are engaged in now. I am optimistic, even with the current state of affairs, that good will prevail in Ukraine, and we will find strength in solidarity. Take pride in the professions you’ve chosen to help others and make their lives better because, in the end, what matters most is what each of us individually can do to make another’s life better. We cannot control world events, but we certainly can control our own actions to care for others.

As we approach the weekend, please keep the families of our Pennsylvania State police tragically killed as well as Madeline Albright’s family and all those suffering in Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers.

Take care of one another, wear your face mask when around large crowds, wash your hands frequently and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Addressing Stress: Week of March 18th, 2022

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

Good morning on this pleasant, spring-like Friday! I hope you are adjusting to the time change and enjoying the extra hour of daylight with daylight savings time. While daylight burns, our students, faculty and staff remain as busy as ever between classes, labs and clinical schedules. We also keep all Ukrainians in our thoughts as they courageously battle Russia’s inhumane onslaught on their cities. We continue to collect canned goods, clothing and medical supplies in support of refugees. Look for the boxes in the lobby adjacent to the Elkins Park campus cafeteria.

Other items of interest include: 

HELP FOR UKRAINE: Salus students Alexandra Domaradsky ‘22PA and Jamie Dorotov ‘23SLP, both first generation Ukrainian Americans, are collecting donations for the people of Ukraine. Find out more about their efforts and how you can help by clicking here.

NEW BOT MEMBER: Danita Nias, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties in Florida, has joined the Salus University Board of Trustees effective January 2022. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in International Relations from Syracuse University. She is currently working on her PhD dissertation titled “The Role of University Presidents in University Fundraising Performance.” Read more about her here.

NEW EXTERNSHIP DIRECTOR: Congratulations to Rachel Brackley, OD ‘09, Resident ‘10, FAAO, who has been named the new director of the University’s Externship program. She replaces Satya Verma, OD ‘75, FAAO, DPNAP, Diplomate, who retired at the end of 2021 after 50 years at PCO/Salus. You can read more about Dr. Brackley here.

ON-CAMPUS CADAVER LAB: Check out this conversation with Michael Speirs, associate professor in our Physician Assistant Studies (PA) Program, about the on-campus cadaver lab and how it benefits our Salus students. Click here for more. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: The war in Ukraine, climate change, global pandemic, and midterm election politics, all contribute significantly to the stress already felt with packed academic and clinical schedules. I don’t know anyone who has not been touched by the events in Europe, the pandemic or climate change. While none of us is immune from this, there are things we can all do to mitigate some of the feelings we might be having. I’ve reminded you of these before, and I don’t think I can do it enough, given all that’s happening around us.

Here are some suggestions that may help with stress:

• Stay focused on your studies - Keep up with your learning and try not to fall behind. Not only is focusing on school a great break from focusing on what’s going on in the world, it’s also a way to progress in your life while everything else seems like it’s on pause.
• Develop a routine you can stick to - Sounds basic, but it will make a world of difference. Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), exercise, have breakfast, etc.
• Get enough sleep – This also sounds pretty basic and to some, maybe it seems like “mission impossible” but the better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be at handling things including stress. Prioritize sleep and you’ll be more productive, resilient and attentive.
• Get outside and enjoy the fresh air – As the weather gets warmer, there are so many outdoor parks and places around us to explore and walk. Being in nature helps calm the mind, exercise our bodies and replenish our spirits.
• Make sure you have what you need for the next day - Check the schedule, lay out your clothes, make your lunch, etc.
• Use social media purposefully – Limit your screen time and refrain from posting for “likes” or for the sake of making the “best content”. Use social media to connect with some new classmates or the people you miss seeing every day.

We have skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are there for you. strongly encourage you to contact them, if you feel like you need to. All you need to do is make an appointment here. For faculty and staff, please contact your health insurance carrier who can assist you. Finally, it looks like we’re in for a pretty nice weekend, so get out and enjoy the fine weather. As COVID numbers remain low (zero cases reported on campus and through random screenings this week), please remember to wear your mask when appropriate, wash your hands frequently and socially distance when you can. We are closely watching the new “Deltacron” variant in Europe and here at home to ensure we’re ready if numbers increase.

Be safe, continue to act responsibility and thank you for remaining SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Keeping Ukrainians in Our Thoughts: Week of March 11th, 2022

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

Good morning from New Orleans where I have been attending both the Armed Forces Optometric Society and Southern Educational Council of Optometry’s annual meeting. It’s been a busy week of fantastic continuing education and meeting other optometric colleagues. For those PCO faculty, students and alumni who might also be here, PCO will be hosting a reception later today from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The Bower, 1320 Magazine St, New Orleans.

Here are some other topics that you might find interesting: 

SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK: The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD)is highlighting the importance of sleep during Sleep Awareness Week March 13-19. Catch up with Dr. Cristina Laracuente-Trzaska, PsyD, CPPD’s newest counselor, outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. Grab a sleep mask and enter CPPD's gift basket raffle. You can pick up some additional tips on healthy sleep habits by following the Instagram (@cppd_salus) and Facebook accounts here. Feel free to reach out to our CPPD counselors, who have expanded their hours and services, for an individual counseling appointment. You can meet the counselors and see their open hours here. 

OTs AND REFUGEES: To help ensure refugee children have a healthy start to their lives in the United States, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently shared information with the University’s Occupational Therapy (OT) students on how to assist with their efforts. Read more about that here. 

ACCELERATED SCHOLARS, PART SIX: Are you interested in fulfilling a residency after completing optometry school? In the sixth part of this series focused on the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University's Accelerated Scholars Doctor of Optometry Program, three on-campus residents – Kiera Jeschke, OD ‘21, Chandni Patel, OD '21, and Natalee Rackus, OD '21, discuss how and why they chose PCO/Salus for their specific interests. Learn more here. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: This week’s Where Are They Now features Kaylin Magosin, MSOT ’20, who was in the final two weeks of her first clinical rotation when the pandemic hit. Find out how Kaylin handled that challenge and what she’s been doing since graduation. Read more here.

MASKING ON CAMPUS: A reminder that while we are “mask optional” in non-instructional spaces on the Elkins Park campus, please remember that in all instructional spaces (classrooms and labs) and clinics face masks are required. Please be respectful of those who are not yet comfortable or are unable to take their masks off due to health-related reasons.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As you prepare for this weekend, I ask that you continue to keep the Ukrainian people, both here and in Europe, in your thoughts and prayers as the Russian invasion continues to take innocent lives and displace millions of people. We are still collecting non-perishable food, first aid supplies, OTC medicines, and various hygiene products to help the people of Ukraine. A box has been placed in the cafeteria lobby on the Elkins Park campus for those who would like to contribute.

Please try to get outside, even in the cold blustery weather predicted for the weekend, just to unwind and destress. As you do go about your travels, please remember that while COVID numbers are extremely low, you still need to take the appropriate precautions such as masking when around large groups, social distancing and washing your hands frequently to help prevent any spread of the virus.

Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Keeping Ukrainians in Our Thoughts and Prayers: Week of March 4th, 2022

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

Good morning on this brisk Friday. It’s been an eventful week, both on and off campus. Let me begin our weekly update with campus happenings: 

ACCELERATED OD PROGRAM EXTERNSHIPS: Our next series features Rachel Brackley, OD ‘09, Resident ‘10, PCO assistant professor, and Bhawan Minhas, OD, FAAO, Resident ‘14, sharing more about externship options and the selection process for our OD Accelerated Scholars program. Students Michael Furey ‘22OD and Anna Hess ‘22OD provide student perspectives in selecting externships. Click here for more. 

LATINO HEALTH DISPARITIES: David X. Marquez, PhD, an expert in health disparities within the Latino community, spoke to our Salus community during a recent DEI Speaks! event about the genesis of his research: his personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease. Read more here and view on our YouTube channel here.

NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH: Our next Where Are They Now? features Michael Baertschi, PhD ‘15, a Swiss optometrist who graduated from our Biomedicine program. His thesis, “Factors influencing retinal venous pressure,” led him on an amazing scientific and adventurous journey that culminated on the summit of Mount Everest. Read more about Dr. Baertschi’s experience here.

NEW SLI EDUCATORS: The Speech-Language Institute (SLI) at Salus University welcomes Emily Jett, MA, CCC-SLP, Caitlin Raymond, MS, CCC-SLP and Kelly Snyder, MA, CCC-SLP, as clinical educators. They will oversee Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students as they work with clients at SLI. Read more about them here.

AID FOR UKRAINE: We are collecting non-perishable food, first aid supplies, OTC medicines, and various hygiene products to help the people of Ukraine. A box has been placed in the main lobby on the Elkins Park campus for an indefinite amount of time. The donated goods will be given to a collection site in Philadelphia, which will send the donations to Ukraine. For additional information, contact PA 2022 Class Council (ccpa2022@salus.edu) or PA student Alexandra Domaradsky (axd0008@salus.edu). Additionally, Manor College has established a website that provides information on additional ways we can support the Ukrainian community.

DEI SPEAKS!: Nydia Han, an investigative reporter and a Sunday morning co-anchor with 6ABC, helped us continue our DEI Speaks! series this week with another virtual event based on her work on #ThisIsAmerica (issues of race, discrimination, and bias). The documentary is a digital series about race and who we are as Americans. This was created after Han’s Facebook video response to a driver who yelled, “This is America,” went viral. I urge everyone to watch the event recording, listen and learn. Han’s perspective and the lived experiences highlighted in her work offer insight about the scars of racism, and the needed change to work toward an anti-racist society.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I can’t help thinking about the barbaric and calculated destruction of Ukrainian cities that has resulted in thousands of innocent deaths. In just the past week, over a million citizens have fled the country seeking refuge to a destiny still very much unknown. Violence of this magnitude, with an authoritarian despot willfully invading a democratic republic, has not been seen since World War II. Our entire Salus community is very much engaged in what’s happening in Ukraine.

With all of this happening, please know there are resources available if you want to talk through some of the things that may be on your mind. Students can access CPPD counselors here and faculty and staff can access counseling services through their health plans.

If there is a silver lining, democracies around the world have united against this cruel onslaught, and Americans have come together in support of Ukraine. At Salus, we too, are doing our part to support families in need. Special thanks to several of our Class Councils for organizing our relief efforts. We applaud and support your leadership and initiative.

As you prepare for the weekend, I ask that you keep the Ukrainian people, both here and in Ukraine, in our thoughts and prayers as they persevere through these awful events. Even as masking rules have been relaxed both on campus and in our region, please keep in mind our fellow citizens who may be immunocompromised. Continue to mask up in places such as grocery stores and areas where there are high concentrations of people – for their protection and yours.

Stay warm, stay smart, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike