The Importance of Advocacy: Week of April 29th, 2022

Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends, Good morning on a brisk Friday in Elkins Park. It has been another busy week on and off campus with finals, practical exams and political advocacy all happening at the same time. We continue to collect necessary items for all who have been displaced by the war as we keep Ukrainian people here and abroad in our thoughts and intentions.

Here are some items of interest:

UNIQUE INITIATIVE: Salus University and The Eye Institute (TEI) have entered into a new partnership with the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Cambridge Springs in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, to custom-make eyeglasses for children served by the University’s Looking Out for Kids School Vision Program. Read more about this new initiative here.

FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS: The three-part series “First-Generation Students: Experiences and Advice” highlights the graduate school journeys of first-generation students at Salus University, and provides their advice for other first-generation students looking to continue their studies at the graduate level. Check out Part One here.

WALKMS PHILADELPHIA: When the opportunity to raise money for the national MS Association of America emerged, students in the Salus chapter of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) swung into action. The group organized the University’s participation in WalkMS Philadelphia. For details and to register, click here.

DEAN’S SPRINGFEST: Dean’s Winterfest, which has been on pandemic hiatus, was changed to the Dean’s Springfest for 2022. It accomplished the same goal as always — bringing the Salus community together to enjoy each other’s company. Read more about the event here.

AOA SUMMIT: Earlier this week, I participated in the American Optometric Association’s annual Federal Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. The summit engages optometric leaders and students in legislative advocacy on key issues facing the profession. Groups are assigned to lobby on behalf of the profession legislators representing the districts in which we reside.

This year, we concentrated on four key areas:

1. Putting patients and doctors back in control of their healthcare decisions by passing the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act which combats abusive practices in the federally regulated vision and dental plan coverage markets.
2. Asking Congress to take action to stop Medicare pay cuts to optometrist and other professions.
3. Ensuring that the over 1000 optometrists working at the Department of Veterans Affairs are permitted to practice at their highest level of training and licensure to assure veterans have access to full-scope eyecare wherever they are seen.
4. Reining in abusive contact lens seller practices by regulating contact lens verification robocalls from companies that too often lead to patients receiving a different device than originally prescribed. 

 My group visited the offices of Senators Toomey and Casey, Congresswomen Dean and Congressman Evans. Our representatives were extremely supportive and sensitive to the issues we raised. Two students in my group added valuable perspectives and context to our discussions.

FINAL THOUGHTS: All of our professions are regulated through legislation, most often at the state level. The legislative process governs the scope, safety and remuneration of our professions. Engaging actively in this process is a critical part of our responsibility and commitment as professionals.

I remember juggling my schedule when I was a student to do just that. At the time, we were fighting for the right to use therapeutic drugs -- something we all take for granted today. The four issues we addressed this week are similar to those we confronted over forty years ago - all asking legislators to assure optometrists can provide the best care possible for their patients. While the names of the bills may change, attempts to erode and restrict what we’ve been taught to do for our patients are, unfortunately, perennial.

For all who wonder, “Is this worth my time? Can one person make a difference?” The answer is emphatically, “YES!” Visits, letters and calls to our representatives help them prioritize and lead on the issues for which they find strong constituent support. Our profession is so much stronger today because of the advocacy efforts that we’ve been part of at Salus.

I encourage all, especially our students, to exercise our voices -- and to make a difference, through efforts like these. It’s an important part of leading our professions, and it’s an essential contribution to a thriving democracy.

As we prepare for the weekend, please remember to “mask up” when around others, wash hands frequently and socially distance when possible. Look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Celebrating Earth Day: Week of April 22nd, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful spring day from our Elkins Park campus where students are beginning final exams, clinics are busy, and we are back to wearing face masks full-time — at least for another week, depending upon current conditions.

Some items of interest:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDEES: Congratulations to our 2022 Alumni Association Award winners! Our alumni association annually recognizes the professional contributions and achievements of graduates and friends of Salus University. Awardees are nominated by University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. Read about this year’s winners here.

CPPD HERE TO HELP: Dr. Cristina Laracuente from the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) will be available outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, to chat and provide psychoeducational information about stress. CPPD's Jana Walker continues to offer trauma-informed yoga classes via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Beginners are welcome. Contact CPPD for more information.

ICE TIME: Dr. David Meltzer, assistant professor and clinical instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors, a hockey organization for injured and disabled U.S. military veterans. Read more about Dr. Meltzer’s hockey experience here.

‘NATURAL IMPRINT’ EXHIBIT: The latest art exhibit, featuring the work of the two artists, is titled “Natural Imprint,” and is now on display at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Student Community Center on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus through June 3, 2022. Read more about it here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is Earth Day. Since 1972, April 22nd has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe promoting awareness of the devastating effects of air and water pollution, climate change and population growth. Now, 50 years later, we’re confronted with some of the same challenges, with climate change leading the list of global issues that we must actively address now. When Earth Day was first conceived, we weren’t living with melting polar caps or rising sea levels. These were projections that “could occur” if we didn’t act. While we’ve made progress in reducing air and water pollution, we certainly have not done enough to slow the earth’s rising temperatures and related impacts.

As we prepare for the weekend, take time to think about what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, save energy and contribute to the fight against climate change: walk to the store in place of driving; ride a bike instead of driving to do that errand; turn down the air conditioner or heat a couple of degrees to keep it from running so often; participate in a community cleanup; consider composting food scraps; get a reusable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water.

The small things we do to reduce, reuse and recycle make a difference in the health of our planet when we do these things collectively. As healthcare providers, part of our responsibility to all in our care is to educate and lead by example. The health of our planet directly affects the health of our patients and clients. Let’s set a good example to encourage others to do the same.

Have a great weekend. Please continue to wear your face mask when out around others, socially distance and wash your hands frequently. Be safe, look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays: Week of April 14th, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful Thursday! This week’s update is both a day early and abridged due to the upcoming holiday weekend.

Here are some items of interest:

COVID MONITORING: We have been closely monitoring the increase in cases nationally secondary to the the BA.2 variant of Omicron. Even though our positivity rates remain extremely low at the University, later today, out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Eckert will be sending out a message concerning a temporary modification to our masking policy beginning Tuesday, April 19. Please be on the lookout for that. 

INAUGURAL DEI EDUCATES! EVENT: In an effort to provide faculty and staff with a better understanding and to offer advice on how to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ+ community, our Diversion, Equity and Inclusion committee along with the Human Resources Department, recently hosted the inaugural DEI Educates! virtual event featuring Stan Kimer, president of Total Engagement Consulting, which specializes in diversity management and organizational effectiveness. Read more about the training session here. 

COMMENCEMENT KEYNOTE: Michelle J. Howard, Admiral, U.S. Navy, Retired, will be the keynote speaker for Salus University’s 124th commencement at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. I’ve known Michelle for years as we were both in the same Flag Officer indoctrination class. Read more about Admiral Howard here.

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology program Class of 2022 students were able to demonstrate how well they worked together in small groups and communicated with each other during the annual Capstone presentations. Click here for details.

DEEP DIVE INTO POST-BACC: In this podcast, we talk with Candida Mulligan, an admissions officer in Salus University's Office of Admissions. She talks to us about the Post-baccalaureate program and how it is unique to Salus. Click here for more information.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we continue Ramadan and approach Passover and Easter, I find myself reflecting on our important mission at Salus: We advance integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

Together, we do so much good for our students and the communities we serve. With everything happening in the world -- in Ukraine and in our own neighborhoods, Iet’s revisit the core values that have led most of us to the healing professions: gratitude, compassion, justice, honesty, humility, integrity, dignity and respect for human life, to name a few. No matter what holidays we celebrate, whether it be the continuation of Ramadan, Passover or Easter these practices are worthy of regular reflection and recommitment. Not only do they strengthen our service as educators and clinicians, they add meaning and purpose to our relationships. They enrich our shared humanity.

I hope you find some time for rest and relaxation over the holiday weekend.. Continue to be safe, continue to take all the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and look out for one another. Together we are SALUS STRONG.

Mike

Time to Recognize Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency: Week of April 8th, 2022

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

Good morning from Elkins Park where the rain has finally let up and where we hope to see some sunshine! It’s been another busy week on campus with our students and faculty in classes, clinics, and labs. Our Covid numbers have remained low, which is consistent with what we’re seeing throughout the county. As the BA.2 variant continues to be the dominant strain, we are still strongly encouraging everyone to wear a face mask when out in public spaces where it’s difficult to socially distance.

A WIN FOR DIVERSITY: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court, was confirmed by a 53-47 vote in the Senate. The confirmation of Judge Brown Jackson, as the first Black woman Justice, is a win for diversity and inclusion, with another step toward representation for ALL being our norm.

Exciting news around campus:

MATCH DAY BUZZ: There’s always some buzz and anxiety surrounding Match Day when all residency programs and candidates who applied receive their results on where they ultimately matched after a season of residency interviews. Meet this year’s PCO/Salus residents, who start their residencies July 1, 2022, here.

BEST PRACTICES SCHOLARSHIP: Benjamin Gustin ‘23OD — a Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University Doctor of Optometry (OD) student enrolled in the Accelerated Scholars Program – is the recipient of CooperVision’s 2022 Best Practices Student Scholarship, offered to outstanding third-year optometry students. Read more here.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC, an assistant professor in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department at Salus University, was part of a team that presented one of the top three posters to win the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) People’s Choice Award at the group’s virtual conference in mid-March. To read more, click here.

BAY SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Congratulations to Nia Phillips ‘23OD, who is the 2022 Rick Bay Foundation Scholarship award winner. Find out Nia’s reaction to the award by clicking here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last Wednesday I attended the monthly meeting of the Sunday Breakfast Club (which actually meets on Wednesday evenings — don’t ask). The organization is comprised of a diverse group of leaders from the Greater Philadelphia Region’s business, non-profit and government sectors, who engage in shared learning and conversation about the issues of our time.

The topic for the evening was healthcare, with an emphasis on the pandemic and health issues facing the region. Participants included Patricia Wellenbach, chair of the Thomas Jefferson University board of trustees, which oversees Jefferson Health; Dr. David Rubin, director of CHOP's Policy Lab; and Betty Long, president and CEO of Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates. They opened with observations of how people and organizations continue to cope with the pandemic, and quickly zeroed in on what they perceive is the top healthcare issue facing Philadelphia. Every panelist agreed: the gun violence epidemic is the number one public health issue in Philadelphia. They urged all to take this as a call to action. As healthcare providers, we cannot ignore this.

Last year in Philadelphia, there were more than 550 gun-related homicides. Nationwide, there were 107 mass shootings (defined as 4 or more victims), 122 people killed and 325 injured, for a total of 447 total victims, including the shooters in some instances. According to the New York Times, guns account for over 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S. This includes homicides, suicides and accidents. While mass shootings and other gun-related homicides tend to get all the press attention, over 50% of gun deaths are suicides.

Deaths attributed to guns represent a public health emergency. Not surprisingly, the number of civilian owned guns directly relates to the number of gun deaths. What stands out is just how many more guns are owned in the U.S. compared to other developed countries.

We need a multi-faceted approach that includes: funding for mental health initiatives; enhanced suicide prevention initiatives; community-based violence prevention measures; enacting effective gun control laws, such as universal background checks; barring people with a history of mental illness and domestic violence from purchasing guns; and banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. I raise this not to make a political statement, but as a measured response commensurate to this dire public health emergency. As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to do what we can to turn this around.

As you begin your weekend, I ask that you give some thought to how we might play a positive role in addressing this urgent public health issue. Please stay safe, continue to wear your facemask when around others, socially distance and wash your hands frequently.

You are SALUS STRONG because of your commitment to helping others improve their lives. Take care of one another, stay safe and take time to rest.

Mike

Addressing Resiliency: Week of April 1st, 2022

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

Good morning! It’s been another busy week on campus with everyone working hard to reach the semester’s finish line. I want to take a moment to thank our security staff, especially Ryan, Sherman, and Carlos, for their skillful handling of a campus incident this week. It’s very comforting to know we have a team of experts on board keeping us all safe!

Other items of interest include:

WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT: After 45 years of service to children and adults with hearing loss, Robert DiSogra, AuD ’02, is retiring. Dr. DiSogra is the first Osborne College of Audiology advisory board chairman who planned and taught the pharmacology/ototoxicity course for the first five years after the AuD program was initially inaugurated in 2000. Read more about Dr. DiSogra’s career here.

CPPD EVENTS: Two events from our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) worth considering: (1) If you've ever questioned your alcohol consumption, please join CPPD's Dr. April-Davis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in Room W300-C to complete a brief alcohol use screening and plan next steps. (2) CPPD’s Jana Walker, a licensed social worker and yoga instructor, is using these combined skills to offer students a six-week Trauma Informed Restorative Yoga series on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning April 5 and ending May 10 via Zoom. Beginners are welcomed. Zoom link here.

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD: Congratulations to Salus University's Communications Department, which was awarded the bronze award in the Interactive Media category at this year's annual CUPPIE Awards hosted by the College & University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP). The awarded media showcased our students and their hard work in becoming the next generation of healthcare professionals. Watch the video here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week I attended the American College of Healthcare Executives annual educational Congress. During yesterday’s Navy Lewis E. Angelo Professional Symposium focusing on Resiliency in Leadership, I was struck by how each speaker defined and addressed resiliency, and how they distinguished resiliency from toughness. Resiliency is a form of healing. It is the ability to recover from difficulties and move on. Resiliency means having the capability to adapt as necessary, both mentally and physically. Resilience allows us to integrate stress or emotional upheaval and emerge stronger and wiser. Toughness, on the other hand, is the ability to push through difficult situations such as failures or stressful situations in the moment.

As a faculty, student body and staff, everyone has exhibited toughness through the pandemic. But we have also exercised resilience as we have integrated new strategies to move our institution forward. For every choice you have made in our pandemic journey to exercise grit, resilience and to do so with kindness, I am inspired and eternally grateful.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the discussion on building resilience is that we cannot do this alone. Resilience requires a good support system — it can be a close friend, family member, colleague, or a group of friends. In the case of our students, you can lean on your family and friends, but also our caring and talented CPPD counselors. Our faculty and staff can always reach out to counselors via their health plans. We are all in this together, and we are collectively more resilient when we give and receive support. I personally cope through exercise and relying on family and friends. There’s no wrong way to do this, except trying to do it alone.

As we approach the weekend, we continue to keep Ukrainians, here and abroad, in our thoughts and prayers. We are still collecting essential goods in front of our cafeteria for all who have been displaced by the war.

Be safe, continue to take appropriate precautions — wear your face mask when around large groups, wash your hands frequently and socially distance when you can. Look out for one another, continue to build your resiliency and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike