Addressing Climate Change: Week of September 30, 2022

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus on a cloudy Fall morning! It’s been another busy week on campus where our students have been learning new clinical skills, going to lectures and caring for our patients in our clinics. In addition to our campus activities, here are some things that may also be of interest to you:

VISUALLY IMPAIRED SUBWAY TRAVEL: Our Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) Department engaged in a subway travel lesson this summer as a part of its Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Techniques course. Click here for details as student Suha Almusa O&M ‘22 explains more about navigating subway travel as an individual with visual impairment.

CLASS OF 2023 RESIDENT: Alisha Musau, OD, Resident ‘23 was a biology major at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Although she knew she wanted to be in healthcare, she wasn’t quite sure which path she wanted to pursue. A routine eye exam and conversation with her optometrist set her on a career path to optometry, and now she’s one of our newest residents. Read more about Dr. Musau here. 

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH SJU: We’re excited to announce our first articulation agreement with Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) making it easier for qualified SJU students to achieve a masters of science in our College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program. For details of the agreement, click here.

DEPRESSION SCREENINGS: National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 6. Our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is offering free, brief depression screenings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in its offices (W300 B,C,E) that day. Walk-ins are welcome.

GIVING WEEK: Join us for the Annual Salus Giving Week, October 2-8, 2022, by supporting funding for student scholarships, capital improvements, and community outreach. Your donation enables us to continue providing high-quality education to all of our students and underserved communities in the Philadelphia area. For more information, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we prepare to experience the remnants of Hurricane Ian this weekend, with forecasts of tropical rainstorms locally, please keep those in Florida, where the storm has already left a path of death and destruction in the southwestern part of the state in your thoughts and prayers. As Ian heads toward the Carolinas and into our region, it brings into clear focus the effects of climate change on our environment. We can expect stronger, more frequent storms like this one, and we need to be prepared. Climate change presents a clear and present challenge to those of us who are responsible for the maintenance of public health in our society. As healthcare providers, many of us will need to be prepared to diagnose and treat more water and vector-borne diseases such as West Nile fever and antibiotic resistant infections. Now is the time to ensure that the next generation of health care professionals are prepared to effectively care for patients and clients under their charge. The CDC provides guidance on both what we can do and what is needed. I encourage you to become knowledgeable and active in broader efforts to strengthen and invest in our public health infrastructure.

Please keep all affected by the hurricane in your thoughts and prayers over the weekend. Please be careful, especially if you are out and about tomorrow, as we are forecasted to get significant rainfall. This could be a great weekend to curl up with your study notes or a good book! No matter what you do, please keep in mind that what you do off campus affects all of us on campus, so continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and stay on the alert for symptoms of Monkeypox if you believe you’ve been exposed.

Stay safe, look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Keeping a Positive Attitude: Week of September 23, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful Fall morning from our Elkins Park campus. The storms have all moved on, leaving us some fantastic weather for the weekend! It’s been another busy week on campus with students and faculty very engaged in classes, labs and clinics. We also learned that Salus has been named a “2022 Great College to Work For,” which puts the University in elite company. The results, released in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 212 colleges and universities. In all, 68 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. To read more about our achievement, click here. 

 In addition to this great news and happenings on campus, here are a few items of interest:

RECOGNITION RECEPTION: Earlier this week, we were excited to honor our 2022 Alumni Association Award and Presidential Medal of Honor winners. This special event recognizes talented and dedicated people who are changing the world in their respective professions. To read more about the honorees and the festivities, click here.

NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Robert Owens, OD ‘80, FAAO, Diplomate American Board of Optometry, has been named the new Salus University Alumni Association president, effective this past July 2022. I've known Bob for a long time, since our days together at PCO, and we’re fortunate and thankful to have him leading our alumni initiatives. Click here to read more about Dr. Owens and his goals for the Association.

JEWISH NEW YEAR: Wishing our Jewish friends and colleagues a happy and healthy New Year. The Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah. begins Sunday evening.

D’ARRIGO GALLERY EXHIBIT: A new exhibit, titled “Shine On,” will be on display through Oct. 19, 2022, at the D’Arrigo Family Art Gallery outside the Bennet Lounge at the Hafter Student Community Center. The exhibit, by artists Anne Leith and Kathleen Spicer, is the third leg of a traveling exhibit making the stop at Salus in Montgomery County. Click here for more information.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The floods in Pakistan, fires out west, war in Ukraine, global warming, earthquakes in Taiwan and the Middle East and political upheaval everywhere, could be viewed as terribly depressing. Yet there are also many reasons to feel optimistic, as was the case on Monday evening, when we celebrated the accomplishments of many of our distinguished alumni. They each have positively touched the lives of thousands. Their many accomplishments are awe-inspiring.

The professions our students are embracing all have positive effects on people’s lives. With everything happening around the world, keep focused on your potential for positive impact: every encounter is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. If you are a faculty member, you're already impacting our students through your teaching and mentoring. If you’re a student, the care and presence you give to each of your patients and clients directly impacts the quality of their health outcomes.

While it can feel difficult to maintain a positive attitude, your optimism and energy are contagious. Both greatly benefit your mental health. Everyone here has good reason to remain optimistic and positive – because you are changing the world through the professions you’ve chosen to practice. Keep thought!

Have a great weekend – get out and enjoy the refreshing Fall weather! If you haven’t gotten your COVID booster yet, try to get that on your calendars within the next few weeks, certainly before traveling or going home for large family events.

Stay safe, continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Managing Stress: Week of September 16, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a bright, crisp morning in Elkins Park! I hope you all saw that beautiful, red sunrise! It’s been another busy week on campus with lectures, labs and clinics. This week I attend the bi-annual meeting of the Department of Veteran Affairs Special Medical Advisory Group, of which I am a member. I had the unique opportunity to brief members and the Undersecretary of VA Health on the critical ways that optometry serves our veterans and why it’s important for optometrists to practice at their highest levels of training. It was extremely well received.

Here are some items that I believe would be of interest to you:

QUARTERLY BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING: On Monday, 19 September, we will look forward to hosting our fabulous volunteer Board of Trustees on campus. If you have the opportunity to meet any of them, please take the time to thank them for their extraordinary service to Salus.

ANNUAL RECOGNITION RECEPTION: Our annual Recognition Reception highlighting both Alumni Association Awards and Presidential Medal of Honor recipients will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 19, at Morris Arboretum. To register for the event, click here.

LOFK CHARITY FUNDRAISER: Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 12, 2022, for the 15th annual “Looking Out for Kids” (LOFK) charity fundraiser at the National Constitution Center. This year’s Lighthouse Award recipient is Kovin Naidoo, Global Head of Advocacy and Partnerships for OneSight EssilorLuxxotica Foundation, and former CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute. For information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, click here.

NEW RESIDENT: Andrew Kageyama OD, ‘23 Resident, is following in his parents’ footsteps. Although Dr. Kageyama was practically born into the profession, it wasn’t until the start of his undergraduate career that he confirmed the career path he wanted to pursue. And now he’s one of our 2022-2023 residents. Read more about Dr. Kageyama here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As everyone gets into their normal “battle rhythm” for the Fall semester I want to remind you to take care of yourselves physically and mentally. With the nicer weather, it’s going to be much easier for all of us to get outside and enjoy all the great parks and trails that we’re lucky to have nearby. These are great opportunities to relieve stress and get exercise. Here are some additional suggestions to help you manage stress as you get into this semester’s work:

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, it may seem like “mission impossible,” but the better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be at handling things that come your way including stress. Prioritize sleep over other things, and you’ll be more productive, resilient and attentive.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air – There are so many places around us that you can safely walk in nature that will calm your mind and recharge your energy while exercising.

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.

I understand what you’re going through, as I feel many of the same stressors. In addition to the steps mentioned, I find it helpful to remain focused, stay healthy and keep an optimistic outlook on things. I strongly encourage you to contact the skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are there for you. All you need to do is make an appointment here.

As you prepare for the weekend, try to get out and enjoy the great weather. Before we know it, we’ll be shoveling snow! It’s also time to think about scheduling your COVID-19 booster as well remaining vigilant in your prevention activities such as following CDC masking guidelines.

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

-Mike

Remembering Queen Elizabeth: Week of September 9, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful Friday morning from our Elkins Park campus. While it was a short week due to the Labor Day weekend, it’s been a busy one! Both in-person and hybrid classes have been ongoing as have been our labs and clinics. Additionally, teams have been meeting to finalize our plans for the renovation of the 1st floor of the South building which will be an exciting improvement to our campus. 

Here are some other items that may be of interest to you:

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL WINNER: The Salus University Presidential Award is an accomplishment that Neil Draisin, OD ‘71, FCOVD, is excited and honored to add to his long list of achievements throughout his career in optometry. Read more about Dr. Draisin here. 

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT DAY: Faculty members met recently in the Hafter Student Community Center for an in-person reception recognizing new members of the University faculty, those who were promoted and those who officially received tenure while mingling and enjoying much needed refreshments. Read more here about our University Faculty Development Day.

WORKING ON A DREAM: How many faculty members across the country can boast that they have opened for Bruce Springsteen? Well, the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department at Salus University can. Nora Whittaker Jones, MA, CCC-SLP, an SLP adjunct professor since 2017, was a professional singer before transitioning into academia. Read more about her here.

NEW RESIDENT: While attending Ursinus College as a biology major, Samuel Kim, OD ‘22, Resident ‘23, interned with a small optometric practice. He enjoyed working there and it sparked his interest in the profession. Read more here about Dr. Kim, one of our 2022-2023 residents.

APPROVED COVID BOOSTER AND MONKEYPOX AWARENESS: As I mentioned last week, the FDA and CDC have approved the lasted COVID booster, specifically targeting the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants in addition to the original COVID strains. I want to strongly encourage all of us to receive this vaccine to get it as soon as you are eligible (at least 2 months after your last booster or 90 days after testing positive for COVID). The CDC defines being “fully vaccinated” as having the initial 2 doses of the COVID vaccine and “up-to-date” as having the most recent booster shot. As healthcare providers who interact with the general public, we have a professional responsibility to remain up-to-date on these vaccines both to protect our patients and clients but also to protect ourselves and our families. I am relying on your commitment to maintaining a high standard of professionalism to keep up to date. Additionally, Monkey Pox still presents a threat to many in our general population. Please continue to be vigilant when seeing patients and clients as well as in your personal interactions and follow CDC guidelines if you suspect you’ve been exposed or you have a patient or client who might have the virus.

FINAL THOUGHTS: History gained another marker yesterday with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And while the United States has not been under British rule since 1783, many Americans still claim the Royal Family as our own, with Queen Elizabeth as their symbolic matriarch. In reality, she was the monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 commonwealth realms. Her Majesty took the throne in 1952, at the young age of 26 years old, during a period in global history when much of the world had difficulty seeing a woman at the pinnacle of leadership. While the world may have been confounded by her gender, she quickly earned the respect of many through her embodiment of grace, courage, integrity, steadfastness and decency. Queen Elizabeth displayed immense courage throughout significant political and personal changes in the monarchy and the family.

Integrity was her posture during the personal scandals of the Royal Family over the last few decades. And Her Majesty was the epitome of steadfastness, often lauded as an unwillingness to change, as she held closely for much of her reign, many longstanding traditions of the monarchy. The world has lost a leader who epitomized decency and respect. As you begin this beautiful weekend, please take some time to reflect on Queen Elizabeth’s legacy and how we can emulate some of her leadership qualities in our professional lives. Be safe, look out for one another, continue to follow CDC masking guidelines when out and about and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Celebrating Labor Day & The Importance of Casting Your Vote: Week of September 2, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful September morning from our Elkins Park campus where the Fall semester is well underway. Some of you have already had your first set of exams, which I’m sure were very successful!

As we end this week, here are some happenings around campus:

SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please visit CPPD's Dr. Cristina Laracuente, along with new student trainees Andrew Jaskot and Janeyshka Ortiz, outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. They will have awareness ribbons, snacks, and educational material for you.

O&P LAUNCH: Salus University’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program has officially launched! Read more here about our wonderful ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting our new labs.

TAIWAN STUDENTS VISIT: We were delighted to welcome students from Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) in Taichung, Taiwan, who spent most of July on our Elkins Park campus learning about our health science programs. Read more about their visit here.

ABOUT OUR AMBASSADORS: Our Salus University Ambassador Program is a select group of students across all programs who represent our University. In this podcast, we talk with Emaree Stone ‘25OD and Madison Gates ‘23SLP, who share their rewarding experience of being Salus Ambassadors.

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL WINNERS: Melissa Padilla, MPH ‘13, (June 29, 1966 – May 29, 2022) who recently passed away, made a distinctive contribution to the growth of Salus University in so many ways. Her dedication and loyalty permeated everything she did – she was born to be a leader, a passionate learner, and an exquisite communicator. Read more about Padilla’s contributions to Salus and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) here.

After his graduation from PCO, Robert Bittel, OD ‘83 spent his entire career working in support of Pennsylvania optometrists. As chairman of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association’s Legislative Action Committee, Dr. Bittel played a key role in expanding scope of practice for Pennsylvania optometrists. Learn more about Bittel’s distinguished career here, as he is awarded a 2022 Presidential Medal of Honor. 

COVID BOOSTER SHOTS: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just approved the latest round of Covid-19 boosters that specifically target the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants of the virus, in addition to the original strains. The Pfizer booster will be available for everyone 12 and over, and the Moderna booster will be available for all aged 18 and over. The FDA recommends that people who recently received their initial vaccine or a booster should wait at least two months before getting the updated booster, as getting the new booster too soon could limit its effectiveness. I strongly encourage everyone to get the booster when you are eligible (at least 2 months after you received your last shot).

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we begin Labor Day weekend, I always like to remind people why we mark this holiday celebrating the greatest workers in the world – American workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. This is why we have this coming Monday off. I hope everyone enjoys their 3-day weekend and especially, Labor Day.

One more reminder: As election day approaches, it’s important that we all do our civic duty and vote. Preserving our democracy depends on this. If you are not registered to vote, please take the time do that in the coming weeks. Since all our professions are statutorily regulated, it’s important that we have a voice in selecting those who represent us. I will remind you again about this in the coming weeks, but please take this seriously. Thomas Jefferson said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” Thus the importance of taking the time to register and vote.

Have a great weekend. The weather is supposed to be fantastic, so get out and enjoy it! Please remember to socially distance, continue to follow CDC face mask guidelines, wash your hands frequently and remember that what you do off campus directly affects all of us on campus. Be safe, be responsible, remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike