Dear Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Greetings from sunny San Diego where I have been attending the annual meetings of the Armed Forces Optometric Society and American Academy of Optometry. It’s been great seeing colleagues and friends and watching our faculty shine in the lecture halls of the convention center. In addition to what’s been happening here, things on campus have been buzzing:
ARCHER TO HOST LOFK EVENT: We are thrilled that Johnny Archer, reporter and anchor for NBC10, will host for our annual “Looking Out for Kids” charity fundraiser November 12, 2022, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Archer attended Downingtown High School and Delaware County Community College. He received his bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media from Temple University. Read more here.
VISIONING THE FUTURE: Congratulations to PCO student Makayla Cain, PBHS ‘21, ‘26OD, who participated in our Post-Baccalaureate in Health Science and Summer Enrichment Programs (SEP)! She was recently accepted into the National Optometric Association’s (NOA) Visioning the Future program which advances the professional and career development of African American students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Click here to read more.
DIWALI CELEBRATION: Salus University marked the start of Diwali, known as the five-day Festival of Lights, which is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains globally, with an on-campus celebration Oct. 24, 2002. Students, faculty and staff gathered on the Elkins Park campus, to celebrate Diwali, which translated means "rows of lighted lamps." Salus MSCO student, Pragna Saripudi ‘23OD, shared her culture and experience by making a presentation on Diwali.
CPPD UPDATE: A few items from the Center for Personal and Professional Development to consider: CPPD's Jana Walker will offer a six-week trauma informed yoga class over Zoom beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. All levels are welcome. Contact CPPD for Zoom meeting and pass code; Dr. Cristina Laracuente's schedule will change effective Nov. 1, 2022. She will be available in person on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and virtually on Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m. Updated hours for the entire CPPD team can always be found here.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Whenever I visit San Diego, I am reminded of the time when I served as Director of the Navy Medical Service Corps (MSC), leading allied health sciences and hospital administration specialties. During that time, two of our MSC officers were killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan. One of those officers, Lieutenant Florence Choe, sought career advice from me during a brief meeting. I suggested it would be beneficial to her career to deploy, which she did. Lieutenant Choe and her fellow Navy officer were killed in a “blue on blue” attack when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them while they were jogging during that deployment. She was laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans Military Cemetery, overlooking the Pacific (see below). The loss remains fresh in my mind and is deeply poignant.
Standing graveside on Wednesday, I couldn’t help but think about the ultimate sacrifice that she and so many have made to preserve democracy here and abroad. The freedoms we take for granted have been paid for multiple times over with the lives of generations of Americans.
As we approach Election Day on November 8th, prepare to exercise a core tenet of our democracy: vote for candidates who closely align with your values and beliefs. To ignore this responsibility minimizes the sacrifices of Lieutenant Choe and all who gave their lives so we and others can be free.
As you prepare to vote, please think about the issues that directly impact our freedoms including: the freedom for all to vote, supports the elimination of racism, and respects everyone’s individual rights. All these issues impact our shared commitment to serve our patients and equal access to high quality healthcare and healthcare choices.
As you prepare for the weekend and Election Day the following week, please keep those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in your thoughts and prayers. Stay safe, get your Covid booster and flu vaccine, if you already haven’t and remain SALUS STRONG!
-Mike
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