Helping to Ensure History Does Not Repeat Itself: Week of July 28, 2023

 

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

Good morning from Washington, DC where I have the honor of participating in the retirement ceremony of one of my Navy colleagues, Captain Marrie Read. It’s always fun to put my uniform back on (yes, it still fits!) and a privilege to recognize the distinguished career of one of optometry’s and our nation’s finest. On campus, our construction project is making good progress, although it doesn’t look like everything will be completed until late September, early October. In the absence of our forthcoming café, we have an alternative food service plan that we hope you enjoy. We also bid a fond farewell to our AUD bridge program participants who will be taking off this weekend for all points on the globe, to include Florida and Texas. In addition to all this, here are some other items I hope you find interesting:

PRESTIGIOUS AWARD: Obialo Osigwe, OD, ‘25PhD, MPH ‘18, FNOA, has received the Award of Fellow by the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA). The designation is bestowed on optometrists of “impeccable character” who have been found to be of immense service to both the association and profession. To read more, click here.

FACULTY FOCUS: Over the past 20 years, Shital Mani, OD ‘03, FAAO, has made a name for herself at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, rising from the ranks of the faculty to become director of off-campus residency programs. Click here to read more about Dr. Mani’s career journey.

A FAMILIAR ROLE: The National Academies of Practice (NAP) has elected Victor Bray, MSC, PhD, FNAP, associate professor at Salus University’s George S. Osborne College of Audiology (OCA), to the role of secretary/treasurer for the 2023-2025 term. He previously served in that role from 2017-2021. Congratulations, Dr. Bray!

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I was thinking about what to write this week, I decided to revisit my weekly updates from last year and the year prior during this same time period. It’s hard to forget that just a couple of years ago we were in the throes of the pandemic. Things are approaching what some would consider normal now, although COVID still is out there.

History has a strange, and sometimes cruel way, of repeating itself. It’s incumbent upon all of us to apply lessons learned during the pandemic so that when the next one comes along (and it will), we will be better prepared to act. As healthcare professionals and educators, people tend to trust our judgment and follow our lead. Because of this privilege, it is our duty to ensure that the systems we all work within are better prepared, better informed, inclusive and organized to meet the challenges of the future. Even if your expertise is not in public health, your background and training can help organizations make informed decisions through deliberate planning and strategic thinking. Think about how you will engage in these important discussions moving forward.

On a much lighter note, believe it or not, summer is about half over with our Fall semester starting in just a few short weeks. As we prepare for orientation and the excitement that always accompanies the beginning of a new academic year, this presents a great chance to disengage and recharge. Whether you’re a student, faculty, or staff, now is a great time to regroup and reconnect with family. Once orientation begins, everyone will be going full speed again in lectures, labs, clinics and travel.

As you prepare for the weekend, check out your favorite “fun” spots or discover a new one! As always, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen when outside and continue to look out for one another. Enjoy the time off! Together we are SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Salus Weekly Update: Week of July 21, 2023

 

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

Good morning as we begin this soggy July day in Elkins Park. It’s been another busy week on campus with construction of the first floor of the south building progressing, as the outdoor patio area is starting to take shape (see photos below). This week we also congratulate our students from Taiwan as they complete audiology rotations on campus and prepare to head home. Here are some other items I hope you will find interesting:

SEP OFF AND RUNNING: Nine students interested in pursuing a career in optometry are participating in the University’s Robert E. Horne Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), which kicked off July 10, 2023. Click here to read more about their initial thoughts on the program.

NEW ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT: When Zachary Saunders, MSOT ‘17, was a student at Salus, he received the Unsung Hero and Spirit of Salus Award as well as the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association scholarship. After graduation, he joined the Alumni Association board to stay connected with Salus. And now, he’s stepped up to be the alumni board president, the first OT graduate to take the position. Read more about Zac here.

STAYING COMPETITIVE: Salus University’s Office of Admissions recently held a webinar on “Crafting A Competitive Application: Ways to Become a Qualified Applicant,” which will help prospective students through this process. For details, click here.

DICE BECOMES GISP: The department formerly known as DICE will now be called GISP, the Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming within the Office of Academic Affairs. This renaming is also a repositioning of the program to provide institutional housing for and oversight of Interprofessional Education and Practice, new credentialing and micro-credentialing opportunities, institutional partnerships, and the expansion of our international programs. We are grateful to Dr. Vitek, Dr. Hanson and the DICE (now GISP) team for their leadership and foresight.

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s been a few weeks since the Salus-Drexel signing ceremony celebrating our forthcoming merger, pending approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and specialized accreditors. I’m excited as we begin the necessary steps in the integration process. I wanted to take this opportunity to keep you apprised of our integration efforts to date.

Drexel President John Fry and I met last evening to discuss how the Integration Council will be set up to ensure we have administrative oversight of all of the academic, operational and regulatory processes that will be needed going forward. We will continue to keep everyone informed as we formalize the details.

As you can imagine, combining robust academic programs, bustling clinics, and high performing administrative units is a complex undertaking that is going to take time, patience and compromise. Our academic leaders have been in communication with MSCHE, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the United States Department of Education and specialized accreditors to ensure that our combined institution will be in compliance with all accreditation standards and government regulations – the key condition of the merger.

In the coming months, we look forward to building relationships among faculty and staff across all our respective disciplines and departments. I also look forward to continuing university-wide discussions with students, faculty, staff and alumni as our integration efforts get up to full speed. I will continue small group meetings to reach you directly and to answer any questions you may have.

As you prepare for the weekend, please remember to stay hydrated, use plenty of sunscreen when outdoors and continue to look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Taking Some Time to Rest and Recharge: Week of July 14, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a warm, very humid Friday here in Elkins Park. We are proud to welcome our newest cohort of scholars in our Summer Enrichment Program! Our international students are hard at work in classes and clinicals, as our faculty and staff prepare for Fall Orientation in a few short weeks. I'm always amazed at how quickly summer goes!

We are delighted to share the following:

HALL OF FAME HONOR: Congratulations to Dr. Mitch Scheiman on his induction into the National Optometry Hall of Fame at the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) recent annual conference in Washington, D.C. His well-deserved honor received a standing ovation! To read more about Dr. Scheiman, click here.

O&M AWARENESS: During the eight-week summer residency program for Blindness and Low Vision (BLVS) students at Salus University, it’s not unusual to see Orientation and Mobility (O&M) students in a vacant area of the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus parking lot with blindfolds and white canes. Click here to find out more about what they’re doing.

INSIDE OLE 2023: Student groups have visited the PCO/Salus campus for almost four decades in order to gain insight into the academic life of an optometry student by participating in our Optometry Learning Experience (OLE). To read more about the experiences of this year’s group, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: On most summer weekends, you’ll find me riding my bike along the region’s many great trails. I build it into my weekly schedule to clear my mind, connect with nature and discover new sights, all while staying active. With six weeks to go before the fall semester begins for most of us, take time to rest, recharge and refresh by getting outside. There are plenty of beautiful places to walk, bike and hike in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Here are a few views from the last couple of week’s rides. Share your pics – would love to see them!

-Mike

Finding Happiness and Freedom: Week of July 7, 2023

 

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

Good morning from Bethesda, Maryland where I am with RADM (ret) Tom Beeman (and Salus Board member) to honor Rear Admiral Anne Swap, a former shipmate of ours who is retiring after serving our country for over 30 years. One of the nicest traditions our services has is to honor those who have given so much of their lives for our country. I was honored to serve as a mentor and colleague to RADM Swap over her career which included time in Okinawa, Japan; Afghanistan, Washington, DC; Portsmouth, Virginia; Diego Garcia, and Millington, Tennessee. On campus, the construction project in the South building is starting to take shape nicely. We’re hoping for a September completion date.

In addition, here are some other things I hope you’ll read about:

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: In his more than 40 years as an optometrist, the passion and dedication of Glenn Corbin, OD ‘82, hasn’t gone unnoticed. Salus University is pleased to present Dr. Corbin with its highest honor, the 2023 Presidential Medal of Honor. Read more here.

OPTOMETRY LEARNING EXPERIENCE: We are delighted to welcome 33 students over two sessions to our Optometry Learning Experience (OLE). The program is designed to offer participants the opportunity to explore the Doctor of Optometry degree program, as well as the profession of optometry and the many career opportunities available. Look for an upcoming story about the week on our website.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: After graduating from St. Joseph’s University in 2013 with a degree in biology, Ashley (Senss) Joyce, MMS ‘20, took a job as a professional stage manager for a theater company. But after a year, Ashley realized that although she loved her job, the lifestyle just wasn’t for her. Then she discovered the Physician Assistant Studies program at Salus University. Click here to read more about her journey.

FINAL THOUGHTS: In The Art of Living, the famous Stoic Epictetus teaches: “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle. Some things are within your control. And some things are not.”

The end to affirmative action, the fractious political discourse in an already divided nation, the war in Ukraine, inflation, climate change, the wildfires in Canada, the unrelenting gun violence -- each of these issues is life changing in its individual impact; combined, they can feel overwhelming.

Taking action through advocacy is important, necessary and effective. Continuing to push for positive change on all of these issues -- gun control, increasing diversity in education, decreasing our carbon footprints, can reclaim a sense of agency in the swirl of current developments.

Even as we give voice to these vital issues, if you’re a student, I encourage you to keep focused on your studies. It is the primary reason you’re at Salus and something over which you have direct control. Our faculty remain focused on your professional growth providing leading edge training to prepare you for success as emerging educators and clinicians. We are here to support you every step of the way in reaching your career aspirations.

If happiness and freedom begin with exercising autonomy, Daniel Pink’s research on motivation, adds mastery and purpose to sustain it. As you work toward professional mastery, recommit every day to doing your very best work. There is no greater sense of motivation or higher service to our society than the purpose you’ve found and will continue to nurture in selfless service to others through your chosen profession.

As you prepare for the weekend, please take some time to reflect on the words of Epictetus – what brings you happiness and freedom? To sustain that way of being, how will you focus and animate that which gives you purpose? In my experience, when you’ve answered these questions for yourself, everything else becomes easier.

Stay safe, drink plenty of fluids and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike