Upholding Shared Values of Respect and Compassion: Week of October 27, 2023

 

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

Good morning on a beautiful morning from Elkins Park. Unfortunately, we wake up to the news of another mass shooting, this time in Maine, where 18 lives were taken and 13 people injured in a senseless act of violence. Please keep those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers

Here are some positive things that I hope you will find of interest:

LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS: Our annual Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity fundraiser is just around the corner. Tickets are still available for the event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Switch House at The Battery in Philadelphia. You can purchase your tickets here.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WHITE CANE: White Cane Day, celebrated every year on Oct. 15, strives to bring awareness to the achievements of individuals with visual impairments and a tool often used to support their independence. For those with a visual impairment, including individuals with low vision to blindness, the white cane can support safe and independent travel. The importance and effective use of the white cane is just one aspect of independent travel students in Salus University’s Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) programs are taught. Read more here.

ACADEMY IN THE ‘BIG EASY’: Every fall, Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University faculty, residents, students and staff descend upon a different city for a robust lineup of lectures, events, poster presentations, workshops and much more at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) conference. This year, New Orleans aka the “Big Easy,” known for its specialty cuisines, jazz music and historic architecture, was the host city. Click here to read more about the conference.

OULU STUDENTS IN THE HOUSE: Master’s students from Oulu University of Applied Sciences are finishing up a productive two weeks on campus in specialized training in primary eye care emphasizing the diagnosis and management of eye disease. Led by Dr. Robert Andersson, MSc ‘10, FAAO, students have had the opportunity to examine paid volunteers in controlled patient care, lectures/labs in ophthalmic laser, contact lens, and traumatic brain injury. They have been exposed to eye disease and conditions not common in their native Finland. Stay tuned for a podcast on our website to hear from the students about their expanded view of eye conditions that we experience on this side of the globe. We captured a photo of a couple of our Finnish students attached below.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Over the past few weeks many of us have been watching and discussing the terrible situation in Israel and Gaza. Rightfully so, these events elicit strong opinions and sentiments and hold significant importance on the much broader global stage.

I would like to remind members of the Salus community, no matter how you feel about what’s happening in Israel and Gaza, we uphold our shared values of respect, compassion and open dialog, especially when discussing matters as sensitive as this. Differing viewpoints are inevitable, but they should be expressed and received in a manner that does not degrade, demean or discriminate against any individual or group based on their beliefs, ethnicity or nationality. Be respectful in all of your interactions.

I recognize that the situation in Israel and Gaza is particularly fraught and emotionally difficult for those with family and friends caught in the conflict. Resources for emotional and psychological support are available for students through the Center for Personnel and Professional Development (CPPD) and for faculty and staff through your health plans.

Personal and institutional integrity depends on our shared commitment to, and consistent practice of respect, compassion and skillful dialogue. What we say, do and how we conduct ourselves, all affect our ability to build trustful relationships.

Our Salus credo states, “We believe all of our endeavors should have an enduring impact beyond the confines of the University.” Think about the enduring impact you’re creating in how you listen and engage with everyone you encounter.

As you prepare for the weekend, get outside and enjoy this nice October weather – we won’t have these temperatures for much longer. I want you all back here feeling SALUS STRONG on Monday! I’ve attached a photo I took of our beautiful campus last night. The almost full moon really looks magical! Enjoy the weekend.

-Mike

Celebrating Our Graduates: Week of October 20, 2023

 

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

It’s been another busy week at Salus. In addition to classes, labs and clinicals, we had the great pleasure of celebrating the Fall class of 2023 with the traditional Long White Coat Ceremony on Monday evening followed by Tuesday’s 127th commencement ceremony at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. It was a day of transition for our graduates from being full-time students to healthcare professionals, healers, teachers, rehabilitation specialists, researchers and lifelong learners. Congratulations to all our graduates! There’s nothing more fun than seeing our graduates taking pictures in the middle of Broad Street wearing the academic regalia and holding their diplomas with City Hall in the background! To read more about the ceremony and the Physician Assistant Studies program’s Long White Coat ceremony, click here.

Here are some other items I hope you will find interesting:

LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS: We’re getting closer to our annual Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity fundraiser. Tickets are still available for the event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Switch House at The Battery in Philadelphia. You can purchase your tickets here. Click here to learn more about the LOFK story, how it all began and how it has grown over the years.

THEIA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: For her efforts in helping young optometrists advance their careers, Minal Patel, OD ’10, has been named a 2023 Theia Award of Excellence winner for mentoring by Women in Optometry, a group that provides women with a platform to share their experiences and exposure to a national audience including other ODs. Congratulations Dr. Patel. Click here to read more.

CERAMICS OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY? There were times when Gianna Maria Bates ‘25OT wanted to apply to graduate school for clay and ceramics. A graduate from Arcadia University in 2023 with a double major in psychology and ceramics, she was looking for a profession where she could combine her love of art with something in the medical field. So, how did she settle on pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy at Salus University? Find out by clicking here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I reflect on this week’s commencement and long white coat ceremonies, I appreciate the advice that our commencement speaker, retired rear admiral and gastroenterologist Colin Chinn gave to our graduates, which is applicable to all of us. His guidance, along with a few of my own observations shared at our white coat ceremony, have been helpful in navigating our careers:

Establish a work-life balance for yourself. It’s not all about the work. Prioritize your life in such a way that you can put family and significant others first.

Set your sights high, establish lofty goals for yourself - without such goals, your full effectiveness is often not fully realized.

You’ll be surrounded by all sorts of technology but your focus must remain on patient, student or client. The technology is only there to help you collect data.

Never be satisfied with average performance. Just doing enough to get by doesn’t work, especially as a health care professional and educator.

Don’t be stymied by setbacks or small failures. Everyone meets challenges and obstacles. Those who achieve success over the long haul, press on regardless of intermediate failures. Expect the unexpected and move on.

Have confidence in your own abilities and play to your strengths.

Be honest. There is nothing in this world more important than the truth. It leads to credibility and trust, the bedrock of who we are as healthcare professionals and educators.

Probably the most important - Have fun!

With all that’s going on in the world, please take time to recharge and refocus on what’s important to you. Keep all those currently in harm’s way in your thoughts and prayers, and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Celebrating the Navy's 248th Birthday and Remember Those in Harms Way: Week of October 18, 2023

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

Good morning from Center City Philadelphia where I am helping to celebrate the Navy’s 248th birthday along with the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton and a host of other Navy and Marine Corps personnel who are in the city for Navy-Marine Corp Week. In addition to all this, it’s been a busy week on campus as classes, clinics and labs are running at full speed. Here are some other items of interest:

FALL COMMENCEMENT: Salus University’s 127th commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. We look forward to welcoming Rear Admiral Colin Chinn, our keynote speaker. Click here to read more about Admiral Chinn.

LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 2023 Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Switch House at The Battery in Philadelphia, when we will honor Susan Oleszewski, OD ‘76, Resident ‘78, FAAO with our Lighthouse Award. NBC10’s Johnny Archer will once again emcee the event. Click here to order your tickets.

INTERPROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Foundations of Interprofessional Communication, the first Interprofessional Learning Activity in the Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, entry level (IPCPe) microcredential badge program is scheduled for Nov. 16. It will provide interested students an opportunity to learn and practice foundational, interprofessional communication skills for academic and clinical success in their respective programs. Communications expert and executive coach Marilyn S. Nyman, M.Ed., CCC/SP will cover professional presence and elements of personal style, after which students will practice what they've learned. Registration cut-off date is Nov. 1. Click here for more information and to register.

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY: This week National Coming Out Day (NCOD) recognized the milestones of being seen and heard, and continued strides for equity and respect, specific to LGBTQ+ communities. The day allowed us to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and the hierarchy of sexual orientation and identity. For a video on the history of NCOD, click here.

SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING: Our annual campus-wide security awareness training will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in the Hafter Student Community Center gymnasium. This year’s topic is “Surviving an Active Threat on Campus.” Another training will be scheduled for another date at The Eye Institute. I highly recommend attending this training in person. A Zoom meeting link included in the calendar event invitation for those who can’t attend in person.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week, I shared my thoughts concerning the horrific events occurring in Israel and Gaza. Since that time, we’ve learned of more abhorrent acts of terrorism and violence, and the suffering and loss of life inflicted on innocent residents in Israel and Gaza. The scope of the resulting humanitarian crisis will be massive.

We condemn these heinous acts of terrorism and the profound grief, pain, and uncertainty this has brought to the region and the world. We support the Jewish community in Israel, around the world, and in our own University community.

I want to acknowledge the emotional toll this is taking on members of our community who have suffered as violence against Jews, Muslims and Arabs has increased in recent years. I am deeply grateful to have heard from students, faculty and alumni for whom these developments are deeply personal, fraught and distressing. Many of your stories are heartbreaking. They speak volumes about your resilience, integrity and character. 

We also recognize the pain and suffering of many innocent residents of Gaza and mourn the suffering and loss of life that has befallen many who were blameless for these senseless acts of terrorism.

These events have created a significant stressor. It can be understandably difficult to keep focused. Please know we are with you keeping you in our hearts and prayers.

Additionally, students can contact our Center for Personal and Professional Development for counseling and support. Faculty and staff can access counseling through our employee assistance plans. Contact our Human Resources team if you need help with this.

It may also be helpful to revisit activities we’ve discussed previously that foster well-being:

Stay focused on your studies – Focusing on school work can provide a break from all that’s going on in the world. It’s also a way to continue to move toward attain your goals while everything else is so uncertain.

Develop a routine you can stick to - Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), exercise, eat breakfast, etc.

Get enough sleep – The better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be in handling things that come your way including stress. Prioritize sleep over other things. 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 go and safely walk around in nature that will help to calm your mind and present opportunities for some exercise at many levels.  

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 and not nonchalantly – 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 classmates or the people you miss seeing every day. With everything currently going on in the world there is a temptation to constantly stay connected – try to stay away from news sources throughout the day.

As we continue to follow this unfolding tragedy, mourn the loss of life, and focus on the safe return of the hostages, remember we are stronger together, and that we continue to care for, respect, support and value each other.

As you prepare for the weekend, try to build some time in to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. That will help you focus more clearly on your studies and come back refreshed, ready to take on the next week and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Honoring an Exceptional Individual: Week of October 6, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful fall day from Atlanta where I had the opportunity to honor a really talented individual yesterday - more on that later. It’s been a busy week on campus with our construction project in the South building really looking great and our students and faculty busy with classes, labs and clinics. Here are some other items that I hope interest you:

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: Rear Admiral Colin Chinn will be the keynote speaker for Salus University’s 127th commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. I am honored and thrilled that Dr. Chinn has agreed to deliver the keynote and I’m certain that the message he has for our graduates and those in attendance will be exceptionally relevant. Click here to read more about Dr. Chinn.

MENTORING AWARD: For her efforts in helping young optometrists advance their careers, Minal Patel, OD ’10, has been named a 2023 Theia Award of Excellence winner for mentoring by Women in Optometry, a group that provides women a platform to share their experiences and gain exposure to a national audience that includes other ODs. Read more about Dr. Patel here.

STUDENTS AT LEISURE: There were times when Gianna Maria Bates ’25 OT wanted to apply to graduate school for clay and ceramics. She had graduated from Arcadia University in 2023 with a double major in psychology and ceramics, and was looking for a profession where she could combine her love of art with something in the medical field. So, how did she settle on pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy at Salus University? Read more about Gianna’s journey here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: When talking about Salus with leaders in and beyond the region, I frequently share how we change people’s lives through our Looking Out For Kids charity, the work we do at the Eye, Ear and Speech and Language Institutes and in the direct services our students and faculty through community outreach efforts. What I often overlook is the hard work and selfless sacrifices behind the scenes by our Salus support staff and others across our industries.

Just a few short weeks ago we honored Drs. Glenn Corbin and Henry Green, both PCO alumni, for their tremendous professional accomplishments which changed the lives of thousands through their clinical interventions, excellence in teaching and ingenious inventions in the area of low vision.

Yesterday, I had the honor of presenting the Salus Presidential Medal of Honor to a man who has dedicated his life to supporting optometry and the optical industry.

Mr. Walt Fleming played a pivotal role in the exponential growth and expansion of 1,400 optometric locations across the country, improving access to much needed optometric care where otherwise, it may have been lacking.

With a remarkable level of commitment, Walt has diligently supported over 2,300 optometrists, assisting in their professional development and ensuring their success. His exceptional leadership has been instrumental in the establishment of an advisory panel that evaluates and qualifies novel technologies and innovations that is helping to not only move our profession forward as we embrace high quality tele-optometry, but also ensure access to high-quality optometric care to patients living in remote locations.

Just as notable: Walt has achieved all this as a leading optometric professional without being a doctor of optometry. Integrated patient care is a team sport, comprised of doctors, technicians and people like Walt Fleming, who work collaboratively to ensure patients receive the highest quality care possible, no matter where they live or work.

As you prepare for this fall weekend, keep in mind that the weather is changing and it’s going to be about 35 degrees cooler than it has been all week. Perfect football weather. Stay safe, use a facemask if you’re around large crowds and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike