Good morning on this first day of December! Campus and clinics are humming with productive energy as students prepare for practicals and final exams. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to view several of the Healthcare, Professionalism and Diversity course presentations in the Hafter Center. The topics addressed the fullest range of social determinants impacting health across diverse and underserved populations in the United States and abroad. Congratulations to our student teams and faculty mentors on the impressive display of team problem solving!
Here are some other happenings:
TOLAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Congratulations to Megan Patterson ‘25OD, who has been named the 2023 Joseph C. Toland Memorial Scholarship winner. The scholarship is awarded to a worthy third-year Doctor of Optometry student (or students) in good academic standing who demonstrates a distinctive ability to provide competent and compassionate care to their patients. Read more here.
THAILAND FIELDWORK FOR OT: Four Salus University Occupational Therapy students were the first from the program to have an international Level 1 fieldwork experience recently in Thailand. Not only did the students experience traditional learning objectives, but importantly, their learning emphasized development of cultural humility and understanding client needs in a setting beyond the United States. Click here to read more about the trip.
O&P 5K ANY WAY: The first-ever 5K Any Way Fundraiser hosted by the Salus Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (SOPA) attracted 80 participants on the morning of Nov. 11, 2023, at Alverthorpe Park in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Read more here.
STUDENTS AT LEISURE: Re’naijah Purvis ‘24PBHS calls herself a “crystal nerd.” She doesn’t just make crystal bracelets as a side activity to her studies, she draws energy from them. They were so popular within her inner circle that friends encouraged her to make and sell them to others. Check out the latest story here in our Students at Leisure series.
CLINICAL TRAINING PODCAST: In our latest podcast, we hear from Master of Science in Clinical Optometry students from Oulu University in Finland about why they chose Salus for their clinical training. Click here to listen.
FINAL THOUGHTS: As we navigate the coming weeks of final exams and the impending merger with Drexel, we find ourselves at a crossroads of challenge and transition. In these pivotal times, I am reminded of the enduring wisdom of Stoics – Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, whose words resonate deeply with our current experiences.
To our students, as you embark on a final push this semester, remember Marcus Aurelius’ guidance, “It’s okay to be discouraged. It’s not okay to quit.” Your journey in learning, filled with its unique challenges and opportunities, is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence. Each day and each exam bring you closer to your professional aspirations. The reward of knowledge is available to all who persistently and actively pursue it. No one ever said this would be easy.
To our faculty and staff, Seneca offers cogent advice: "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult." The challenge in achieving our goals often lies not in the external obstacles we face, but in our own reluctance or fear to confront them.
Our merger with Drexel is a blending of our strengths and Drexel’s. It represents an opportunity for growth, collaboration and innovation. Our collective resilience will guide this transformation, paving a way for a future where our collaborative efforts will flourish to the benefit of our students and the greater university communities.
Together, we face paths that require endurance, whether in our academic pursuits or institutional changes. Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our ability to endure originates from the strength within us. Our challenges are temporary; our resolve is enduring.
As we move forward, let’s do so with a spirit of persistence, courage, professionalism, endurance and unwavering dedication towards a future that is not only bright but also full of potential and promise. Together, we will not just endure; we will thrive.
We are all here to support each other; to learn, grow and succeed together. Let’s embrace these challenges as opportunities to showcase our collective strengths!
As you prepare for the weekend, try to reflect on the words of the Stoics as they apply to many of the challenges and opportunities we encounter every day. Try to get out and enjoy some of the warmer weather and come back next week SALUS STRONG, ready to tackle those exams and matters associated with our upcoming merger.
-Mike
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