Upholding Our Values of Inclusivity, Understanding and Respect: Week of April 26, 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where spring has been in full bloom and our students and faculty have been working diligently toward the finish line this semester. Dr. Vitek and I just returned from a very exciting and successful trip to Bangkok, Thailand where we had the opportunity to meet with many of our Salus alumni, faculty and students and Rangcit University as well as prospective students. Other than being over 100 degrees there, it was a very successful engagement. I’ve posted a photo below of the group. We’re getting excited about our upcoming commencement ceremony at the Kimmel Center on May 23rd when we will welcome and honor our commencement speaker, Drexel president John Fry. In addition to all that’s happening on campus, here are some other items of interest:

ENVISION CONFERENCE: The inaugural Envision Conference held recently at Salus was a multidisciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research conference by Envision University in collaboration with the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), the William Feinbloom Low Vision Rehabilitation Center housed at The Eye Institute (TEI), the clinical teaching facility for PCO, and the University’s Blindness and Low Vision Studies and Occupational Therapy programs. Click here to read more about the event.

QUIZ BOWL HAIL MARY: Going into the 2024 PCO/Salus Quiz Bowl, Anna German ‘26OD knew she would be at a disadvantage. As a first-year student in the Doctor of Optometry Accelerated Scholars’ program, there were classes she hadn’t yet taken with information she hadn’t yet learned that would have greatly helped her in the annual trivia contest. So, she had to rely on her instincts and essentially throw up a Hail Mary on the final question. Find out what happened by clicking here. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Alexander Paluzzi, MSOT ‘21, wasn’t a typical Occupational Therapy (OT) student at Salus University. After graduating with a bachelor’s in secondary education and a master’s in international education, both from Drexel University, he started his career teaching social studies and working as an Applied Behavior Analysis Autism therapist. And now he is teaching anatomy and kinesiology at Salus. Read more about Alex here.

ACADEMIC RESTRUCTURING: Read Drexel University president John Fry’s message about the University’s efforts to strengthen Drexel's ability to attract and retain top students and to secure its future as a leading student-centered, experience-driven, research university. Click here for details. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: With all that is happening on college campuses around the country, I am thankful to our Salus University community members for continuing to conduct ourselves professionally and respectfully. As events in the Middle East unfold, emotions understandably run high, and discussions may become charged with differing perspectives.

It's essential during such times that we uphold our values of inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect. Salus is a place for open dialogue and diverse viewpoints, and it's through respectful engagement that we can foster understanding and empathy, even amidst differing opinions. Let us remember that each member of our community brings unique experiences and perspectives to the table. By actively listening to one another and engaging in constructive dialogue, we can navigate these challenging moments with grace and understanding.

As always, the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff remain our top priority. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the counselors at CPPD if you need support or assistance during this time. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to maintaining a supportive and respectful environment at Salus University.

As we approach the weekend, it looks like the weather will be very nice, so try to take a break in your students or whatever you might be doing indoors to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

The Importance of Advocacy: Week of April 19, 2024

 

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

I hope everyone had a productive week as we get ready for the final stretch of our Spring Semester. Many are preparing for clinical exams as well as finals. Commencement is right around the corner!

 Here are some things I hope you find of interest:

MATCH DAY: It was Match Day – when Doctor of Optometry graduate students find out where they’ve been matched for their yearlong residencies – and Daniel Hoffman ‘24OD had settled into his lunch break with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was the day he would find out where he was matched for his residency program. Read more here about the anticipation and nervousness that Match Day brings.

AUDIOLOGY EXTERNS SENDOFF: The University’s Doctor of Audiology Class of 2025 is unique for a couple of reasons. First, members came into the program during the pandemic; and second, the Class of 2025 will graduate next year in the 25th year of the program’s inception which was initially launched in 2000. For now, though, they’re all headed to externships. Read more about their sendoff celebration here.

DEI EDUCATES!: Many of you will remember that the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and its committee hosted two virtual Safe Zone Trainings through the DEI Educates! program in 2023. We have invited facilitators, Stan Kimer and Deanna Jones, to join us again, given their educational and engaging session last year. We are offering two virtual training sessions on April 30 and May 8. You only need to attend one session in its entirety. Please click here to register for your desired training session. The Zoom link will be shared with registrants the week of the training.

‘THE ART OF HEALING’: Jana Walker, LSW, a counselor in the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD), has been interested in psychotherapy and spirituality for more than 20 years. And now, she has brought those two things together in a new book called “The Art of Healing.” Click here to read more.

MORE CLINICAL OPPORTUNITIES: The Drexel University College of Medicine has recently secured more opportunities for the clinical education of our medical students. The University’s longstanding academic medical campus affiliation with Bayhealth Medical Center in Delaware has been expanded. It will serve as a new regional medical campus for the College of Medicine beginning at the start of this 2024-2025 academic year. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend the American Optometric Association’s annual Federal Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. The goal of the summit is to bring optometric leaders and students up to speed on key legislative issues facing the profession. Groups of optometrists and optometry students are assigned to their district legislators to lobby on behalf of the profession.

This year, we focused on four key areas:

1. Putting Patients and Doctors back in control of their healthcare decisions by passing the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act which would combat abusive practices in the federally regulated vision and dental plan coverage markets.
2. Asking Congress to take action to stop Medicare pay cuts to optometry and other professions.
3. Ensuring that the over 1000 optometrists working at the Department of Veterans Affairs are permitted to practice at their highest level of training and licensure to assure veterans have access to full-scope eyecare wherever they are seen and ensuring VA optometrists are paid at the same level as physicians, dentists and podiatrists.
4. Reining in abusive contact lens seller practices by regulating contact lens verification robocalls from companies which too often lead to patients receiving a different device than what was originally prescribed.

I was asked to join several groups that visited the offices of Congresswomen Dean and Congressman Fitzpatrick. Both representatives were extremely supportive and sensitive to the issues we raised.

These interactions are so important, since all our professions are regulated through legislation, most often at the state level. It is extremely important for all of our students, in each of our professions, to learn about the legislative process and get involved as early as possible. This process governs the scope, safety and remuneration of our professions. I remember juggling my schedule when I was a student to do just that. Those were the days where we were fighting for the right to use therapeutic drugs, something we all take for granted today. The four issues we addressed this week touch on the same types of issues we had to confront over forty years ago. While the names of the issues may change, groups will always be out there attempting to erode or restrict what you’ve been taught to do for your patients. Hence, it is essential that you become actively engaged in advocacy for your profession.

As you prepare for the weekend, please remember to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG! Below are a few photos from the DC meeting:

-Mike

Back in the Swing of Things: April 12, 2024

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

Good morning on a gray Friday from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been a busy week with everyone getting back into the swing after Spring Break.  Our clinics, labs and classrooms have all been abuzz with activity. With the end of semester in sight, our students and faculty are working hard toward a “strong” finish. 

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology Class of 2024 students Jessica Concannon, Alyssa Dallmer, Sydni Delfiner, and Olivia Fogarty had the opportunity to present their capstone projects recently, one more step closer to graduation this spring. The project addressed some misinformation on developmental milestones provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also expressed the importance of parents/caregivers using Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) backed research when advocating for their loved ones, specifically utilizing the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as a resource. Click here to read more.

A WHIRLWIND OF OT TRAVEL: Travel therapists are going to travel. And, Emily Hamilton, MSOT ‘21, has been all over the country since graduating from the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at Salus University. The whirlwind of travel in the first few years of her career has been comfortable for her while she continues to learn and gain experience, something she attributes to how the Salus OT program prepared her to become a professional. To read more, click here.

FROST-FREE SIDEWALKS: Researchers in Drexel’s College of Engineering recently reported on the science behind a special concrete that can warm itself up when it snows or freezes. By introducing phase-change materials to the concrete mixture, researchers were able to create slabs that can warm themselves to melt snow and ice when temperatures approach freezing. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week, our leadership team shared a number of important progress updates on the merger with Drexel. Importantly, we remain on track to complete all accreditation and regulatory requirements for Change In Ownership on June 30, 2024, pending MSCHE approval.

We also shared a number of benefit decisions during the update on Human Resources. A summary of those decisions will be posted to the ADP employee platform on Tuesday.  

I want to acknowledge all the feedback I am receiving from faculty and staff about the impact of these changes. The changes are impacting community members differently depending on individual circumstances. Change is never easy and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and input with me.

As you work through these changes, we will continue to support you with information and resources to assist your decision making. Look for future calendar invites to upcoming HR sessions and benefit vendor fairs.

I also encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Question documents that we’ve posted to the ADP employee website. These are a ready reference for you responding to dozens of questions from faculty and staff.

Even as transitions are challenging, they also present opportunities for renewal and revitalization. I am confident that Salus ultimately will emerge stronger as part of OneDrexel, if we lean into the change with resilience, adaptability, and optimism. 
 
The sun and moon created an awe-inspiring phenomenon earlier this week. Check out NASA’s spectacular coverage of this rare event. Below is a photo I took here at Salus.

As the moon obscured the light of the sun, we experienced uncertainty, disruption and excitement at the same time. It reminded me of where we are in the merger now. Like the emergence of sunlight after the eclipse, our merger presents an opportunity to expand our horizons and what’s possible, advancing our mission, deepening our collective impact and innovating in ways previously unimagined.

As you prepare for the weekend, I hope that you can reflect on the opportunities that await our merger with Drexel. I’d also ask that as you discuss subjects that may be controversial with your classmates, friends and family members, you do so with respect and an open mind. 

Please take the time to get outdoors to enjoy the nice weather (if it ever stops raining!) so you can be ready to take on whatever comes your way next week. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG! Have a great weekend!

- Mike

Nothing is Impossible! Week of April 5 , 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where many of us have considered building an ark given all the rain we’ve had! At least the sun is out this morning! It’s been a busy week getting back in the swing following Spring Break. Here are some things I hope you will find of interest:

NANCY GRIFFIN RETIRES: After 46 years, Nancy Griffin tried to quietly leave her job in the Office of Admissions at Salus University without much fanfare. But word got out she was retiring and the plethora of congratulations from her co-workers was anything but quiet. Congratulations, Nancy! Read more here.

YOUNG ALUMNI: Check out this question-and-answer session with one of our alumni, Jonathan Zobek, MEd ‘22, and learn why he wanted to pursue a career in teaching students with visual impairments. Click here to read more.

NOTICE OF MERGER: Salus and Drexel are committed to conducting the upcoming merger with minimal interruption to our students. Our two institutions are also committed to continuing the full complement of programs offered by Salus. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions by students. Read more here.

SOLAR ECLIPSE: In our region we will experience 85% of the solar eclipse beginning at 2:08 this coming Monday. The next time we’ll see something like this in the U.S. won’t be for another 20 years; in 2044. If you are planning on watching the eclipse in real time, it’s imperative that you have the proper eye protection. People can end up with solar retinopathy simply by looking directly at the sun for long periods of time during the eclipse, which also can result in permanent vision loss. Please, ensure you have ANSI approved eye protection or use an indirect viewing method if you plan on watching the eclipse.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last week at the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership of the American College of Healthcare Executives, I had the opportunity to sit in on a session with speaker Mick Ebeling. Originally a Hollywood producer, he established Not Impossible Labs whose mission is, “to change the world through technology and story by addressing societal “absurdities” or problems to improve the lives of everyone.” By leveraging brainpower in one room, they aim to create, “the conditions for radical collaboration that lead to progress: custom, never-been-built solutions that respect people’s humanity, enable their independence and enrich their experience in the world.” Their mission reminds me of what we do through our community outreach and the cutting-edge research both here at Salus and at Drexel.

One project, directly applicable to the work we do here at Salus, is Project Daniel, an endeavor that brought the first prosthetics lab powered by 3D printers to Sudan, Africa. Project Daniel has transformed the lives of hundreds of amputees who otherwise would not have access to low-cost, functional prosthetics by teaching local residents how to build prosthetic limbs using 3D printers.

As we move forward with our merger with Drexel, I see unlimited potential for developing cutting edge solutions to some of the issues faced by individuals with visual, auditory, or physical challenges by thinking the way Mick Ebeling thinks, that nothing is impossible. Collaborative, solution-oriented teams will get it done. It may not be easy, but novel solutions will be discovered by leveraging creativity, expertise and technology. That’s exciting!

As you prepare for the weekend, think about problems that people say are impossible to solve or ones that you think are unsolvable and project the mindset that Mick Ebeling believes - nothing is impossible. See how that changes your perspective on things. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG because Nothing is Impossible! Have a great weekend.

- Mike

Reflecting on Our Mission: Week of March 22, 2024

 

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

Greetings on this very cold day in Spring! It’s been another busy week on our campus with PCO students taking their Part I section of national boards, others preparing for practicals and exams, and our Salus-Drexel Integration Council members doing the important and necessary work in preparation for our 30 June Change in Ownership date. Thank you to all who are going above and beyond to provide a stellar educational experience for all of our students, in addition to the extra work required to get us to “the finish line.” Special thanks to Maura Keenan and Kathleen McMullen who continue to assist faculty and staff in reviewing Drexel’s benefit options in advance of the June Benefits Fair. Here are some other items I hope find of interest:

O&P ACCREDITATION: Congratulations to our Orthotics and Prosthetics program, under the direction of Dr. Chad Duncan, for being granted initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), effective March 15, 2024. Initial accreditation is only awarded to those programs that have successfully demonstrated compliance with rigorous standards, ensuring the best possible educational experience for students. Read more here.

SLP STUDENT INVOLVEMENT: Since summer 2023, the University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students have been assisting with an early-childhood class — dubbed Toddler Read and Play Time — at We Rock the Spectrum (WRTS) in Northeast Philadelphia. This is part of an opportunity offered to first-year Master of Science SLP students to apply for off-campus clinical rotation experiences, including involvement with the Speech-Language Institute’s (SLI) specialized support groups. Click here to read more.  

TWO SEPCHE EVENTS: The University is sponsoring two upcoming events for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE). The first is the SEPCHE Honors Conference, which will be held tomorrow morning, 23 March at 9:00 AM at the Hafter Student Community Center on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus. The second event is titled “Civic Engagement in 2024: A Conversation with SEPCHE Presidents,” in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Political Science Association’s (PPSA) 85th Anniversary annual meeting Friday, April 5, at Chestnut Hill College in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Click here for details.

WOMEN’S HOOPS: The Drexel women’s basketball team has won the Coastal Athletic Association Championship and will now play in the NCAA Tournament against the University of Texas at 3 p.m. today, March 22. GO DRAGONS!

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we approach our Spring break, I find myself reflecting on our important mission at Salus: We advance integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services. In our forthcoming merger with Drexel, I am excited about how, together, with the convergence of our two very similar missions, we will do so much good for the students and communities we serve.

With all that is happening in the Middle East, Ukraine, other parts of the world and in our own country, it’s also important to revisit some of the core values that have led most of us to the healing professions: gratitude, compassion, justice, honesty, humility, integrity, dignity and respect for human life. These practices are worthy of regular reflection and recommitment. Not only do they strengthen our service as educators, researchers, and clinicians, they also add meaning and purpose to our relationships. They enrich our shared humanity.

I hope you find some time for rest and relaxation over break. Try to reflect on all the goodness that you provide others through your given professions. That’s a gift. Below is a photo I took last weekend of our fair city on my Sunday morning bike ride that I thought I would share to help get us in the mood for our upcoming break. Stay safe, get some rest and come back to us SALUS STRONG!

- Mike