Remembering Mother's Day This Sunday: Week of May 10, 2024

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where students are finishing up final exams today and preparing for commencement, clinical rotations or graduation. Here are some things I hope you will find of interest:

INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION: The Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus was a hub of collaboration recently as Physical Therapy (PT) students from Arcadia University joined first-year students from the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) programs at Salus to learn how to work together for the benefit of their patients. Read more here.

BEP SIGNING DAY: Darryl Glover, OD ‘11, co-founder, Essence Johnson, OD ‘10, chief visionary officer, and Jacobi Cleaver, OD ‘11, chief program officer of the Black Eyecare Perspective (BEP) recently hosted a signing day for the organization’s Pre-Optometry Club members who have gained acceptance into a school or college of optometry, as well as recognize any student who will be entering optometry school the following academic year. Click here for details.

ACCEPTED STUDENT DAYS: Salus hosted three Accepted Student Days this year, which attracted more than 110 accepted students and about 200 guests from across all programs. To find out more, click here.

INVEST PHILLY PANELIST: Thomas Beeman, PhD, LHD, MBA, USN (ret.), a member of the Board of Trustees at Salus University, served as a panelist on one of three panels at the recent “Invest: Philadelphia 2024” conference. Among the topics Dr. Beeman discussed was “Action plan: Initiatives underway in Philadelphia’s eds and meds sector to create positive outcomes for students and patients.” Click here to read more.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS WITH DeSALES: Yesterday morning several of us ventured up to DeSales University in Center Valley, PA where we toured their beautiful campus and signed articulation agreements establishing a pipeline from their excellent science programs into PCO and our Orthotics and Prosthetics program. We’re excited to welcome DeSales students into our programs. Special thanks to Dr’s O’Sullivan and Caldwell and Monica Scirrotto for taking the lead on this.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. This very special day, with a connection to Philadelphia, was first conceived by Anne Reeve Jarvis prior to the Civil War who created “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to help teach young mothers how to care for their children. It wasn’t until 1908, through the efforts of her daughter, Anna Jarvis, that led to Mother’s Day being named an official holiday by President Wilson in 1914. Ms. Jarvis worked with John Wanamaker (of Wanamaker Department Stores fame) to obtain funding to have a Mother’s Day celebration at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. At the same time, thousands of people attended a Mother’s Day event at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia. As they say, the rest is history, which you can read more about here.

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, I’d like to recognize the wonderful contributions that all our Salus moms have made to Salus, your professions and those you all serve. Thank you for what you do every day to provide a world-class education to our students and the best care available to our patients and clients.

To every member of our Salus community – have a safe, fun and relaxing Mother’s Day! Even Salus's Mother Goose (seen below) is preparing to celebrate with her new goslings! To all preparing to enjoy some well-deserved time off, clinical rotations or walking across the stage at the Kimmel Center, take some time to reflect on all the wonderful lessons our mothers have taught us over the years. Be safe, look out for one another and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Leveraging AI Thoughtfully: Week of May 3, 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where we have welcomed a new family of goslings on campus (short video attached). Our students have been busy completing final exams and practicals, as faculty prepare grades. Only a couple of weeks until Spring Commencement! Here are some other items I hope you will find of interest:

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University has continued a long-standing collaboration with Head Start programs in the Philadelphia area for more than 35 years. Head Start is a primarily federally funded program that provides education, health and social services to families with children aged three, four and five. For PCO/Salus, this has meant contributing to a variety of services, including primary eye care exams at Head Start centers and schools in the Philadelphia area. Click here to read more.

MERITORIOUS HONORS FOR SLP: The University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students really raised the bar when it came to their capstone projects this year. Out of the seven meritorious posters chosen to be featured at the annual Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) convention April 10-13 in Pittsburgh, two of those were from research conducted by Salus SLP students. For details, click here.

O&P KENYA TRIP: During a humanitarian trip to Kenya, Victoria “Tori” Page ‘25O&P had a young patient who hadn’t walked since her leg amputation the previous year. Tori spent a long time working on a prosthesis trying to make her patient as comfortable as possible. At the end of her appointment, Tori asked the patient how her new leg felt. “She looked at me with a big smile and said, ‘I’m walking!’” Read more here about the O&P humanitarian trip to Kenya.

A SPECIAL PA OLYMPICS: This year’s PA Olympics took on a little more significance for students in the Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program at Salus because it honored one of the University’s former faculty members, Adam Moore, MHS, PA-C, ATC. Adam was an assistant professor for the Salus PA program from 2016 to 2022 and at Thomas Jefferson University until his passing in September 2023. During his time at Salus, Moore had served as a faculty advisor for the PA Olympics. Click here for additional details on the event.

DREXEL DEI RECOGNITION: Drexel Alumni is the recipient of the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. In its inaugural year, this award recognizes Drexel Alumni for its programs, culture, and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all alumni, across racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, religions, socio-economic statuses and more. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I have spent the last two days in DC this week attending the Special Medical Advisory Group for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs where I am the designated representative for optometry. Every time I attend these meetings, I am extremely impressed with all that the VA is doing to improve health care for our Veteran population. Administering the nation’s largest integrated health system, the VA is leading the way in digital health integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital solutions responsibly and effectively into VA care. It’s a daunting task when you consider there are over 9-million veterans enrolled in the system.

One process the VA has been using to select the right industry partner to help them integrate AI into their patient care processes is called “AI Sprint.” AI Sprints are three-month competitive engagements that foster collaboration among industry, academia and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Sprints are staged with specific challenges introduced into the process every 3 weeks to determine how teams might mitigate them. I see great value in academia adopting similar processes to devise solutions to some of the novel challenges we face in our higher ed/healthcare ecosystem. As we attempt to leverage AI and related technologies, we need to embrace best practices ensuring cybersecurity, patient, and student safety as well as accuracy and reliability. Our partnership with Drexel will help operationalize some of these processes

It looks like the weekend is going to be a bit cooler than it has been, so try and get out and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather while it still lasts. As you get to the last weeks of the semester, keep your eye on the ball concerning your studies and continue to look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

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

Addressing Gun Violence in Our Country; Week of February 23, 2024

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where Mother Nature cannot decide if it’s winter or spring! This week we hosted our Drexel colleagues for our monthly Salus-Drexel Integration Council meeting. It was great to hear progress reports from our “Thread Leads” on the substantial work undertaken to ensure seamless integration. I know President John Fry joins me in thanking our DEIB/student Life, finance, IT, MARCOM, legal and risk management leads for the work they’re doing with each of the seven verticals. It was also great to welcome Drexel Provost Paul Jensen to provide for faculty a comprehensive overview of Drexel’s strategic plan to faculty. We look forward to inviting Drexel colleagues to a future university wide meeting to share strategic priorities with our faculty and staff. The more we communicate and interact, the more comfortable everyone will feel as we merge our two institutions. Here are some other items I hope you will find of interest:

POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS: When you get a chance, check out the 2023 President’s Report titled “Powerful Partnerships” by Drexel President John Fry. In addition to reviewing some key milestones and achievements at Drexel from 2023, President Fry addresses the formalized merger agreement between Drexel and Salus and the benefits of such a merger. To read the report, click here.

CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR: On top of her busy schedule as a second-year student in the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Edesthele Decius ‘26OD released a children’s book titled, “Grandma, Can You See?” on Feb. 6, 2024. The concept of a children’s book came about from her passion for working with/for children. Click here to read more.

SAG NOMINATIONS: If you haven't already done so, please take the time to make your Salus Awards Gala (SAG) nominations and recognize those who have made your experience at Salus great. If you have already made your nominations, please encourage your classmates and faculty members to do the same. Eligible nominations must include a thoughtful description. Nominations will close Friday, March 1, 2024. Nominate Faculty here! Nominate Classmates and Student Organizations here. There are also QR codes around campus that will lead you to the nomination forms.

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the issue of gun violence in our country, but last week’s mass shooting in Kansas City and this week’s tragic death of a firefighter, police officer and paramedic due to gun violence has once again raised the issue to the forefront of my thoughts. Along with the opioid epidemic, gun violence is a key public health issue uniquely facing our country and more so than any other developed country in the world. Compounding the issue is that of the 50,000 annual deaths by suicide in the U.S. with over fifty percent involving the use of firearms. There has been a 35% increase in deaths by suicide over the past twenty years in the U.S. which is antithetical to what is occurring globally, with deaths by suicide rates decreasing.

It’s not surprising that people who attempt suicide with a firearm are 90% successful as opposed to those who attempt suicide by overdose. Studies suggest that many suicide attempts are likely to have been, “hastily decided upon and to involve little or no planning.”. Following a failed suicide attempt, many go on to live normal lives with only about 7% actually succeeding in committing suicide later in life.

With over 400 million guns circulating in the U.S., it’s fairly easy for many to acquire a firearm. Red Flag laws in some states have proven effective but until these laws are passed more uniformly across the nation, access to firearms by people who should not have one will likely remain easy. In addition to controlling access to firearms, we need to do a much better job in assuring access to mental health assets within communities. Both of these issues will require proactive leadership at all levels of government and civic involvement.

From a public health perspective, it is hard to reconcile why the U.S. has not been more proactive in restricting firearms to those who should not have them and providing mental health support to those in need. As health care providers we have a responsibility to educate our law and policy makers so they can make informed decisions about this often-contentious issue.

As you prepare for this weekend, please check out the references in my update and reflect on how you can help to address this important public health issue. Stay safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Addressing Our Spiritual Health: Week of February 16, 2024

 

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

Good morning on this bright, crisp, windy morning in Elkins Park. I just returned from attending the annual meeting of the Society of Federal Healthcare Professionals in Maryland where I had the opportunity to listen and participate in discussions with our nation’s federal healthcare leaders. I took the liberty of discussing one presentation, in particular, from Dr. Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General of the United States, in my Final Thoughts section that I thought we would all benefit from. While I was gone our campus has remained busy and vital between classes, labs and clinical activity. One distressing piece of news to note is the mass shooting in Kansas City, which has put a bit of a damper on things as we mourn the loss of a young lady and all those people, mostly adolescents, who were wounded during this senseless act of gun violence. It needs to stop!

Here are some other, certainly more uplifting things, I hope you will find of interest:

SALUS LOVE STORY: It started off with a toque and ended up with Akirta Sran, OD ‘20, and Brendan Connors, OD ‘20, getting married backwards and without a ring. And along the way, four attempted marriage proposals got delayed on account of rain, just to add another level of uniqueness to a love story that started at Salus University. Read more about this unique wedding tale by clicking here.

SLP CAREER OFF TO A GOOD START: In only seven months since graduating from Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, Sultana Abdur-Raheem, MS ‘23, has begun to form a budding career as a speech-language pathologist. Click here to read more about how her career is progressing.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT — O&P: An aspect unique to the Salus University Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program is the integrated 18-month clinical residency, where students are immersed in O&P clinical practice and research. Not all graduate O&P programs include an integrated residency, which sets the Salus program apart. Read more here.

PTE CHAPTER RECOGNIZED: This past January, the University’s Delta Mu chapter of Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE), the national honor society for occupational therapy (OT) education, was recognized in the national PTE “Scroll & Pen” newsletter for scholarly work. Click here for details.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week, while attending the annual meeting of the Society of Federal Health Professionals, I had the opportunity to hear US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy discuss the importance of spirituality. In addition to physical and mental health, he suggests it is equally -- or some would suggest, more important to pay attention to our spiritual health. Dr. Murthy breaks down spiritual health into four areas: belonging, purpose, awe and inspiration, and service.

We are in the middle of a loneliness epidemic. Across multiple college visits, Dr. Murthy has found a very high percentage of today’s college students who report being lonely most of the time. While people congregate together, very few feel a sense of belonging, which he attributes to excessive social media, smartphone and other technologies that can isolate people, even when they are physically around others. Belonging to groups, clubs, or other ways of doing things in groups helps to mitigate some of the situations that can cause loneliness.

Closely connected to this is feeling a sense of purpose in life. It can be as simple as routinely participating at a soup kitchen to working to solve civic issues in one’s community. The third aspect of spirituality is awe and inspiration. This can be elicited by walking in nature taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The fourth, and possibly one of the most important facets of spirituality, is that of service, doing something for others. Volunteering to help with setting up a party, assisting friends or siblings through hard times are examples of acts of service. Service can be closely related to purpose, which is defined by The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley as “an abiding intention to achieve a long-term goal that is both personally meaningful and makes a positive mark on the world.” Serving as a healthcare provider certainly would check both boxes, as would many other professional and social endeavors that enable us to actively participate in causes larger than ourselves.

Whether we realize it or not, feelings of tiredness, stress and even occasional hopelessness and despair are understandable due to classes, schedules, exams, family challenges, our merger and conflicts happening around the world. By paying attention to and nurturing spirituality, we can better manage our feelings and concentrate on what’s most important to each of us individually.

If you want to learn more about the importance of spirituality, I encourage you to check out Dr. Murthy’s recent “House Calls” where he discusses this in-depth with Dr. Lisa Miller, a psychologist who has worked on this for many years.

As you prepare for this weekend, I encourage you to think about Dr. Murthy’s advice and how you might begin to incorporate some of his ideas into your daily routines. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Remembering Black History Month: Week of February 9, 2024

 

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

Greetings on this beautiful February morning from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been another busy week -- welcoming our Drexel colleagues to our beautiful facilities to show them our programs and to mix, mingle and talk about our combined future. Special thanks to our deans and program directors, admissions, student life and student ambassadors, Kristen Dittrich and Jennifer Brown in Academic Affairs, TLS, LRC, facilities, security, housekeeping, and dining services staff for organizing and supporting this event. Here are some other items that I hope you will find interest in:

ALL THINGS SLP: In our latest podcast, we discuss all things clinical for the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus University with Taylor Evans, office manager for the Speech-Language Institute, Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, chair and program director of the SLP department, and Kara Maharay, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, director of clinical education for the SLP department. Click here for details.

YOUNG AUD ALUMNI: Make sure to check out this interesting and informative question and answer session with one of our young alumni from the Doctor of Audiology program, Payton Burke, AuD ‘21. For more, click here.

STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD: Raman Badh ‘26OD, a second-year student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, is one of 18 current optometry students from across the country named to the Women in Optometry student advisory board. She has been enthusiastic about immersing herself in clinical experiences this semester to further develop her skills in delivering quality eye care. Women In Optometry (WO) is an online publication that targets the fast-growing female OD segment. It caters to women ODs’ professional informational needs with one key distinction: articles are written from the uniquely female perspective.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Since 1976, February has been designated Black History Month, providing an opportunity to learn, reflect and acknowledge the accomplishments of Black Americans. While there is much rich history to explore, I am always drawn to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. This group of highly talented and motivated Black pilots, who trained at several, segregated, Black only, Tuskegee, Alabama airfields, was assigned to multiple escort and bomber squadrons throughout World War II. Eventually, they combined into a single squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group in Europe. Their primary mission was to escort bombing missions over Germany and other occupied territory in Europe and Africa. They earned the reputation of being among the best fighter pilots the Army Air Corps (predecessor to the U.S. Air Force) had with multiple commendation awards along the way.

It wasn’t until 1947, under President Truman, that the Army Air Corps and later the entire U.S. military was integrated. We’ve come a long way since then. In 1940 Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr, a former Tuskegee Airman, became the first Black American general officer in the U.S. Army and later served in the U.S. Air Force. Since then, there have been many others. Colin Powell became the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989 and Secretary of State for President George W. Bush in 2001. General Lloyd Austin became the first Black Secretary of Defense in 2021. Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely was selected as the first Black Navy Admiral in 1971. He retired as a Vice-Admiral several years later. In 2022, Gen. Michael E. Langley became the first Black four-star in Marine history. Most are unaware that the Tuskegee Airmen have a presence in Philadelphia, with an office at Enon Tabernacle East (2800 Cheltenham Ave.). You may visit this link to find out more about the local chapter and visiting the office.

As you prepare for the weekend, please take time to reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of Black soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines throughout history. They all have played a role in preserving the freedoms we all enjoy today. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Salus Weekly Update: Week of January 19, 2024

 

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

Greetings on this snowy morning as most of us work virtually from home. Even with the snow earlier in this short week, it’s been busy on campus between classes, labs and clinics all going full speed. It’s amazing how these shorter weeks often feel like they are really long!

As we prepare for today’s snow, here are some items that I hope will be of interest to you:

OPTOMETRY CAREER FAIR: The Bennett Career Services Center is hosting a Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Career Fair on Sunday, January 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Hafter Student Community Center. Network with nearly 50 employers to learn about several career options for future graduates. Click here to register.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. O’SULLIVAN: Gerard (Gerry) O’Sullivan, PhD, joined the Salus University family in March of 2023 as interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs (VPAA) after the retirement of Dr. Barry Eckert. Learn more about Dr. O’Sullivan’s expertise in higher education, and how it benefits Salus in his current role as provost and VPAA here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: While studying Kinesiology at the University of Maryland, Max Manson’s, MS ‘19, paper on focal hand dystonia led Mason to learn about sensory rehabilitation and learning braille to try and alleviate symptoms of the condition in the fingers. That helped his decision to enroll in the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy program within the Blindness and Low Vision Studies Department at Salus University. Learn more about Max’s career journey here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we close out this week that started and ended with a snowfall I thought it appropriate to end this week’s update with a few pictures from Tuesday and this morning of our beautiful campus. Wishing everyone a safe and restful weekend. Please be careful when venturing out as not only will it be very icy, but temperatures will also be extremely cold. We want everyone back next week SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Remembering Our Veterans: Week of November 10, 2023

 

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

Good morning on this cool, fall morning! It’s been an exceptionally productive week on campus. Yesterday we had the opportunity to host Professor Dáire Keogh, President of Dublin City University (DCU) and his wife Katie on campus. Professor Keogh spent the day sharing his experiences and lessons learned with deans, directors and President’s Council members about the merger between St. Patrick’s University and DCU 6 years ago. While all this was going on, folks have been putting the finishing touches on the new cafeteria which will have a “soft” opening next week (photos attached). Here are some other items I hope you will find interesting:

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: Walt Fleming, vice president of Field Maintenance and Quality Assurance for National Vision, Inc., has made significant contributions to optometry and vision care. Our congratulations and collective thanks to Walt, our Salus University Presidential Medal of Honor recipient. Click here to read more.

DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DEAN: So, just what does a day in the life of the dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University look like? Well, it’s pretty exciting, according to Dr. Melissa Trego. She likens it to a Netflix show that always has a different plot line. Click here to find out more about Dr. Trego and her responsibilities at PCO/Salus.

CHER CAREER FAIR: The College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) held its first-ever career fair earlier this week for students in our Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology programs. The event featured 24 businesses from across the region. Click here to see what our students thought of this important networking opportunity.

CAPSTONE PROJECT: For her capstone project, Shannon McCabe, PA ‘23, explored whether social media has a positive or negative effect on females with eating disorders. Her research looked specifically into women with anorexia. Read more about her findings here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Here in Philadelphia, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the Continental Marines. Since that time, Marines have distinguished themselves in defending our freedoms around the world. During my 33-year Navy career, I had the privilege of serving with the Marine Corps for almost a third of that time.

Tomorrow, 11 November, we recognize all veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War,” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, a temporary cessation of hostilities, between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Originally designated Armistice Day by President Wilson, November 11 commemorates the armistice that began that day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to recognize all veterans.

As a retired Navy veteran, I regularly reflect on how lucky we all are to have women and men who make sacrifices and place their lives on the line every day to ensure we continue to enjoy the freedoms we have, such as Tuesday’s election day. They do this while being held to the highest of standards, professionally, ethically, and morally. Core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment for the Navy and Loyalty, Honor, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Integrity, and Personal Courage for the Army have been the moral and ethical compasses that have guided women and men in uniform for 248 years.

Here at Salus we are particularly lucky to have some of our nation’s finest learning with us. Ozoaru Chukwu, or Lyna -- as most of us know her, recently shared with classmates her journey to Salus having served overseas in significant tours. I am inspired by Lyna’s selfless service to our country, her dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others, exceptional leadership and remarkable courage. (see photo)

As healthcare professionals, we have much in common with our military service members. We, too, have commited our time and talent to serve others. Most importantly, as healthcare professionals we also must be guided by an ethical and moral compass that emulates that of our Navy and Marine Corps – that of Honor, Courage, and Commitment; or U.S. Army - Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Respect, Selfless Service, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, take time to thank the many veterans and service members around us and to recommit ourselves to acting with honor, exercising courage to denounce actions that are counter to our democratic values, and doing what’s right for our patients, clients and students. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to lead by example.

Have a great weekend! Stay safe, continue to look out for one another and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

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

Embracing Change and Finding Your Cheese: Week of May 19, 2023

 

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

Good morning on a beautiful Spring morning from our Elkins Park campus. We look forward to welcoming our Board of Trustees on Monday for our quarterly board meeting and celebrating our newest graduates on Thursday during Spring commencement at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Other things we’re celebrating:

HONORING THE NYMAN BROTHERS: Colleagues, friends and family gathered last weekend to honor the contributions of Neal and Jeffrey Nyman and the creation of the Nyman Brothers Legacy Scholarship at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University. Our own Susan “Dr. O” Oleszewski, OD ‘76, Resident ‘78, FAAO, provided an inside and humorous look at the legacy of the Nymans at PCO/Salus which was filled with “a little bit of truth, a little bit of fun and a lot of love.” To read the story and see the video of Dr. O’s presentation, click here.

LIGHTHOUSE AWARD WINNER: Speaking of Dr. Oleszewski, the foundress of our Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity initiative is being named the 2023 Lighthouse Award winner by our Alumni Association in recognition of her four decades of service to PCO/Salus. The Lighthouse Award is given to leaders who are beacons of light and sources of strength in the community in which they live, work, and serve above and beyond their occupations. She will be presented with the award at the annual event on Nov. 11, 2023. Congratulations Dr. O on a well-deserved honor! Read more here.

RENOVATION UPDATE: During the planning stages of our first-floor South renovation of our Elkins Park campus, project manager Amie Leighton, RA, LEED AP, realized the plans needed to be welcoming and accessible to the whole community. So, she reached out to Dr. Fabiana Perla, our Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) department chair, for some recommendations. Read more here about how BLVS’s expert suggestions improved the final design plans.

OFF THEY GO: The University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) hosted its externship celebration May 2 for current third-year students, who are moving to clinical sites across the country for the entirety of their fourth year. The reception is an annual tradition — complete with a champagne toast and chocolate covered strawberries — to properly send off the third-year Doctor of Audiology students to their externships. Click here to read more.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As our discussions with Drexel unfold, I recently reread Dr. Spencer Johnson’s “Who Moved My Cheese,” a modern parable for managing change. The book describes 4 personas: Hem, a character fearful of change and reticent to embrace change; Haw, who is initially fearful but ultimately embraces change and realizes the great benefits of doing so; Scurry, a mouse that just simply runs off looking for opportunities without much thought; and Sniff, another mouse that is able to sniff out opportunities and capitalize on them as they are found.

I asked myself, “which of these characters am I?” The truth is all four personas exist in each of us simultaneously. Uncertainty and change can feel scary and difficult. It’s so much easier to fall into the regular patterns and habits we develop that form a sense of safety and security.

As we look into the future of healthcare higher education, change is accelerating. By anticipating and monitoring small changes, we can adapt more quickly and enjoy the excitement that can with change. Choosing this approach leads to greater happiness in the long run. What a relevant and important lesson to embrace while we contemplate our future.

To our students who are preparing to graduate next week, I encourage you to embrace the changes that inevitably are coming your way; get outside of your comfort zones and seize the opportunities that will present themselves, as you’ll know where they might lead. As we consider what a relationship with Drexel might look like, I encourage the rest of us to embrace the transformational possibilities that exist for our students, faculty and staff. Our cheese will move because change is inevitable. Let’s anticipate change together and capitalize on all the great possibilities that will come with finding new cheese.

Have a great weekend! I’ll be running the Upper Dublin Triathlon on Sunday so you know where I’ll be! Look out for one another, think about how changes in your lives can make you happier and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

The Importance of Human Connection: Week of March 3, 2023

 

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

Good morning on a cold Friday as I join Dr. Trego and our PCO colleagues in honoring Neil Draisin, OD '71, with our Presidential Medal of Honor at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) in Atlanta this evening. Dr. Draisin’s accomplishments include being a past-president of SECO, member of the South Carolina Optometry Hall of Fame and prior Optometrist of the Year for the American Optometric Association. Other items of interest:

MORE NEW BOT MEMBERS: Welcome to our newest student and faculty members on the Salus University Board of Trustees. Sean Lewis ‘24OD, officially joined the board in January 2023 as our student representative. While at Salus, Sean has been a member of Student Council, has received the Pinnacle Student of the Year award from the student body, has been a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Golden Key International Honour Society, president of the Sexuality And Gender Alliance at Salus (SAGAS), and a teaching assistant for Optometry Clinical Skills. Effective May 1, 2023, Caitlyn Foy, DOT, MOTR/L, will be our faculty representative. Caitlyn is director of our Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program. We’re thrilled to have both on the board and look forward to their contributions. 

INTERPROFESSIONAL CONTINUING ED: Approximately 225 participants — nearly quadruple the number who attended in 2019 — participated virtually in a recent interprofessional synchronous continuing education (IPE) course offered by Salus University. The event provided training for student supervisors and included sessions on setting students up for success and supervision vs. mentorship. Click here to read more about the event.

EYEBALL 2023: Last year’s “EyeBall” — the annual celebration for third-year students of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University before they fan out across the country for their clinical externships —– fell victim to COVID-19 and was unfortunately canceled. But the Class of 2024 made up for it by inviting the Class of 2023 to attend, to make up for last year’s cancellation. Read more about the event here.

SCHOLARSHIP MONEY AVAILABLE: When it comes to available scholarship money, students may not be aware of what’s out there. Our Student Financial Affairs office tries to make it as easy as possible for students to apply for internal scholarships. Read more here about both internal and external money that’s available.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week I was delighted to participate in our continuing education program in Turks and Caicos along with Pennsylvania College of Optometry alumni and fellow optometrists from Canada, Oklahoma and Minnesota. Special thanks to our departments of International and Continuing Education (DICE) and Institutional Advancement for organizing this important learning experience. Our stellar PCO faculty members -- Drs. Tracy Offerdahl, Erin Kenny, Andrew Meagher, and Alissa Coyne, provided outstanding instruction.

This got me thinking about the importance of human connection and how this has become even more relevant as we emerge out of the pandemic. Every participant with whom I spent time noted how much they enjoyed the chance to be with and learn with others in person.

I was also struck by how infrequently we used our digital devices and how engaged and connected we were without them. For me, limiting my time on my computer to just a couple times a day enabled me to be more present with others.

This becomes so important in thinking about interactions with our patients and clients. As a society, I fear we are losing the ability to communicate effectively because we are so disconnected interpersonally. I want to encourage all of us to limit our texting. If we do need to pick up our phones, try having a brief conversation, rather than texting, to interact in “real time”. If you get a phone call as you are entering a meeting, instead of sending a text, take ten seconds to answer the phone and let the person know that you’ll call them back when you are done. Showing up by being fully present with others, even for brief moments, creates the space for meaningful interaction.

As you prepare for the weekend, try to limit you use of texting and have a conversation with someone you know. You’ll be surprised at how connected you’ll feel! Try to stay safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Building Trust-Based Relationships: Week of January 20, 2023

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park Campus where it’s great to see students collaborating in our Learning Resource Center and walking around the campus! It’s been especially gratifying to see our Cristo Rey High School interns supporting several key areas while gaining experience and exposure to our health professions. Here are other items that I hope will be of interest to you:

FABULOUS FRAMING: When asked where she gets her sense of style, Nwamaka Ngoddy, OD ‘12, answers “from the school of life.” That awareness has helped Dr. Ngoddy expand her professional horizons. After years of practicing in retail optometry, she opened Anwuli Eyewear in 2019, where she designs frames specifically with African-American facial features in mind. Read more about Dr. Ngoddy here.

SENSE OF BELONGING: Strengthening a sense of belonging – the feeling that each of us is valued, connected and important, is something to which we all can actively contribute, and the research shows that belonging boosts engagement and retention. That was the message from Terrell Strayhorn, PhD, to faculty and staff at Salus University’s Development Day. Read more about Dr. Strayhorn’s presentation here.

PCO CAREER FAIR: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Career Fair will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, in the Hafter Student Community Center. PCO/Salus students can learn more about full or part-time clinical externship opportunities in local practices. Contact careerservices@salus.edu with questions.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER EVENT: Join CPPD's doctoral student trainees Andrew Jaskot and Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores for a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) tabling event from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. outside the café on Monday, Jan. 23. Students are encouraged to stop by to chat with the counselors, receive more information about counseling services, pick-up snacks, and enter a raffle to win a seasonal affective disorder light therapy lamp.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I have been reading a book about the Stoics and am struck by a quote from Marcus Aurelius, which is quite timely: “It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.”

With so many “alternative facts” floating around in the press and society, it can be hard to what and whom to trust. Healthcare should top the list of societal institutions in which we can place our trust and confidence. As healthcare professionals, we can help build this one patient at a time.

According to author Stephen Covey, trust is built upon credibility, consistent behavior, alignment, reputation and contribution. (The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, 2008) We can actively build trusting relationships with our patients and clients by presenting evidence-based information, actively listening and responding consistently with kindness, care and respect; being reliability present and aligned in our words and actions; and actively seeking opportunities to contribute to the greater good within and beyond our professions.

While the current political and social divides in our country may create uncertainty, we can counter this by creating caring, trustful, reliable relationships that will serve our patients and clients well. The choices we make and the actions we take, individually and collectively, build personal, professional, institutional and societal integrity.

As you prepare for the weekend, I encourage you to reflect on the many ways you can develop the skills and behaviors that will foster trust-based relationships with each patient and client in your care.

Have a great weekend – be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Vote Next Week: Week of November 4, 2022

 

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

Good morning on this beautiful Fall morning where our Elkins Park and East Oak Lane campuses have been buzzing with activity. We are nearing completion of minor renovations to The Eye Institute that will improve the patient check-in process and flow. And, of course, we are watching the Phillies, Eagles and Union!

Here are some other items of interest:

LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS: We are excited about our upcoming Looking Out For Kids charity fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. This year’s event will be held at the National Constitution Center where we will honor Professor Kovin Naidoo with our Lighthouse Award. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, please consider going to our website here to help us provide healthcare for children in need.

VACCINATION EVENT: On Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the Hafter Center gym Salus will host a vaccination event, in collaboration with Walmart Pharmacy, that will provide the new bivalent COVID booster as well as the Flu vaccination.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: This Sunday, Nov. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. there will be the "Excellence in Education” annual conference in tribute to the late Dr. Joseph C. Toland, a PCO graduate and professor with more than 40 years of service. His avid support of optometric education and residency training have shaped how we practice optometry. Salus University extends our deepest respect and gratitude to Dr. Toland. In his honor, all proceeds from this annual event will directly benefit our residency program. Click here for more information, and here to register.

OT FACULTY FOCUS: Being in on the ground floor of establishing Salus University’s Occupational Therapy (OT) department was a memorable time for Caitlyn Foy, DOT, MOTR/L. Read more about Dr. Foy’s role in that here in this week’s Faculty Focus.

RESIDENCY CLASS OF 2023: Ryan Keenan, OD ‘22,’23 Resident, knew he wanted to get into healthcare when he entered college and explored several professions through volunteer opportunities. Now he’s one of our residents and he says his residency is everything he expected. Read more about Dr. Keenan here.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME TO END: Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night as Daylight Savings Time ends at 2AM Sunday morning. We all get an extra hour of sleep!

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last week I wrote about the imperative of exercising your right and responsibility to vote for your candidate of choice on election day. Our democracy, and the right to vote, are more fragile than most realize. Your vote helps ensure that your voice is heard.

The day is now upon us: Tuesday, Nov. 8th. If you have not filed your mail-in ballot, please make time to vote!

As you consider for whom you will vote, check candidate voting records that can help predict how candidates will vote in the future. Remember that social media posts tend to represent opinions rather than facts. Verify facts using multiple sources before taking a position.

The weather is going to be amazing this weekend! Try to get out and enjoy it while we still have it! As you go about your activities over the weekend, please remember CDC masking guidelines and be cognizant of your surroundings at all times. If you haven’t already been vaccinated with the new COVID bivariant vaccine and flu vaccine, please try to register for our campus event or get them at your local pharmacies. It’s the safe and responsible thing to do.

Be safe, remain vigilant and stay SALUS STRONG!

Disengaging and Recharging: Week of July 29th, 2022

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

Greetings from a warm and muggy Elkins Park campus where we are wrapping up the summer semester and preparing to welcome new students later next month. It’s been a busy final week as we welcomed our Pennsylvania State Legislature’s Education Committee for a tour of our campus and The Eye Institute yesterday. It was an honor to show them what we do and to thank them for their continued support! We also bid farewell to our Master of Clinical Optometry students from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan who have been on campus for a month to hone their skills in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Here are some other items of interest for you:

NEW PA DIRECTOR: Rachel Ditoro, MSPAS, PA-C, is our new director of the Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program in the College of Health Science, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER), effective July 1, 2022. She understands many patients have been to healthcare providers and have walked away feeling dissatisfied after their encounter. As a result, her ultimate goal is to make sure this doesn’t happen with the PA students trained at Salus University. Read more about Rachel here.

ASCO PRESIDENCY: Congratulations to Melissa Trego, OD ‘04, Resident ‘09, PhD, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, for ascending to the presidency of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the academic leadership organization committed to advancing optometric education and research to enhance the health and well-being of the public. Dr. Trego is only the fourth PCO/Salus educator to have served ASCO in that capacity. For details, click here.

MANAGING COLLEGIATE FINANCES: Sallie Mae’s “How Americans Pay for College” study found that 44 percent of surveyed families did not use scholarships to help with undergraduate tuition costs. Of that, only 6 percent said they didn’t need additional funds. Check out this story about how Salus strives to ensure its students are aware of not only internal scholarships but external scholarship opportunities available to them as well.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we close out another academic semester, I’m reminded of how quickly time goes. 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 a bit and recharge both mentally and physically. Whether you’re a student, faculty, or staff, we all need to take a break every so often to catch our breath. Now is a great time to regroup and reconnect with family and friends. Once orientation begins, everyone will be going 100 miles per hour again between lectures, labs, clinics, and travel.

As you prepare for the weekend, please also remember that Covid numbers continue to increase in our region so it’s important to remain vigilant as you go about your daily activities. Continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and test if you’re not feeling well. 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

Coping With Stress: Week of June 24th, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a cool summer morning from our Elkins Park campus, where earlier this week, twelve students began our Summer Enrichment Program thanks to a grant from National Vision, Inc. These students will be on campus for 4-weeks preparing to start our optometry program in August. We are excited to welcome them!

Here are some items of interest:

ADAPTIVE SPORTS DAY: Salus University will host its first Hanger Clinic Adaptive Sports Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park campus. This event, for anyone with limb loss, orthotic bracing or mobility changes, and their supportive family and friends, is a great way to introduce the community to our new Orthotics and Prosthetics program that will welcome its inaugural class this fall. For details click here.

NEW ASCO PRESIDENT: Congratulations to Dr. Melissa Trego, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, for assuming the presidency of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) at its conference last week in Chicago.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE: June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, and when our first students arrive in the fall of 2022 to learn in the new Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at Salus University, they will be very much aware of what scoliosis is and taught how to effectively treat it. Read more here.

A NOTABLE FIRST: When Suha Almusa ‘22 O&M, graduates in the fall from the Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program at Salus University, it is believed she will be the only female certified O&M specialist in her home country, Saudi Arabia. Read more about Suha’s journey here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I want to revisit a discussion about stress, particularly for our students. Even in the midst of the summer semester, many of you still feel the stress associated with being a professional student. There’s a great deal going on around us, and there’s also much to learn in a relatively short period of time. I want you to know that you’re not alone – not at all. If you’re having difficulty with a specific subject, I can pretty much guarantee that some of your classmates are experiencing the same challenges. I remember my first year at PCO, way back when, sitting in Dr. Lorraine Lombardi’s anatomy lectures trying to figure out how I was going to remember all that stuff. Throw in ophthalmic and physiological optics and my head was spinning. Most of my classmates were feeling the same way. The biggest difference between then and now is that there is even more material to learn in each of our programs! Your deans, program directors and faculty all realize the stress you may be feeling. While there is no simple answer and everyone copes with stress a bit differently, here are some suggestions that have served me well over the years:

Stay focused on your studies – Keep up with your learning and try not to fall behind. Not only is focusing on school a great break from focusing on what’s going on in the world, it’s also a way to progress in your life while everything else seems like it’s on pause.

Develop a routine you can stick to – Sounds basic, but it will make a world of difference. Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), exercise, eat breakfast, etc.

Get enough sleep – This may seem like “mission impossible,” but the better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be at handling things that come your way including stress. Prioritize sleep over other things and 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 while getting physical exercise.

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 – 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 some new classmates or the people you miss seeing every day.

We all want you to succeed. If you remain focused, healthy and optimistic, you will. We have skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are also there for you. I strongly encourage you to contact them if you feel like you need to. All you need to do is make an appointment here.

As you prepare for this warm summer weekend, please think about how you are managing stress. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a facemask indoors and outside, informed by your personal risk assessment (CDC guidance can help you decide), and continue to look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG! See you all next week!

Mike