Preparing to Celebrate Our Graduates: Week of May 17, 2024

 

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

Good morning from Elkins Park where we are preparing for next week’s commencement ceremony and also welcoming students back to campus as our Summer Semester begins. Here are some other items I hope you will find of interest:

128TH COMMENCEMENT: John Fry, President of Drexel University, will deliver the keynote address at Salus University's 128th commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Read more here.

SLP POST-BACC ADVANTAGES: The Post-baccalaureate Program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) was designed to prepare students to excel academically and professionally by establishing a foundation necessary for their success in the field of SLP. And there are several advantages of being a part of the Post-bacc SLP program at Salus. For details, click here.

FROM DREXEL TO SALUS: Hearing about the upcoming merger between Salus and Drexel University seemed like an ironic coincidence for two second-year Physician Assistant (PA) Studies students, Emily Damico ‘24PA and Momina Khan '24PA. Although both will have graduated from Salus before the two institutions academic programs merge in the summer of 2025, they see a tremendous benefit for current and prospective students when it comes to the partnership. Read more here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Alicia Reiser, MS, OTR/L, OTD ‘18, ADHD-RSP, was looking for the “missing piece” in her career. And, she found it in the Salus University Post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) program’s Remedial Vision Rehabilitation: Pediatrics and Acquired Brain Injury track. Click here to read more about her journey.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Next week is all about our students! The launch of our newest graduates presents an opportunity to thank our talented faculty and staff for preparing these young professionals to take on the challenges that today’s complex world presents to them. I have no doubt that our graduates have all the tools they need to excel in their given professions.

In order to effectively address a changing environment, it will be incumbent upon our new graduates, as you begin your new careers, to commit to life-long learning and a life of service as you navigate through these changes. I know I speak for the entire Salus community when I wish them the very best as they spread their wings and leave our nest.

If you’re preparing to graduate on Thursday, I hope you, your families and significant others take some time to enjoy the Greater Philadelphia area. 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

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Week of January 12, 2024

 

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

Greetings from Drexel University where, as co-chair of the Drexel-Salus Integration Council, I am spending a couple of days a week to facilitate a smooth integration ahead of final approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Everyone I have met has been excited about the possibilities for innovation, interprofessional education and the development of pipelines into our programs. In addition to this, here are some other things I hope you will find of interest:

FACULTY RECOGNITION: Two members of our esteemed faculty have recently been recognized with outstanding honors:

• Jennifer Bergstrom, EdD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus, began her term as the vice president (VP) of finance for the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) on January 1. USSAAC is an organization dedicated to supporting the needs and rights of people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Read more about her new position here.
• Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at Salus, has been named to the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a tenure of three years. As a member of the roster, Dr. Duncan is now eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in more than 150 countries globally during his tenure. Read more about the honor here.

I CHOSE SALUS: Early clinical exposure and interprofessional learning are integral program components at Salus University and are why Brittany Cullen ‘27AUD, chose to pursue Audiology here. Learn more about why Brittany chose Salus.

THIS WEEK’S TECH TUESDAY: Marisa Guardino '24MSOT tells us about her favorite pieces of occupational therapy equipment for pediatric fine motor skills. Click here to watch and see more in the series.

FINAL THOUGHTS: On Monday our nation will celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Righteousness, equality, justice, and nonviolence are key tenets of the American civil rights movement he led. How might we, as healthcare providers, educators and researchers emulate and apply these principles?

As I have in year’s past, I encourage you to take seventeen minutes to watch Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. While we have all heard parts of it, I suspect many have never listened to the entire speech. My hope is that you experience something far greater than the momentary satisfaction of social media.

To honor Dr. King, let me share several quotes that reflect what I believe we do at Salus and that our Drexel colleagues also embody: 

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

Our Salus community is a tapestry of different backgrounds and cultures. Together, we bring our diverse strengths, thoughts and actions to impact the future of healthcare, education, research and professional practice. Salus and Drexel’s shared commitment to community service not only ties our universities together, it is a distinguishing hallmark of which we can both be proud.

Monday’s holiday is the only national holiday designated as a Day of Service to encourage all to improve their communities as a tribute to Dr. King. Dr. King lived his life serving others through his actions and words. As Dr. King said, “Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others. Let’s try to live that adage in these turbulent times.

As you prepare for the weekend, try to reflect of some of Dr. King’s lessons and work to employ those lessons in your daily interactions with your patients, clients, family members and friends. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and come back on Tuesday SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Remembering Pearl Harbor: Week of December 8, 2023

 

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

Good morning on this beautiful, clear, crisp Fall day! It’s been another busy week on campus as students complete final exams and clinical rotations and faculty start to prepare grades and do all the things that come with the end of a semester.

As things begin to wind down around campus, here are some items I hope will be of interest to you:

FAMOUS PATIENT: When Charles Klein, OD ‘67, arrived at the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO) in 1963, with long hair, not unlike many young people who were embracing the youth movement of the time. The Philadelphia area was becoming a hotbed of political and civil change, with a vibrant emerging folk music scene. Dr. Klein’s long hair didn’t escape the notice of University president Lawrence Fitch, OD ‘36. Click here to find out what creative solution Dr. Fitch found to Dr. Klein’s long hair, as well as who Dr. Klein’s first eventually famous patient would be during his clinical training at the University.

WHAT’S NEW IN SLP: In our latest podcast, we catch up with Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, director of the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus. Bob updates us on what’s new in the SLP program and at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI). Click here to listen to the podcast.

YOUNG ALUMNI: Check out this question-and-answer session with one of our “Young Alumni,” Jonah Casella, OD ‘22. Click here for details.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Eighty-two years ago today, following the December 7th surprise attack on our Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began his speech to Congress with this now famous line, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” That surprise attack claimed the lives of 2,403 service members and civilians. Another 1,178 people were injured in the attack. Two U.S. Navy battleships – the USS Arizona and the USS Utah were also permanently sunk, and 188 aircraft were destroyed.

There were many American heroes at Pearl Harbor. Doris Miller, an African American Sailor, served on the USS West Virginia. Like most African Americans in a segregated U.S. Navy, Miller was assigned to non-combat related duties such as a cook. That didn’t stop him from taking over an unmanned gun deck on the West Virginia to shoot down enemy planes, taking out at least one Japanese fighter and possibly more. His actions were depicted in the movie Pearl Harbor. Miller was passed over for the Medal of Honor by then Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, who opposed Black sailors serving the United States in any combat role. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism. The Navy has since named a destroyer-escort in honor of Doris Miller.

According to the National World War II Museum, 418,500 American military and civilians lost their lives in the war. Worldwide, 15 million military service members and over 45 million civilians were killed over the course of the war. This was the price of freedom in the 1940’s.

The human toll and atrocities associated with World War II are almost incomprehensible. Hopefully, never to be repeated.

In his 1905 publication The Life of Reason, George Santayna famously observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As healthcare professionals and global citizens, we too must keep these lessons in mind. With all that is happening in the world today, combined with the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, the lessons of the past become even more relevant.

Our call to action is to learn from the past, honor heroes, such as Doris Miller, whose selfless courage we strive to emulate, and to exercise tolerance, respect and positive influence on all whom we touch as healthcare providers, educators and researchers. Remember the human price that has been paid to protect democracy from anarchists. We have a sacred responsibility to preserve that through our actions.

As you prepare for the weekend, I hope your studying for finals goes well and that you take some time to reflect on the sacrifices of all who have given us the opportunities to study, work and care for others. Stay safe, continue to look out for others and come back next week SALUS STRONG! Happy Chanukah to our Jewish students, faculty and colleagues and friends!

-Mike

Helping You to Manage Stress: Week ok August 25, 2023

 

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

Good morning from our verdant Elkins Park campus where everything is vibrant and green helped by summer rains! It’s been a busy week around campus with all of our new students beginning lectures and labs and returning students heading back to clinics and didactic schedules. Our South Building construction project continues to make exciting progress as newly completed areas are already actively used by students, faculty and staff. Here are some other items of interest:

MOBILITY MEET UP: Salus University and the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center at The Eye Institute (TEI), recently celebrated Orientation and Mobility (O&M) interns, patients and support persons. Click here to read more about the “Mobility Meet Up.”

SEESHORE FEST PREVIEW: Seeshore Fest 2023, an annual event that raises money for the William Feinbloom Rehabilitation Center and Foundation Fighting Blindness, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in Dewey Beach, Delaware. Click here for details.

STUDENTS WELCOMED FROM TAIWAN: Salus University recently hosted its on-campus clinical education program in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). Three Audiology students and five SLP students from Chung-Shan Medical University in Taiwan attended the four-week certificate program enhancing their knowledge within the professions and getting an up-close look at graduate-level training in the United States. The program was coordinated through the Academic Affairs Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming (GISP). Read more here.

OAT TEST PREP COURSE: The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge base and aptitude in several key content areas relevant to optometry school curriculum. Currently, no optometry program in the country offers a prep course for the OAT. But, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University is about to change that. Click here to read more.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I mentioned during Orientation and White Coat ceremonies, there’s a great deal going on around us, and there’s also much to get accustomed to in school – between new schedules, new living environments, new subject matter to learn and working with new friends and colleagues.

I want you to know that you’re not alone. If you’re having difficulty with a specific subject I can guarantee that many of your classmates are experiencing the same challenges. For our first-year students, I can remember my first year at PCO, 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. It took a little over a semester both to realize I had this and also that I wasn’t alone. Most of my classmates were feeling the same way. Your deans, program directors and faculty all realize the stress you’re experiencing. Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them for help. While there is no simple answer and everyone copes with stress a bit differently, here are a few suggestions to help you through this that have served me well over the years:

Stay focused on your studies - Keep up with your studies and try not to fall behind.

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!), do some exercise, have breakfast, etc.

Get enough sleep – This also sounds pretty basic and to some, maybe it seems 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, to include 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 very close to campus you can go and enjoy nature that will help to calm your mind and present opportunities for some exercise at many levels. Alverthorpe Park is five minutes away!

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

We all understand how difficult these programs are. It’s important to remain focused, healthy and optimistic, which is the most difficult task. We have skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are 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.

Finally, Covid cases are once again on the rise, both nationally and in our region. It is prudent for us to be aware of this and take appropriate precautions, such as social distancing and consider masking around crowds, especially if you are immunocompromised or have a chronic disease.

If you are not feeling well, please stay home and test yourself for Covid before returning to campus. If you’ve been exposed to someone with Covid please follow CDC guidelines, which include masking for at least 5-days when around others and testing at the 5-day interval, even if you are symptom free, to ensure you do not spread the virus.

This is also a good time for everyone to think about getting their annual flu vaccine as flu season will be here before we know it.

As you prepare for the weekend, please try to get outdoors, enjoy the late summer weather and recharge mentally and physically as I want you all to remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Managing Stress In Your Life: Week of June 2, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful June morning from our Elkins Park campus. With summer session well underway, there is nothing better than seeing students relaxing and studying pondside in the cool shade along with our resident family of geese! Construction on the first-floor renovation project has been moving along and we are beginning to see the open spaces that we will enjoy when our dining and gathering spaces are complete. It is exciting!

Here are other items of interest:

OT DEEP DIVE: In our latest podcast, Tara Schumacher, an assistant director of Admissions at Salus, talks about the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program including tips and tricks for applying. Click here to read more.

CONGRATS NEW GRADS: Last week we celebrated our 126th commencement at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia and sent our graduates off with inspirational remarks given by Dr. Ala Stanford. We look forward to watching our graduates spread their wings as they leave our nest. Click here to read more about this year's commencement.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: It was Sam Farrand's, MS '17, mother-in-law who suggested that he consider going into speech therapy. That turned out to be great advice. In 2015, Farrand entered the inaugural Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program and hasn't looked back since. For more, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I reflect on our commencement ceremony last week, our future merger with Drexel, current national and international events, it’s incredible to consider how much is going on simultaneously. The level of stress generated by any one of these events is significant. Taken concurrently, the mental and emotional stress on our bodies increases appreciably.

While each of us has developed coping mechanisms for stress, the “wear and tear” of repeated exposure to stress has immediate and long term impacts on our bodies and brains. It’s imperative that we rigorously and deliberately work to mitigate stress to the best of our abilities. Some suggestions that have worked for me over the years include the following:

Develop a morning routine that’s sustainable - Sounds basic, but it makes a world of difference. Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), get some exercise, have breakfast, etc. 

Develop good sleep habits – We need sleep to remain healthy and fit. 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. Prioritize sleep over other things and you’ll be more productive, resilient and attentive. Minimize screen time prior to going to bed as that can adversely affect sleep.

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.

Eat a healthy diet – Studies have found that eating hyper-processed foods and added sugars will add to perceived stress levels. Try to eat a balanced diet consisting of whole foods, protein, fruits and vegetables and pass on that extra bowl of ice cream or chocolate chip cookie.

Take a time-out – If you’re working on something or just feel a bit overwhelmed, take a minute or two to take a “brain break” and think about something enjoyable such as getting outside or your last fun vacation.

Start writing in a journal – Capture positive things that happen during the day and write them in a journal. Over time you’ll accumulate many positive experiences that will help you through challenging times when you look back on these journal entries.

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 new classmates or the people you miss seeing every day.

Stress affects all of us in different ways. Some stress in our lives is beneficial, as it helps us to focus and perform at a high level. When stress levels supersede that threshold, that’s when people start to exhibit symptoms. Try to stay ahead of the stress power curve!

For our students, skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) are always available to assist with more advice on how to handle stress. All you need to do is make an appointment here. For faculty and staff, please contact your insurance provider who can provide mental health expertise.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the nice weather. Please remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen when out and about. Continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Importance of Getting Outside and Enjoying Nature: Week of May 12, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful spring morning from Alexandria, VA. Our students have been busy preparing for the final weeks of the semester. It’s an extremely exciting time for our graduates and for students heading out to clinical rotations. In addition to this, here are other items of interest:

DR. APPEL RETIRES: Congratulations to Sarah Appel, OD ‘79, Resident ‘81, FAAO, AAO Diplomate, Low Vision Rehabilitation ’90, who officially retired this month as the director of the Pediatric Low Vision Services at The Eye Institute (TEI) and co-director of the Special Populations Assessment and Rehabilitation Center (SPARC) program for children with visual and developmental disorders. To read more about Dr. Appel’s substantial contributions to PCO/Salus over the course of her career, click here.

COMMUNITY HEALTH RESEARCH: The University’s first-year didactic Physician Assistant (PA) Studies students recently gathered in a classroom on the Elkins Park campus and presented the results of a semester’s worth of research and development related to vulnerable populations and their health needs for their Community Health course. Click here to read more about those projects.

ENDING UP IN THE RIGHT PLACE: Although the journey to Salus and the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department for Megan Schafer, MS ’20, was a complicated one, she reflects on her experience fondly, confident that she ended up in the right place. Read more about her journey here.

MATCH DAY: The residency class of 2023-2024 is comprised of a highly motivated, diverse group of optometrists hailing from six different optometry schools or colleges with various experiences. Read more here about our annual Match Day.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Every week I suggest everyone get outside, enjoy the outdoors, rest, and recharge. This weekend, I’m taking my own medicine. Enjoy the view and have a great weekend!

-Mike

Embracing Transitions: Week of May 5, 2023

 

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

Good morning and Happy Cinco de Mayo! It’s been another busy week at Salus with our students preparing for finals, upcoming commencement and new clinical rotations. We’ve had therapy dogs in the Learning Resource Center, bagels in the morning to help jump start the day, and the symphony of construction as work continues on our first floor renovation. Here are some other items of interest:

A HIGHER LEVEL: Yasmin Battat, AuD ‘09 wanted a higher level of training where she could attain more in-depth knowledge about her profession. So, she enrolled in the distance learning program in audiology at what was then the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) School of Audiology. Read more about Dr. Battat’s journey here.

ACCEPTED STUDENT DAY: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P) programs hosted their inaugural accepted student days this past weekend. Students had the opportunity to visit the Elkins Park campus, tour the facilities, meet faculty, and interact with prospective classmates. Accepted student day was first offered for PCO students last year, but has since expanded to include the Audiology, SLP, O&P and Physician Assistant Studies (PA) programs.

OT CONFERENCE: Five Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program (OTD) students and two Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) students attended the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri from April 19 to April 23. SOTA officers Lexi Hunn MSOT ‘24, and Mia Nicolosi, MSOT ‘24, represented Salus at the annual Assembly of Student Delegates meeting, and Caityn Foy, DOT, MOTR/L, OTD program director, hosted a Salus University expo table and talked to prospective MSOT and OTD students.

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH: Monday marked the start of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month), recognizing the challenges faced by Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians and their vital contributions to the American story. May is significant to the AAPI community for two reasons. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States. More than 20 years later, on May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, largely due to the project's more than 20,000 Chinese workers.

FINAL THOUGHTS: On Tuesday evening, I was delighted to help “send off” our 3rd year Audiology students who are preparing for external clinical rotations. I always enjoy this ceremony, as I encourage our students to take full advantage of the learning that will challenge them clinically and academically, and that will help them build confidence in what they’ve learned at Salus. This got me thinking about transitions, and how at this time of the year many of our students are preparing to transition to their next stage of training or into professional practice opportunities.

Transitions can be exhilarating and exciting, and they can also feel uncomfortable, challenging and scary. Over the course of my 33-year career with the Navy, I transitioned a number of times to positions with increasing responsibility all over the world. Each transition helped me grow professionally and intellectually by getting me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to confront new ideas and situations. Some transitions were harder than others. As I reflect on all of them, the ones in which I learned the most were the ones I approached with an open mind, grace and ease—allowing myself not to know everything, reaching out when I had questions, and giving myself the space to make mistakes and learn from them.

Every day and every interprofessional and interpersonal encounter presents an opportunity to embrace change in the way we look at things, communicate and respond. Over their years of education and clinical training at Salus University, our students are being shaped by our faculty and staff to become exceptionally prepared healthcare professionals, educators and researchers. Each step along the path is a transition presenting students with challenges and opportunities that contribute to their professional formation.

As we continue our discussions with Drexel, our faculty and staff have been thinking about what a transition could look like if an integration moves forward. Like other transitions, this presents great opportunities, and it can also feel stressful, because the status quo will change over time. In healthcare and higher education, where our worlds intersect, change is the norm. This can feel difficult and destabilizing. Having been through a lifetime of significant transitions, I want you to know that I appreciate what you may be feeling. As you have questions, please reach out to me or our leadership team. We can navigate this together.

I cannot stress enough the importance of flexibility and agility as conditions in our industry change. These changes require transitions from the way we currently think to new ways of thinking that are more encompassing, collaborative and more complex. That’s the goal of the integration with Drexel: providing us with the opportunity to shape and evolve the future of our current programs in a way that we could not envision independently.

Marcus Aurelias, the famous stoic, once said: “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” In every transition I have encountered, I have asked myself, “What am I learning about my response to change, and how can I grow from this experience?” This question has helped me see the opportunity for positive growth that is always there, if I look for it.

As you start your weekend, try to reflect on the transitions you’ve experienced and the learning that has come out of them. Congratulations and best of luck to our audiology as well as our other students heading to clinical rotations. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Embracing Change: Week of April 28, 2023

 

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

Good morning on a cloudy Friday in Elkins Park. Looks like we’re in for a rainy weekend here! It’s been another busy week on campus with students preparing for final exams and heading off to clinical rotations. We’ve also been meeting with small groups of faculty and staff to discuss our potential affiliation with Drexel. We greatly appreciate everyone’s questions and comments.

Here are other items that may be of interest:

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students were loud and proud presenting their capstone projects recently in the Hafter Student Community Center. After a year of research, our SLP graduate students presented their collaborative group projects to faculty, staff, family and friends. Read more here.

GENE THERAPY BREAKTHROUGH: Alexander Dizhoor, PhD, Hafter Family Chair in Pharmacology and Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) professor, participated in an important research study on gene therapy, and its effectiveness in treating a rare form of congenital GUCY2D blindness. His recent work was published in the October issue of iScience, the National Library of Medicine within the National Center for Biotechnology Information and SciTechDaily. Click here to read more.

DR. CATANIA UPDATES BOOK: The book “Primary Care of the Anterior Segment” by Louis Catania, OD ‘69, FAAO, DSc, has become an iconic textbook in eye care over many years. And now, it’s been updated with a third eponym edition. To read more about Dr. Catania’s book, click here.

COHORT PREPARES FOR LAB: In our latest podcast, students from the seventh cohort of the Master of Science in Clinical Optometry international program share why they chose Salus and what they hope to get out of their time here. Click here for details.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Over the course of the past few months, I have experienced a number of personal losses: a beloved family member, the wife of a dear friend and mentor, and a close friend’s father. These events, combined with a recent “big” birthday, remind me just how fragile and short life is, and also how important it is to live every day like it is my last -- embracing the things and people I serve and love with a renewed sense of purpose and intention.

To that end, in a few short weeks, I am trying my first sprint triathlon since having back surgery in December. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines and observe. Training for this has felt creative and energizing. It has helped me focus on something proactive, even as I grieve. I look forward to testing my physical and mental readiness.

In a similar vein, I feel even more committed to embracing positive change and pursuing the things through which our Salus community can have the greatest impact. The affiliation we are currently exploring with Drexel University is a prime example. Not only am I excited about what this can mean for our students, faculty and alumni, but also for our patients and the broader community whom we serve. The sky is the limit -- in the research we could be doing collaboratively, the leading-edge training we could offer to emerging and continuing professionals, the interprofessional care we could provide to help our patients thrive. This is a vital step toward fulfilling Salus’ mission: advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is what makes Salus special: our people. The creativity, curiosity, energy and expertise that you bring to every interaction animates our mission. As we navigate through important, necessary discussions, your future welfare and professional growth are foremost in my thoughts and actions.

What I’ve learned over time is this: loss and change are inevitable. But with that, we have a choice in how to respond and move forward.

The journey we may be taking with Drexel is exciting and limitless, but not without inevitable challenges that can be surmounted with teamwork, transparency and vision. I invite you to join me in leaning into change and in envisioning together what might be possible. As I continue to meet with small groups of our Salus community over the next few weeks, please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Mike

Our Affiliation with Drexel University: Week of April 21, 2023

 

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

Greetings on this cool Friday morning from our East Oak Lane campus where I look forward to speaking with our clinic providers this morning about the goings on at The Eye Institute. It has been great to see our students at work in their clinical rotations. To our staff and providers at TEI and all our clinics, our collective thanks for all you do to model outstanding patient care.

In other news:

POST-BACC SUCCESSES: Not only do graduates of the Salus University post-baccalaureate program get a leg up by being guaranteed an interview in the University program of their choosing, but it also prepares students to pursue their educational path at other universities as well. To read more, click here.

BLVS 2023 ALUMNI OF THE YEAR (AOTY): Lindsay Lee, MEd ‘19, says she still feels fresh in her career. After all, she graduated from the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program at Salus University just four years ago. That’s why it was somewhat of a surprise when she found out she was named the 2023 BLVS Alumna of the Year from the University’s Alumni Association. Click here to read more.

SLP AOTY: When her husband got a call on his phone informing him about some award his wife had won, Carleen Dumas, MS ‘18, was a bit confused. Why would he get a call about an award that she had won? A follow-up email cleared up any confusion: Dumas had been named the Speech-Language Pathology 2023 Alumna of the Year by the Salus University Alumni Association. Read more here.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBIT: New artwork graces the walls of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus of Salus University. The exhibit, which debuted March 25, 2023, features the work of artists Demetra Tassiou and Corinne Dieterle. Click here for details.

FACULTY & STAFF SPRING FLING: Our first Salus University Faculty and Staff Spring Fling, which will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus, replaces the faculty and staff holiday party that we haven’t been able to have in the past few years.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week we announced that we are in the process of exploring an affiliation with Drexel University, pending the completion of due diligence and approval of both Boards of Trustees and other required regulatory and judicial approvals.

I believe that an affiliation with Drexel brings together the strengths of both of our institutions in graduate health sciences, education, research and clinical practice including Drexel’s medical, biomedical, public health, nursing and health professions, and our physician assistant, optometry, audiology, biomedicine, blindness and low vision studies, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics programs. There is no better partner to help us operationalize our mission: Advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

The combined array of health care disciplines, together with our shared commitment to the communities we serve, provides an unprecedented opportunity to develop educational offerings and premier clinical care that meet emerging developments in healthcare innovation.

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). Every interaction we’ve shared with our Drexel colleagues has reflected these attributes, which adds to my excitement about what might be possible through this potential affiliation. As we complete our due diligence process, we are building trust through developing relationships among faculty and staff. The combination of trustful relationships, shared vision, expertise and excitement will fuel academic, clinical and research collaboration and innovation. There are no limits to what we might build together.

I look forward to forthcoming, scheduled conversations with small groups within the Salus community to hear your reactions and to answer questions you may have about the current exploration. I see the partnership with Drexel as a great opportunity for both universities to build upon our storied histories, professional expertise and commitment to excellence in service to others as we consider a potential future together.

I hope everyone takes some time to get outdoors this weekend to enjoy the Spring weather. Please look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

When Will We Address Gun Violence With Urgency? Week of April 14, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful Spring morning from our Elkins Park campus. Our students and faculty have been busy preparing for the last stretch of the semester with finals and practicals on many people’s minds. In other news:

MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN: This week Salus University faculty, staff and students attended the Equity in Medical Education Summit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, hosted by the DelVal DEI Consortium, of which Salus is a member. The event was sponsored by Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Juliana Mosley Williams, PhD, special assistant to the president for DEI, was a panel moderator and Monica Scirrotto, director of Admissions, and Melissa Trego, OD '04, Resident '09, PhD, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) were panelists at conference breakout sessions.

CONGRATULATIONS DR. A!: Congratulations to Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan who successfully defended her EdD degree at the University of Pennsylvania earlier this week.

FITCH AWARD WINNER: Congratulations to Mark Boas, OD ‘86, our 2023 Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year. From 1998 to 2020, Dr. Boas was a consultant at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University, eventually joining the TEI clinical faculty from 2001 to 2015 and then advancing to assistant professor at the College from 2015 to 2020. He retired from the faculty and as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in 2020. To read more about Dr. Boas and his accomplishments, click here.

INTERNATIONAL SLP EXCURSION: Join Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair and program director of the department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at Salus University, as he speaks with a group of second-year SLP students about their international excursion in the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide clinical care. Click here for more.

SPRING FLING: The first Salus University Spring Fling will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus. The afternoon will include carnival games, a DJ with dancing, group games and prizes and plenty of food. Come out to enjoy with colleagues and friends this fun event!

FINAL THOUGHTS: Just three days ago, yet another mass shooting occurred in Louisville, Kentucky, where over the course of one minute, five people were killed, including a 26-year old rookie police officer on the job for 10 days, and eight others were injured. As of mid-April, the Gun Violence Archive has counted at least 145 mass shootings in the United States this year. This is yet another mass shooting involving an assault-style rifle.

When will we, as a civil society, address this public health emergency with urgency? We know what works to intervene; we have evidence-based models and tools to blunt this epidemic. As healthcare providers, we can partner with all stakeholders – policymakers, business, civic and community leaders, law enforcement, faith communities, and health and social service providers, to advocate for sensible laws; invest in evidence-based interventions and prevention strategies; strengthen community based networks; and expand mental health and social supports. There is a role for each of us to play in saving lives, and we can achieve so much more together than individually.

As you prepare for the weekend, please keep all affected by gun violence in your thoughts and intentions. Think about what you can do to partner with others as you take action to reduce gun violence.

Try to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s that time of the year when you should be using sunscreen, hydrating frequently and checking for ticks if you’re out in the woods. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Shaping the future Delivery of Integrated Healthcare and Healthcare Education: Week of March 24, 2023

 

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

Good morning from Chicago where I have been attending the annual meeting of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) along with John Gaal and Chaitali Baviskar. As always, the meeting attracts world-class experts from around the country addressing the most pressing issues affecting healthcare delivery in our country. I am energized by the wealth and exchange of ideas to improve what we do in patient care and education. In my final thoughts, I’ll share a little of what I learned here, particularly from remarks given by keynote speaker Dr. Fareed Zakaria, host of GPS for CNN Worldwide.

First, let me share some exciting happenings around campus:

LIVING THE DREAM: Maura Waldner, MMS ‘22, enrolled in the Salus University Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program with the ultimate goal of working in dermatology. Less than three months after graduation, she is living her dream. Click here to read more about her professional journey.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: A big fan of Greek mythology, Sarah Gosnell, MS ‘19, suspected Salus University might be a good fit. Salus is named for the Roman goddess of safety and well-being (welfare, health and prosperity). So, it was no surprise she ended up at Salus pursuing her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Read more by clicking here.

DYNAMIC DUOS EVENT: The Department of Continuing Education (DICE) at Salus University will be hosting its annual Dynamic Duos event on Sunday, March 26. This continuing education program is a synchronous, in-person event at our Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus. The program, COPE accredited for six continuing education credits, is designed to offer optometrists a comprehensive review of conditions impacting patient health and well-being. For more information on the event’s topics and to register, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: In our keynote session “What it Takes to Thrive Amid the Forces in Society, Economy and Culture that are Creating the Future,” Dr. Fareed Zakaria posited that our society is being fundamentally altered by the speed of technology development, nearly instantaneous communications though social media, and other means of information dissemination, and that these developments are playing a contributing role in the polarization of society. He observed that 20 years ago, most Americans received their news from 3 television networks. The content would generally be the same on each network, closely regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Today, there are literally hundreds of ways people get their news online, with little scrutiny of accuracy, enabling viewers and listeners to choose news that aligns with their own opinions. That social media can amplify any viewpoint, irrespective of evidence or scrutiny, has led to proliferation of widespread misinformation. We saw many examples of this throughout the pandemic as we debated the efficacy of masking and safety of vaccines.

At the same time, the economy has been affected by many of these changes. Companies, such as Amazon and Facebook have leveraged these changes and have become outsized influencers in how we shop and communicate every day. Their impact on our culture and its evolution over time is significant and enduring.

This has direct implications for the way we communicate with our future patients and clients, and importantly, how they expect to communicate with us. Both are undergoing rapid change. The way we teach and prepare our graduates for their professions must also adapt to these forces.

And this is where things get really exciting. Teaching what have historically been lock-step programs in a more flexible, hybrid fashion; building on-ramps and off-ramps for students who work and raise families while pursuing training; enables us to prepare more graduates to address the growing need and demand for healthcare professionals. Embracing interprofessional education in a way not previously done – providing micro-credentials for students throughout their professional development, better prepares our students to learn continuously -- a habit requisite for excellence in comprehensive, integrated patient care. Expanding telemedicine across all our professions and learning to provide definitive care in more cost-effective ways improves access to better healthcare and improved health outcomes.

As we let go of old habits and beliefs, we can be an active contributor in shaping the future delivery of integrated healthcare and healthcare education. The changes we make forward our mission: advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

As you prepare for the upcoming weekend think about what changes you can make to be an active contributor in the future delivery of integrated healthcare. For those observing Ramadan, I wish you an easy and restorative fast. To all, please continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Honoring Women's History Month: Week of March 10, 2023

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where our flowers believe we’re in early spring, but today’s temperatures are still reminding us that it is still winter! It’s been another busy week on campus with clinics, labs and classrooms buzzing with activity. In addition to all this, here are some other items of interest:

WHERE ARE THEY NOW TIMES TWO: Check out the latest stories from our Where Are They Now series. One features Alta Fried, MSOT ‘14, who shares how being in the Salus University Occupational Therapy (OT) helped prepare her for a career as a hand therapist. You can read about her here. The other features Grace Gawron, MS ‘18, who graduated from our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program and now works with children and young adults with an autism diagnosis. Read more about her here.

SWEET SOUNDS OF SUCCESS: Michael Santucci, AuD ‘09, has been awarded the 2023 Samuel F. Lybarger Industry Award by the American Academy of Audiology. The award is given to an individual who has made important contributions in research, engineering or other technical achievements within the audiology profession. Dr. Santucci has also established himself as a leader in helping the music industry provide audiology care for industry professionals. To read more, click here.

LUNCH & LEARN: Yvonne D'Uva Howard, MS, CCC-SLP, PhD '22, is hosting a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, March 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in room S300 on the Elkins Park campus. Her presentation is titled "Dyslexia and Dysgraphia: Multi-Disciplinary Considerations in Patient Care and Higher Education." Click here to RSVP.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we mark the start Women’s History Month, we honor the many contributions and sacrifices that women have made to improve society. Last week, Dr. Juliana Mosley Williams, my Special Assistant for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, highlighted the state of women’s leadership in the academy:

“Th[e] underrepresentation [of women] in [college president] positions has been attributed to gender barriers, discrimination, and late entrance into academia, which is being reduced and challenged with more women enrolling in college (currently 60% of college students are female). Even here at Salus, females make up almost 80% of our enrollment. (3/1/23)

 

I am proud of the progress we’ve made at Salus. In addition to being majority female (80%) among our student enrollment, nearly 60% of our board of trustees are women and half of my cabinet are women.

This Sunday morning we begin Daylight Savings Time (DST), so we will set our clocks forward one hour. While we will gain an hour of daylight later in the day, we lose an hour of sleep! It generally takes me several days to adjust to the change, especially in the morning where it will, once again, be dark when we get out of bed.

For those curious minds, I thought I would provide the history of Daylight Savings Time. To conserve fuel, during the World War I, Germany began observing DST in 1916. The plan was adopted in the United States in 1918 for the same reason. After World War I, DST was abolished and not put into effect again until 1942, for similar reasons. This lasted until 1945 when again it was abolished. It wasn’t until 1966 that a national DST policy was put in place. Until then individual states could implement it as they deemed appropriate. Between 1966 and 1972, states were allowed to opt out of DST. During the 1973 oil embargo, Congress enacted year-round DST to help save energy. This lasted until 1975. After 1975, DST was once again only implemented during the summer months. It wasn’t until the mid-2000’s that it was extended beyond the summer months to what it is today.

The shift to DST is also not without broader health implications. Research indicates “an associated rise in cardiovascular disease, injuries, stroke, mental health and cognitive issues, digestive and immune disease in the week following DST.”

To counter this, experts recommend the following: 

• Shift your schedule earlier. Try to shift your eating and sleep cycle 15 minutes earlier ahead of the shift.
• Expose yourself to natural sunlight in the morning. Spending a minimum of 15-20 minutes in natural sunlight (even on a rainy day) helps reset your circadian clock.
• Develop sleep hygiene. Turn off devices a couple hours ahead of sleep and create a dark, quiet environment to support longer, uninterrupted sleep.

As you prepare to “spring your clocks forward” this weekend, please keep in mind that you will need to be more careful driving into school or work in the mornings due to the darkness. You’ll also likely be a bit more tired than you are used because of the time change. So please, be smart, be careful and remain SALUS STRONG as we once again enjoy that extra hour of sunlight in the afternoon!

-Mike

Fly Eagles Fly! Week of February 10, 2022

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where things remain busy and productive. We’re starting to move some offices and people around to make room for the renovation project on the first floor of the South building, which is exciting! In addition to this, here are some other items that I hope you will find interesting:

HUMANITARIAN TRIP: A group of Doctor of Optometry students from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University had the chance to go on a humanitarian trip to Nicaragua from Jan. 6-13, to help underserved communities in that country. Click here to read about their experiences.

SLP POST-BACC PODCAST: In our latest podcast, Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair and program director of the department of Speech-Language Pathology at Salus University, speaks with adjunct faculty member Lauren Bevan, MS '17, CCC-SLP, about the Post-baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Track. For details, click here.

CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY: We are just past the halfway point of our Campus Climate Survey and according to Viewfinder, which is administering the survey for us, the typical completion rate for health professionals at the end of the first four weeks of the survey is 15 percent for students and 50 percent for employees. We have surpassed those numbers with 215 students (18 percent) and 189 employees (53 percent) participating. If you haven’t seen the survey in your email in-box, search for the word “Viewfinder” in your junk/trash folders. There’s still time to participate. Thanks to all of you who have completed the survey to this point.

CASE AWARDS: Congratulations to our Communications Department on receiving two Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Awards: 

• Podcasts (Frequent) - Aphasia Client Shares Her Story of Recovery at SLI
• Writing: News/Feature (1,000+ words) - Grad a Strong Voice of Endurance and Strength

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last week Dr. Vitek and I had the opportunity to attend the annual awards banquet of The Four Chaplains organization. The organization honors four military chaplains who exhibited great courage, compassion and strength when their World War II transport ship, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, was sunk by a German U-Boat off the coast of Greenland on February 3, 1943. Those chaplains were: LT. George L. Fox, Methodist; LT Alexander D. Goode, Jewish, LT John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and LT Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. With many men wounded and hurt, the chaplains made their way topside to where the lifejackets were housed and began to distribute them. When the supply of life jackets ran out, they gave their own life jackets to the next man in line. Through the course of the disastrous evening, these four Chaplains provided prayers, encouragement and comfort to survivors.

There are parallels between what these four Chaplains did on the deck of the Dorchester and what you do every day as healthcare professionals. Whether in our clinics, local community schools or via telemedicine, you provide hope and the promise of a better life through improved health, vision, hearing, speech and language, life skills or prosthetics to help others get around. Sometimes in the middle of a busy day, you might forget how the things you do or say affect those in your care. Just as the four Chaplains did on the deck of the Dorchester 80 years ago, you make a difference in everyone’s life daily through your work and commitment to help others.

As you prepare for the weekend, please try to reflect on the sacrifice, heroism and dedication of the Four Chaplains. Here’s a link if you’d like to learn more about their amazing grace under fire.

Also, remember this is Superbowl weekend with our Philadelphia Eagles poised to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Please remember there will be many people out on the streets, especially in Center City, following the game on Sunday, win or lose. Please plan accordingly if you’re going to be out and about. We want everyone back on campus safe, sound and SALUS STRONG!

FLY EAGLES FLY!!!!

-Mike

Go Navy - Beat Army!!! Week of December 9, 2022

 

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

Good morning on a beautiful, crisp morning from our Elkins Park Campus! It’s been a busy week with folks taking final exams, practicals and preparing to head out to clinical rotations. Here are some items of interest:

NEW SLP FACULTY: A very warm welcome to our new Speech-Language Pathology faculty members, Anne Marie Ruckdeschel, MA, CCC-SLP; Jennifer Bergstrom, EdD, CCC-SLP; and Deanna Yoder-Black, SLPD, CCC-SLP. Click here to read more about our newest colleagues.

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: The benefits of interprofessional education and practice at Salus University was never more apparent than in a recent online seminar on falls risk assessment and intervention, which combined expertise from both Audiology and Occupational Therapy (OT). Read more about it here.

MINDFULNESS THEME: Our Center for Personal and Professional Development’s (CPPD) Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores and Andrew Jaskot will be outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. Stop by and collect a mindfulness-themed goodie bag.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Philadelphia is poised this weekend to host the nation’s 123rd Army-Navy Game. Navy, happily leads the series 62-53-7. The history of this series is worth discussing.

West Point Cadets and Naval Academy midshipmen played the first Army-Navy football game Nov. 29, 1890 on "The Plain" at West Point. As the Navy had been playing organized football for over a decade, they handily defeated the newly established Army team, 24-0. The game has been an annual tradition since 1930. According to records, there were 10 times when the game was not played with the longest period between 1894 – 1898 purportedly due to an argument between an Army General and Navy Admiral that almost ended with a duel between the following the 1893 game! During World War I, games were also canceled. 

On Nov. 27, 1926, the game was held in Chicago for the formal dedication of Soldier Field in honor of the American servicemen who had fought in World War I.

We often see Army and Navy Mascots at the games, which has been part of the tradition from the early days of the competition. The tradition of mules as mascots for Army dates back to 1899, when someone decided the team needed a mascot to counter the Navy goat (always trying to copy the Navy!) There’s also the “tradition” of each service academy attempting to “kidnap” the other’s mascots prior to the games. While discouraged by leadership, attempts still occur to this day.

The game was first played in Philadelphia, at Franklin Field, on 1899 and remained there through 1904, after which it was played at Princeton and then returned to Philadelphia for the next 7 years. This week’s game marks the 90th time it will have been played in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is located almost exactly between the two schools and is as close as any major city with a big enough venue.

After 1904 the game bounced around from New York’s Polo Grounds, Baltimore and Chicago until 1932 where it stayed in Philadelphia until 1942 where the next year the game was played at West Point and then Baltimore. From 1945 through 1982 the game remained in Philadelphia. In 1983, for the only time in the game’s history, it was played on the west coast at the Rose Bowl. For the remaining years, the game has predominately remained in Philadelphia with infrequent visits to Baltimore and New York. During the height of the pandemic, the game was played at West Point. It has never been played at the Naval Academy. This year marks the last year we will see the game in Philadelphia until 2027. For the next 4 years the game will be played around the Northeast, to Boston, Washington, Baltimore and New York before returning to Philadelphia.

So, if you’re not too busy tomorrow afternoon, try to catch some of this historical sports rivalry. It’s important to remember that you will be watching both Cadet and Midshipmen athletes who have voluntarily dedicated part of their lives to protecting our freedoms and the ideals of our American democracy. So GO NAVY – BEAT ARMY!!!

Have a great weekend – be safe, continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike