Audiology Summer Workshops & Much More: Week of July 28

Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board of Trustees and Friends,

It’s been another busy week at the University. The optometry Class of 2020 is back on campus, our audiology Summer Workshops have been in full swing and the clinics have remained busy with pre-school examinations and more routine work.

The CityLife primary care clinic at The Eye Institute saw their first patients last Monday with a more formal grand opening even planned for later next month. As I’ve mentioned in previous notes, having access to primary care services will greatly aid our patients with chronic conditions that can also impact vision such as diabetes, hypertension and thyroid disease. Not only will community members now easily access the necessary healthcare providers they may require in one location, but our students will also benefit from their exposure to these patient care experiences. Enrollment is open to pretty much anyone and I would strongly encourage any of our employees or students who are looking for a primary care manager to check CityLife out.

A couple of weeks ago I told you about a book chapter that Dr. Kyomi Gregory, an instructor in our Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) program, wrote entitled, “How the Obama Presidency Changed the Political Landscape.” I commented that her chapter “may not have much to do with Speech-Language Pathology.” Well, I was wrong. Just the other day, Dr. Gregory pointed out to me that her chapter actually discussed President Obama’s dialect and the manner in which he said things – topics directly related to SLP! Pretty impressive stuff from a very impressive member of our faculty.

This week ends the first full week that Dr. Melissa Trego has officially been at the helm as the Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. We are all so thrilled to have Dr. Trego as part of our leadership team and we all wish her the very best as she continues to build on the great legacy PCO has.  Her innovative and progressive approach to optometric education will serve our students and our institution well for years to come!

While I’m talking about PCO, I want to congratulate Drs. Mike Rebar and Andy Gurwood on their publication that discusses glaucoma medications in this month’s Review of Optometry journal.  Our faculty are always on the cutting edge and this article speaks to their expertise and high regard they are held by the profession (and all of us!).  Nice work!

Last evening, I had the pleasure to help honor this year’s Osborne College of Audiology Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Sherman Lord, AuD class of 2009.  Dr. Lord is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, Board Certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA) and the Acoustical Society of America. He has had the unique situation of not only being at the forefront of the latest developments in hearing and balance technologies but also as a teacher and technical consultant to the end users. A strong advocate and promoter of the Osborne College of Audiology, he is an adjunct faculty and College Advisory Board member. He has also served on the board of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association as treasurer, and as president of the PAA and the National Association of Special Equipment Distributors. He has been the leading advocate for audiology issues in Pennsylvania and was instrumental in several successful legislative issues for state licensure. His honors have included 2010 Leadership Award from the Audiology Foundation of America, 2012 Audiology Advocate of the Year Award from the American Academy of Audiology, and the 2016 George S. Osborne Honors Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology.  Congratulations Dr. Lord!

This morning Dr. Carlo Pelino gave a wonderful lecture on choroidal melanoma that was really world-class (actually all of our folk's lectures are world class!).  It was great to see so many students and faculty and even some alumni at the Grand Rounds. I even got to spend some time with one of my classmates! We need to continue to spread the word about these lectures as we do offer free COPE approved CE credits for each one.  Check your emails for upcoming lectures.

Finally, in the event anyone was interested, I did survive the triathlon last weekend, finishing in the top 3rd of the field of over 1300 and in top 3rd of my age group which had over 40 people in it.  So I didn’t embarrass us too much!  For those of in or near New Jersey, the event was at Lake Mercer County Park – which is just beautiful. It would be a great place for a fun family outing!

Have a great weekend and please stay dry and safe if you’re going out and about tonight or tomorrow.

Mike