Remembering 9/11: Week of September 10th, 2021

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

Good morning on a beautiful day from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been another busy week on campus with our classes, labs and clinics all going strong. 20 years ago tomorrow, it was also a beautiful day when terrorists attacked our country. Tomorrow we remember this heinous event. Following is information that I thought you’d want to know: 

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF HONOR: Congratulations to the 2021 Presidential Medal of Honor Awardees! As you know, the Presidential Medal of Honor is bestowed upon those who have made contributions to their professions and for their service to Salus University. Check out the biographies on this year’s winners and look for extended feature stories on each of them in the future on our website. Click here for more information. 

RESIDENT CLASS FEATURE: This week’s Resident Class of 2022 features Natalie Rackus, OD ‘21, ‘22Resident. She only applied to PCO/Salus for her residency because she knew that the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center was a world-class place to learn. Read more about Dr. Rackus here. 

DEEP DIVE INTO OT: Check out our latest podcast, which features Melissa Cinciruk, associate director of Admissions at Salus University, as she talks about the Occupational Therapy (OT) program as well as tips and tricks for application. Click here for details.

RANDOM COVID TESTING: As most of you have already been notified, we will begin our random COVID testing program next week. This initial phase will extend until the end of the fall 2021 semester. Please be on the lookout for emails that will be sent out each week to determine if you’ve been selected to be tested.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR: A very Happy and Healthy New Year to all of our Jewish community and friends who celebrated Rosh Hashanah earlier this week and will observe Yom Kippur late next week.

STARS OF ‘THE COLLEGE TOUR’: We’re featuring a closer look at some of the “stars” of our recent episode of “The College Tour.” In this edition, get to know Zachary LaBarth ‘23AUD and Sierra Niesen ‘24AUD, how they got to Salus and how their careers have been advancing. Click here for more. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Flags will be at half-staff and there will be a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am, which is when the first plane crashed into one of the Twin Towers.

September 11th is designated as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day Americans across the country are called to volunteer in their local communities as a tribute to the individuals who were lost or injured in the attacks, first responders, and the many who have been called to service to defend our freedom. It is my hope that 9/11 can also present an opportunity for all Americans to come together in unity. Even with all of our differences, we were united in our pain and humanity regarding loss of life, injury, and way of being. And just like we rebuilt the World Trade Center and Pentagon, it’s time to ‘rebuild’ what it should mean to be an American; united in cause, intolerant of racial injustice, sexual and gender inequality and dedicated to the betterment of society. It’s what we should strive to do as healthcare providers. Most of us can remember exactly where we were when the first jet hit the World Trade Center, with that moment engrained in our memories for the rest of our lives, which changed from that point forward. I ask each of you to reflect upon what this day means to you and how you are going to embrace what’s best about our democracy to help make other’s lives better.

Please, also keep those who have been affected by the recent storms, fires out west, political and social unrest around the world in your thoughts and prayers. Do, however, enjoy the weekend. The weather is supposed to be perfect. Please remember to socially distance, wear your face mask when around others and wash your hands frequently, as what you do off campus directly affects all of us on campus. Be safe, be responsible, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike