Celebrating Earth Day: Week of April 22nd, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful spring day from our Elkins Park campus where students are beginning final exams, clinics are busy, and we are back to wearing face masks full-time — at least for another week, depending upon current conditions.

Some items of interest:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDEES: Congratulations to our 2022 Alumni Association Award winners! Our alumni association annually recognizes the professional contributions and achievements of graduates and friends of Salus University. Awardees are nominated by University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. Read about this year’s winners here.

CPPD HERE TO HELP: Dr. Cristina Laracuente from the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) will be available outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, to chat and provide psychoeducational information about stress. CPPD's Jana Walker continues to offer trauma-informed yoga classes via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Beginners are welcome. Contact CPPD for more information.

ICE TIME: Dr. David Meltzer, assistant professor and clinical instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors, a hockey organization for injured and disabled U.S. military veterans. Read more about Dr. Meltzer’s hockey experience here.

‘NATURAL IMPRINT’ EXHIBIT: The latest art exhibit, featuring the work of the two artists, is titled “Natural Imprint,” and is now on display at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Student Community Center on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus through June 3, 2022. Read more about it here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is Earth Day. Since 1972, April 22nd has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe promoting awareness of the devastating effects of air and water pollution, climate change and population growth. Now, 50 years later, we’re confronted with some of the same challenges, with climate change leading the list of global issues that we must actively address now. When Earth Day was first conceived, we weren’t living with melting polar caps or rising sea levels. These were projections that “could occur” if we didn’t act. While we’ve made progress in reducing air and water pollution, we certainly have not done enough to slow the earth’s rising temperatures and related impacts.

As we prepare for the weekend, take time to think about what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, save energy and contribute to the fight against climate change: walk to the store in place of driving; ride a bike instead of driving to do that errand; turn down the air conditioner or heat a couple of degrees to keep it from running so often; participate in a community cleanup; consider composting food scraps; get a reusable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water.

The small things we do to reduce, reuse and recycle make a difference in the health of our planet when we do these things collectively. As healthcare providers, part of our responsibility to all in our care is to educate and lead by example. The health of our planet directly affects the health of our patients and clients. Let’s set a good example to encourage others to do the same.

Have a great weekend. Please continue to wear your face mask when out around others, socially distance and wash your hands frequently. Be safe, look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike