Time to Recognize Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency: Week of April 8th, 2022

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

Good morning from Elkins Park where the rain has finally let up and where we hope to see some sunshine! It’s been another busy week on campus with our students and faculty in classes, clinics, and labs. Our Covid numbers have remained low, which is consistent with what we’re seeing throughout the county. As the BA.2 variant continues to be the dominant strain, we are still strongly encouraging everyone to wear a face mask when out in public spaces where it’s difficult to socially distance.

A WIN FOR DIVERSITY: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court, was confirmed by a 53-47 vote in the Senate. The confirmation of Judge Brown Jackson, as the first Black woman Justice, is a win for diversity and inclusion, with another step toward representation for ALL being our norm.

Exciting news around campus:

MATCH DAY BUZZ: There’s always some buzz and anxiety surrounding Match Day when all residency programs and candidates who applied receive their results on where they ultimately matched after a season of residency interviews. Meet this year’s PCO/Salus residents, who start their residencies July 1, 2022, here.

BEST PRACTICES SCHOLARSHIP: Benjamin Gustin ‘23OD — a Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University Doctor of Optometry (OD) student enrolled in the Accelerated Scholars Program – is the recipient of CooperVision’s 2022 Best Practices Student Scholarship, offered to outstanding third-year optometry students. Read more here.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC, an assistant professor in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department at Salus University, was part of a team that presented one of the top three posters to win the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) People’s Choice Award at the group’s virtual conference in mid-March. To read more, click here.

BAY SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Congratulations to Nia Phillips ‘23OD, who is the 2022 Rick Bay Foundation Scholarship award winner. Find out Nia’s reaction to the award by clicking here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last Wednesday I attended the monthly meeting of the Sunday Breakfast Club (which actually meets on Wednesday evenings — don’t ask). The organization is comprised of a diverse group of leaders from the Greater Philadelphia Region’s business, non-profit and government sectors, who engage in shared learning and conversation about the issues of our time.

The topic for the evening was healthcare, with an emphasis on the pandemic and health issues facing the region. Participants included Patricia Wellenbach, chair of the Thomas Jefferson University board of trustees, which oversees Jefferson Health; Dr. David Rubin, director of CHOP's Policy Lab; and Betty Long, president and CEO of Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates. They opened with observations of how people and organizations continue to cope with the pandemic, and quickly zeroed in on what they perceive is the top healthcare issue facing Philadelphia. Every panelist agreed: the gun violence epidemic is the number one public health issue in Philadelphia. They urged all to take this as a call to action. As healthcare providers, we cannot ignore this.

Last year in Philadelphia, there were more than 550 gun-related homicides. Nationwide, there were 107 mass shootings (defined as 4 or more victims), 122 people killed and 325 injured, for a total of 447 total victims, including the shooters in some instances. According to the New York Times, guns account for over 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S. This includes homicides, suicides and accidents. While mass shootings and other gun-related homicides tend to get all the press attention, over 50% of gun deaths are suicides.

Deaths attributed to guns represent a public health emergency. Not surprisingly, the number of civilian owned guns directly relates to the number of gun deaths. What stands out is just how many more guns are owned in the U.S. compared to other developed countries.

We need a multi-faceted approach that includes: funding for mental health initiatives; enhanced suicide prevention initiatives; community-based violence prevention measures; enacting effective gun control laws, such as universal background checks; barring people with a history of mental illness and domestic violence from purchasing guns; and banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. I raise this not to make a political statement, but as a measured response commensurate to this dire public health emergency. As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to do what we can to turn this around.

As you begin your weekend, I ask that you give some thought to how we might play a positive role in addressing this urgent public health issue. Please stay safe, continue to wear your facemask when around others, socially distance and wash your hands frequently.

You are SALUS STRONG because of your commitment to helping others improve their lives. Take care of one another, stay safe and take time to rest.

Mike