Dear Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Greetings on a beautiful September morning from our Elkins Park campus where the Fall semester is well underway. Some of you have already had your first set of exams, which I’m sure were very successful!
As we end this week, here are some happenings around campus:
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please visit CPPD's Dr. Cristina Laracuente, along with new student trainees Andrew Jaskot and Janeyshka Ortiz, outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. They will have awareness ribbons, snacks, and educational material for you.
O&P LAUNCH: Salus University’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program has officially launched! Read more here about our wonderful ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting our new labs.
TAIWAN STUDENTS VISIT: We were delighted to welcome students from Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) in Taichung, Taiwan, who spent most of July on our Elkins Park campus learning about our health science programs. Read more about their visit here.
ABOUT OUR AMBASSADORS: Our Salus University Ambassador Program is a select group of students across all programs who represent our University. In this podcast, we talk with Emaree Stone ‘25OD and Madison Gates ‘23SLP, who share their rewarding experience of being Salus Ambassadors.
PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL WINNERS: Melissa Padilla, MPH ‘13, (June 29, 1966 – May 29, 2022) who recently passed away, made a distinctive contribution to the growth of Salus University in so many ways. Her dedication and loyalty permeated everything she did – she was born to be a leader, a passionate learner, and an exquisite communicator. Read more about Padilla’s contributions to Salus and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) here.
After his graduation from PCO, Robert Bittel, OD ‘83 spent his entire career working in support of Pennsylvania optometrists. As chairman of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association’s Legislative Action Committee, Dr. Bittel played a key role in expanding scope of practice for Pennsylvania optometrists. Learn more about Bittel’s distinguished career here, as he is awarded a 2022 Presidential Medal of Honor.
COVID BOOSTER SHOTS: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just approved the latest round of Covid-19 boosters that specifically target the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants of the virus, in addition to the original strains. The Pfizer booster will be available for everyone 12 and over, and the Moderna booster will be available for all aged 18 and over. The FDA recommends that people who recently received their initial vaccine or a booster should wait at least two months before getting the updated booster, as getting the new booster too soon could limit its effectiveness. I strongly encourage everyone to get the booster when you are eligible (at least 2 months after you received your last shot).
FINAL THOUGHTS: As we begin Labor Day weekend, I always like to remind people why we mark this holiday celebrating the greatest workers in the world – American workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. This is why we have this coming Monday off. I hope everyone enjoys their 3-day weekend and especially, Labor Day.
One more reminder: As election day approaches, it’s important that we all do our civic duty and vote. Preserving our democracy depends on this. If you are not registered to vote, please take the time do that in the coming weeks. Since all our professions are statutorily regulated, it’s important that we have a voice in selecting those who represent us. I will remind you again about this in the coming weeks, but please take this seriously. Thomas Jefferson said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” Thus the importance of taking the time to register and vote.
Have a great weekend. The weather is supposed to be fantastic, so get out and enjoy it! Please remember to socially distance, continue to follow CDC face mask guidelines, wash your hands frequently and remember that what you do off campus directly affects all of us on campus. Be safe, be responsible, remain SALUS STRONG!
Mike
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