Updating Our Salus Community: Week of March 17, 2023

 

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

Good morning on this Saint Patrick’s Day Friday! I hope the luck of the Irish finds its way to all of you! It’s been yet another busy week at Salus with many of our PCO students preparing to take Part I of the National Examiners in Optometry Board exam and others completing practicums in their respective professions. We’ve also seen a hint of Spring as we have 4 adorable goslings wandering around our pond (see below). Here are additional items of interest:

OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENCY: Halfway through his master’s studies, Alex Kass, OD, ’23 Resident, found himself burned out from his science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies, and he felt bleak about his future career options. As a result, he decided to take his studies and career in another direction by pursuing a Doctor of Optometry degree. To read more about Dr. Kass and his career path, click here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: After getting a degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders, Brianna Casey, AuD ‘20, wasn’t sure if she wanted to pursue a career in speech-language pathology or audiology. Click here to find out how her decision led her to Salus University’s Osborne College of Audiology.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS: The University is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Presidential Awards. Among the highest honors bestowed by the University, the Presidential Awards honor faculty and alumni work that reach well beyond our campus. Nominations are accepted from alumni, faculty, friends and students. Deadline to submit nominations is April 3, 2023. Click here for the nomination form. 

DEI Speaks!: On Thursday, March 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will welcome Dee Singley, PhD, who will give a virtual presentation and lead a Q&A session on "Reframing Disability; Understanding Access and Success Through the Lens of the Unseen." We look forward to learning with Dr. Singley.

FINAL THOUGHTS: At this time every year, I like to check in with our University community on our strategic plan priorities. Here’s a recap of progress highlights I shared earlier this week:

1. Creating a Salus “Community of Excellence” is Goal #1. Lowering the cost of education through a $2 million state appropriation for in-state students pursuing optometry helps us and Pennsylvania attract and retain qualified and diverse students and graduates. We could not have done this without our legislative partners to whom we owe tremendous thanks;
2. Providing a superior educational experience includes inclusive excellence. We’re proud of achieving the highest rates of completion of our first-ever externally administered climate survey measuring the state of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus. We’re also midway through a campus-wide compensation study to ensure we retain the best faculty and staff. And we’ve started our first-floor renovation creating new café and student lounge spaces;
3. Strengthening and growing clinical and educational programs is key to preparing exceptional graduates who will become leaders in their fields. Visits, collections and enthusiasm are “up” in our Chestnut Hill private practice model. New program development continues with a closer look at Health Informatics;
4. Exploring strategic alliances helps us achieve our mission to advance integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services. Over the past year, we’ve nurtured multiple, one-to-one relationships and network alliances through our SEPCHE consortium. There is no shortage of interest among institutions seeking to pursue a range of affiliations with Salus -- including program development, clinical affiliations and mergers, given our range of programs and strong financial standing.

I mentioned on Monday the types of partnerships we seek to nurture — those that reflect a shared vision to provide an educational program of the highest quality, that maximize opportunities for our graduates to achieve success in their practice and as leaders of the profession; that strengthen and expand enrollment and grow clinical training opportunities; and that expand research collaboration and grant funding.

You have my commitment that we will continue to be open and transparent about any partnerships we decide to pursue, and we will continue to seek input from the entire Salus community as we do.

I hope everyone has had a chance to adapt to the one-hour time change. Please continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG as you enjoy your weekend.

-Mike