Embracing Change: Week of April 28, 2023

 

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

Good morning on a cloudy Friday in Elkins Park. Looks like we’re in for a rainy weekend here! It’s been another busy week on campus with students preparing for final exams and heading off to clinical rotations. We’ve also been meeting with small groups of faculty and staff to discuss our potential affiliation with Drexel. We greatly appreciate everyone’s questions and comments.

Here are other items that may be of interest:

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students were loud and proud presenting their capstone projects recently in the Hafter Student Community Center. After a year of research, our SLP graduate students presented their collaborative group projects to faculty, staff, family and friends. Read more here.

GENE THERAPY BREAKTHROUGH: Alexander Dizhoor, PhD, Hafter Family Chair in Pharmacology and Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) professor, participated in an important research study on gene therapy, and its effectiveness in treating a rare form of congenital GUCY2D blindness. His recent work was published in the October issue of iScience, the National Library of Medicine within the National Center for Biotechnology Information and SciTechDaily. Click here to read more.

DR. CATANIA UPDATES BOOK: The book “Primary Care of the Anterior Segment” by Louis Catania, OD ‘69, FAAO, DSc, has become an iconic textbook in eye care over many years. And now, it’s been updated with a third eponym edition. To read more about Dr. Catania’s book, click here.

COHORT PREPARES FOR LAB: In our latest podcast, students from the seventh cohort of the Master of Science in Clinical Optometry international program share why they chose Salus and what they hope to get out of their time here. Click here for details.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Over the course of the past few months, I have experienced a number of personal losses: a beloved family member, the wife of a dear friend and mentor, and a close friend’s father. These events, combined with a recent “big” birthday, remind me just how fragile and short life is, and also how important it is to live every day like it is my last -- embracing the things and people I serve and love with a renewed sense of purpose and intention.

To that end, in a few short weeks, I am trying my first sprint triathlon since having back surgery in December. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines and observe. Training for this has felt creative and energizing. It has helped me focus on something proactive, even as I grieve. I look forward to testing my physical and mental readiness.

In a similar vein, I feel even more committed to embracing positive change and pursuing the things through which our Salus community can have the greatest impact. The affiliation we are currently exploring with Drexel University is a prime example. Not only am I excited about what this can mean for our students, faculty and alumni, but also for our patients and the broader community whom we serve. The sky is the limit -- in the research we could be doing collaboratively, the leading-edge training we could offer to emerging and continuing professionals, the interprofessional care we could provide to help our patients thrive. This is a vital step toward fulfilling Salus’ mission: advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is what makes Salus special: our people. The creativity, curiosity, energy and expertise that you bring to every interaction animates our mission. As we navigate through important, necessary discussions, your future welfare and professional growth are foremost in my thoughts and actions.

What I’ve learned over time is this: loss and change are inevitable. But with that, we have a choice in how to respond and move forward.

The journey we may be taking with Drexel is exciting and limitless, but not without inevitable challenges that can be surmounted with teamwork, transparency and vision. I invite you to join me in leaning into change and in envisioning together what might be possible. As I continue to meet with small groups of our Salus community over the next few weeks, please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Mike

Our Affiliation with Drexel University: Week of April 21, 2023

 

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

Greetings on this cool Friday morning from our East Oak Lane campus where I look forward to speaking with our clinic providers this morning about the goings on at The Eye Institute. It has been great to see our students at work in their clinical rotations. To our staff and providers at TEI and all our clinics, our collective thanks for all you do to model outstanding patient care.

In other news:

POST-BACC SUCCESSES: Not only do graduates of the Salus University post-baccalaureate program get a leg up by being guaranteed an interview in the University program of their choosing, but it also prepares students to pursue their educational path at other universities as well. To read more, click here.

BLVS 2023 ALUMNI OF THE YEAR (AOTY): Lindsay Lee, MEd ‘19, says she still feels fresh in her career. After all, she graduated from the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program at Salus University just four years ago. That’s why it was somewhat of a surprise when she found out she was named the 2023 BLVS Alumna of the Year from the University’s Alumni Association. Click here to read more.

SLP AOTY: When her husband got a call on his phone informing him about some award his wife had won, Carleen Dumas, MS ‘18, was a bit confused. Why would he get a call about an award that she had won? A follow-up email cleared up any confusion: Dumas had been named the Speech-Language Pathology 2023 Alumna of the Year by the Salus University Alumni Association. Read more here.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBIT: New artwork graces the walls of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus of Salus University. The exhibit, which debuted March 25, 2023, features the work of artists Demetra Tassiou and Corinne Dieterle. Click here for details.

FACULTY & STAFF SPRING FLING: Our first Salus University Faculty and Staff Spring Fling, which will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus, replaces the faculty and staff holiday party that we haven’t been able to have in the past few years.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week we announced that we are in the process of exploring an affiliation with Drexel University, pending the completion of due diligence and approval of both Boards of Trustees and other required regulatory and judicial approvals.

I believe that an affiliation with Drexel brings together the strengths of both of our institutions in graduate health sciences, education, research and clinical practice including Drexel’s medical, biomedical, public health, nursing and health professions, and our physician assistant, optometry, audiology, biomedicine, blindness and low vision studies, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics programs. There is no better partner to help us operationalize our mission: Advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

The combined array of health care disciplines, together with our shared commitment to the communities we serve, provides an unprecedented opportunity to develop educational offerings and premier clinical care that meet emerging developments in healthcare innovation.

According to author Stephen Covey, trust is built upon credibility, consistent behavior, alignment, reputation and contribution. (The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, 2008). Every interaction we’ve shared with our Drexel colleagues has reflected these attributes, which adds to my excitement about what might be possible through this potential affiliation. As we complete our due diligence process, we are building trust through developing relationships among faculty and staff. The combination of trustful relationships, shared vision, expertise and excitement will fuel academic, clinical and research collaboration and innovation. There are no limits to what we might build together.

I look forward to forthcoming, scheduled conversations with small groups within the Salus community to hear your reactions and to answer questions you may have about the current exploration. I see the partnership with Drexel as a great opportunity for both universities to build upon our storied histories, professional expertise and commitment to excellence in service to others as we consider a potential future together.

I hope everyone takes some time to get outdoors this weekend to enjoy the Spring weather. Please look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

When Will We Address Gun Violence With Urgency? Week of April 14, 2023

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful Spring morning from our Elkins Park campus. Our students and faculty have been busy preparing for the last stretch of the semester with finals and practicals on many people’s minds. In other news:

MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN: This week Salus University faculty, staff and students attended the Equity in Medical Education Summit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, hosted by the DelVal DEI Consortium, of which Salus is a member. The event was sponsored by Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Juliana Mosley Williams, PhD, special assistant to the president for DEI, was a panel moderator and Monica Scirrotto, director of Admissions, and Melissa Trego, OD '04, Resident '09, PhD, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) were panelists at conference breakout sessions.

CONGRATULATIONS DR. A!: Congratulations to Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan who successfully defended her EdD degree at the University of Pennsylvania earlier this week.

FITCH AWARD WINNER: Congratulations to Mark Boas, OD ‘86, our 2023 Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year. From 1998 to 2020, Dr. Boas was a consultant at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University, eventually joining the TEI clinical faculty from 2001 to 2015 and then advancing to assistant professor at the College from 2015 to 2020. He retired from the faculty and as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in 2020. To read more about Dr. Boas and his accomplishments, click here.

INTERNATIONAL SLP EXCURSION: Join Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair and program director of the department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at Salus University, as he speaks with a group of second-year SLP students about their international excursion in the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide clinical care. Click here for more.

SPRING FLING: The first Salus University Spring Fling will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus. The afternoon will include carnival games, a DJ with dancing, group games and prizes and plenty of food. Come out to enjoy with colleagues and friends this fun event!

FINAL THOUGHTS: Just three days ago, yet another mass shooting occurred in Louisville, Kentucky, where over the course of one minute, five people were killed, including a 26-year old rookie police officer on the job for 10 days, and eight others were injured. As of mid-April, the Gun Violence Archive has counted at least 145 mass shootings in the United States this year. This is yet another mass shooting involving an assault-style rifle.

When will we, as a civil society, address this public health emergency with urgency? We know what works to intervene; we have evidence-based models and tools to blunt this epidemic. As healthcare providers, we can partner with all stakeholders – policymakers, business, civic and community leaders, law enforcement, faith communities, and health and social service providers, to advocate for sensible laws; invest in evidence-based interventions and prevention strategies; strengthen community based networks; and expand mental health and social supports. There is a role for each of us to play in saving lives, and we can achieve so much more together than individually.

As you prepare for the weekend, please keep all affected by gun violence in your thoughts and intentions. Think about what you can do to partner with others as you take action to reduce gun violence.

Try to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s that time of the year when you should be using sunscreen, hydrating frequently and checking for ticks if you’re out in the woods. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike