Dear Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Good morning from Bethesda, Maryland where I am with RADM (ret) Tom Beeman (and Salus Board member) to honor Rear Admiral Anne Swap, a former shipmate of ours who is retiring after serving our country for over 30 years. One of the nicest traditions our services has is to honor those who have given so much of their lives for our country. I was honored to serve as a mentor and colleague to RADM Swap over her career which included time in Okinawa, Japan; Afghanistan, Washington, DC; Portsmouth, Virginia; Diego Garcia, and Millington, Tennessee. On campus, the construction project in the South building is starting to take shape nicely. We’re hoping for a September completion date.
In addition, here are some other things I hope you’ll read about:
PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: In his more than 40 years as an optometrist, the passion and dedication of Glenn Corbin, OD ‘82, hasn’t gone unnoticed. Salus University is pleased to present Dr. Corbin with its highest honor, the 2023 Presidential Medal of Honor. Read more here.
OPTOMETRY LEARNING EXPERIENCE: We are delighted to welcome 33 students over two sessions to our Optometry Learning Experience (OLE). The program is designed to offer participants the opportunity to explore the Doctor of Optometry degree program, as well as the profession of optometry and the many career opportunities available. Look for an upcoming story about the week on our website.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: After graduating from St. Joseph’s University in 2013 with a degree in biology, Ashley (Senss) Joyce, MMS ‘20, took a job as a professional stage manager for a theater company. But after a year, Ashley realized that although she loved her job, the lifestyle just wasn’t for her. Then she discovered the Physician Assistant Studies program at Salus University. Click here to read more about her journey.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
In The Art of Living, the famous Stoic Epictetus teaches: “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle. Some things are within your control. And some things are not.”
The end to affirmative action, the fractious political discourse in an already divided nation, the war in Ukraine, inflation, climate change, the wildfires in Canada, the unrelenting gun violence -- each of these issues is life changing in its individual impact; combined, they can feel overwhelming.
Taking action through advocacy is important, necessary and effective. Continuing to push for positive change on all of these issues -- gun control, increasing diversity in education, decreasing our carbon footprints, can reclaim a sense of agency in the swirl of current developments.
Even as we give voice to these vital issues, if you’re a student, I encourage you to keep focused on your studies. It is the primary reason you’re at Salus and something over which you have direct control. Our faculty remain focused on your professional growth providing leading edge training to prepare you for success as emerging educators and clinicians. We are here to support you every step of the way in reaching your career aspirations.
If happiness and freedom begin with exercising autonomy, Daniel Pink’s research on motivation, adds mastery and purpose to sustain it. As you work toward professional mastery, recommit every day to doing your very best work. There is no greater sense of motivation or higher service to our society than the purpose you’ve found and will continue to nurture in selfless service to others through your chosen profession.
As you prepare for the weekend, please take some time to reflect on the words of Epictetus – what brings you happiness and freedom? To sustain that way of being, how will you focus and animate that which gives you purpose? In my experience, when you’ve answered these questions for yourself, everything else becomes easier.
Stay safe, drink plenty of fluids and come back next week SALUS STRONG!
-Mike
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