Dear Students, Faculty Residents, Staff, Board Members and Friends,
Good morning on a beautiful morning from Elkins Park. Unfortunately, we wake up to the news of another mass shooting, this time in Maine, where 18 lives were taken and 13 people injured in a senseless act of violence. Please keep those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers
Here are some positive things that I hope you will find of interest:
LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS: Our annual Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity fundraiser is just around the corner. Tickets are still available for the event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Switch House at The Battery in Philadelphia. You can purchase your tickets here.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WHITE CANE: White Cane Day, celebrated every year on Oct. 15, strives to bring awareness to the achievements of individuals with visual impairments and a tool often used to support their independence. For those with a visual impairment, including individuals with low vision to blindness, the white cane can support safe and independent travel. The importance and effective use of the white cane is just one aspect of independent travel students in Salus University’s Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) programs are taught. Read more here.
ACADEMY IN THE ‘BIG EASY’: Every fall, Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University faculty, residents, students and staff descend upon a different city for a robust lineup of lectures, events, poster presentations, workshops and much more at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) conference. This year, New Orleans aka the “Big Easy,” known for its specialty cuisines, jazz music and historic architecture, was the host city. Click here to read more about the conference.
OULU STUDENTS IN THE HOUSE: Master’s students from Oulu University of Applied Sciences are finishing up a productive two weeks on campus in specialized training in primary eye care emphasizing the diagnosis and management of eye disease. Led by Dr. Robert Andersson, MSc ‘10, FAAO, students have had the opportunity to examine paid volunteers in controlled patient care, lectures/labs in ophthalmic laser, contact lens, and traumatic brain injury. They have been exposed to eye disease and conditions not common in their native Finland. Stay tuned for a podcast on our website to hear from the students about their expanded view of eye conditions that we experience on this side of the globe. We captured a photo of a couple of our Finnish students attached below.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Over the past few weeks many of us have been watching and discussing the terrible situation in Israel and Gaza. Rightfully so, these events elicit strong opinions and sentiments and hold significant importance on the much broader global stage.
I would like to remind members of the Salus community, no matter how you feel about what’s happening in Israel and Gaza, we uphold our shared values of respect, compassion and open dialog, especially when discussing matters as sensitive as this. Differing viewpoints are inevitable, but they should be expressed and received in a manner that does not degrade, demean or discriminate against any individual or group based on their beliefs, ethnicity or nationality. Be respectful in all of your interactions.
I recognize that the situation in Israel and Gaza is particularly fraught and emotionally difficult for those with family and friends caught in the conflict. Resources for emotional and psychological support are available for students through the Center for Personnel and Professional Development (CPPD) and for faculty and staff through your health plans.
Personal and institutional integrity depends on our shared commitment to, and consistent practice of respect, compassion and skillful dialogue. What we say, do and how we conduct ourselves, all affect our ability to build trustful relationships.
Our Salus credo states, “We believe all of our endeavors should have an enduring impact beyond the confines of the University.” Think about the enduring impact you’re creating in how you listen and engage with everyone you encounter.
As you prepare for the weekend, get outside and enjoy this nice October weather – we won’t have these temperatures for much longer. I want you all back here feeling SALUS STRONG on Monday! I’ve attached a photo I took of our beautiful campus last night. The almost full moon really looks magical! Enjoy the weekend.
-Mike
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