Dear Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends,
Good morning on this beautiful, clear, crisp Fall day! It’s been another busy week on campus as students complete final exams and clinical rotations and faculty start to prepare grades and do all the things that come with the end of a semester.
As things begin to wind down around campus, here are some items I hope will be of interest to you:
FAMOUS PATIENT: When Charles Klein, OD ‘67, arrived at the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO) in 1963, with long hair, not unlike many young people who were embracing the youth movement of the time. The Philadelphia area was becoming a hotbed of political and civil change, with a vibrant emerging folk music scene. Dr. Klein’s long hair didn’t escape the notice of University president Lawrence Fitch, OD ‘36. Click here to find out what creative solution Dr. Fitch found to Dr. Klein’s long hair, as well as who Dr. Klein’s first eventually famous patient would be during his clinical training at the University.
WHAT’S NEW IN SLP: In our latest podcast, we catch up with Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, director of the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus. Bob updates us on what’s new in the SLP program and at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI). Click here to listen to the podcast.
YOUNG ALUMNI: Check out this question-and-answer session with one of our “Young Alumni,” Jonah Casella, OD ‘22. Click here for details.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Eighty-two years ago today, following the December 7th surprise attack on our Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began his speech to Congress with this now famous line, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” That surprise attack claimed the lives of 2,403 service members and civilians. Another 1,178 people were injured in the attack. Two U.S. Navy battleships – the USS Arizona and the USS Utah were also permanently sunk, and 188 aircraft were destroyed.
There were many American heroes at Pearl Harbor. Doris Miller, an African American Sailor, served on the USS West Virginia. Like most African Americans in a segregated U.S. Navy, Miller was assigned to non-combat related duties such as a cook. That didn’t stop him from taking over an unmanned gun deck on the West Virginia to shoot down enemy planes, taking out at least one Japanese fighter and possibly more. His actions were depicted in the movie Pearl Harbor. Miller was passed over for the Medal of Honor by then Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, who opposed Black sailors serving the United States in any combat role. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism. The Navy has since named a destroyer-escort in honor of Doris Miller.
According to the National World War II Museum, 418,500 American military and civilians lost their lives in the war. Worldwide, 15 million military service members and over 45 million civilians were killed over the course of the war. This was the price of freedom in the 1940’s.
The human toll and atrocities associated with World War II are almost incomprehensible. Hopefully, never to be repeated.
In his 1905 publication The Life of Reason, George Santayna famously observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As healthcare professionals and global citizens, we too must keep these lessons in mind. With all that is happening in the world today, combined with the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, the lessons of the past become even more relevant.
Our call to action is to learn from the past, honor heroes, such as Doris Miller, whose selfless courage we strive to emulate, and to exercise tolerance, respect and positive influence on all whom we touch as healthcare providers, educators and researchers. Remember the human price that has been paid to protect democracy from anarchists. We have a sacred responsibility to preserve that through our actions.
As you prepare for the weekend, I hope your studying for finals goes well and that you take some time to reflect on the sacrifices of all who have given us the opportunities to study, work and care for others. Stay safe, continue to look out for others and come back next week SALUS STRONG! Happy Chanukah to our Jewish students, faculty and colleagues and friends!
-Mike
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