Week of June 3, 2024

 

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

Good morning on a beautiful Friday from our Elkins Park Campus. While the week was short, it certainly has been busy. The Drexel Human Resources team hosted the first of at least two Benefit Fairs on Wednesday where they filled the Hafter Center with experts to help answer questions and sign people up. The next one is scheduled for 6 June at TEI. And yesterday, Dr. Elisabeth Van Bockstaele and the Drexel team provided an informative Drexel Speaker Series that discussed Library, Educational Support & IT. While all this was happening, students and faculty have been engaged in normal classroom, clinic and lab activities. This campus never rests!

Here are other items I hope you will find of interest:

JOYOUS COMMENCEMENT: Drexel president John Fry delivered an inspirational and motivational keynote address at our 128th commencement ceremony May 23, 2024, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. We were also honored to present President Fry with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. To read more about the day, click here. 

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: Dr. Rita Chaiken has been involved with the University’s Osborne College of Audiology virtually since its establishment in 2000. She was asked by the College’s founder, George S. Osborne, to teach the second-ever cohort of the program in 2001. Now, she and four other winners will be awarded with the Salus Presidential Medal of Honor at the annual recognition reception at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, June 2, at PineCrest Country Club in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Click here to read more about Dr. Chaiken and her contributions to the profession of Audiology. 

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL, TAKE II: In his house, Jim Saviola, OD, FAAO ‘85, has what he calls a “fancy” piano his wife and three daughters all play. About a year-and-a-half ago, Dr. Saviola wanted to do something outside work to “keep his brain working.” So, he took up piano lessons. He was sitting at the piano recently for one of those lessons when his phone rang informing him that he had been named a Presidential Medal of Honor winner by Salus University. Click here to read more. 

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL, TAKE III: It’s turning out to be a banner year for Paul B. Freeman, OD '74, FAAO. Not only is he celebrating his 50th anniversary of graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, but he is also adding to his long list of accolades the 2024 Presidential Medal of Honor from his alma mater. Click here for more details. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: She’s always had a passion for Occupational Therapy (OT), so when her husband was transferred to Washington by the Air Force, Amber Fessler, OTD ‘20, started looking into doctoral programs in that area. When she didn’t find any program in the state that suited her, she started looking elsewhere. That’s when she found Salus University’s post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, particularly the Remedial Vision Rehabilitation aspect. Read more here. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating the achievements of our graduates. This coming weekend, we will extend our celebrations to honor several of our outstanding alumni. On Sunday, we will present the Presidential Medal of Honor to individuals from various professions who have distinguished themselves on international, national, and local stages. Their remarkable work has improved the lives of thousands and impacted countless more. 

Salus University, along with our founding college, The Pennsylvania College of Optometry, has long been renowned for developing leaders in the fields we educate. As we prepare to merge with Drexel University, our legacy of leadership, innovation, and community service will be further enriched by the numerous opportunities Drexel will bring to our students, faculty, and staff. It’s an exhilarating time—both to celebrate those who have achieved so much and to anticipate the exciting possibilities ahead. Our only limitations are those we place on ourselves, so let’s dream big and prepare to accomplish even greater things! 

As you head into the weekend, please keep in your thoughts and prayers all those who are suffering around the world. Continue to respect one another and remain SALUS STRONG as we look forward to our bright future!

-Mike