Preparing to Celebrate Our Graduates: Week of May 17, 2024

 

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

Good morning from Elkins Park where we are preparing for next week’s commencement ceremony and also welcoming students back to campus as our Summer Semester begins. Here are some other items I hope you will find of interest:

128TH COMMENCEMENT: John Fry, President of Drexel University, will deliver the keynote address at Salus University's 128th commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Read more here.

SLP POST-BACC ADVANTAGES: The Post-baccalaureate Program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) was designed to prepare students to excel academically and professionally by establishing a foundation necessary for their success in the field of SLP. And there are several advantages of being a part of the Post-bacc SLP program at Salus. For details, click here.

FROM DREXEL TO SALUS: Hearing about the upcoming merger between Salus and Drexel University seemed like an ironic coincidence for two second-year Physician Assistant (PA) Studies students, Emily Damico ‘24PA and Momina Khan '24PA. Although both will have graduated from Salus before the two institutions academic programs merge in the summer of 2025, they see a tremendous benefit for current and prospective students when it comes to the partnership. Read more here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Alicia Reiser, MS, OTR/L, OTD ‘18, ADHD-RSP, was looking for the “missing piece” in her career. And, she found it in the Salus University Post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) program’s Remedial Vision Rehabilitation: Pediatrics and Acquired Brain Injury track. Click here to read more about her journey.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Next week is all about our students! The launch of our newest graduates presents an opportunity to thank our talented faculty and staff for preparing these young professionals to take on the challenges that today’s complex world presents to them. I have no doubt that our graduates have all the tools they need to excel in their given professions.

In order to effectively address a changing environment, it will be incumbent upon our new graduates, as you begin your new careers, to commit to life-long learning and a life of service as you navigate through these changes. I know I speak for the entire Salus community when I wish them the very best as they spread their wings and leave our nest.

If you’re preparing to graduate on Thursday, I hope you, your families and significant others take some time to enjoy the Greater Philadelphia area. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Remembering Mother's Day This Sunday: Week of May 10, 2024

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where students are finishing up final exams today and preparing for commencement, clinical rotations or graduation. Here are some things I hope you will find of interest:

INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION: The Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus was a hub of collaboration recently as Physical Therapy (PT) students from Arcadia University joined first-year students from the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) programs at Salus to learn how to work together for the benefit of their patients. Read more here.

BEP SIGNING DAY: Darryl Glover, OD ‘11, co-founder, Essence Johnson, OD ‘10, chief visionary officer, and Jacobi Cleaver, OD ‘11, chief program officer of the Black Eyecare Perspective (BEP) recently hosted a signing day for the organization’s Pre-Optometry Club members who have gained acceptance into a school or college of optometry, as well as recognize any student who will be entering optometry school the following academic year. Click here for details.

ACCEPTED STUDENT DAYS: Salus hosted three Accepted Student Days this year, which attracted more than 110 accepted students and about 200 guests from across all programs. To find out more, click here.

INVEST PHILLY PANELIST: Thomas Beeman, PhD, LHD, MBA, USN (ret.), a member of the Board of Trustees at Salus University, served as a panelist on one of three panels at the recent “Invest: Philadelphia 2024” conference. Among the topics Dr. Beeman discussed was “Action plan: Initiatives underway in Philadelphia’s eds and meds sector to create positive outcomes for students and patients.” Click here to read more.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS WITH DeSALES: Yesterday morning several of us ventured up to DeSales University in Center Valley, PA where we toured their beautiful campus and signed articulation agreements establishing a pipeline from their excellent science programs into PCO and our Orthotics and Prosthetics program. We’re excited to welcome DeSales students into our programs. Special thanks to Dr’s O’Sullivan and Caldwell and Monica Scirrotto for taking the lead on this.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. This very special day, with a connection to Philadelphia, was first conceived by Anne Reeve Jarvis prior to the Civil War who created “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to help teach young mothers how to care for their children. It wasn’t until 1908, through the efforts of her daughter, Anna Jarvis, that led to Mother’s Day being named an official holiday by President Wilson in 1914. Ms. Jarvis worked with John Wanamaker (of Wanamaker Department Stores fame) to obtain funding to have a Mother’s Day celebration at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. At the same time, thousands of people attended a Mother’s Day event at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia. As they say, the rest is history, which you can read more about here.

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, I’d like to recognize the wonderful contributions that all our Salus moms have made to Salus, your professions and those you all serve. Thank you for what you do every day to provide a world-class education to our students and the best care available to our patients and clients.

To every member of our Salus community – have a safe, fun and relaxing Mother’s Day! Even Salus's Mother Goose (seen below) is preparing to celebrate with her new goslings! To all preparing to enjoy some well-deserved time off, clinical rotations or walking across the stage at the Kimmel Center, take some time to reflect on all the wonderful lessons our mothers have taught us over the years. Be safe, look out for one another and come back next week SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Leveraging AI Thoughtfully: Week of May 3, 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where we have welcomed a new family of goslings on campus (short video attached). Our students have been busy completing final exams and practicals, as faculty prepare grades. Only a couple of weeks until Spring Commencement! Here are some other items I hope you will find of interest:

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University has continued a long-standing collaboration with Head Start programs in the Philadelphia area for more than 35 years. Head Start is a primarily federally funded program that provides education, health and social services to families with children aged three, four and five. For PCO/Salus, this has meant contributing to a variety of services, including primary eye care exams at Head Start centers and schools in the Philadelphia area. Click here to read more.

MERITORIOUS HONORS FOR SLP: The University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students really raised the bar when it came to their capstone projects this year. Out of the seven meritorious posters chosen to be featured at the annual Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) convention April 10-13 in Pittsburgh, two of those were from research conducted by Salus SLP students. For details, click here.

O&P KENYA TRIP: During a humanitarian trip to Kenya, Victoria “Tori” Page ‘25O&P had a young patient who hadn’t walked since her leg amputation the previous year. Tori spent a long time working on a prosthesis trying to make her patient as comfortable as possible. At the end of her appointment, Tori asked the patient how her new leg felt. “She looked at me with a big smile and said, ‘I’m walking!’” Read more here about the O&P humanitarian trip to Kenya.

A SPECIAL PA OLYMPICS: This year’s PA Olympics took on a little more significance for students in the Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program at Salus because it honored one of the University’s former faculty members, Adam Moore, MHS, PA-C, ATC. Adam was an assistant professor for the Salus PA program from 2016 to 2022 and at Thomas Jefferson University until his passing in September 2023. During his time at Salus, Moore had served as a faculty advisor for the PA Olympics. Click here for additional details on the event.

DREXEL DEI RECOGNITION: Drexel Alumni is the recipient of the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. In its inaugural year, this award recognizes Drexel Alumni for its programs, culture, and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all alumni, across racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, religions, socio-economic statuses and more. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I have spent the last two days in DC this week attending the Special Medical Advisory Group for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs where I am the designated representative for optometry. Every time I attend these meetings, I am extremely impressed with all that the VA is doing to improve health care for our Veteran population. Administering the nation’s largest integrated health system, the VA is leading the way in digital health integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital solutions responsibly and effectively into VA care. It’s a daunting task when you consider there are over 9-million veterans enrolled in the system.

One process the VA has been using to select the right industry partner to help them integrate AI into their patient care processes is called “AI Sprint.” AI Sprints are three-month competitive engagements that foster collaboration among industry, academia and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Sprints are staged with specific challenges introduced into the process every 3 weeks to determine how teams might mitigate them. I see great value in academia adopting similar processes to devise solutions to some of the novel challenges we face in our higher ed/healthcare ecosystem. As we attempt to leverage AI and related technologies, we need to embrace best practices ensuring cybersecurity, patient, and student safety as well as accuracy and reliability. Our partnership with Drexel will help operationalize some of these processes

It looks like the weekend is going to be a bit cooler than it has been, so try and get out and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather while it still lasts. As you get to the last weeks of the semester, keep your eye on the ball concerning your studies and continue to look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Upholding Our Values of Inclusivity, Understanding and Respect: Week of April 26, 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where spring has been in full bloom and our students and faculty have been working diligently toward the finish line this semester. Dr. Vitek and I just returned from a very exciting and successful trip to Bangkok, Thailand where we had the opportunity to meet with many of our Salus alumni, faculty and students and Rangcit University as well as prospective students. Other than being over 100 degrees there, it was a very successful engagement. I’ve posted a photo below of the group. We’re getting excited about our upcoming commencement ceremony at the Kimmel Center on May 23rd when we will welcome and honor our commencement speaker, Drexel president John Fry. In addition to all that’s happening on campus, here are some other items of interest:

ENVISION CONFERENCE: The inaugural Envision Conference held recently at Salus was a multidisciplinary low vision rehabilitation and research conference by Envision University in collaboration with the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), the William Feinbloom Low Vision Rehabilitation Center housed at The Eye Institute (TEI), the clinical teaching facility for PCO, and the University’s Blindness and Low Vision Studies and Occupational Therapy programs. Click here to read more about the event.

QUIZ BOWL HAIL MARY: Going into the 2024 PCO/Salus Quiz Bowl, Anna German ‘26OD knew she would be at a disadvantage. As a first-year student in the Doctor of Optometry Accelerated Scholars’ program, there were classes she hadn’t yet taken with information she hadn’t yet learned that would have greatly helped her in the annual trivia contest. So, she had to rely on her instincts and essentially throw up a Hail Mary on the final question. Find out what happened by clicking here. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Alexander Paluzzi, MSOT ‘21, wasn’t a typical Occupational Therapy (OT) student at Salus University. After graduating with a bachelor’s in secondary education and a master’s in international education, both from Drexel University, he started his career teaching social studies and working as an Applied Behavior Analysis Autism therapist. And now he is teaching anatomy and kinesiology at Salus. Read more about Alex here.

ACADEMIC RESTRUCTURING: Read Drexel University president John Fry’s message about the University’s efforts to strengthen Drexel's ability to attract and retain top students and to secure its future as a leading student-centered, experience-driven, research university. Click here for details. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: With all that is happening on college campuses around the country, I am thankful to our Salus University community members for continuing to conduct ourselves professionally and respectfully. As events in the Middle East unfold, emotions understandably run high, and discussions may become charged with differing perspectives.

It's essential during such times that we uphold our values of inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect. Salus is a place for open dialogue and diverse viewpoints, and it's through respectful engagement that we can foster understanding and empathy, even amidst differing opinions. Let us remember that each member of our community brings unique experiences and perspectives to the table. By actively listening to one another and engaging in constructive dialogue, we can navigate these challenging moments with grace and understanding.

As always, the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff remain our top priority. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the counselors at CPPD if you need support or assistance during this time. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to maintaining a supportive and respectful environment at Salus University.

As we approach the weekend, it looks like the weather will be very nice, so try to take a break in your students or whatever you might be doing indoors to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

The Importance of Advocacy: Week of April 19, 2024

 

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

I hope everyone had a productive week as we get ready for the final stretch of our Spring Semester. Many are preparing for clinical exams as well as finals. Commencement is right around the corner!

 Here are some things I hope you find of interest:

MATCH DAY: It was Match Day – when Doctor of Optometry graduate students find out where they’ve been matched for their yearlong residencies – and Daniel Hoffman ‘24OD had settled into his lunch break with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was the day he would find out where he was matched for his residency program. Read more here about the anticipation and nervousness that Match Day brings.

AUDIOLOGY EXTERNS SENDOFF: The University’s Doctor of Audiology Class of 2025 is unique for a couple of reasons. First, members came into the program during the pandemic; and second, the Class of 2025 will graduate next year in the 25th year of the program’s inception which was initially launched in 2000. For now, though, they’re all headed to externships. Read more about their sendoff celebration here.

DEI EDUCATES!: Many of you will remember that the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and its committee hosted two virtual Safe Zone Trainings through the DEI Educates! program in 2023. We have invited facilitators, Stan Kimer and Deanna Jones, to join us again, given their educational and engaging session last year. We are offering two virtual training sessions on April 30 and May 8. You only need to attend one session in its entirety. Please click here to register for your desired training session. The Zoom link will be shared with registrants the week of the training.

‘THE ART OF HEALING’: Jana Walker, LSW, a counselor in the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD), has been interested in psychotherapy and spirituality for more than 20 years. And now, she has brought those two things together in a new book called “The Art of Healing.” Click here to read more.

MORE CLINICAL OPPORTUNITIES: The Drexel University College of Medicine has recently secured more opportunities for the clinical education of our medical students. The University’s longstanding academic medical campus affiliation with Bayhealth Medical Center in Delaware has been expanded. It will serve as a new regional medical campus for the College of Medicine beginning at the start of this 2024-2025 academic year. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend the American Optometric Association’s annual Federal Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. The goal of the summit is to bring optometric leaders and students up to speed on key legislative issues facing the profession. Groups of optometrists and optometry students are assigned to their district legislators to lobby on behalf of the profession.

This year, we focused on four key areas:

1. Putting Patients and Doctors back in control of their healthcare decisions by passing the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act which would combat abusive practices in the federally regulated vision and dental plan coverage markets.
2. Asking Congress to take action to stop Medicare pay cuts to optometry and other professions.
3. Ensuring that the over 1000 optometrists working at the Department of Veterans Affairs are permitted to practice at their highest level of training and licensure to assure veterans have access to full-scope eyecare wherever they are seen and ensuring VA optometrists are paid at the same level as physicians, dentists and podiatrists.
4. Reining in abusive contact lens seller practices by regulating contact lens verification robocalls from companies which too often lead to patients receiving a different device than what was originally prescribed.

I was asked to join several groups that visited the offices of Congresswomen Dean and Congressman Fitzpatrick. Both representatives were extremely supportive and sensitive to the issues we raised.

These interactions are so important, since all our professions are regulated through legislation, most often at the state level. It is extremely important for all of our students, in each of our professions, to learn about the legislative process and get involved as early as possible. This process governs the scope, safety and remuneration of our professions. I remember juggling my schedule when I was a student to do just that. Those were the days where we were fighting for the right to use therapeutic drugs, something we all take for granted today. The four issues we addressed this week touch on the same types of issues we had to confront over forty years ago. While the names of the issues may change, groups will always be out there attempting to erode or restrict what you’ve been taught to do for your patients. Hence, it is essential that you become actively engaged in advocacy for your profession.

As you prepare for the weekend, please remember to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG! Below are a few photos from the DC meeting:

-Mike

Back in the Swing of Things: April 12, 2024

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

Good morning on a gray Friday from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been a busy week with everyone getting back into the swing after Spring Break.  Our clinics, labs and classrooms have all been abuzz with activity. With the end of semester in sight, our students and faculty are working hard toward a “strong” finish. 

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology Class of 2024 students Jessica Concannon, Alyssa Dallmer, Sydni Delfiner, and Olivia Fogarty had the opportunity to present their capstone projects recently, one more step closer to graduation this spring. The project addressed some misinformation on developmental milestones provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also expressed the importance of parents/caregivers using Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) backed research when advocating for their loved ones, specifically utilizing the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as a resource. Click here to read more.

A WHIRLWIND OF OT TRAVEL: Travel therapists are going to travel. And, Emily Hamilton, MSOT ‘21, has been all over the country since graduating from the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at Salus University. The whirlwind of travel in the first few years of her career has been comfortable for her while she continues to learn and gain experience, something she attributes to how the Salus OT program prepared her to become a professional. To read more, click here.

FROST-FREE SIDEWALKS: Researchers in Drexel’s College of Engineering recently reported on the science behind a special concrete that can warm itself up when it snows or freezes. By introducing phase-change materials to the concrete mixture, researchers were able to create slabs that can warm themselves to melt snow and ice when temperatures approach freezing. Read more here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week, our leadership team shared a number of important progress updates on the merger with Drexel. Importantly, we remain on track to complete all accreditation and regulatory requirements for Change In Ownership on June 30, 2024, pending MSCHE approval.

We also shared a number of benefit decisions during the update on Human Resources. A summary of those decisions will be posted to the ADP employee platform on Tuesday.  

I want to acknowledge all the feedback I am receiving from faculty and staff about the impact of these changes. The changes are impacting community members differently depending on individual circumstances. Change is never easy and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and input with me.

As you work through these changes, we will continue to support you with information and resources to assist your decision making. Look for future calendar invites to upcoming HR sessions and benefit vendor fairs.

I also encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Question documents that we’ve posted to the ADP employee website. These are a ready reference for you responding to dozens of questions from faculty and staff.

Even as transitions are challenging, they also present opportunities for renewal and revitalization. I am confident that Salus ultimately will emerge stronger as part of OneDrexel, if we lean into the change with resilience, adaptability, and optimism. 
 
The sun and moon created an awe-inspiring phenomenon earlier this week. Check out NASA’s spectacular coverage of this rare event. Below is a photo I took here at Salus.

As the moon obscured the light of the sun, we experienced uncertainty, disruption and excitement at the same time. It reminded me of where we are in the merger now. Like the emergence of sunlight after the eclipse, our merger presents an opportunity to expand our horizons and what’s possible, advancing our mission, deepening our collective impact and innovating in ways previously unimagined.

As you prepare for the weekend, I hope that you can reflect on the opportunities that await our merger with Drexel. I’d also ask that as you discuss subjects that may be controversial with your classmates, friends and family members, you do so with respect and an open mind. 

Please take the time to get outdoors to enjoy the nice weather (if it ever stops raining!) so you can be ready to take on whatever comes your way next week. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG! Have a great weekend!

- Mike

Nothing is Impossible! Week of April 5 , 2024

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus where many of us have considered building an ark given all the rain we’ve had! At least the sun is out this morning! It’s been a busy week getting back in the swing following Spring Break. Here are some things I hope you will find of interest:

NANCY GRIFFIN RETIRES: After 46 years, Nancy Griffin tried to quietly leave her job in the Office of Admissions at Salus University without much fanfare. But word got out she was retiring and the plethora of congratulations from her co-workers was anything but quiet. Congratulations, Nancy! Read more here.

YOUNG ALUMNI: Check out this question-and-answer session with one of our alumni, Jonathan Zobek, MEd ‘22, and learn why he wanted to pursue a career in teaching students with visual impairments. Click here to read more.

NOTICE OF MERGER: Salus and Drexel are committed to conducting the upcoming merger with minimal interruption to our students. Our two institutions are also committed to continuing the full complement of programs offered by Salus. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions by students. Read more here.

SOLAR ECLIPSE: In our region we will experience 85% of the solar eclipse beginning at 2:08 this coming Monday. The next time we’ll see something like this in the U.S. won’t be for another 20 years; in 2044. If you are planning on watching the eclipse in real time, it’s imperative that you have the proper eye protection. People can end up with solar retinopathy simply by looking directly at the sun for long periods of time during the eclipse, which also can result in permanent vision loss. Please, ensure you have ANSI approved eye protection or use an indirect viewing method if you plan on watching the eclipse.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Last week at the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership of the American College of Healthcare Executives, I had the opportunity to sit in on a session with speaker Mick Ebeling. Originally a Hollywood producer, he established Not Impossible Labs whose mission is, “to change the world through technology and story by addressing societal “absurdities” or problems to improve the lives of everyone.” By leveraging brainpower in one room, they aim to create, “the conditions for radical collaboration that lead to progress: custom, never-been-built solutions that respect people’s humanity, enable their independence and enrich their experience in the world.” Their mission reminds me of what we do through our community outreach and the cutting-edge research both here at Salus and at Drexel.

One project, directly applicable to the work we do here at Salus, is Project Daniel, an endeavor that brought the first prosthetics lab powered by 3D printers to Sudan, Africa. Project Daniel has transformed the lives of hundreds of amputees who otherwise would not have access to low-cost, functional prosthetics by teaching local residents how to build prosthetic limbs using 3D printers.

As we move forward with our merger with Drexel, I see unlimited potential for developing cutting edge solutions to some of the issues faced by individuals with visual, auditory, or physical challenges by thinking the way Mick Ebeling thinks, that nothing is impossible. Collaborative, solution-oriented teams will get it done. It may not be easy, but novel solutions will be discovered by leveraging creativity, expertise and technology. That’s exciting!

As you prepare for the weekend, think about problems that people say are impossible to solve or ones that you think are unsolvable and project the mindset that Mick Ebeling believes - nothing is impossible. See how that changes your perspective on things. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG because Nothing is Impossible! Have a great weekend.

- Mike