The Importance of Political Advocacy and Interprofessional Education: Week of September 22, 2023

 

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

Good morning on the first Friday of Fall! It’s been a busy and exciting week at Salus hosting our quarterly Board meeting and launching the Salus-Drexel Integration Council. Salus President’s Council members met their counterparts to develop plans for integrating academic, human resources, fiscal, student life, enrollment management, facilities and clinical processes between our two institutions. It was great to see everyone so interactive and involved. As I’ve said in the past, we will keep everyone up-to-date on the groups progress throughout the year. In addition to these things, here are some other items of interest:

RECOGNITION RECEPTION: Our annual recognition reception — always one of my favorite events — celebrated the outstanding achievements and extraordinary philanthropic support of our alumni. The event included our 2023 Presidential Medal of Honor recipients and 2023 Alumni Association Award winners. Each of our honorees has brought wisdom and expertise to the patients and people within their care and have transformed the lives of many. Look for details next week on our website.

CURATOR RETIRES: Our collective thanks and congratulations to Elynne Rosenfeld, curator of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on our Elkins Park campus, who is retiring after six years. Her extraordinary contributions as curator and director transformed our community. Read more about Elynne’s dedication to the gallery here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend a hearing of the Congressional Subcommittee on Veterans Health. As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reaffirms its right to allow VA health care professionals to deliver health care services in a state other than the health care professional's state of licensure, registration, certification, or other state requirement, they are establishing National Standards of Practice to ensure quality of care for all veterans.

This has become a contentious issue for several professions that intersect with other medical specialties. This week’s hearing focused on optometry and certified nurse anesthetists. Ophthalmology has challenged optometry’s role in providing laser eye surgery among other medical procedures, and anesthesiology has challenged the role of certified nurse anesthetists to serve as solo, independent providers in VA facilities.

As a proud member of both the American Optometric Association and the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS), I was privileged to help craft AOA’s statement, which was skillfully delivered by Dr. Paul Barney, an AOA trustee who practices full-scope optometry in Alaska, including laser treatments.

It was heartening to observe committee members, all veterans themselves, recognize the value that optometrists and CRNAs provide to the VA as medical professionals. They all recognized the importance of providing health care to veterans with an integrated team of professionals. One of the members even stated that healthcare was a "team sport". Which is why interprofessional education is such an important focus of what we do at Salus.

Legislative advocacy is a vitally important tool to support the efforts of those who literally write the rules under which we all practice. In accurately and professionally providing factual accounts of our education, training and patient outcomes, we help our legislators enact laws that better reflect and support what we do.

All of our professions are statutorily regulated. Recognizing Salus’ historic commitment to “impact the future of healthcare, education and professional practice,” I take time for legislative advocacy and I encourage you to do the same. This work is done at every level—local, state and federal levels of government. Stay on top of the issues, and participate in your state and national associations. Your livelihoods and ability to care for your patients at the highest level of your training are impacted by state and federal regulations.

As you prepare for this first weekend of Fall, take some time to look over your state and national association’s websites to see what issues they are currently confronting and get up to speed with them. Now is not too early to become involved as you prepare to become leaders in your chosen professions.

Stay safe, continue to practice prudent prevention measures, such as masking when around large crowds, when out and about. We want you all back here next week SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

The Importance of Advocacy: Week of June 23, 2023

 

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

Greetings from Washington, DC, where I am attending Optometry’s Meeting, along with many faculty and students from PCO. It’s been fun reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. While we have been in DC, our campus has been humming along with summer classes and the construction project on the first floor of the south building progressing daily.

Here are some other items of interest:

MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP: After earning his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in 2018 from Penn State, Prince Denson ’25 OD, was still unsure what career he wanted to pursue. But he jumped when presented with the opportunity to pursue an Air Force Allied Health Professions scholarship while a second-year student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Click here to read more.

‘CITY AND SHORE’ EXHIBIT: A new exhibit “City and Shore” is on display at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus. The two-person show features black and white photos taken in Philadelphia by John Benigno and color photos of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, taken by Eric Schaeffer. Click here for details.

INFLUENTIAL POST-BACC: Darryl Horn, PhD, FAAO, director of our Post-Baccalaureate program, says the program allows students to see more in-depth into what a profession offers. Designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree or working toward a second degree from an accredited institution, read here how the program is well-suited for career transitions.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Becoming a physician assistant (PA) first appeared on the radar of John Elkhoury, MMS ‘18, when he was a sophomore at Penn State University. That’s when he decided to pursue PA school. But life took a bit of a turn. After graduating in 2014 with two undergraduate degrees — in Psychology and French, Elkhoury applied to some PA schools but didn’t get accepted into any. Click here to find out how John’s journey eventually brought him to Salus University.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I noted above, I have spent a good part of this week attending “Optometry’s Meeting” in Washington, DC. With exceptional colleagues from the American Optometry Association (AOA) and the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS), we have been advocating for important optometric issues with congressional offices, Veterans Service Organizations and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Advocating for all our programs is one of the most important things I do to advance the professions we serve.

Over 1,000 members strong, Veterans’ Affairs (VA) optometrists provide the majority of comprehensive eyecare for veterans enrolled in the VA. To ensure the highest quality of care for our nation’s veterans, optometric scope of practice should follow the highest level established through the profession’s state licensing and educational training. Additionally, as a key member of the VA healthcare team, optometrists should also be eligible to compete for leadership positions alongside physician, dentist, and podiatrist colleagues.

Optometrists have a long and distinguished history of healthcare leadership in and beyond government, where they lead multidisciplinary healthcare teams comprised of physicians, nurses, dentists and other related disciplines. In doing so, Doctors of Optometry are fully aware of what is required to ensure safe, high-quality care while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, professional practice, jurisprudence and business objectives.

As the VA works to develop National Standards of Practice, we advocate for standards that enable optometry, and all of the professions we train at Salus, to practice at the highest level achieved through state licensure, regardless of VA location. This helps to ensure continuity of services throughout the VA, consistent access to high quality care throughout the VA system and increased provider satisfaction across the board.

All the professions that we train at Salus are statutorily regulated and trained to the highest scope of practice, with many represented in the VA health system. Every one of us needs to be an advocate. We do this by becoming active in our professional associations, understanding and becoming articulate in the issues, so we can discuss them objectively and effectively when given the opportunity.

The politics of healthcare are complex and often contentious. When debating scope of practice and assuming leadership roles organizationally, our patient’s best interest is an incisive guidepost for navigating difficult conversations. Remaining open and objective, informed and consistent in message are keys to moving the needle in the right direction.

As you prepare for the weekend, please think about how you can contribute to your profession’s advocacy initiatives so you can provide the highest quality, broadest scope of practice for your patients now and into the future.

Have a great weekend – be safe, look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Our Affiliation with Drexel University: Week of April 21, 2023

 

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

Greetings on this cool Friday morning from our East Oak Lane campus where I look forward to speaking with our clinic providers this morning about the goings on at The Eye Institute. It has been great to see our students at work in their clinical rotations. To our staff and providers at TEI and all our clinics, our collective thanks for all you do to model outstanding patient care.

In other news:

POST-BACC SUCCESSES: Not only do graduates of the Salus University post-baccalaureate program get a leg up by being guaranteed an interview in the University program of their choosing, but it also prepares students to pursue their educational path at other universities as well. To read more, click here.

BLVS 2023 ALUMNI OF THE YEAR (AOTY): Lindsay Lee, MEd ‘19, says she still feels fresh in her career. After all, she graduated from the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program at Salus University just four years ago. That’s why it was somewhat of a surprise when she found out she was named the 2023 BLVS Alumna of the Year from the University’s Alumni Association. Click here to read more.

SLP AOTY: When her husband got a call on his phone informing him about some award his wife had won, Carleen Dumas, MS ‘18, was a bit confused. Why would he get a call about an award that she had won? A follow-up email cleared up any confusion: Dumas had been named the Speech-Language Pathology 2023 Alumna of the Year by the Salus University Alumni Association. Read more here.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBIT: New artwork graces the walls of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus of Salus University. The exhibit, which debuted March 25, 2023, features the work of artists Demetra Tassiou and Corinne Dieterle. Click here for details.

FACULTY & STAFF SPRING FLING: Our first Salus University Faculty and Staff Spring Fling, which will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus, replaces the faculty and staff holiday party that we haven’t been able to have in the past few years.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week we announced that we are in the process of exploring an affiliation with Drexel University, pending the completion of due diligence and approval of both Boards of Trustees and other required regulatory and judicial approvals.

I believe that an affiliation with Drexel brings together the strengths of both of our institutions in graduate health sciences, education, research and clinical practice including Drexel’s medical, biomedical, public health, nursing and health professions, and our physician assistant, optometry, audiology, biomedicine, blindness and low vision studies, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics programs. There is no better partner to help us operationalize our mission: Advancing integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

The combined array of health care disciplines, together with our shared commitment to the communities we serve, provides an unprecedented opportunity to develop educational offerings and premier clinical care that meet emerging developments in healthcare innovation.

According to author Stephen Covey, trust is built upon credibility, consistent behavior, alignment, reputation and contribution. (The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, 2008). Every interaction we’ve shared with our Drexel colleagues has reflected these attributes, which adds to my excitement about what might be possible through this potential affiliation. As we complete our due diligence process, we are building trust through developing relationships among faculty and staff. The combination of trustful relationships, shared vision, expertise and excitement will fuel academic, clinical and research collaboration and innovation. There are no limits to what we might build together.

I look forward to forthcoming, scheduled conversations with small groups within the Salus community to hear your reactions and to answer questions you may have about the current exploration. I see the partnership with Drexel as a great opportunity for both universities to build upon our storied histories, professional expertise and commitment to excellence in service to others as we consider a potential future together.

I hope everyone takes some time to get outdoors this weekend to enjoy the Spring weather. Please look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

The Importance of Human Connection: Week of February 17, 2023

 

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

I write this week’s update with a very heavy heart as we keep in our thoughts and prayers Michigan State University students who were killed and injured earlier this week and the entire MSU community in the wake of the terrible tragedy. These heinous acts of violence have become all too commonplace throughout our country. Confronting this public health epidemic must be front and center in discussions with our local politicians and policy makers.

We also keep in our prayers and intentions all who have been impacted by the devastating earthquake along the Turkish Syrian border. Please refer to my February 11th LinkedIn post for more information and donation links.

SALUS SOULMATES: Mike Guerriere, MMS ‘18, and Alexandra (Adolph-Gothier) Guerriere, MMS ’18, were in the same Physician Assistant (PA) Studies class when they met. They started out as friends, but then he shoveled her car out of the snow and that led to romance. Click here to read more about Salus University’s featured Valentine’s Day couple.

LGBTQ+ SAFE SPACE TRAINING: Back by popular demand, Stan Kimer will provide a two-hour training session via Zoom on Friday, Feb 24. from noon to 2 p.m. The main subjects covered will include basic terms and definitions, LGBTQ+ history, being an ally, understanding key LGBTQ+ issues and struggles, and understanding and supporting the “coming out” process.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: Andrea Tyszka, OTD ‘18, OTR/L, SIPT, and Anna Grasso, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, presented a poster at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) international conference in Paris highlighting an innovative model of fieldwork that the Salus Occupational Therapy (OT) department utilized during the pandemic. To read more, click here. 

COMMUNICATIONS ON A ROLL: Congratulations to our Office of Communications for achieving two awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and two CUPPIE awards from the College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP), in the categories of marketing/advertising outdoors and long-form story. So great to see their work recognized! 

DREAMSCAPES EXHIBIT: The newest art exhibit, titled “Dreamscapes,” featuring the work of Kathy Robinson and Jenn Hallgren, is now available to see through March 24, 2023, at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery located inside the Hafter Student Community Center on Salus University’s Elkins Park campus. Click here for a preview.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week I am attending the annual meeting of the Society of Federal Health Care Professionals, AMSUS, in which our U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has highlighted the epidemic of loneliness, despair and pessimism about the future of our country, and the importance of human connection. Especially among children, social media exposure has fostered feelings of loneliness, isolation and sadness. When people experience togetherness, this raises optimism and creativity. When they experience belonging, their lives are stronger, richer, and more joyful.

Dr. Murthy identifies four strategies that mitigate and directly address the root causes of the crisis. These include:

1. Spend quality time each day with the person(s) you love. This could be as little as 15 minutes with those for whom you care most. 
2.  When talking with someone, give them your full, undivided attention with eye contact and active listening.
3. Embrace solitude through meditation, art, music, prayer, and time spent outdoors.
4. Help and accept help from others. Service is a human connection that helps to remind all of us of our value and purpose in life. Simple acts such as checking on neighbors, seeking advice or smiling at a stranger make us all stronger.

As healthcare providers, we are a vital part of this solution. Giving our patients and students our full attention with kindness, care and respect; limiting the use of social media, especially among our children; spending quality time with family and friends; taking time for self-care; helping and accepting help from others; are all important steps we can take to foster connection and belonging as an antidote to isolation, depression and sadness. While political vitriol, gun violence, social unrest and general pessimism dominate the headlines, the fullest majority of society is comprised of good people doing good things.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of this -- and all that we can do individually and collectively, in and beyond the clinic and classroom, to build a stronger, richer and more creative society.

As we approach this weekend, please take time to reflect upon the strategies that Dr. Murthy shared with all of us so we can all become better connected and in the long-run, better providers for those we care for. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remains SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Keeping a Positive Attitude: Week of September 23, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful Fall morning from our Elkins Park campus. The storms have all moved on, leaving us some fantastic weather for the weekend! It’s been another busy week on campus with students and faculty very engaged in classes, labs and clinics. We also learned that Salus has been named a “2022 Great College to Work For,” which puts the University in elite company. The results, released in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 212 colleges and universities. In all, 68 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. To read more about our achievement, click here. 

 In addition to this great news and happenings on campus, here are a few items of interest:

RECOGNITION RECEPTION: Earlier this week, we were excited to honor our 2022 Alumni Association Award and Presidential Medal of Honor winners. This special event recognizes talented and dedicated people who are changing the world in their respective professions. To read more about the honorees and the festivities, click here.

NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Robert Owens, OD ‘80, FAAO, Diplomate American Board of Optometry, has been named the new Salus University Alumni Association president, effective this past July 2022. I've known Bob for a long time, since our days together at PCO, and we’re fortunate and thankful to have him leading our alumni initiatives. Click here to read more about Dr. Owens and his goals for the Association.

JEWISH NEW YEAR: Wishing our Jewish friends and colleagues a happy and healthy New Year. The Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah. begins Sunday evening.

D’ARRIGO GALLERY EXHIBIT: A new exhibit, titled “Shine On,” will be on display through Oct. 19, 2022, at the D’Arrigo Family Art Gallery outside the Bennet Lounge at the Hafter Student Community Center. The exhibit, by artists Anne Leith and Kathleen Spicer, is the third leg of a traveling exhibit making the stop at Salus in Montgomery County. Click here for more information.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The floods in Pakistan, fires out west, war in Ukraine, global warming, earthquakes in Taiwan and the Middle East and political upheaval everywhere, could be viewed as terribly depressing. Yet there are also many reasons to feel optimistic, as was the case on Monday evening, when we celebrated the accomplishments of many of our distinguished alumni. They each have positively touched the lives of thousands. Their many accomplishments are awe-inspiring.

The professions our students are embracing all have positive effects on people’s lives. With everything happening around the world, keep focused on your potential for positive impact: every encounter is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. If you are a faculty member, you're already impacting our students through your teaching and mentoring. If you’re a student, the care and presence you give to each of your patients and clients directly impacts the quality of their health outcomes.

While it can feel difficult to maintain a positive attitude, your optimism and energy are contagious. Both greatly benefit your mental health. Everyone here has good reason to remain optimistic and positive – because you are changing the world through the professions you’ve chosen to practice. Keep thought!

Have a great weekend – get out and enjoy the refreshing Fall weather! If you haven’t gotten your COVID booster yet, try to get that on your calendars within the next few weeks, certainly before traveling or going home for large family events.

Stay safe, continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Celebrating Earth Day: Week of April 22nd, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful spring day from our Elkins Park campus where students are beginning final exams, clinics are busy, and we are back to wearing face masks full-time — at least for another week, depending upon current conditions.

Some items of interest:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDEES: Congratulations to our 2022 Alumni Association Award winners! Our alumni association annually recognizes the professional contributions and achievements of graduates and friends of Salus University. Awardees are nominated by University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. Read about this year’s winners here.

CPPD HERE TO HELP: Dr. Cristina Laracuente from the University’s Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) will be available outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, to chat and provide psychoeducational information about stress. CPPD's Jana Walker continues to offer trauma-informed yoga classes via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Beginners are welcome. Contact CPPD for more information.

ICE TIME: Dr. David Meltzer, assistant professor and clinical instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors, a hockey organization for injured and disabled U.S. military veterans. Read more about Dr. Meltzer’s hockey experience here.

‘NATURAL IMPRINT’ EXHIBIT: The latest art exhibit, featuring the work of the two artists, is titled “Natural Imprint,” and is now on display at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Student Community Center on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus through June 3, 2022. Read more about it here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is Earth Day. Since 1972, April 22nd has been celebrated by billions of people around the globe promoting awareness of the devastating effects of air and water pollution, climate change and population growth. Now, 50 years later, we’re confronted with some of the same challenges, with climate change leading the list of global issues that we must actively address now. When Earth Day was first conceived, we weren’t living with melting polar caps or rising sea levels. These were projections that “could occur” if we didn’t act. While we’ve made progress in reducing air and water pollution, we certainly have not done enough to slow the earth’s rising temperatures and related impacts.

As we prepare for the weekend, take time to think about what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, save energy and contribute to the fight against climate change: walk to the store in place of driving; ride a bike instead of driving to do that errand; turn down the air conditioner or heat a couple of degrees to keep it from running so often; participate in a community cleanup; consider composting food scraps; get a reusable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water.

The small things we do to reduce, reuse and recycle make a difference in the health of our planet when we do these things collectively. As healthcare providers, part of our responsibility to all in our care is to educate and lead by example. The health of our planet directly affects the health of our patients and clients. Let’s set a good example to encourage others to do the same.

Have a great weekend. Please continue to wear your face mask when out around others, socially distance and wash your hands frequently. Be safe, look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Thanksgiving Holiday Planning: Week of November 20th, 2020

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

Good morning on a chilly Fall day from Elkins Park. It’s been another busy week around as we work to help keep everyone safe and healthy heading into the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

NEW GALLERY DISPLAY: To help keep spirits up, curator Elynne Rosenfeld has come up with another fabulous art display for the D’Arrigo Family Gallery outside the Bennett Lounge at the Hafter Student Community Center. Works from the recently formed Philadelphia Pastel Society (PSS) can be viewed through Dec. 17, 2020. If you’re on campus, stop by and take a look at the display – you won’t be disappointed! Read more about it here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: This week’s “Where Are They Now” features Kelly Garcia, MS ‘19, a speech therapist at the Independence Charter School in Philadelphia. To read more about Kelly’s professional journey after graduating from Salus, go here.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY PLANNING: This is going to be a Thanksgiving holiday unlike most of us have ever experienced. Most years, the holiday is a time to connect with family and friends for good food, fun and fellowship. For some, it may be a difficult time, as we remember those we have lost or that returning home to family may not always be pleasant or welcomed for various reasons. When we think of all we have endured in 2020, and now, seeing increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases nationally and in our own region (see charts below), it may be more difficult to find a reason to be grateful. However, as you approach Thanksgiving, try to make the best of what I know is a stressful and challenging situation and reflect on all we do have to be thankful for – our health, our loved ones, our opportunities to help others and a brighter future ahead.

There will be temptations to see friends and family members you haven’t seen in a while during this short break. I would caution you not to take chances and to resist the temptation to gather, even in small groups.

To that end, consistent with the latest CDC guidance, I want to strongly encourage you not to travel during this holiday, as difficult as that might be. If you do, please ensure that you are taking all the necessary steps to maintain your health and safety as well that of as your family members and your classmates. That means wearing your face mask at home if you’re going to be with people not from your immediate circle (your immediate circle includes family members you live with, roommates and others you have regularly spent time with), social distancing of at least six feet, washing your hands frequently and maintaining maximum airflow in your house by opening windows, doors, etc. 

If you travel outside Pennsylvania, you need to be aware that beginning today, anyone who visits Pennsylvania from another state, including Pennsylvanians returning to the Commonwealth, must get tested within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth. If you are unable or choose not to be tested, you are required to quarantine for 14 days upon returning to PA. The Commonwealth is expecting individuals to police themselves, which means that you would be unable to come to campus and would miss any scheduled face-to-face instruction.

AFTER THANKSGIVING BREAK: Below are enhancements that we are making to the Salus Safety Strategy designed to protect our community over the next two months.

December
Following Thanksgiving weekend, our academic programs have made adjustments to limit on campus instruction through winter break. While our clinics will remain open to serve our patients and clients and certain lab instruction will continue at Elkins Park, student activity on campus will be reduced. Your individual program will be in touch with these details. Please note, that there is an exemption from this restriction from the PA travel restriction for our students traveling in and out of Pennsylvania to “work” at their clinical sites.

Vaccine
You all have heard the good news concerning some of the vaccines currently be developed, which has been shown to be about 95 percent effective against the virus. While this is great news, an effective vaccine is still awaiting FDA approval and it will be several months after that before the vaccine is distributed to the public. Additionally, we will still need to take all the current precautions, such as continuing to wear a face mask for several months after receiving the vaccine to ensure there is no additional spread. While there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s imperative that we remain vigilant until we get there - which we will.

Winter Break
The Elkins Park campus and all Salus clinics will be closed from Thursday, December 24th through Sunday, January 3rd. Any essential staff that needs to work during this period will be informed by their supervisors. 

Return to Learn Testing
Following winter break, all students, laboratory educators, clinical educators and clinic staff will be required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to their return to campus or our clinics in January. We are partnering with LabCorp to provide Pixel at-home COVID-19 self-administered PCR tests by mail. Salus will make these tests available, at no cost to you, on or around December 28th via a secure web portal. Individuals will access the portal to order their test (which will be sent by overnight mail), take the test at home and then return the test via pre-paid overnight mail to LabCorp. Test results will be communicated to the individual and Salus 24-48 hours after receipt by LabCorp. A negative test result will be required to access campus or the clinics. Any positive tests will be followed up by medical professionals and Salus. The entire process from start to finish will take between 4 and 6 days, so individuals will need to plan to order the test early enough to allow for their return to scheduled instruction/work. Additional details will follow in the coming weeks.

Please remember that while our protocols are designed to reduce the risk of exposure, the contagious nature of COVID-19 means we cannot eliminate all risk of infection. We have successfully made it this far thanks to your efforts in following protocols and remaining flexible throughout pandemic. I ask that you continue to follow guidelines and act responsibly. You have become more resilient and adaptable as we have moved through these past nine months. Let’s hang in there so we can all sprint across the finish line together in the upcoming months. Please try to get out and enjoy the nice weather that’s predicted for this weekend. As always, please remember to wear your face mask, socially distance and wash your hands frequently. Be safe, remain vigilant and stay SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Greetings from Harbin, China: Week of December 6th, 2019

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

Greetings from a very frigid Harbin, China where the current temperature is 5 below zero!  Dr. Melissa Vitek and two of our consultants, Mr. Ken Wong and Jeff Ji, and I have been visiting several different institutions in Harbin which is in northern China, near the Russian border and Jinan, which is south of Beijing, to foster partnerships that will help Chinese optometric programs to develop the necessary clinical expertise to serve their millions of eye care patients across their country.  This visit was very unique is that, with the help of Mr. Wong and Ji, we had the opportunity to meet with high level Chinese public health experts and policy makers who may be able to help to facilitate these new partnerships.  We’re extremely excited about this and very much look forward to continuing the discussions we’ve started this week. 

On Sunday, 8 December, we’ll be in Singapore where we’ll enjoy warmer weather and will meet with the leadership of the Singapore Optometric Association and host an Alumni and Friends reception at the Regent Hotel, for our over 120 Asian alumni living in China, Southeast Asia and Singapore, from 7PM – 9PM.  During the reception we will be honoring the memory of Salus alumni Roland Izaac (MSc, ’04) and the impact he had on the practice of optometry in Singapore.  Of note, we’ve also named an eyelane in the Clinical Skills lab as a testament to his contributions to Singapore optometry. 

Closer to home, a new art exhibition has been installed at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Center! The exhibit features artists who currently reside in Puerto Rico and those displaced to the mainland due to the catastrophe of Hurricane Maria. Learn more at http://salus.edu/NorWindNorWater and be sure to go check out the exhibit. It will be on display until Jan. 19, 2020.

I want to thank everyone who supported our Giving Tuesday initiative on behalf of all of us at Salus University and the thousands of children served by the Looking Out For Kids (LOFK) program.   While we didn’t meet our $80,000 goal, the money we did raise will help forward our LOFK mission and the Big Red Bus!

So, off to warmer weather for me and my team here – hopefully it’s going to be a nice weekend there!  Be safe, have fun and look out for one another!

Mike