Good morning from Center City Philadelphia where I am helping to celebrate the Navy’s 248th birthday along with the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton and a host of other Navy and Marine Corps personnel who are in the city for Navy-Marine Corp Week. In addition to all this, it’s been a busy week on campus as classes, clinics and labs are running at full speed. Here are some other items of interest:
FALL COMMENCEMENT: Salus University’s 127th commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia. We look forward to welcoming Rear Admiral Colin Chinn, our keynote speaker. Click here to read more about Admiral Chinn.
LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS TICKETS: Tickets are available for the 2023 Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Switch House at The Battery in Philadelphia, when we will honor Susan Oleszewski, OD ‘76, Resident ‘78, FAAO with our Lighthouse Award. NBC10’s Johnny Archer will once again emcee the event. Click here to order your tickets.
INTERPROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Foundations of Interprofessional Communication, the first Interprofessional Learning Activity in the Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, entry level (IPCPe) microcredential badge program is scheduled for Nov. 16. It will provide interested students an opportunity to learn and practice foundational, interprofessional communication skills for academic and clinical success in their respective programs. Communications expert and executive coach Marilyn S. Nyman, M.Ed., CCC/SP will cover professional presence and elements of personal style, after which students will practice what they've learned. Registration cut-off date is Nov. 1. Click here for more information and to register.
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY: This week National Coming Out Day (NCOD) recognized the milestones of being seen and heard, and continued strides for equity and respect, specific to LGBTQ+ communities. The day allowed us to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and the hierarchy of sexual orientation and identity. For a video on the history of NCOD, click here.
SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING: Our annual campus-wide security awareness training will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in the Hafter Student Community Center gymnasium. This year’s topic is “Surviving an Active Threat on Campus.” Another training will be scheduled for another date at The Eye Institute. I highly recommend attending this training in person. A Zoom meeting link included in the calendar event invitation for those who can’t attend in person.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Earlier this week, I shared my thoughts concerning the horrific events occurring in Israel and Gaza. Since that time, we’ve learned of more abhorrent acts of terrorism and violence, and the suffering and loss of life inflicted on innocent residents in Israel and Gaza. The scope of the resulting humanitarian crisis will be massive.
We condemn these heinous acts of terrorism and the profound grief, pain, and uncertainty this has brought to the region and the world. We support the Jewish community in Israel, around the world, and in our own University community.
I want to acknowledge the emotional toll this is taking on members of our community who have suffered as violence against Jews, Muslims and Arabs has increased in recent years. I am deeply grateful to have heard from students, faculty and alumni for whom these developments are deeply personal, fraught and distressing. Many of your stories are heartbreaking. They speak volumes about your resilience, integrity and character.
We also recognize the pain and suffering of many innocent residents of Gaza and mourn the suffering and loss of life that has befallen many who were blameless for these senseless acts of terrorism.
These events have created a significant stressor. It can be understandably difficult to keep focused. Please know we are with you keeping you in our hearts and prayers.
Additionally, students can contact our Center for Personal and Professional Development for counseling and support. Faculty and staff can access counseling through our employee assistance plans. Contact our Human Resources team if you need help with this.
It may also be helpful to revisit activities we’ve discussed previously that foster well-being:
Stay focused on your studies – Focusing on school work can provide a break from all that’s going on in the world. It’s also a way to continue to move toward attain your goals while everything else is so uncertain.
Develop a routine you can stick to - Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), exercise, eat breakfast, etc.
Get enough sleep – The better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be in handling things that come your way including stress. Prioritize sleep over other things. You’ll be more productive, resilient and attentive.
Get outside and enjoy the fresh air – There are so many places around us that you can go and safely walk around in nature that will help to calm your mind and present opportunities for some exercise at many levels.
Make sure you have what you need for the next day - Check the schedule, lay out your clothes, make your lunch, etc.
Use social media purposefully and not nonchalantly – Limit your screen time and refrain from posting for “likes” or for the sake of making the “best content”. Use social media to connect with classmates or the people you miss seeing every day. With everything currently going on in the world there is a temptation to constantly stay connected – try to stay away from news sources throughout the day.
As we continue to follow this unfolding tragedy, mourn the loss of life, and focus on the safe return of the hostages, remember we are stronger together, and that we continue to care for, respect, support and value each other.
As you prepare for the weekend, try to build some time in to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. That will help you focus more clearly on your studies and come back refreshed, ready to take on the next week and remain SALUS STRONG!
-Mike
