Helping You to Manage Stress: Week ok August 25, 2023

 

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

Good morning from our verdant Elkins Park campus where everything is vibrant and green helped by summer rains! It’s been a busy week around campus with all of our new students beginning lectures and labs and returning students heading back to clinics and didactic schedules. Our South Building construction project continues to make exciting progress as newly completed areas are already actively used by students, faculty and staff. Here are some other items of interest:

MOBILITY MEET UP: Salus University and the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center at The Eye Institute (TEI), recently celebrated Orientation and Mobility (O&M) interns, patients and support persons. Click here to read more about the “Mobility Meet Up.”

SEESHORE FEST PREVIEW: Seeshore Fest 2023, an annual event that raises money for the William Feinbloom Rehabilitation Center and Foundation Fighting Blindness, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in Dewey Beach, Delaware. Click here for details.

STUDENTS WELCOMED FROM TAIWAN: Salus University recently hosted its on-campus clinical education program in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). Three Audiology students and five SLP students from Chung-Shan Medical University in Taiwan attended the four-week certificate program enhancing their knowledge within the professions and getting an up-close look at graduate-level training in the United States. The program was coordinated through the Academic Affairs Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming (GISP). Read more here.

OAT TEST PREP COURSE: The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge base and aptitude in several key content areas relevant to optometry school curriculum. Currently, no optometry program in the country offers a prep course for the OAT. But, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University is about to change that. Click here to read more.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I mentioned during Orientation and White Coat ceremonies, there’s a great deal going on around us, and there’s also much to get accustomed to in school – between new schedules, new living environments, new subject matter to learn and working with new friends and colleagues.

I want you to know that you’re not alone. If you’re having difficulty with a specific subject I can guarantee that many of your classmates are experiencing the same challenges. For our first-year students, I can remember my first year at PCO, sitting in Dr. Lorraine Lombardi’s anatomy lectures trying to figure out how I was going to remember all that stuff. Throw in ophthalmic and physiological optics and my head was spinning. It took a little over a semester both to realize I had this and also that I wasn’t alone. Most of my classmates were feeling the same way. Your deans, program directors and faculty all realize the stress you’re experiencing. Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them for help. While there is no simple answer and everyone copes with stress a bit differently, here are a few suggestions to help you through this that have served me well over the years:

Stay focused on your studies - Keep up with your studies and try not to fall behind.

Develop a routine you can stick to - Sounds basic, but it will make a world of difference. Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), do some exercise, have breakfast, etc.

Get enough sleep – This also sounds pretty basic and to some, maybe it seems like “mission impossible” but the better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be at handling things that come your way, to include stress. Prioritize sleep over other things and you’ll be more productive, resilient and attentive.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air – There are so many places very close to campus you can go and enjoy nature that will help to calm your mind and present opportunities for some exercise at many levels. Alverthorpe Park is five minutes away!

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 some new classmates or the people you miss seeing every day.

We all understand how difficult these programs are. It’s important to remain focused, healthy and optimistic, which is the most difficult task. We have skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are there for you. I strongly encourage you to contact them, if you feel like you need to. All you need to do is make an appointment here.

Finally, Covid cases are once again on the rise, both nationally and in our region. It is prudent for us to be aware of this and take appropriate precautions, such as social distancing and consider masking around crowds, especially if you are immunocompromised or have a chronic disease.

If you are not feeling well, please stay home and test yourself for Covid before returning to campus. If you’ve been exposed to someone with Covid please follow CDC guidelines, which include masking for at least 5-days when around others and testing at the 5-day interval, even if you are symptom free, to ensure you do not spread the virus.

This is also a good time for everyone to think about getting their annual flu vaccine as flu season will be here before we know it.

As you prepare for the weekend, please try to get outdoors, enjoy the late summer weather and recharge mentally and physically as I want you all to remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Remembering Our Veterans: November 11, 2022

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park Campus where our students, faculty and staff are busy with classes, labs and clinics. Our Chestnut Hill satellite clinic has a new façade that looks professional and inviting. The private practice pilot that we’ve initiated there is off to a strong start thanks to the great work of our faculty and staff! In addition to what’s happening on campus, here are other items of interest:

LOFK IS HERE! Join us for our Looking Out For Kids charity fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 12th at the National Constitution Center. If you haven’t purchased tickets, please consider going to our website here to help us provide healthcare for children in need.

AAO CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University was front and center at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) “Academy 2022” centennial celebration recently in San Diego. Fifteen Salus faculty and six residents presented posters, four faculty gained AAO fellowship, 14 faculty gave presentations, two faculty gave symposium lectures and two faculty delivered Grand Rounds. Read more about the conference here.

O&P PERSPECTIVE: Check out this podcast with Amber Lewis ‘25OP, a first-year student in the inaugural Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at the University. She gives us insight on the program and why she chose Salus O&P. Click here for details.

SALUS SOIREE: This year’s Salus Soiree is scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. Semi-formal attire is requested. All students and guests must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination or provide a negative test taken within 72 hours of the event. Contact the Student Council for details and tickets.

30 YEARS AND COUNTING!: Congratulations to our Orientation & Mobility and Blind and Visually Impaired (VRT) programs celebrating 30 years of approval from the Department of Education! We are so proud to be home to these nationally distinguished programs!

SELF-CARE BAG: Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) counselors Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores and Andrew Jaskot will see you outside the cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14. Stop by their table to say hello and collect a self-care bag.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Yesterday marked the 247th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Here in Philadelphia, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the Continental Marines. Since that time, Marines have distinguished themselves defending our freedoms around the world. During my 33-year Navy career, I had the privilege of serving with the Marine Corps for almost a third of that time.

Today, we recognize all veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. Fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany, went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Originally designated Armistice Day by President Wilson, November 11 commemorates the armistice that began that day. In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to recognize all veterans. 

While on active duty, we observed Navy and Marine Corps birthdays and Veterans Day by participating in cake-cutting ceremonies and attending a few veteran’s events. As a retired Navy veteran, I think of these days a bit differently. I appreciate how lucky we all are to have men and women who place their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we have, such as election day last Tuesday. They do this while being held to the highest of standards, professionally, ethically, and morally. Core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment have been the moral and ethical compass that have guided the men and women in uniform for 247 years.

As healthcare professionals, we have much in common with all who serve in our armed forces. We, too, commit our time and energies to serve others. Most importantly, as healthcare professionals, we are also guided by an ethical and moral compass – one that emulates that of our Navy and Marine Corps – Honor, Courage and Commitment.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, think about how we can leverage our own commitment to conduct ourselves with honor, to exercise the courage to denounce actions that are counter to our democratic values, and to do what’s right for our patients, clients, and those around us.

-Mike

Congratulations New Grads: Week of October 14, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a beautiful fall morning from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been a busy week at Salus. On Wednesday, we celebrated our newest class of physician assistants with our Long White Coat ceremony. Yesterday, our 125th commencement at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia launched our latest group of graduates with inspirational remarks given by Admiral Tom Cullison. We look forward to watching our graduates spread their wings as they leave our nest. Check out our website in the coming days for stories on both of those events.

In other campus news:

THE FIRST OF MANY ‘FIRSTS’: The inaugural class of the new Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at Salus University recently had its first patient experience in a didactic setting. And, its relevance wasn’t lost on the students. Read more about this unique experience for our O&P students here.

CLASS OF 2022-23 RESIDENT: As a child, Taral Patel, OD ‘22, ‘23 Resident, liked going to the eye doctor. As a youngster with eye issues, she needed to see an optometrist every year, and each time she went, it was a good experience. Read more here about Dr. Patel’s journey to becoming an optometrist and continuing her quest to learn as one of our current group of residents.

O&M GRANT: The University’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program received a grant from the Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation to support its internship programs. Read more here about what that means for our O&M students.

STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: As the cost of higher education skyrockets, I know many students are worried about paying off their loans. The Bennett Career Services Center will be hosting an event on Student Loan Forgiveness & Non-Traditional Employment Options on Thursday, October 20th on the Elkins Park campus, room S300 from 6:00PM – 7:30PM. They be featuring several government, non-profit, military, etc. programs that offer student loan forgiveness. Don't miss your chance to learn about these life-changing programs!

LOOKING OUT FOR KIDS: I want to remind everyone about our upcoming Looking Out For Kids charity fundraiser on 12 November at 6:30 PM. This year’s event will be head at the National Constitution Center where we will be honoring Professor Kovin Naidoo with our Lighthouse Award. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, please consider going to our website here to help us provide healthcare for children in need.

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s been a great week! I want to once again wish all our graduating professionals the very best of everything as they leave Salus and begin their new and exciting professional careers.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It’s going to be a pretty one, so try to get out and enjoy some of the early Fall colors. If you already haven’t, please schedule your Covid and Flu vaccines. CDC is predicting an upsurge of both as we approach winter, and I want to be certain that we have as much protection as possible.

Stay safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Addressing Climate Change: Week of September 30, 2022

 

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

Greetings from our Elkins Park campus on a cloudy Fall morning! It’s been another busy week on campus where our students have been learning new clinical skills, going to lectures and caring for our patients in our clinics. In addition to our campus activities, here are some things that may also be of interest to you:

VISUALLY IMPAIRED SUBWAY TRAVEL: Our Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) Department engaged in a subway travel lesson this summer as a part of its Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Techniques course. Click here for details as student Suha Almusa O&M ‘22 explains more about navigating subway travel as an individual with visual impairment.

CLASS OF 2023 RESIDENT: Alisha Musau, OD, Resident ‘23 was a biology major at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Although she knew she wanted to be in healthcare, she wasn’t quite sure which path she wanted to pursue. A routine eye exam and conversation with her optometrist set her on a career path to optometry, and now she’s one of our newest residents. Read more about Dr. Musau here. 

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH SJU: We’re excited to announce our first articulation agreement with Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) making it easier for qualified SJU students to achieve a masters of science in our College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program. For details of the agreement, click here.

DEPRESSION SCREENINGS: National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 6. Our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is offering free, brief depression screenings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in its offices (W300 B,C,E) that day. Walk-ins are welcome.

GIVING WEEK: Join us for the Annual Salus Giving Week, October 2-8, 2022, by supporting funding for student scholarships, capital improvements, and community outreach. Your donation enables us to continue providing high-quality education to all of our students and underserved communities in the Philadelphia area. For more information, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we prepare to experience the remnants of Hurricane Ian this weekend, with forecasts of tropical rainstorms locally, please keep those in Florida, where the storm has already left a path of death and destruction in the southwestern part of the state in your thoughts and prayers. As Ian heads toward the Carolinas and into our region, it brings into clear focus the effects of climate change on our environment. We can expect stronger, more frequent storms like this one, and we need to be prepared. Climate change presents a clear and present challenge to those of us who are responsible for the maintenance of public health in our society. As healthcare providers, many of us will need to be prepared to diagnose and treat more water and vector-borne diseases such as West Nile fever and antibiotic resistant infections. Now is the time to ensure that the next generation of health care professionals are prepared to effectively care for patients and clients under their charge. The CDC provides guidance on both what we can do and what is needed. I encourage you to become knowledgeable and active in broader efforts to strengthen and invest in our public health infrastructure.

Please keep all affected by the hurricane in your thoughts and prayers over the weekend. Please be careful, especially if you are out and about tomorrow, as we are forecasted to get significant rainfall. This could be a great weekend to curl up with your study notes or a good book! No matter what you do, please keep in mind that what you do off campus affects all of us on campus, so continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and stay on the alert for symptoms of Monkeypox if you believe you’ve been exposed.

Stay safe, look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

A Missed Opportunity to Curtail Monkeypox: Week of August 5, 2022

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

Good morning on a cloudy, summer day in Elkins Park. Our students are preparing to take final exams, and many are getting ready to depart for their clinical rotations. It’s an exciting time!

Here are some other areas of interest:

SEP BACK IN-PERSON: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University concluded its annual Robert E. Horne Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) in July with a celebratory closing event. SEP provides underrepresented students of color within the Doctor of Optometry program a jumpstart into the academic year. To read more about this year’s program, click here.

SPACERS PRESIDENT’S GOALS: Our latest podcast features a conversation with Carolyn Pijanowski, '24MS VRT, '24O&M, who is also the president of SPACERS, a student organization that promotes the blindness and low vision profession. She talks to us about the organization's goals and projects for this upcoming school year. To listen, click here.

FACULTY FOCUS ON DR. A.: Our Faculty Focus features Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, dean of our Osborne College of Audiology (PCA) at Salus University. Dr. Aravamudhan believes the most important role of an administrator at any institution is to serve and build relationships amongst the various constituents. To read more, click here.

WHITE COAT CEREMONY: This year’s White Coat ceremony will again be held on campus, in the Hafter Student Center, with three separate ceremonies scheduled to keep the crowds down on Friday, 19 August. Our guest speaker is Rear Admiral William Roberts, Medical Corps, United States Navy (retired). Bill is an emergency room physician with a broad background in military medicine, business administration, public health and higher education. He recently completed his tenure as the acting President of the Uniformed Services University (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland and currently serves on the leadership team at USU. I have known Bill for many years and am excited for him to share his insights with us all.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Once considered a relatively obscure virus endemic to Africa, Orthopoxvirus monkeypox has emerged as a significant threat to global health, infecting more than 20,000 people in 75 countries and prompting the World Health Organization to declare a worldwide health emergency. (New York Times) The virus is spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions.

Given the factors above, it is extremely important to destigmatize the infection, which is being mischaracterized as a malady centered on gay men, simply because they comprise the majority of documented cases.

Source: New York Times

As we watch cases increase across the country, it appears we have learned little from our experience with COVID and the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 80’s and 90’s. When cases of monkeypox first emerged in the U.S., the nation’s public health system had the opportunity to significantly curtail, if not totally eliminate, the threat of the disease through judicious distribution of tests and vaccine, all which are readily available in stockpiles around the country. Even as the government recently declared the monkeypox outbreak a national public health emergency, until now, it has been administratively cumbersome for providers to order tests and access vaccines. According to the CDC, there are almost 7000 cases in the U.S. Locally, 173 are reported in Pennsylvania. As of yesterday, over 200 cases are being reported daily in the U.S. (see NYT chart below)

As healthcare providers, it is important for us to recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox, but just as important, to learn and apply past lessons learned to better protect all. The American public health system is fragmented and not as effective as it should be. When given the opportunity to address this, none of us should refrain from sharing our thoughts and opinions on how to improve the system.

As you prepare for the weekend, please keep in mind that COVID cases remain moderately high, so it is important to remain vigilant and follow CDC masking guidelines. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to monkeypox, please check with your primary care provider to determine the best course of action. At the very least, insist on being tested.

Stay safe, keep hydrated and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Our Shared Commitment With You: Week of July 1st, 2022

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

Good morning on a steamy first day of July from our Elkins Park campus. In addition to our normal cadence of classes, labs, and clinics this week, we were delighted to welcome our newest cohort of international students from Taiwan and the Board of Directors from the Sunday Breakfast Club, a leadership organization advancing civic dialogue in the region.

Here are some recent developments:

ADAPTIVE SPORTS DAY SUCCESS: Our first Adaptive Sports Day last weekend was a huge success. The daylong event, held at the Hafter Student Community Center, welcomed disabled community members to participate in a host of activities, including yoga, seated volleyball, a mobility obstacle course, adaptive golf, tennis, pickleball and wheelchair basketball. We also introduced the community to our new Orthotics and Prosthetic program, which welcomes our first students this fall. Click here to read more.

AVOIDING BURNOUT: Check out the first of a two-part series titled “Practicing Wellness as a Graduate Student: Avoiding Burnout” on our website. This first part reveals why burnout is important to address, identifies the stages of burnout and offers tips for mitigating burnout. Read more here.

HELPING HER COMMUNITY: Thahira Kallumurikkal, AuD ‘22, an audiologist at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company's (Seha) Oud Al Touba Diagnostic & Screening Center in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, has played an important role in spreading awareness and support about the pandemic in her community. In fact, she's written a book about it. Click here to read more.

SUSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP: The family of Naomi Sussman, MS ‘12, who passed away in 2018, has generously created the Naomi Sussman Scholarship, which offers an annual award to a student studying Low Vision Rehabilitation (LVR) or Orientation and Mobility (O&M) at Salus University. Read more here about this special alum and her love of the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program at the University.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As some of you know, my wife and I have been raising a Seeing Eye Dog, Godiva, for the past 20 months. Yesterday, we dropped her off at “college” to begin her formal education at The Seeing Eye. The entire process from meeting Godiva when she was seven weeks old to now has been a true labor of love. It also represents a commitment to preparing her to serve others. I see this commitment as a parallel to what we do at Salus. While we don’t get students when they’re seven weeks old, we do get most of you right after you’ve finished college – ready and eager to learn your new professions. This new relationship represents a shared commitment between you and your Salus family. A big part of our responsibility, much like we have done with Godiva, is to prepare you to adjust to the many different situations that you will encounter professionally and even sometimes personally.

Often, issues that you may not think are directly related to your specific professions but have significant public health implications are addressed either here in my weekly updates or in your classes. Two such issues that touch all of us are gun violence and the most recent Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v Wade. Other than the COVID-19 pandemic, these two public health issues are, in my opinion, the defining public health issues of our generation. Take time to sift through the media hype and truly understand the short- and long-term ramifications of these two public health challenges. Read multiple sources before passing judgment, and more importantly, before giving advice to your future patients – because they trust your guidance. Brian Zuckerman, our legal counsel, will be leading a discussion on the legal basis behind the Supreme Court decision and its impact on reproductive rights laws later this month. It’s an important opportunity to learn more.

All of our professions provide meaningful opportunities to help others. To do that effectively, we need to understand and to be articulate about the public health issues of our day.

As you prepare for the long 4th of July holiday weekend, please keep those in military service and veterans in your thoughts. Let’s especially keep in mind those in the Salus family who have family and friends who serve, and for all families and peoples who wish to be free.

Please stay hydrated, wear sunscreen when outdoors and continue to follow CDC masking guidelines. If you are not feeling well, test yourself to ensure you haven’t contracted COVID. Take some time over the weekend to think about your commitment to your patients and how you are would address questions concerning the issues I’ve discussed above.

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

Mike

Coping With Stress: Week of June 24th, 2022

 

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

Greetings on a cool summer morning from our Elkins Park campus, where earlier this week, twelve students began our Summer Enrichment Program thanks to a grant from National Vision, Inc. These students will be on campus for 4-weeks preparing to start our optometry program in August. We are excited to welcome them!

Here are some items of interest:

ADAPTIVE SPORTS DAY: Salus University will host its first Hanger Clinic Adaptive Sports Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park campus. This event, for anyone with limb loss, orthotic bracing or mobility changes, and their supportive family and friends, is a great way to introduce the community to our new Orthotics and Prosthetics program that will welcome its inaugural class this fall. For details click here.

NEW ASCO PRESIDENT: Congratulations to Dr. Melissa Trego, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, for assuming the presidency of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) at its conference last week in Chicago.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE: June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, and when our first students arrive in the fall of 2022 to learn in the new Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at Salus University, they will be very much aware of what scoliosis is and taught how to effectively treat it. Read more here.

A NOTABLE FIRST: When Suha Almusa ‘22 O&M, graduates in the fall from the Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program at Salus University, it is believed she will be the only female certified O&M specialist in her home country, Saudi Arabia. Read more about Suha’s journey here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I want to revisit a discussion about stress, particularly for our students. Even in the midst of the summer semester, many of you still feel the stress associated with being a professional student. There’s a great deal going on around us, and there’s also much to learn in a relatively short period of time. I want you to know that you’re not alone – not at all. If you’re having difficulty with a specific subject, I can pretty much guarantee that some of your classmates are experiencing the same challenges. I remember my first year at PCO, way back when, sitting in Dr. Lorraine Lombardi’s anatomy lectures trying to figure out how I was going to remember all that stuff. Throw in ophthalmic and physiological optics and my head was spinning. Most of my classmates were feeling the same way. The biggest difference between then and now is that there is even more material to learn in each of our programs! Your deans, program directors and faculty all realize the stress you may be feeling. While there is no simple answer and everyone copes with stress a bit differently, here are some suggestions that have served me well over the years:

Stay focused on your studies – Keep up with your learning and try not to fall behind. Not only is focusing on school a great break from focusing on what’s going on in the world, it’s also a way to progress in your life while everything else seems like it’s on pause.

Develop a routine you can stick to – Sounds basic, but it will make a world of difference. Get up, make your bed (now you’ve accomplished at least one thing!), exercise, eat breakfast, etc.

Get enough sleep – This may seem like “mission impossible,” but the better rested you are, the more capable your body and mind will be at handling things that come your way including stress. Prioritize sleep over other things and 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 while getting physical exercise.

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 – 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 some new classmates or the people you miss seeing every day.

We all want you to succeed. If you remain focused, healthy and optimistic, you will. We have skilled counselors in our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) who are also there for you. I strongly encourage you to contact them if you feel like you need to. All you need to do is make an appointment here.

As you prepare for this warm summer weekend, please think about how you are managing stress. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a facemask indoors and outside, informed by your personal risk assessment (CDC guidance can help you decide), and continue to look out for one another to remain SALUS STRONG! See you all next week!

Mike

Celebrating Our Graduates: Week of May 21st, 2021

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

Greetings from a very summery Elkins Park campus. I can’t believe it was almost 90 degrees here yesterday and will be that warm today through the weekend! While the campus has been relatively quiet, we’ve had students in labs and clinics busy practicing their professional skills. In addition to this, we’ve been preparing for what will be a week-long celebration of our graduating class of 2021 next week.

NEXT WEEK’S COMMENCEMENT: We’ve got a great deal planned between the two-day in-person event May 25-26 and the livestream ceremony May 27 for the Class of 2021. In the lead-up to commencement week, we’ve featured some of our grads and their unique stories on our website, including:

—The incredible challenge that Sigalit “Sigi” Davidov ‘21OD undertook to get her degree. She was the mother of three children under five years old when she started at PCO/Salus and now she’s made it to graduation day. Read more about her journey here.

— Although it took longer than he expected because the pandemic interrupted his academic path with a “real kick in the gut,” Doug Gilbert ‘21O&M stayed the course and will graduate. Read more about Doug’s challenges and persistence here.

— What an example of endurance and strength shown by Anastasia “Annie” Goerl ‘21OD, who has maintained her studies while battling adenocarcinoma of the lung. I talk a lot about “Salus Strong,” and Annie personifies that! Read more about her journey to graduation here.

— Earning a doctorate degree is a big accomplishment, but sharing that milestone with a family member makes it feel even sweeter. After spending years forging their own separate paths, sisters Sonia Panchal ‘21OD and Maya Panchal ‘21OD, came back together at PCO/Salus and will graduate next week. Read more here.

MOVING TOWARD NORMALCY: We recently released plans for upcoming semesters, signaling a more traditional fall semester with in-person learning, labs and clinical facilities for all programs more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic drove faculty and students to online teaching and learning. As with everything associated with the pandemic, these plans are subject to change depending upon local infection rates and federal and local guidance. To read more, click here.

MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION: This week, we highlight Standard II - Ethics & Integrity. Our working group is led by Lauren Sponseller, PhD, OTD, MSOTR/L, MEd, Assistant Professor and Chair, Occupational Therapy Department, College of Education and Rehabilitation, who is joined by Thomas Beeman, PhD, Board of Trustees Member, Lindsay Bondurant, PhD, CCC-A, Assistant Professor, Osborne College of Audiology; Director, Pennsylvania Ear Institute, Stanley Hatch, OD, MPH, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Chief, Pediatric/Binocular Vision Services, Candida Mulligan, Officer, Office of Admissions, and Maria Parisi, OD, FAAO, Associate Dean of Optometric Clinical Affairs & Associate Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Together they are documenting our commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity and our core values of responsibility, collaboration, innovation and growth and sustainability.

WEEKEND FITNESS: The fitness staff at the Hafter Center wants everyone to know that the University will be returning to having weekend hours starting June 5 and June 6. The weekend fitness hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fitness blocks will be set up in the PT Fitworks app. Remember, you need to be fully vaccinated if you’re going to use the fitness center. 

VACCINATION UPDATE: For those who received their first vaccination dose at the Hafter Center on April 28, the second dose will be administered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Hafter Center. Please remember to bring your vaccine card.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we prepare to launch another group of Salus graduates next week, I want to congratulate all of you and all those who supported you during your time with us. No one could have foreseen the events that unfolded in 2020 as you’ve worked to complete your degrees. Between the worldwide pandemic, social unrest and a polarizing national election, you are leaving Salus during unprecedented times. The one thing that you have that will help you to navigate all of these challenges is the fact that your education has prepared you well to enter into your given professions. Given the challenges you’ve successfully overcome this last year, no matter what you face, you are ready to take on the world!

As I noted earlier, we’ve got a great deal planned for next week, starting with the two-day drive-up ceremonies on May 25-26, culminating with the virtual commencement ceremony that will preview at 2:00 p.m. on May 27th. I’ll also be going on Instagram Live at 9:30 a.m. to chat with you one last time, “in person” on the 27th. All you need to do is go to the Salus Instagram site and you should be able to access it.

I am so proud of all of you and I know that your faculty all feel the same way. You’ve all embarked on extremely exciting and rewarding careers. Your ability to help people improve their lives is a real gift; one that needs to be cherished, honed and continually nurtured. It’s our hope and expectation that you take full advantage of all that you’ve learned during your time at Salus and apply those skills with the utmost care and sensitivity to those patients and clients you will care for.

As you prepare to leave us, please remember that Salus will always be your academic home. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any one of us throughout your professional journeys. We’ll all be there to help you continue to succeed.

Finally, if you haven’t already gotten your COVID-19 vaccine, please get that done as soon as possible. You will be the “local experts” once you leave here and you need to continue to set the example in practicing good public health measures.

 Congratulations on a job exceptionally well done – You are SALUS STRONG and we are SALUS PROUD of your accomplishments! Please stay hydrated if you’re out in the heat and continue to follow CDC and local guidelines as you enjoy the weekend.

Mike