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

Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays: Week of April 14th, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful Thursday! This week’s update is both a day early and abridged due to the upcoming holiday weekend.

Here are some items of interest:

COVID MONITORING: We have been closely monitoring the increase in cases nationally secondary to the the BA.2 variant of Omicron. Even though our positivity rates remain extremely low at the University, later today, out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Eckert will be sending out a message concerning a temporary modification to our masking policy beginning Tuesday, April 19. Please be on the lookout for that. 

INAUGURAL DEI EDUCATES! EVENT: In an effort to provide faculty and staff with a better understanding and to offer advice on how to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ+ community, our Diversion, Equity and Inclusion committee along with the Human Resources Department, recently hosted the inaugural DEI Educates! virtual event featuring Stan Kimer, president of Total Engagement Consulting, which specializes in diversity management and organizational effectiveness. Read more about the training session here. 

COMMENCEMENT KEYNOTE: Michelle J. Howard, Admiral, U.S. Navy, Retired, will be the keynote speaker for Salus University’s 124th commencement at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. I’ve known Michelle for years as we were both in the same Flag Officer indoctrination class. Read more about Admiral Howard here.

SLP CAPSTONES: Salus University’s Speech-Language Pathology program Class of 2022 students were able to demonstrate how well they worked together in small groups and communicated with each other during the annual Capstone presentations. Click here for details.

DEEP DIVE INTO POST-BACC: In this podcast, we talk with Candida Mulligan, an admissions officer in Salus University's Office of Admissions. She talks to us about the Post-baccalaureate program and how it is unique to Salus. Click here for more information.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we continue Ramadan and approach Passover and Easter, I find myself reflecting on our important mission at Salus: We advance integrated healthcare through innovative education, research and clinical services.

Together, we do so much good for our students and the communities we serve. With everything happening in the world -- in Ukraine and in our own neighborhoods, Iet’s revisit the core values that have led most of us to the healing professions: gratitude, compassion, justice, honesty, humility, integrity, dignity and respect for human life, to name a few. No matter what holidays we celebrate, whether it be the continuation of Ramadan, Passover or Easter these practices are worthy of regular reflection and recommitment. Not only do they strengthen our service as educators and clinicians, they add meaning and purpose to our relationships. They enrich our shared humanity.

I hope you find some time for rest and relaxation over the holiday weekend.. Continue to be safe, continue to take all the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and look out for one another. Together we are SALUS STRONG.

Mike