Remembering Black History Month: Week of February 9, 2024

 

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

Greetings on this beautiful February morning from our Elkins Park campus. It’s been another busy week -- welcoming our Drexel colleagues to our beautiful facilities to show them our programs and to mix, mingle and talk about our combined future. Special thanks to our deans and program directors, admissions, student life and student ambassadors, Kristen Dittrich and Jennifer Brown in Academic Affairs, TLS, LRC, facilities, security, housekeeping, and dining services staff for organizing and supporting this event. Here are some other items that I hope you will find interest in:

ALL THINGS SLP: In our latest podcast, we discuss all things clinical for the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus University with Taylor Evans, office manager for the Speech-Language Institute, Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, chair and program director of the SLP department, and Kara Maharay, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, director of clinical education for the SLP department. Click here for details.

YOUNG AUD ALUMNI: Make sure to check out this interesting and informative question and answer session with one of our young alumni from the Doctor of Audiology program, Payton Burke, AuD ‘21. For more, click here.

STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD: Raman Badh ‘26OD, a second-year student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University, is one of 18 current optometry students from across the country named to the Women in Optometry student advisory board. She has been enthusiastic about immersing herself in clinical experiences this semester to further develop her skills in delivering quality eye care. Women In Optometry (WO) is an online publication that targets the fast-growing female OD segment. It caters to women ODs’ professional informational needs with one key distinction: articles are written from the uniquely female perspective.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Since 1976, February has been designated Black History Month, providing an opportunity to learn, reflect and acknowledge the accomplishments of Black Americans. While there is much rich history to explore, I am always drawn to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. This group of highly talented and motivated Black pilots, who trained at several, segregated, Black only, Tuskegee, Alabama airfields, was assigned to multiple escort and bomber squadrons throughout World War II. Eventually, they combined into a single squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group in Europe. Their primary mission was to escort bombing missions over Germany and other occupied territory in Europe and Africa. They earned the reputation of being among the best fighter pilots the Army Air Corps (predecessor to the U.S. Air Force) had with multiple commendation awards along the way.

It wasn’t until 1947, under President Truman, that the Army Air Corps and later the entire U.S. military was integrated. We’ve come a long way since then. In 1940 Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr, a former Tuskegee Airman, became the first Black American general officer in the U.S. Army and later served in the U.S. Air Force. Since then, there have been many others. Colin Powell became the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989 and Secretary of State for President George W. Bush in 2001. General Lloyd Austin became the first Black Secretary of Defense in 2021. Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely was selected as the first Black Navy Admiral in 1971. He retired as a Vice-Admiral several years later. In 2022, Gen. Michael E. Langley became the first Black four-star in Marine history. Most are unaware that the Tuskegee Airmen have a presence in Philadelphia, with an office at Enon Tabernacle East (2800 Cheltenham Ave.). You may visit this link to find out more about the local chapter and visiting the office.

As you prepare for the weekend, please take time to reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of Black soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines throughout history. They all have played a role in preserving the freedoms we all enjoy today. Be safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

- Mike

Finding Things to Enjoy: Week of August 4, 2023

 

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

Good morning from our Elkins Park campus where we’ve had another busy week of lectures, labs and clinic. I even had the opportunity to lecture to our PCO Scholars students, which is always fun. Our construction project in the South building is steadily progressing with floor and ceiling tiles installed in some sections early next week. Other items you may find of interest:

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: For his many distinguished achievements in the profession of optometry, Henry Greene, OD ‘74, FAAO, has been named a 2023 Presidential Medal of Honor recipient by Salus University. Congratulations, Dr. Greene! Dr. Greene is not only an expert in his profession, but he is also an accomplished photographer who has taken photos of people in more than 50 countries around the world and has published two books highlighting his fantastic work. To read more about Dr. Greene and his impressive career, click here.

AUDIOLOGY SUMMER WORKSHOP: The goal of the Doctor of Audiology Online Bridge Program workshop is to provide an update on current science as well as advances in a specific topic of study, review clinical implications, and provide hands-on training using tools and techniques discussed, to improve clinical practice. Click here to read what students learned this summer.

FUN FACULTY FACTS: Did you know that in their spare time, Salus faculty members engage in extracurricular activities and have a diversified skill set ranging from artists, athletes, conservationists and more? Click here to check out this new series on our website.

FINAL THOUGHTS: In high school, I became very interested in photography, capturing scenery, people and experiences with my camera. At one point, I had a full darkroom, where I would develop and print my own work, something that has been driven to extinction by the advent of digital photography. If anyone can get a hold of the IRIS yearbook from 1980, you will find much of my work from the good old days. I still enjoy photographing landscapes. Most recently, I’ve been experimenting with capturing the moon.

This month, we will experience two supermoons (they are called that because the moon appears larger than normal due to its close proximity to earth). The first is the “Sturgeon Moon”, so named by Native Americans because sturgeons were most abundantly caught in the Great Lakes in August hundreds of years ago. The second super moon, which will occur at the end of this month, is called the Blue Supermoon because it is the second full moon of the month, which occurs only once every two to three years.

Photography gives me a chance to relax, disengage and connect with the subject matter. This type of distraction is a great way to control stress and unwind.

I hope there are things you do that you enjoy on a regular basis. If not, I strongly encourage you to find something, hopefully outdoors, that enables you to recharge, reflect and disengage from your hectic schedules. While the work we do at Salus is extremely important and rewarding, it’s also important to maintain a healthy work-study-life balance so we can continue to perform at high levels.

I’ve attached a few photos of this month’s Sturgeon Moon for your viewing pleasure. I’d love to hear from you what you do for fun!

As you prepare for the weekend, try to get out and catch a glimpse of the moon as it wanes. Put 30 August on your calendars to catch this month’s Blue Supermoon. Stay safe, continue to look out for one another and remain SALUS STRONG!

-Mike

Happy Holidays! Week of December 23, 2022

 

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

As classes wind down and we look toward 2023, I want to thank our extraordinarily talented faculty and staff for all you’ve done for our students, patients and clients throughout the year. What a remarkable year we’ve shared -- filled with many individual and team successes! Next year promises to be interesting and exciting, presenting all of us with new opportunities and challenges in which to learn and grow together.

A few items of interest for you:

DECADE OF OT EXCELLENCE: In its 10th anniversary of training students, Occupational Therapy has made its presence known. Salus OT graduates are recognized among the best in the country. Read here about the history of the OT department as it marks its first decade.

MARCHING TO NEW ORLEANS: The Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Audiology programs at Salus University recently took the party to New Orleans for the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convention. SLP faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered at the weekend-long conference to engage in workshops, networking, continuing education opportunities, and other fun festivities. Read more about their trip to the Big Easy here.

POST-BACC POSSIBILITIES: Salus University’s Post-baccalaureate programs serve students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or are working toward a secondary degree from an accredited institution. Click here to read more about these programs and the opportunities they present for students.

FINAL THOUGHTS: President Zelensky’s remarks to Congress on Wednesday evening provided an combination of courage, eloquence and dignity while under fire. It also was a stark reminder of how lucky we are to be in a country that can come together and provide support to the Ukrainian people who have been repeatedly attacked by a totalitarian government determined to break their will and our commitment to support them. Neither will succeed. President Zelensky clearly articulated the strength and will of the Ukrainian people; our leadership conveyed their support. While this may seem far away from us, their fight, as noted Wednesday evening, is one with direct implications for Europe and our own democracy. It’s important for us to remain cognizant of these events. What Russia does can impact us.

As you prepare for the Christmas weekend, please keep the people of Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers. I also ask that you be very careful when traveling as the weather is turning very cold on Saturday. No matter where you go, please also keep in mind that covid, the flu and RSV are still circulating. Please continue to follow CDC masking guidelines and exhibit good common sense when out and about. I look forward to seeing you in January healthy and SALUS STRONG!

As has been my custom since coming to Salus, I am following a Navy tradition of leaving you with an original Christmas Eve poem that the Officer of the Day was supposed to write in the ship’s logbook that evening, based on the famous “Night Before Christmas” poem by Clement Clarke Moore.

‘Twas the day before Christmas when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

PCO fixed to screens, through lenses and frames,

In hopes that the Birds win our Christmas Eve’s game.

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,

OCA and DICE ran to see what was the matter.

Reddick, Brandon and Sweat for the sack,

Assisted by Fletcher, no chance had poor Dak.

Now, Goedert and Stoll, Sanders and Scott,

On Watkins, Smith, Brown -- lined up in the slot.

With the seed on the line, Hurts out for the game,

PAs and OTs could assist if he’s lame.

Out walked the Gardner, moustache like a flame,

In as a backup to clean up the game.

His eyes—how they squinted! He lurched and he scurried--

BLVS shouted, “there’s nothing to worry!”

As our O&P, SLP and PhD’s watched with delight

Would our Eagles swoop in for the win? What a sight!

The story has yet to be finished, so we wait

For Saturday 4:25, don’t be late--

One final wish for one and for all:

As you spend time with family and friends

The happiest of holidays ‘til this quick week ends!

Our programs in order of appearance:

PCO = Pennsylvania College of Optometry

OCA = Osborne College of Audiology

DICE = Department of International and Continuing Education

PA = Physician’s Assistant Studies Program

OT = Occupational Therapy Programs

BLVS = Blindness and Low Vision Studies Programs

O&P = Orthotics and Prosthetics Program

SLP = Speech Language Pathology Program

PhD = PhD Biomedicine Programs

-Mike

Welcoming Our Entering Class: Week of August 12, 2022

 

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

Good morning from Elkins Park where the weather finally has gotten a little cooler! We are thrilled to welcome our entering class next week and to open our new Orthotics and Prosthetics lab on Monday!  

Here are a few items of interest: 

NEW O&P LAB: The result of a lot of hard work and planning is finally here. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15 for the ribbon-cutting and opening of our new Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) lab. The event will include a tour of our Activities of Daily Living Lab. Both are located on the fourth floor of the West building of our Elkins Park campus. To RSVP for the ceremony, click here. To read more about the new O&P lab, click here.

LIGHTHOUSE AWARD WINNER: Kovin Naidoo, BSc, BOptom, MPH, OD ‘95, PhD, DHL (Hon), Global Head: Advocacy and Partnerships, OneSight EssilorLuxxotica Foundation, has been selected as the Lighthouse Award recipient for our 15th annual “Looking Out For Kids” charity fundraiser. Check out the story on Dr. Naidoo here.

SUMMER ART EXHIBIT: We are excited to showcase the work of the Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists (MCGOPA) in our D’Arrigo Family Gallery at the Hafter Student Community Center on our Elkins Park campus of Salus. Click here for more information.

THE PATH TO AN OT CAREER: Upon graduation, Alexis Long ’23 OT, hopes to pursue a career in pediatric care. But just like her undergraduate career, where she was open to any and all opportunities, the unexpected twists and turns in her academic journey have made Alexis eager to see where her Occupational Therapy career takes her. Read more here.

MONTCLAIR VISITORS IMPRESSED: A group from Montclair State University in New Jersey visited Salus University recently to tour the campus and hear more about the various health science programs Salus offers. And, many of them came away impressed with what they saw and now considering Salus as a graduate school option. Read more about their experience here.

WHITE COAT CEREMONIES: Next week we’ll recognize our students with White Coat ceremonies for all three colleges. This annual ceremony represents the transition from student to professional in training as first-year students receive the symbol of their profession – the white coat. Recipients from all of the University’s clinical specialties -- Optometry, Audiology, Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology and for the very first time, Orthotics and Prosthetics degree programs, will be honored. Look for stories and photos of the events on our website.

ERRATA: Apologies to Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan and the OCA staff, where we mistakenly labeled the Osborne College of Audiology - PCA – We all know it is OCA!

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I noted earlier, next week will be a busy week on campus because it’s Orientation Week, when our new students have the opportunity to meet representatives from our Salus student service departments, clinical facilities and external organizations providing helpful resources to them during their time at the University. We’ll also acknowledge all who helped bring our new Orthotics and Prosthetics program to life. Please try to participate in as many of these events as you can.

As we start this new, exciting and hopefully, normal school year, please keep in mind: we’re all in this together. For our students, our sole mission is to ensure your success as you learn and embrace your new professions. To our world-class faculty and staff, thank you for all you do every day to prepare and support our students. As everyone gets ready for the upcoming week, please be mindful of your physical and mental health and what you will do to protect and enhance both.

Have a great weekend - the weather should be perfect! Be safe, continue to follow CDC masking guidelines, wash your hands frequently and socially distance when you can. I look forward to welcoming all to our SALUS STRONG campus next week!

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

Gun Violence is a Public Health Emergency: Week of June 10th, 2022

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

Good morning on a beautiful late-spring day in Elkins Park! Our campus has been humming with activity as we welcome our Blindness and Low Vision Studies students to campus for their summer semester, face to face classes and busy clinics. We’ve begun work on the planned renovation for the first floor of the South building that will re-energize our cafeteria and integrate other important student life and administrative functions into a welcoming, versatile, and inviting space. If all goes well, construction will begin this fall.

DICE UPDATE: Students from the University of Oulu, in Finland, recently spent two weeks on the University’s Elkins Park campus training in primary eye care. The training program is the result of a long-standing collaboration established by Melissa Vitek, OD ‘95, FAAO, dean of International and Continuing Education at Salus, and Robert Andersson, MSc ‘10, PhD ‘18, assistant professor. The Finnish optometrists are pursuing their master’s degrees at Oulu University and participating in this coursework helps them work toward that goal. Read more about their experience here. 

DANGEROUS DECIBELS PROGRAM: Jenny Rajan, ‘09 AuD, CCC-A, FAAA, with the help of four students from the Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) at Salus University, recently presented the “Dangerous Decibels” educational program to high schoolers in the Centennial School District. For details, click here.

HEARTFELT TRIBUTE: The Salus community honors the life and legacy of Melissa Padilla, who served PCO/Salus for 24 years and played a role in advancing our international and post-graduate program. Click here to read a heartfelt tribute to Melissa written by Anthony Di Stefano, OD ‘73, MEd, MPH, FAAO, FCOptom (Hon.), emeritus vice president of Academic Affairs and professor emeritus of Public Health at PCO/Salus. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: Public health principles are designed to protect and promote health in all communities. As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to help others realize that gun violence is a public health emergency that effects all of our communities. This was brought too close to home with last week’s shootings on South Street in Philadelphia.

If people would treat gun violence as the public health emergency it is, I believe we would begin to see effective, evidence-based gun control mitigation strategies, including legislation, much as we have done with alcohol and tobacco products. These measures protect the public’s health and do not restrict the use of these items from responsible adults. As you prepare for the weekend, try to reflect on this. It’s an issue that has reached a critical point in our country.

Please stay safe, look out for one another, remember to wear your mask both on campus and when around others off campus and stay at home if you’re not feeling well. Have a great weekend and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Addressing Resiliency: Week of April 1st, 2022

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

Good morning! It’s been another busy week on campus with everyone working hard to reach the semester’s finish line. I want to take a moment to thank our security staff, especially Ryan, Sherman, and Carlos, for their skillful handling of a campus incident this week. It’s very comforting to know we have a team of experts on board keeping us all safe!

Other items of interest include:

WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT: After 45 years of service to children and adults with hearing loss, Robert DiSogra, AuD ’02, is retiring. Dr. DiSogra is the first Osborne College of Audiology advisory board chairman who planned and taught the pharmacology/ototoxicity course for the first five years after the AuD program was initially inaugurated in 2000. Read more about Dr. DiSogra’s career here.

CPPD EVENTS: Two events from our Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) worth considering: (1) If you've ever questioned your alcohol consumption, please join CPPD's Dr. April-Davis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in Room W300-C to complete a brief alcohol use screening and plan next steps. (2) CPPD’s Jana Walker, a licensed social worker and yoga instructor, is using these combined skills to offer students a six-week Trauma Informed Restorative Yoga series on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning April 5 and ending May 10 via Zoom. Beginners are welcomed. Zoom link here.

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD: Congratulations to Salus University's Communications Department, which was awarded the bronze award in the Interactive Media category at this year's annual CUPPIE Awards hosted by the College & University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP). The awarded media showcased our students and their hard work in becoming the next generation of healthcare professionals. Watch the video here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week I attended the American College of Healthcare Executives annual educational Congress. During yesterday’s Navy Lewis E. Angelo Professional Symposium focusing on Resiliency in Leadership, I was struck by how each speaker defined and addressed resiliency, and how they distinguished resiliency from toughness. Resiliency is a form of healing. It is the ability to recover from difficulties and move on. Resiliency means having the capability to adapt as necessary, both mentally and physically. Resilience allows us to integrate stress or emotional upheaval and emerge stronger and wiser. Toughness, on the other hand, is the ability to push through difficult situations such as failures or stressful situations in the moment.

As a faculty, student body and staff, everyone has exhibited toughness through the pandemic. But we have also exercised resilience as we have integrated new strategies to move our institution forward. For every choice you have made in our pandemic journey to exercise grit, resilience and to do so with kindness, I am inspired and eternally grateful.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the discussion on building resilience is that we cannot do this alone. Resilience requires a good support system — it can be a close friend, family member, colleague, or a group of friends. In the case of our students, you can lean on your family and friends, but also our caring and talented CPPD counselors. Our faculty and staff can always reach out to counselors via their health plans. We are all in this together, and we are collectively more resilient when we give and receive support. I personally cope through exercise and relying on family and friends. There’s no wrong way to do this, except trying to do it alone.

As we approach the weekend, we continue to keep Ukrainians, here and abroad, in our thoughts and prayers. We are still collecting essential goods in front of our cafeteria for all who have been displaced by the war.

Be safe, continue to take appropriate precautions — wear your face mask when around large groups, wash your hands frequently and socially distance when you can. Look out for one another, continue to build your resiliency and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy 4th of July Holiday: Week of July 2nd, 2021

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

Good morning from a much cooler but very busy Elkins Park Campus. As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, it’s been a busy week around Salus. We’ve named the new members of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee welcomed our newest Residency class to The Eye Institute and Accelerated Scholars Program students to PCO/Salus. In addition to all this, here are some other notable things happening:

DICE DEAN: Congratulations to Melissa Vitek, OD, FAAO, director of the Department of International and Continuing Education (DICE) and assistant professor, who has been named Dean of DICE (that can be construed very differently if we were in Atlantic City or Las Vegas! Sorry, couldn’t pass that one up!) Dr. Vitek has provided her department with excellent leadership, playing a crucial role in the success and progression of international and continuing education students at Salus University.

BLACK EYECARE PERSPECTIVE: Salus University alumni are leading a dialogue asking for 13 percent Black representation in the optometry community through the Black EyeCare Perspective. In the last story of the three-part series, Essence Johnson, OD ‘10, shares her experiences surrounding her journey to becoming an optometrist, including the PCO Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), which recently relaunched as the Robert E. Horne SEP after a six-year hiatus. Read more about Dr. Johnson here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: This week's Where Are They Now features Elizabeth Patterson, AuD ‘09, who has been a practicing audiologist for more than a half century, serving as a preceptor to several Salus OCA students over the years. She's developed an expertise in the areas of hearing aids and diagnostic testing for all ages. Read more about Dr. Patterson's career and the wisdom she would like to share with fellow audiologists here.

FOCUS ON NEW FACULTY: The Faculty Focus this week is on Stephanie Holt, OD ‘04, Resident ‘05, who recently joined the faculty as an assistant professor, working and teaching in the Clinical Skills Lab as well as teaching Clinical Problem Solving. Click here to read more about how faculty inspired her as a PCO/Salus student – and an ice hockey player – years ago.

STUDENT HOUSING PODCAST: Join Monae Kelsey, associate director of Student Engagement and assistant director of Admissions at Salus University, as she guides students through all of the housing options, including resources and locations, available to incoming and current Salus students. Click here to listen.

OCA APPOINTMENTS: Bre Myers, AuD ‘06, PhD, CH-AP, three-year track program coordinator and associate professor, has been named assistant dean for Foundations; and Jonette Owen, AuD ‘03, MS, assistant dean for Clinical Education and assistant professor, has been promoted to associate dean for Clinical Education. To read more about the impacts they have made on OCA at Salus and their new roles, click here. 

OPTOMETRIC GRAND ROUNDS: The next Grand Rounds at The Eye Institute (TEI) will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 9. The topic will be "Fluorescent Affliction: A Functional Fix for a Photophobic Patient" presented by Dr. Gabriel Fickett. For more information about Grand Rounds, click here.

MSCHE MOMENT: Our Middle States (MSCHE) accreditation process continues to move forward with our draft self-study completed. We had a very positive initial meeting with the Chairman of the accreditation team earlier this week. She had a couple of recommendations to help bolster the self-study, which we are already addressing.

COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT: There is a great deal of information concerning the Delta variant of the virus currently in the news. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the wearing of facemasks indoors for vaccinated people, the CDC has not followed suit. The WHO must take into consideration all of those countries around the world that have extremely low vaccination rates. CDC’s focus is only on the U.S. We are watching this very carefully and will continue to follow CDC’s guidance. Of note, we are closely monitoring the positivity rates in our region, all of which are well below 0.75%. Vaccine rates are also relatively high, with people over 65 having one or more doses at 99.9% and people older than 12 at about 74%. If things change we will quickly pivot to ensure everyone’s safety.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Like many of you, this year I am very much looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July holiday with family and friends. Unlike last year when we pretty much had to remain home, thanks to safe and effective vaccines, most of us can safely get out and about. No matter what you end up doing for the holiday, whether it be having picnics, enjoying parades and fireworks, or just relaxing at the beach, Independence Day also provides an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of being an American.

The Declaration of Independence makes it clear that being an American is about much more than the place we call home. It’s a deep commitment to higher principles: equality, liberty, opportunity, and self-governance. As healthcare providers, it also inspires the spirit of caring and respect for others – even if they don’t see the world the same way we do. As we approach this year’s holiday, please take some time to reflect on all the positive things we have in the United States that have enriched our lives and have given us the opportunities to help enrich the lives of others. We’re certainly not perfect – as a nation, we’ve got some important work to do – but compared to other places I’ve been to, we are lucky to be Americans.

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Stay safe, have fun, use lots of sunscreen, stay hydrated, if your unvaccinated, wear your face mask when around others and come back ready to hit the deck running SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Juneteenth National Independence Day and a Change in Our Vaccine Policy: Week of June 18th, 2021

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

Good morning on a cool and sunny Juneteenth National Independence Day. As we pledged to do last Fall, today was designated a University holiday in commemoration of the June 19, 1865 announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Galveston, Texas. Just yesterday, President Biden signed a bill making this a Federal Holiday to allow all Americans to have the time to reflect on the significance of the day. Closer to home, here are some of the things happening around campus:

NEW VACCINE POLICY: As I hope you have all seen by now, we have updated our Salus Safety Strategy to require all students, faculty, residents and staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by August 13, 2021. You can view the video I recorded explaining our rationale on our website and read a copy of the updated guidelines here.

OCA APPOINTMENTS: Two internal appointments have been announced at Salus University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) by Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, dean of OCA. Bre Myers, AuD ‘06, PhD, CH-AP, three-year track program coordinator and associate professor, has been named assistant dean for Foundations; and Jonette Owen, AuD ‘03, MS, assistant dean for Clinical Education and assistant professor, has been promoted to associate dean for Clinical Education. Congratulations to Dr. Myers and Dr. Owen! 

GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION: Kenneth Newton, MS, CCC-SLP, wanted to find a way to memorialize some of the people he loves in a unique way. After a lot of thought, he decided the best way to do that was to give something back to the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus University in which he’s been an assistant professor for the past six years. Read more about Ken’s generous contribution here.

FRIEND AND MENTOR: It’s not unusual, according to Landon Godsey III, program director and fitness guru at the Hafter Center, that fitness trainers and their clients develop personal relationships. That’s because fitness training can be a highly personal journey for some people. Read more about how Landon has become a friend and mentor to several Salus students here.

MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION: This week, we highlight Standard IV - Support of the Student Experience. Our working group is led by James Caldwell, OD, EdD, Dean, Office of Student Affairs, who is joined by John Fitzgerald, III, DO, FACOG, Associate Professor, Associate Program Director, Medical Director, and Clinical Director, Physician Assistant Studies Program, College of Health Sciences, Laine Higa, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Monica Maisto, MS, Director, Office of Admissions, Andrea Tyszka, OTD, MS, OTR/L, SIPT, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, College of Education and Rehabilitation, Darryl Horn, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Andrew Muckin, student, Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Together they are documenting the litany of student services provided by the University to support their academic studies and provide extracurricular opportunities to enrich their experience. And please don't forget to join Dr. Kruemmling's virtual information session next Wednesday, June 23rd, at noon, to learn more about the self-study process and how you can review and provide feedback on the University's draft self-study report. 

PRIDE MONTH: June is Pride Month, a celebration that demonstrates how LGBTQA+ Americans have helped strengthen the country by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill. Visit loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month to learn more about LGBTQA+ histories well as view artistic work, musical compositions and novels from the community.

FACULTY FOCUS: Daniel Pavlik, DMS, PA-C, CAQ-EM, associate professor and director of didactic education for the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at Salus University, is this week’s Faculty Focus feature. Dr. Pavlik is currently serving as interim director of the PA program. Read more about him at salus.edu/DanielPavlik.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: When Salus University alumni, Rachel Plavnik, MS ‘19, Shannon LaSalle, MS ‘17, Amanda Kaufmann, MS ‘17, and Alexa Gutman, MS ‘17, embarked on their academic journeys, despite all the guidance and direction they would receive as students enrolled in the University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, none of them anticipated their degrees leading them to the West Coast. Read more about their respective journeys here.

NAVIGATING FINANCIAL AID: Check out “How to Navigate Financial Aid as a Grad Student” in part one of this podcast Q&A featuring Jaime Schulang, MA, director of Student Financial Affairs. Jaime talks about the different loans, scholarships and financial aid that are available for students when they come to Salus University. To listen and read more, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Over the course of this week we’ve passed on a great deal of information between the change in our vaccine policy to the recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day. As a final thought, please take the time today to reflect on the reasons you’ve chosen to become healthcare providers or educators and how you’re going to leverage all you have learned or are learning to make other lives better. After all, isn’t that why we’ve all decided to enter into the professions we offer here at Salus?

For all you dads out there - I hope you have a Happy Father’s Day. Please be safe, take some time for relaxation and reflection and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Keeping COVID Victims in Our Thoughts: Week of April 2nd, 2021

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

It’s been a relatively short week. I know that students, faculty and staff have been busy preparing for board exams and clinical practicals, in addition to attending virtual and in-person classes and providing patient care in our clinics. Here’s some of what’s going on around our Salus Community:

HOLY DAYS: This time of year includes several cultural and holy days that are significant to many in our community: 

• Passover (March 28 - April 4) — The Jewish holiday observed for eight days (sundown to sundown) celebrates the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt.
• Holi (March 29) — An annual Hindu festival held in the spring to signify the triumph of good over evil, the end of winter, and the arrival of spring and the harvest.
• Holy Week (March 28 - April 4) — Holy Week is a Christian observance from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus, who died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday to give new life to all who believe.

SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendars for this year’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) Externship Celebration. The virtual event will be held on April 27, 2021, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2022 as they journey into externship. This year's event will be interactive with trivia and a few other surprises. Please click here to RSVP to the event.

BEHIND THE SCENES: In the latest episode of “Behind the Scenes at TEI,” we get some insights from Jeffrey Nyman, OD, FAAO, director of emergency services at The Eye Institute (TEI), and its most senior staff member. The nature of emergency care can be unpredictable, but Dr. Nyman gives us an inside look at how his day unfolds. To read more, click here. 

FACULTY FOCUS: This week’s Faculty Focus is on Amy Lustig, PhD, MPH, CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the University’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program. Dr. Lustig plays guitar, piano, percussion and sings. For years she has had a particular interest in Afro-Cuban and Brazilian folkloric music. Find out more about Dr. Lustig here.

NEW CLASS OF RESIDENTS: Congratulations to the class of newly matched PCO optometry residents. They will be honing their skills in Primary Care/Ocular Disease, Pediatrics/Vision Therapy, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Cornea/Contact Lens and Neuro Ophthalmic Disease. We look forward to seeing you at The Eye Institute this summer!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Check in on Alexandra Kistner, MS ‘17, and how her career has progressed since graduation in this week’s “Where Are They Now.” A member of the inaugural Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) class in 2015, she is now a speech therapist in the Central Bucks School District in Pennsylvania. To read more about Alexandra, go here.

VACCINE AVAILABILITY: Vaccine availability is becoming more ubiquitous in our region. It’s taken a while to get there but by the middle of this month, any person over the age of sixteen will be eligible. What has been incredible about these new vaccines is how effective (100%) they have been proven to be against severe COVID disease and hospitalizations. If you have not yet had the opportunity to receive either the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, here’s a link to the Commonwealth’s website that will explain the vaccine rollout timeline and help guide you to one of many pharmacies in the area where vaccines will be available. I strongly encourage all of you to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Once you are vaccinated, here is the CDC guidance that outlines what you should and should not do.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we look forward to having 4-days off from class, clinic and work, I ask that you take a few moments to remember all those who have lost their lives to COVID. To date, over 552,000 Americans have died, with the global toll over 2.8 million people. While we are not yet out of the woods, your perseverance, resiliency, creativity and stamina have allowed all of us to weather this storm better than most. That said, now is NOT the time to let our guard down. We must continue to be vigilant in all we do, even if we’re vaccinated, to help stem the spread of the virus. To that end, please continue to wear your double face mask when around others who are not in your immediate circles and are unvaccinated, continue to socially distance and wash your hands frequently.

Over the course of these next four days, try to take some time for yourselves and get out and enjoy the nice weather. Fresh air and exercise are great for rejuvenating yourself both physically and mentally!

We wish everyone celebrating Passover, Easter or Holi peaceful and restful holidays.

Finally, we are SALUS STRONG because of your unyielding commitment to excellence in everything you do. I look forward to seeing you around campus and clinics next week. Stay safe, stay active and continue to look out for one another.

Mike

Equality, Decency and Freedom: Week of June 5th, 2020

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

Good morning from Horsham. Summer is upon us with hot and muggy weather, compounded with strong thunder storms. I hope, as you’re reading this, if you’ve lost power, it has been restored. If not, I hope it will be on soon! It’s been quite the week. Let me start by filling you in on what’s been happening on campus and then I’d like close in sharing my thoughts on external events, but not unrelated to us at Salus. 

This week’s Faculty Focus is on Dr. Tracy Offerdahl-McGowan and her role as both a pharmacist and a “farmacist.” She’s got some great stories you can read more about here. 

The inaugural Post-baccalaureate in Health Sciences class certainly left its mark on the University. I want to congratulate all of those students who finished the program and thank Drs. Darryl Horn and Brooke Kruemmling for taking the lead on this program, as well as the rest of our Rock Star faculty who helped to make it a success. Check out the virtual celebration to commemorate the accomplishments of the inaugural class here.

Congratulations to Faye Miller, O&M ’14, who was named the Blindness and Low Vision Studies Alumna of the Year by the Alumni Association. You can read more about Faye’s numerous accomplishments and contributions to her field here. 

Best of luck to our Osborne College of Audiology externs who are about to begin their clinical rotations. Thanks for including me in your celebration last night. I know you all will just hit it out of the park!

A reminder that the next Continuing Education Grand Rounds lecture is titled “Personal Equipment in the Clinical Setting” from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 12. This is a mandatory session for PCO students, but I’d also highly recommend as many people as possible try to listen in as the use of PPE has become an integral part of everyone’s clinical lives. For more information about the program, click here. 

While I have historically tried to remain apolitical in writing these posts, the events of the last couple of weeks have pushed me to the point where I can no longer stay quiet and keep my opinions to myself. 

I want to comment on a couple events that have offended, disgusted and appalled me this week. The first was watching peaceful demonstrators being forcibly and violently removed from Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, so Donald Trump could have a “photo opportunity” holding up a bible in front of St. John’s Church on the square. This abhorrent abuse of power highlighted his disregard for the rights of those conducting a peaceful protest, voicing their indignation with racism, white supremacy and police brutality. Threatening the use of military intervention and force against protesters, as Trump has, is something a dictator would do and is not consistent with our Constitutional First Amendment right of peaceful assembly to be heard. I do not condone any of the violence and looting that went on, but that was a small minority, distracting us from the principal message we all need to hear – the injustice Black and other people of color have suffered over two centuries. 

The second event was the unbelievably racist, incendiary and offensive press release from Joseph Gale, a Montgomery County Commissioner. I’ve already responded to his comments very publicly. We need to expect and demand more from our elected officials, especially one that lacks a sense of decency, compassion and respect. Dr. Di Stefano reminded us of the importance of voting during his commencement speech – this takes on an even more important role for all of us given the strife our nation is feeling right as a result of incompetent, immature and failing leadership at several levels. Our country and our democracy are at an inflection point today, and, while it will not be easy, we have an obligation to get us back on track to the ideals we were founded upon – equality, decency and freedom for all.

Even with all of that going on, I was uplifted and educated earlier in the week by the candidness and professionalism of our students, faculty and staff as we began to openly address the issues of race inequality and police brutality in our society.  

Salus University stands in solidarity with the Black community and all communities of color. We must be diligent and actively listen to, learn from, and support each other. As healthcare providers we must actively address disparities in access to quality healthcare that are based on race, gender or sexual orientation. We must commit to making this moment in history a turning point for positive change rather than a blip in time. Let the actions of all of those working for a more just society further demonstrate that Black lives matter, and let us all commit to working together as one to build a better future. I would encourage all of you move out of your comfort zones and speak out and take action against these social injustices. 

I hope you have a chance to reflect on this over the weekend. Today, Montgomery and surrounding counties move into the Yellow Phase of The Process to Reopen PA, so next week there might be several more people on campus. If you have to be on campus, please ensure you follow all social distance guidelines, continue aggressive hygiene routines, to include frequent hand washing and cleaning flat surfaces and wearing a face mask that covers your nose and mouth while on campus or in clinic.  You can review our Yellow Phase guidelines here.

Stay safe, stay healthy, be respectful of one another - stay SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Greetings from San Antonio: Week of November 9, 2018

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

Greetings from San Antonio where I’m attending the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, along with many of our PCO faculty and students.  It’s been a great meeting with several of our faculty and students attaining professional recognition in the form of academy diplomate status and practice excellence recognition.  Congratulations to Dr. Bisant Labib, Co-Chief of Suite 3, who earned her Diplomate in Comprehensive Eye Care and to Susan Barnes and Kathrine Boas, both from the PCO class of 2019, for receiving a VSP Practice Excellence Award.  We’re extremely proud of all of you!  Also, several of our faculty and students are presenting lectures and posters throughout the meeting. PCO is making a huge splash in San Antonio!!!

Just a reminder that Dr. Trego and PCO will be hosting an Alumni and Friends reception in the Grand Hyatt, Texas Ballroom F, 4th Floor later today at 6:30 p.m.  We hope everyone who’s in San Antonio for the Academy meeting can join us!

Congratulations to Radhika Aravamudhan who has just been named the Dean of the Osborne College of Audiology!

Rachel Ditoro, MSPAS, PA-C, associate professor, College of Health Sciences, presented three talks to Physician Assistant Program educators at the annual Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Forum in Anaheim, CA: “Competency-based Medical Education (CBME): Beginning with the End in Mind” parts one and two, which provided an overview of CBME, its core components, and its utilization in PA education.  Ditoro also co-presented a third talk, “Early Remediation Using a Competency-based Education Model” with Donna Agnew, MSPAS,PA-C,DFAAPA, interim dean, College of Health Sciences, addressing targeted remediation for identified deficits.  It’s great to see our folks lecturing on the national stage.

Congratulations to our Looking Out For Kids charity fundraiser team for orchestrating what has been our best event to date last Saturday night.  We had over 300 people in attendance including Senator Vincent Hughes and our Lighthouse Award recipient, Donna Frisby-Greenwood.

Special thanks to Kate Braemer and the team in Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations for putting all this together. Special thanks to Rosemary Connors from NBC10 who served as our co-host and to all of our sponsors, including National Vision, Lindy Property Management Co., Conicelli Toyota, Fox Rothschild, E.B. Reilly, MyEyeDr, Office Depot, T3 Construction, U.S. Vision and many others.  Also, special thanks to our Board of Trustee members for your attendance as well to all those who contributed time, wine, money and artwork to the silent auction.  It looked like everyone had a great time! For more info, check out our website.

The Keneseth Israel Reform Congregation is holding a concert featuring the Main Line Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Don Liuzzi, 68-member musicians, a guest narrator, and soloists on Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Salus students, faculty and staff have been invited to attend this great event.  Admission is $10 and tickets will be available at the door.

It looks like it’s going to be a nice cool weekend in Philadelphia! Get out the hot chocolate and settle in with your books if you’re studying, or try to get outside and enjoy what’s left of the fall leaves.  There will be snow on the ground before we know it!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Mike

Back from Budapest: Week of July 20th

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

It’s great to be back at Salus after my week in Budapest. While I learned a great deal and really enjoyed the city, it’s always great to get back home where there is a lot going on, as usual!

I’d like to welcome our second-year optometry class back to campus. I know that you’ve already jumped into classes and clinical studies, which I’m sure has been both challenging and exciting. Your summer will go quickly! 

Starting Saturday, July 21st, the Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) will host its 6th annual Hands-On-Summer Workshop, with the first one on "Electrophysiology in Audiology" followed by "Vestibular and Balance Disorders: Assessment and Rehabilitation". OCA's international AuD-Bridge students will be on-campus attending these workshops along with local audiologists. This should be a very rewarding experience for all involved. 

Congratulations to Dr. Jonette Owen, who was elected as the VP of Education for the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology and Dr. Pienkowski for his article on "New Advances in Electrophysiology for Clinical and Basic Investigation," with his co-authors, to be published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. Our faculty just keep knocking this out of the park!

Faculty and students from the Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Blindness and Low vision Studies programs from the College of Education and Rehabilitation participated in an Interprofessional Education workshop focusing on investigating universal design, a broad spectrum of ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are accessible to people with and without disabilities in both our local and surrounding communities. This effort speaks to everything we believe at Salus about the integration of health services to benefit our patients and communities. Well done! 

On Tuesday and Wednesday members of our faculty, staff, student body and Board of Trustees got together for our first Scenario Planning workshop. The goal of these workshops is to develop scenarios that address what I call “alternate futures” that may affect higher education, healthcare, healthcare education, our student populations and other extrinsic forces that we need to be prepared to proactively address in the near and short-term. Once these scenarios have been fully developed, we’ll use them to inform our strategic thinking and ultimately our strategic plan as we continue to evolve as a premier health sciences university. I will be keeping you all up-to-date as this process continues.

Every year The Chronicle of Higher Education selects colleges and universities that are “Great Colleges to Work For.” I am extremely happy to tell you that we were selected amongst that special group based on our compensation and benefits package. Congratulations to Maura Keenan and her Human Resources staff as well as our senior and mid-level faculty and staff leadership teams.

Finally, it looks like it’s going to be a nice summer weekend - at least the first half of it. I don’t know what your plans are but on Saturday morning, but I’ll be participating in the New Jersey State Triathlon at Lake Mercer County Park. It should be a nice day for a swim, bike and run! 

You all be safe and watch out for one another and have a great weekend!

Mike