Democracy at Work: Week of June 17th, 2022

 

Dear Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff, Alumni, Board Members and Friends, Good morning from a rather balmy Chicago, where I am attending Optometry’s Meeting along with Dr. Melissa Trego, about 25 PCO students and other PCO and Salus staff. More about the meeting later in my Final Thoughts. On campus, students from every program are attending classes, labs, and in many instances, clinics. 

Here are some recent developments:

THE FIRST OF MANY FIRSTS: Julie Quinlan, MPO, MS, CPO, ATC, likes a challenge, and she’s found a big one as the first faculty member hired for Salus University’s new Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program, scheduled to kick off in the fall of 2022. Read more about Julie here.

POST-BACC ROAD TO SUCCESS: When Kaylea Ellison, PBHS ‘22, got rejected from all the optometry schools to which she had applied, she described it as “gut-wrenching.” But it also strengthened her resolve to find another path to achieve her goal of becoming an optometrist. She then discovered Salus University had a post-baccalaureate program. Read more here about how the post-bacc program helped Kaylea. 

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY GRANTS: The Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus University has received two grants that will be used to help students learn to care for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and acquired brain injuries. For details, click here.

PRIDE MIXER SCHEDULED: As Pride Month comes to an end, CPPD's Jana Walker will host a Pride Mixer from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 25, in the cafe on the Elkins Park campus. There will be snacks, karaoke, and trivia. Please stop by and say hello. This event is open to all who are interested.

PCO RECEPTION: Please join Dr. Trego and others from the university for PCO’S AOA Alumni and Friends Reception later this evening from 5:30 – 7:00 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago, Great Lake C. It will be a good chance to reconnect, relax and just enjoy the evening.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As I noted above, I am attending Optometry’s Meeting this week in Chicago. One of the main purposes of the meeting, other than to provide world-class continuing education, is for both the American Optometric Association and American Student Optometric Association to conduct their internal legislative business including: selection of next year’s officers and resolutions that organize the profession’s priorities for the year, and approval of the annual budget. There are speeches, lobbying for positions and democratic processes that determine the profession’s direction.  

I am struck by how well the process works. Successes are built on compromise and an honest, often spirited discussion about important issues. It’s democracy working the way it should. This stands in contrast to what I see at the national level, which is polarized and relatively ineffective. I raise this not to be provocative, but to highlight that democracies are fragile. It’s important not to take what we have in our country for granted. Our democracy can be lost if we don’t pay attention to what’s going on around us.

As you prepare for the weekend, please try to reflect on this because as healthcare providers, what happens to our democracy directly affects how we can provide the care we are so well trained to do. Sadly, those who need our care the most will often be most affected.

Please be safe, stay hydrated when out in the heat, watch out for one another and remain 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

A Reminder to Get Vaccinated: Week of June 4th, 2021

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

Good morning. It’s a bit gray outside but I can assure you that inside things are bright and cheery. As a testimony to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, many of our students and faculty have been participating in face-to-face classes and continue to work hard in clinical labs and our patient-centric clinics. Here are some events happening around campus: 

COMMENCEMENT WEEK: Wrapping up Commencement Week that led into the Memorial Day weekend, here are some stories on the Salus website that you may have missed: 

— The 122nd commencement ceremony, which recognized a total of 303 students, was unique in that it offered both a virtual and an in-person option for the graduates and their families. Read about the first-ever drive-thru ceremony here. And read about the virtual ceremony here. Barring any unforeseen circumstances with the pandemic, we should be back to our traditional in-person commencement venue in the fall.

PRIDE MONTH: June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate progress, inclusion, to affirm members of and raise awareness about efforts for equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community (and the communities within). Pride Month began due to a riotous rejection of oppression known as the Stonewall Uprising. This event was a turning point in the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ Americans.

MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION: This week, we highlight Standard III - Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience. Ethics & Integrity. Our working group is led by Elizabeth Tonkery, OD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Associate Dean, Accelerated Scholars Program, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, who is joined by Samantha DiPinto, student, Osborne College of Audiology, Bhawan Minhas, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Director, On-Campus Residency Programs; Primary Care/Ocular Disease Residency Coordinator, and Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVT, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, College of Education and Rehabilitation. Together they are documenting how we design and deliver world-class curriculum and learning experiences for future healthcare professionals.

INITIAL TENURE RECIPIENTS: Congratulations to Dr. Victor Bray and Ms. Kerry Lueders on receiving their initial 5-year tenure approval from the Board. This represents a significant professional achievement.

FACULTY FOCUS: This week’s Faculty Focus is on Christin DeMoss, OD ‘17, Resident ‘18. While a student at PCO/Salus, Dr. DeMoss was vice president of her class and was also involved with the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) as a trustee and trustee-elect, and during her fourth year, was the national AOSA secretary. Now she’s an assistant professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. To read more about Dr. DeMoss, go to salus.edu/ChristinDeMoss.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Featured in this week’s Where Are They Now is Frank Mai, OD ‘16. Dr. Mai has trained under some other PCO/Salus alums — Gary Fishberg, OD ‘78 and Robert Wang, OD ‘10, FAAO — and now is a clinical supervisor at the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And he just got married last month! Read more about Dr. Mai at salus.edu/FrankMai.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As the number of Covid cases in our area continues to decline more and more people will feel comfortable getting out and about. While that is very encouraging, it does not minimize the importance of getting vaccinated. I know I sound like a broken record, but we are the ones who need to set the example for others to do the right thing and get the Covid vaccine. The safety and effectiveness of these vaccines has been well-documented with the millions of people who have already received them. More importantly, as populations have become increasingly vaccinated, the numbers of Covid cases have decreased proportionally. Vaccines work - they keep us safe and they keep all those around us safe. Please, if you’re not already vaccinated and don’t have a medical or religious reason not to be, get that jab! We don’t want anyone getting sick. Looking ahead, I am optimistic that our incoming class will follow suit, act professionally, and arrive on campus vaccinated. As you prepare for the weekend, please continue to act responsibly, wear a face mask indoors when required or if you’re not yet vaccinated. Continue to wash your hands frequently and look out for one another. Stay safe and remain SALUS STRONG!

Mike

Become a Prevention Deputy: Week of June 26th, 2020

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

Greetings from a sunny, hot and humid Elkins Park. Summer certainly has arrived!

It’s been getting busy around campus with our Audiology, Optometry and Physician Assistant students on campus working on clinical lab assignments. It’s really great to see folks working and learning on campus again! To that end, I want to remind everyone that, while it may appear things are getting back to normal, we’re far from it given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. We need to remain vigilant in practicing our preventive measures both on and off campus, which includes wearing a face mask, maintaining appropriate social distancing when possible and frequent hand-washing. I’m empowering everyone on campus to become a prevention deputy. If you see anyone, and I mean anyone (including me), walking around without a face mask, or with a face mask not covering both their nose and mouth, please politely remind them that they need to have it on correctly to protect all of us. We’re in this together and together we will get through this! Here’s a link to an interesting article related to the steps we’re taking to help assure everyone “plays by the new rules”

On Tuesday, we’re going to celebrate the 46-year career of Dr. Joel Silbert at The Eye Institute by dedicating an exam room in his name. Dr. Silbert, who served as a PCO professor and director of the Contact Lens Program and former chief of the Cornea and Specialty Contact Lens Service at TEI, has decided to call it a career. He officially retires June 30, 2020. Joel leaves a legacy of excellence through those students, residents, faculty and staff that have been lucky enough to have been taught by him over the years. There aren’t too many people who can say they’ve helped to mature an entire profession, but that’s exactly what Dr. Silbert has done through his mentorship, research, clinical acumen and academic accomplishments nationally and internationally. He truly set the bar high for all of us who were lucky enough to be his students and in doing so helped to develop generations of optometrists who have built upon his work over the years. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Silbert’s career and retirement as we live stream the dedication ceremony on Salus University’s Instagram on Tuesday, June 30 at noon. The ceremony will conclude with an unveiling of a plaque on exam room 503 at TEI, followed by Dr. Silbert’s remarks.

The Faculty Focus story this week is on Rebecca Blaha, AuD, PEI lead audiologist, clinical preceptor and OCA assistant professor. She has had a variety of interests in her lifetime — including playing the flute, salsa dancing, and powerlifting. Read more here. 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee's first Lunch and Learn on Allyship, will be held on July 8 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. The goal is to welcome faculty, staff, and students for a discussion on moving from Allyship to Advocacy. Look for a BB Collaborate link that will include login info and password for that important event soon.

Bhawan Minhas, OD, FAAO, director of PCO’s On-Campus Residency Programs, recently announced that Chad Killen, OD ‘19, Resident ‘20, Low Vision Rehabilitation resident at The Eye Institute (TEI), and Jessica Vickery, OD, Resident ‘20, Ocular Disease/Specialty Contact Lens resident at Mid Atlantic Cornea Consultants in York, Pa., are the recipients of the Bernard Blaustein Resident of the Year Award for the Residency Class of 2020. Read more about that here. 

Since it’s both Cataract Awareness and National Dysphagia Awareness Month, recent articles on salusuhealth.com contain useful information for you and your patients.  

June is LGBTQ Pride Month and this year celebrates Pride’s 50^th anniversary. Of note, 4.5% of U.S adults identify as LGBTQ and a little over 8% of millennials identify themselves as LGBTQ+. Historically, according to a story on ABC news, in 1969, the Stonewall Inn was part of a Greenwich Village gay scene that remained largely underground. At the time, showing same-sex affection or dressing in a way deemed gender-inappropriate could get people arrested, and bars had lost liquor licenses for serving such people. Some gay nightspots simply operated illegally. A one-time horse stable in adjoining buildings, the Stonewall was a divey, unlicensed spot with darkened windows, black-painted walls and a doorman who scrutinized would-be patrons through a peephole. But it also had a popular, pulsating dance floor that attracted a diverse, largely young crowd. The police raid in the wee hours of June 28, 1969, stirred a sudden resistance, as patrons and others outside the bar hurled objects at officers. Protests followed over several more days and led to new, more extensive LGBTQ activist groups than the U.S. had seen before. During more normal times, festivals, parades and other events on the last weekend in June commemorate the Stonewall uprising and the beginning of a national movement.

For those of you who have been on campus this week, you might have seen a photographer walking around earlier in the week taking pictures of members of our Salus community. Thank you to all of our student, staff and faculty volunteers who helped make it such a great experience. You’ll probably see these pictures on our website soon. 

Finally, it’s going to be a hot summer weekend. Please remember to keep hydrated, maintain physical and social distancing, wear your face mask and wash your hands frequently. The last thing we want to see happen here is for us to look like some of the other states that are clearly trending in the wrong direction. So be safe, be smart, have fun and be Salus Strong!

Mike