Salutations Header

    
        February 2013
In This Issue
New Board Members, New Appointments
NOSA Annual MLK Day of Service
Physician Assistant Commissioning
Mr. Salus Pageant Fundraiser

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 WE SALUTE

The Salus community warmly welcomes its newest members:   

 

William A. Brichta, Chief Information Officer   

 

Samantha Campbell, TEI Medical Records

 

Joy Henderson, Assistant Clinical Coordinator, Physician Assistant program

 

Jeff Mulherin, Assessment Data Manager, DATLR 
  
Hunter Napier, Custodial Technician
  
Wayne Pancza, Director, Safety and Security

 

The Salus University community offers sincere congratulations to the following members:    

 

Dr. Victor Bray, dean, Osborne College of Audiology, on being featured in the cover story (simulation with hands-on tools preparing students for the real world) in the January issue of The Hearing Journal.

 

Vittorio Mena, Jr. '14OD, whose video won the Transitions Optical Student video competition. The prize includes an all expense paid trip to Transitions Optical headquarters in Tampa FL and leadership training from industry experts.

  

Dr. Eileen Rall, adjunct, Osborne College of Audiology, on her election as the next president of the American Academy of Audiology. 

 

Daniel P. Scott, PA-C, MPAS, assistant professor, Physician Assistant program, on the success of his play, PLACES!, which was professionally produced at the Footlights Theater in Berwyn, PA. (reviews

 

Dr. Audrey Smith, dean of the College of Education and Rehabilitation, on achieveing the rank of professor.

 

Dr. Lynn Trieu, on achieving the rank of assistant professor.   

 

The Salus community offers heartfelt condolences to the following members:

 

The family of PCO retiree Elizabeth Noll,  who worked as a Secretary in the Physical Plant Department.

________________

JOE KELLENBENZ RETIRES
Joe Kellenbenz, director of Security for the University for more than 19 years, has decided to retire.
    Joe has been a familiar presence on the Elkins Park campus and at The Eye Institute, since coming to work for PCO after retiring from the Philadelphia PD in 1994. He will be greatly missed by the students, faculty and staff with whom he has unstintingly shared his time and expertise.
    Joe's last day is Friday, February 22 and, at his request, there will not be a party. Please stop by the Security office to give Joe your good wishes. 
    Thank you, Joe, for all that you have done for the Salus community. We wish you all the best!
________________
CONTINUING EDUCATION
  
New Jersey
Academy of Optometry's
11th Annual 
Educational Conference
in support of NJAO
Optometric Scholarships

April 24-29, 2013
Myrtle Beach, SC
  

For Additional Information:
DENNIS H. LYONS, OD, FAAO
732-920-0110
___________________
New Board Members, Appointments 
The University's Board of Trustees has announced several changes to their membership ath their January meeting. Derrick Artis, OD '89 is now a member of the University's Board of Trustees. Dr. Artis is a vice-president at Vision Source in Houston, TX.
     
PCO assistant professor Dr. Lynn Greenspanis now the faculty representative on the Board.  Former faculty representative, Dr. Jean Marie Pagani '87, completed her two year term in January. Additionally, Mr. Leslie Littman resigned his position as a member of the Board in January.
       In further news, the University community welcomed Mr. William A. Brichta, the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) this month. This new position will report directly to the president. Mr. Brichta brings more than thirty years of technology experience at other academic institutions, most recently Delaware Valley College, as well as non-academic entities. The CIO position provides leadership for all application software computing, network infrastructure systems and services, risk management/security, instructional technology, the web and multimedia functions within the University.
       Mr. Wayne Pancza was welcomed as the Director of Safety and Security for the Universty this month. Mr. Pancza will be responsible for the internal and external security and safety of the University's students, staff and campus facilities. His safety and security experience includes a background in law enforcement at county, state and federal levels, protective service details, as well as corporate loss prevention management. Mr. Pancza also was the director of corporate security for several large, multi-national companies and has experience with FDA, DEA and OSHA regulations.

NOSA Annual MLK Day of Service 

by Cerina Buchanan '15OD, NOSA Community Service Coodinator

NOSA students and faculty.MLK Day of Service.2013  

Members of the PCO NOSA (National Optometric Student Association) chapter participated in the 18th Annual Greater Philadelphia MLK Day of Service at Girard Colllege in Philadelphia. The students, along with faculty preceptors Dr. Neal Nyman, Dr. Ruth Shoge, and Dr. Selena Chu, gathered patient histories, performed visual acuities, stereo, color, confrontational fields, pursuits, ret rack, pupils, direct ophthalmoscopy, and, given the appropriate indicators, checked intraocular pressures. They also collected data sheets and referred over 40 patients to The Eye Institute, the College's clinical facility for optometry students, for additional vision care.

     According to Cerina Buchanan, NOSA Community chairperson, not only was this event beneficial to community residents, but it was also a great learning experience for the NOSA volunteers, especially given the "great company and supervision of the preceptors."                                      

      The day was a great success as people took advantage of additional screenings offered by students from Jefferson Medical College and Temple University School of Dentistry, and volunteers from the American Diabetes Association, National Kidney Foundation, and numerous other organizations.  

         Student volunteers included Class of 2016: Richae Dehaney;
Tiffany Hooks; Sadia Kalsoom; Bomee Kim; Chaz Truesdale; Tara Veverka; Matthew J. Wadas; Ting Wei; Shirley Yan. Class of 2015:
Cerina Buchanan; Candace Ellis; Jennifer Lee; Tamara Mendez; Gina Pelaez; 
and Class of 2014 member
Camille Cohen 
(Photos are posted on NOSA's facebook page)

Physician Assistant Student Commissioned into US Air Force

Mrs. Butler.Matthew Butler. Dr. Vause.Mr.Scott.comissioning.Jan2013
On Thursday, January 17, the Physician Assistant (PA) program faculty and the Class of 2014 gathered in the University's board room to witness the commissioning ceremony of Matthew Butler '14PA.      
            PA program director and retired US Public Health Service captain, Dr. Richard C. Vause administered the oath of office to Mr. Butler. Also present was PA faculty member and US Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander Daniel P. Scott, MPAS, PA-C. (Pictured above: Mrs. Butler, Matthew Butler, Dr. Vause and LCDR. Scott).   
REUNION 2013: May 3 - 5
Please join your classmates and faculty for laughter, memories, renewing old friendships and CE!
Mr. Salus Pageant

by Kristina Ngo '15OD, president, SOSH

Winners Mr. Salus Pageant.Jan 2013
Pictured L to R: Thomas Ravas, Mr. Congeniality; Julian Chang, Mr. Salus 2013; Frank Mai, first runner up and Justin Sherman, second runner up.

About one hundred students and faculty gathered at the Hafter Student Community Center on Friday, January 25 for the First Annual Mr. Salus Pageant hosted by SOSH (Students in Optometric Service to Humanity).

    The show was a great success, with many great performances - from the contestants as well as from Dean Casser! A total of nine contestants competed for the title of  Mr. Salus 2013: David Kong '13OD
 and Vittoria Mena '14OD; Class of 2015 students Julian Chang, Jason Cheung, Michael Kelleman and Andrew Meagher and Class of 2016 students Francis Mai, Thomas Ravas and Justin Sherman.
      The students competed in four categories: clinic attire; "In It To Win It" mini- competitions; talent, and on-stage questions. Faculty judges, Dr. Francine Pearlman-Storch, Dr. Alissa Coyne and Dr. Elisa Bano scored the men based on the originality and professionalism of their clinic attire, their fitness and speed in the "In It To Win It" mini-competitions, clever and insightful answers to the on-stage questions, and how entertaining and engaging their talent was. It was a night of fun, laughter and audience raffle prizes!

     Second year optometry students Erin Kenny '15OD and Samantha Heater '15OD did a wonderful job as the emcees. The show began with the contestants strutting their stuff in the Introduction and Clinic Attire segment, and followed with three fun "In It To Win It" mini-competitions.

     Next, the gentleman performed their amazing talents and answered live, onstage questions from the judges and audience. We witnessed amazing talents such as singing, dancing, card tricks, piecing puzzles, and changing onstage for clinic in just one minute. There was also a special guest appearance from Hulk "Frank the Tank" Hogan and PCO Dean Linda Casser performed a song with the contestants. It was a very fun and memorable night for the contestants and audience members alike!

      The night came to a close with Julian Chang winning the coveted title of Mr. Salus 2013 and an iPad 4. First runner up, Frank Mai, won a free breakfast, lunch and dinner at Chick-Fil-A and a $20 gift card to Jules Pizza; second runner up, Justin Sherman, won a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Chick-Fila and a $10 gift card to Fill-A-Bagel. The title of Mr. Congeniality was won by Thomas Ravas, who earned a free breakfast, lunch and dinner at Chick-Fil-A.  

       SOSH members would like to give special recognition and thanks to Dr. Pearlman-Storch, Dr. Coyne and Dr. Bano for serving as amazing judges, as well as to the contestants for their time and talents. SOSH would also like to thank the sponsors and contributers to the pageant: HOYA, Volk, Big Top Beverage, Chick-Fil-A, Panera Breads, Jules Pizza, Starbucks, Fill-A-Bagel, and West Avenue Grill. We also thank the people who made the Mr. Salus pageant possible: Dean Caldwell, the DACS department,Jim Rubeo of the Salus Cafe, Alyssa Donahue, SOSH members, SOSH officers, the audience members and everyone else who, with their support, helped to raise funds for those who would otherwise be denied the gift of sight!