Salutations Masthead 2011 

    
February 2014     
In This Issue
Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker
TEI Donor Reception
New VP Clinical Operations
LV Mobile Clinic Grant
CER "Reunion"
Student News

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______________
 WE SALUTE
The Salus University community warmly welcomes its newest members:

  

John Clark, Security 
 
John Gaal, VP Clinical Operations
 
Gary Hughes, Security 
 
  
The Salus University community offers sincere congratulations to the following members:  
  
Dr. Michael Rebar of TEI and his wife, Tiffany, on the birth of first child, a daughter. 
  

 

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

 

The family of Anthony Baniewicz III on February 24. Tony was originally hired as a maintenance technician, and he eventually became an Ophthalmic Repair Technician. 

 
Janet Wilbur, Professional Studies and International Programs, on the passing of her father, Herman Wilbur, on February 26.   
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             ATTENTION  
   OPTOMETRY ALUMNI!
Optometry's Meeting will be in Philadelphia this year from  June 25-29. Join us at the National Constitution Center for fundraising and a special event on Friday, June 27. Connect with classmates and faculty for a fun evening in a truly unique setting!  
      
IMPORTANT DATES

Spring Commencement
Thursday, May 22, 2014  2:00 pm
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
for
Doctor of Optometry
Doctor of Audiology Education and Rehabilitation in Blindness and Visual Impairments
Occupational Therapy International Program
TEI Residents
_ _ _ _ _ _

Audiology Alumni
March 26-29, 2014
Audiology NOW! Orlando, FL
Alumni Reception

Optometry Alumni
Optometry's Meeting
June 25-29, 2014 Philadelphia, PA
Special event at National Constitution Center 

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OPTOMETRIC CONTINUING EDUCATION 

Salus University 

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Cornea and Contact Lens Symposium

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Salus University, Elkins Park Campus, Room 300 South

8 Hours (4 TPA) - COPE Approval Pending

Fee: $180

Information/registration.

NJ Academy of Optometry  (NJAO) 

April 23-27, 2014 

12th Annual Educational Conference

Hilton Embassy Suites @ Kingston Plantation

Myrtle Beach, SC

16 HOURS COPE CE

Registration

 __________________
Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker Honored    
 
Pictured left to right are Dr. Michael H Mittelman, Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker and professor emeritus, Dr. Felix Barker. (photo credit: Dr. Anthony Di Stefano)

At their January meeting, the University's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to bestow the rank of professor emeritus upon Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker, founding director of the PhD in Biomedicine program, former associate dean of the Foundations of Optometric Medicine, and former interim director of the Physician Assistant program.

    Salus president, Dr. Michael H. Mittelman expressed the University community's thanks to Dr. Dayhaw-Barker for her many contributions to the University. She in turn thanked the Board members, Dr. Mittelman, and her colleagues, saying, "I was fortunate to spend my professional life in a profession for which I had a passion. I did not do this alone... this institution is fortunate to have not only wonderful clinical expertise but also some very capable and devoted basic science educators." She added that she had "served under four presidents and learned from each of them." Dr. Dayhaw-Barker also thanked Dr. Anthony F. Di Stefano, vice president of Academic Affairs for his "mentorship, his trust and all the lengthy philosophical discussions we've had over the years," saying she would miss the discussions.

     The first female PhD graduate of University of Houston College of Optometry, Dr. Dayhaw-Barker taught physiology, endocrinology some pathophysiology and some environmental optometry (the latter in the optometry program) during her long and distinguished career. In addition to acting as a mentor to students in Graduate Programs in Biomedicine, she also taught various courses and coordinated courses in that program, such as Orientation to Research and some seminar courses. Dr. Dayhaw-Barker has also taught in the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) since its inception.

     Dr. Dayhaw-Barker's husband, Dr. Felix M. Barker, II, himself a professor emeritus who retired from Salus in 2010 after a long and distinguished career, was also present at the Board meeting.  

TEI Donor Reception

On Sunday evening, January 26, the University hosted a reception for donors to the "Setting Our Sights" capital campaign, which raised more than

$2.3 million for the $11.2 million renovation of The Eye Institute (TEI) completed in 2012. The reception offered many donors an opportunity to tour the renovated facility for the first time and to view inscribed plaques acknowledging their contributions.

   University president, Dr. Michael H. Mittelman, welcomed donors and their guests to "the University's flagship clinical facility." Attendees also heard from Board of Trustees chair, Ms. Jo Surpin, immediate past president, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, whose tenure included the campaign and renovation, and chief of staff Dr. Susan C. Oleszewski, who was TEI executive director for the entire renovation process, and who facilitated the many planning meetings with faculty, residents, students, staff, architects and builders to determine the space, design and flow needed for an improved TEI.

     Optometry students were on hand to give tours and guests enjoyed light

refreshments prepared by Williamson's Culinart.

    Pictured above (left to right): Ms. Lynne Corboy, Salus director of Development; immediate past-president, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis; Mr. Dana Beards, VSP honored guest; Salus President Michael H. Mittelman and Chief of Staff Dr. Sue Oleszewski.

New VP Clinical Operations Begins
Newly appointed vice president of Clinical Operations, John Gaal, had a busy first week. On Monday, February 3, his first day, the University and its clinics were closed due to a major snowstorm, which was followed by ice storm-related power outages from Wednesday to Sunday on the Elkins Park campus, which includes the Pennsylvania Ear Institute.

     A US Army veteran with 28 years of service, then Colonel Gaal was chief operating officer at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD prior to his retirement. In his new position at Salus, Mr. Gaal is responsible for the operation of The Eye Institute, the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center, the Pennsylvania Ear Institute and any future University clinical services.

     In his announcement to the University community, President Michael H. Mittelman said, "John Gaal's exceptional skill in managing large hospital operations will be a great asset to Salus as we continue to thrive and grow," noting that Mr. Gaal's years of experience as chief operating officer in military hospitals, combined with his leadership ability, "make him a valuable part of the Salus team."

     Mr. Gaal's healthcare administration experience stood him in good stead and, as he noted in his second week on the job, "My first week on the job was interesting, fun, and chaotic... exactly what I was looking for in my new job.  I was impressed with the staff and faculty, and how well they did dealing with the changes and challenges created by the unusual weather. The staff were great, keeping the needs of the patients at the forefront."

LV Mobile Clinic Gets Grant

Associate professors Dr. Sarah Appel and Ms. Marcy Grayboyes, MSW, have received a grant of $20,000 provided through the generosity of the Albert B. Millett Memorial Fund of the BNY Mellon Mid-Atlantic Charitable Trusts to fund the Feinbloom Community Based Low Vision Mobile Clinic. With this grant, the Low Vision Mobile Clinic service will continue to bring comprehensive low vision evaluations to children with visual impairment in their educational settings at sites throughout the Delaware Valley. 

     Located within The Eye Institute, the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center was established to continue the groundbreaking work of Dr. William Feinbloom (1904-1985), who utilized his knowledge of physics, math, biophysics and visual psychology to invent many specialized magnification devices that are still in use today in the rehabilitation of individuals with visual impairment.

CER "Reunion" in New Orleans

Faculty, current students and alumni of the College of Education and Rehabilitation's Orientation & Mobility (O&M) program got together for a "reunion" in December at the O&M AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Blindness and Vision Professionals) Annual Conference in New Orleans.

STUDENT NEWS 

 

OT STUDENTS HELP PROJECT LINUS

Class of 2015 Occupational Therapy students Erin Oczkowski, Brandon Burnett, Jennifer Wagner, and Meghan Klouser and OT faculty member Ms. Caitlyn Foy, MOTR/L volunteered earlier this month. The Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) held a service event, "Project Linus," at Philadelphia University and they helped make 19 quilted blankets that were donated to a local women's shelter that had specifically asked for baby blankets.

 

"REAL WORLD" TALES FROM GRADS FOR STUDENTS 

The University's website now features "How Are Things in the Real World? Alumni Tales and Tips for Students." The feature was created as a result of a student focus group. New stories appear every few weeks and a link is posted to the University's Facebook page to alert students.   LINK