APRIL 2016 
 
Alumni Weekend 2016
This year's Alumni Weekend (April 1-3) had much to offer PCO and Salus graduates. The weekend contained many opportunities for attendees to renew old friendships, visit campus and clinical facilities, and attend receptions and the awards dinner. Shown above are members of the Class of 1986. (read more)
Dr. Bennett and OTHS Phase 3 Study
Dr. G. Richard Bennett, director of the Glaucoma Service at The Eye Institute (TEI), was congratulated recently on being the first practitioner to see an Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) Phase 3 participant. The congratulations came from Dr. Michael Kass of Washington University St. Louis, lead investigator of the study, which is funded through the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Bennett was also congratulated by Salus president, Dr. Michael H. Mittelman, who added, "You are once again leading the charge and setting the pace for this important study.  Thank you for what you're doing."   (read more)
Annual NOSA Salus' Got Talent
This year's annual National Optometry Student Association talent show once again showcased some of the Salus community members who played instruments, sang and danced to the delight of the audience and judges. (read more)
MSCO Students Receive Special Lecture
Dr. Melissa Vitek, director of International and Continuing Education and director of Advanced Studies and Electives reported that Salus international students received a unique lecture experience last month. 
    As part of the requirements for receiving a Salus PCO Master of Science degree in Clinical Optometry (MSCO), students in the program come to Elkins Park for clinical rotations. The current MSCO students on campus - who are also enrolled in the Salus PCO Advanced Studies certificate program - are from China.     The class was fortunate to have Yi Pang, MD, OD, PhD, FAAO, as a guest lecturer last month. Dr. Pang, who lectured in Chinese, is a professor and assistant dean of Research at the Illinois College of Optometry. Her subjects were Binocular Vision and Vision and Therapy. 
Salus Mourns Loss of Colleague

The University community was saddened by the news of the passing of Sharon Williams on April 7. 
     A secretary for the Osborne College of Audiology (OCA), Ms. Williams began her career at PCO in 2004. A quiet woman who loved a good laugh, Sharon was well-liked and always had a kind word for everyone. She was a deeply spiritual and very private individual who will be missed by her many co-workers and friends at Salus. 
    In remembering her, Dr. Victor Bray, OCA dean said, "Sharon was a treasure to our program. We will miss her beautiful smile and her strong spirit."  OCA administrative coordinator and Sharon's co-worker and friend, Ms. Paula Kane, noted, "I will miss Sharon's dedication to OCA - and always, her infectious laugh!"
     A native of Philadelphia, Sharon is survived by a daughter, her parents and siblings. At her request, the service will be private. Condolences can be sent to Human Resources, which will forward them to Sharon's family.
Down and Dirty for a Great Cause
Salus occupational therapy (OT) students are at it again. For the second year members of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) are organizing a Salus team for Muckfest MS, an annual "fun and mud 5K obstacle run" in support of a Multiple Sclerosis-free world. Muckfest 2016 will be held on Saturday, June 4, on the grounds of The Glen Mills School, 185 Glen Mills Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342.
       Last year, the Salus Team was the 10th largest in the country (5th largest in this area) with 71 members. Their goal this year is to raise $5,000 in contributions and corporate sponsorships. All monies raised go to MS research. To contribute, go to the Salus Muckfest Team webpage. For more information, you can contact [email protected]. The officers of the Salus SOTA chapter are: Anthony Kokoszka, president; Melissa Tucker, vice president; Jenna Napier, secretary and Angela Wan, treasurer, all members of the Class of 2017.
WE SALUTE 

The Salus community extends a warm welcome to the following new members:
Rachel Ditoro, PA-C, 
Assistant Professor;
Director of Educational Competency and Strategic Innovation, Physician Assistant
Amon Jackson,
Security Officer
Paul Lerario
Security Officer
Daniel L. Pavlik, MSPAS, PA-C, 
Assistant Professor and 
Clinical Coordinator,
Physician Assistant program
David Salemno
Vision Van Driver
Diane Schwabe,
Optometry Program Proctor
                                _____________________

The Salus community extends its sincere congratulations to the following members:
Kerry Lueders, MS, COMS, TVS, CLVT, director, Low Vision Rehabilitation program, and TEI resident, Erin Kenny, OD, on their joint presentation to a low vision support group at Kendal in Kennett Square last month.
Marianne Boltz, OD '96 and 
Greg Caldwell, OD '95,  on their radio interview on WITF's "Smart Talk" with Scott LaMar in March, which was "Save Your Vision" month.



Faculty members of the College of Education and Rehabilitation -
 Dr. Fabiana Perla, Ms. Jamie Maffit and Ms. Dawn Ciccarone - on their interprofessional education presentation, "Collaboration Between Vision Professionals and OTs: When, Why and How," at the Virginia AER Conference. The presentation included contributions by Dr. Lauren Sponseller and Ms. Lachelle Smith,  who were unable to travel to Virginia, and highlighted the interprofessional collaborations taking place between
the Departments of Blindness and Low Vision Studies and Occupational Therapy. 
 __________________________
  
OCA in China

The University's Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) introduced its Advanced Studies certificate programs several years ago. Taught by experienced faculty renowned in their areas of expertise, the courses are usually taught online and include two, four-day, hands-on workshops held in Elkins Park. In March, Dr. Giri Sundar, OCA director of distance education programs, took the workshops to China as part of an agreement signed in November with AIER Education and Consulting, LTD., of Beijing, a leader of online audiology education in that country. Dr. Qi Liang, CEO of AIER, is a 2008 Salus OCA alumna. (read more)
Dr. Wang Awarded NIH/NEI Grant
Dean of Research, Dr. Mitchell Scheiman has announced that one of Salus' newest faculty members, Dr. Jingyun Wang, received her Notice of Award from the National Eye Institute for her study entitled: "Efficacy of Intermittent Occlusion in Amblyopia Treatment."
    This two-year award, called an R21, is sometimes referred to as a planning grant.  The goal is to demonstrate the validity of her approach, with the hope that this will lead to a follow-up award for an R01 grant.
       In his announcement to the Salus community, Dr. Scheiman noted, "This is quite an achievement for Dr. Wang.  The first NIH/NEI grant award is always the most difficult to achieve and she accomplished this with her very first submission." 
Roxanne Chalifoux on CBS Sports  
 
It was Lights! Camera! Action! on campus last month, when Roxanne Chalifoux '19OD was interviewed by CBS Sports in advance of Villanova's March Madness Elite Eight and Final Four victories. A Villanova alumna who became a media sensation last year when the camera caught her crying at her last Villanova game (where they lost and missed the Sweet Sixteen), Roxanne became known nationally as "piccolo girl" as the footage of her tears struck a chord with millions of people. She appeared on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon and had her own bobblehead doll as a result. She traveled to Houston for 'NOVA's Final Four appearance. This year was a much happier experience, as Roxanne watched 'NOVA win the NCAA championship. With the championship secure, she is ready to celebrate the next chapter of her life as a Salus PCO optometry student.  
Student Commissioning Held on Steps of the Art Museum 
Marisa Ragonesi '17AUD  
was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the US Army Medical Service Corps on March 22. Present at the commissioning ceremony on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art 
were Salus President Michael H. Mittelman and Dr. Victor Braydean of the University's Osborne College of Audiology. Lt. Ragonesi will begin her externship next month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will attend basic officer training at Fort Sam Houston in June. She will graduate in 2017 and be assigned to an Army medical treatment facility as an audiologist. 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND CE

SPRING COMMENCEMENT, May 26
The Joseph C.  Toland 
Excellence in Education Conference, May 1
Salus PA Alumni Reception, 
AAPA Conference, May 14
Looking Out for Kids,  October 29
Spring 2016 Alumni Magazine Digital Edition
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