Now, let’s hear from Samantha, a first year physician assistant studies student who was already a frontline healthcare worker when she came to Salus seeking the same interprofessional education that a real life hospital setting offers. At Salus, students from all of the universities programs collaborate as soon as their first year. From the classroom to clinical facilities, an interdisciplinary approach is part of the school’s mission in educating well-rounded future healthcare professionals. Samantha, it’s all yours.
– Thanks Alex. Prior to coming to Salus University, I was a respiratory therapist on the front lines of a medical ICU. There, I worked collaboratively with so many different healthcare disciplines that when I decided to go back to school to further my education as a physician assistant, I knew I wanted to go to a program that not only valued but preached interdisciplinary education and Salus did just that. As a first year graduate student, I take a course title evidence-based practice all of the first year students from all of the different healthcare specialties take this course together. I was not only able to meet, but work with students of the various different future health care professions from optometry, to audiology, to speech language pathology and more. But I also felt like I gained a further understanding of each of the different professions which is vital when becoming a future healthcare professional. Salus values that early clinical experience so as a first year student, I’m already assessing patients and shadowing providers across various specialties. This is a decided advantage that other schools may not have to offer. In fact, one of my favorite clinical experiences was at the Speech Language Institute with a speech language pathologist. As a future physician assistant, I’m going to have patients with these medical conditions that I’ll need to refer to a speech pathologist. Now, I feel as though I’m educated and can understand what my patients will be going through once I have to refer them and their care is now out of my hands. Salus students are exposed to patients at all university clinical facilities not just within their own program. Interdisciplinary exposure is really the bedrock of a Salus education. Salus university prepares its healthcare professionals for the real world and interdisciplinary education is a real life skill that we will carry with us into our work in the future. I feel confident as a student interacting with specialty providers, and I feel like that’ll translate into my work as a physician assistant. Back to you, Alex.
– Take it from Samantha. Coming from the front lines, she already knows how important collaboration is among a healthcare team. Rooted in interprofessional education and clinical experiences, Salus students interact with each other from the start of their education. Along Samantha’s path to becoming a practicing physician assistant, she will be exposed to all of the various program curriculum, learning how to treat the whole patient, which is exactly what Salus graduates are known for in the healthcare industry. When you graduate from Salus, you will be Salus strong. Thanks again for sharing that, Samantha.
Okay. Now we’re going to head over and meet Jacqueline, a first year audiology student at Salus University’s Osborn College of Audiology, who’s gonna share with you, how your Salus degree will help provide you with the tools and career flexibility to pursue your professional dreams. Jacqueline, the floor is all yours.
– Hi everyone. I’m so excited to share with you the many opportunities and directions you can take once you obtain a degree from Salus. As an audiology student, I’m not only given the clinical and theoretical skills I need but I’m also given the tools I need to enter into the profession depending on which career path I choose. Once I receive my degree from Salus, I’m able to delve into the different career settings such as the hospital, school settings or even multitask by becoming a professor while still working at a clinical setting. This gives me the opportunity to not be on call like some doctors and some health science professionals. Salus University has a strong reputation of producing world-class professionals in array of disciplines. The audiology program offered here is diversified and unique and the courses will give me the knowledge and the skills I need to be a great audiologist and also impact the lives of those with hearing loss. Emphasizing a patient centered holistic approach, my doctoral degree of audiology from Salus University will help me appreciate the need to care for the patients I serve. This skill will help me in my career as I plan to extend my services to other parts of the world. With the dream of opening up my own practice one day in West Africa, Ghana, this degree will allow room for a successful work-life balance and still have time for my family. Soon an education within each of the universities programs speaks to the many aspects of disease prevention and the management of chronic illnesses by promoting health and well-being throughout society. Our innovative curriculum here at Salus offers a broad base, interdisciplinary clinical education, presenting students with a wide range of challenging primary opportunities. Our commitment to early clinical training in each program provides advantages for students for when externship placements begin. If you want to be a health professional, and want to be in control of your career flexibility, have no fear, Salus University is here to help. Back to you, Alex.
– Jacqueline, great job. Thank you for detailing the diversified and unique audiology program here at Salus University. You’ll be equipped with the necessary knowledge, experience and skills to succeed as an audiologist And I’m sure you can’t wait to get out there in the world and make a significant impact in the lives of individuals and families with hearing loss. Cheers Jacqueline.
All right, let’s head over and meet Pratik, a third year doctor of optometry student at PCO. He’s gonna tell you about all the different hands-on learning experiences including externships, field work and clinical rotations, Salus students are exposed to starting their first year. While serving a very diverse patient population at the university’s clinical facilities, he has witnessed some truly life changing moments. Pratik, please take it away.
– Hey there, one of the best things about Salus University is the fact that clinical experience is given to students so early on. Starting first year, students are expected to shadow and follow upperclassmen and doctors at our prestigious Eye Institute, also known as TEI for short, to gain hands-on experience from the start. This facility has fantastic staff that helps operate several specialty suites such as primary care, neuro, glaucoma, emergency, low vision, pediatrics, contact lens and so much more. With a diverse patient population, many of whom come from underrepresented communities, students are able to see a wide variety of cases and diseases, which we as student doctors can learn from while also providing the best patient care possible. I still remember when an elderly patient came in to receive a new pair of reading glasses. After just a few simple tests such as seeing how his pupils reacted to light and how well his color vision was. We were able to diagnose him with Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma, something never previously noted in his chart. With the help of my precepting doctor, we were able to provide him with the help and further testing he needed to help preserve and cherish the vision he had left. Along with TEI, we have other satellite locations located within 15 minutes of our main campus that provide the same great care. Speaking about our main campus, that’s where our two other onsite clinical facilities are located. The Pennsylvania Ear Institute and the Speech Language Institute for our audiology and speech language pathology programs. In our clinical skills lab, students learn everything from basic to advanced skills to help them prepare for clinic and rotations, skills such as taking a patient’s visual acuity, dilating a patient, inserting and removing a contact lens, foreign body removal and so much more. We also have a 3D virtual reality lab that helps teach more challenging skills to students on computer simulated heads. This helps us gain the muscle memory and practice needed before we perform the skills on actual patients. Personally, I’ve spent countless days in the clinical skills lab and can still remember the hours and hours of practice days and weeks before our practical testing, run through, after run through it was definitely exhausting, but well worth our time especially when you get to practice with peers and friends that have similar goals. Salus students are exposed to field work, extensive training and externships that expand across all programs in the form of clinical rotations. With rotations, Salus students experience real world optometric and clinical environments much earlier than other schools. On top of that, we receive an additional four quarters of rotational experience with sites all across the country and some across the world in Asia and Europe. I believe that after all the hard work we put into learning in class and taking every test, being able to use those skills to better the lives of real patients is a priceless experience. Through hands-on practice and early exposure, I know Salus is helping me become the best doctor I can be. Now back over to Alex.
– Thank you for sharing Pratik. Fieldwork experience is one of the most important steps students take in training to become future healthcare professionals. As Pratik just described, the firsthand experience he gained throughout his medical training at Salus presented diverse challenges, making him equipped to take on his future in healthcare. Cheers Pratik.
All right, let’s head over and meet Sonja, a traditional optometry student who took a non-traditional route to Salus. She’s gonna spend a few minutes talking about Salus university as a welcome place for students from all walks of life. Despite being in a traditional program, Sonja is considered a non-traditional student at Salus because she came to the university later in life, to pursue a second career. Whether it’s someone who came to Salus after a career outside of health sciences, like Sonja, or an international student looking to expand their studies, the university offers plenty of opportunities for non-traditional students to excel and succeed in their chosen field. Sonja, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. My path to Salus University has looked a little different than most. I immigrated to the United States from Bosnia when I was nine years old. After getting my degree in communication studies, I was five years post undergrad, trying to find a more fulfilling and challenging career path for myself when I went in for a routine eye exam. I was struck by my optometrist’s passion and her ability to be able to help people in a tangible way. So I returned to work only to spend the rest of the day researching optometry programs. Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University stood out as an all-inclusive welcoming place for all types of students at all stages of their educational journey. Just a few weeks later, I jumped in the car with my best friend and we drove from North Carolina to Philadelphia. I met with the admissions staff for a pre-application visit. We went over my transcript and we went over the prerequisite. So when I left that meeting, I felt reassured, empowered and set with a game plan to start my second career, I could do this. Starting fresh can feel a little intimidating, but at Salus, I immediately felt like I belonged because Salus has a strong non-traditional student presence and offers plenty of opportunities and resources for them to succeed. Honestly, it all took about three years, but when I put on my white coat at the end of that last week on campus I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. I want those who come here to feel the same sense of inclusion I did when I arrived. So I am part of the peer mentoring program where I help new students adjust to their first year at Salus. I’m also a teaching assistant in the clinical skills lab where I help the first year students hone their skills and bolster their confidence. I wouldn’t change my journey because everything that I’ve done up until this point has grounded me, made me a better communicator and more empathetic. And with the skills that I’m learning here at Salus, every day, I feel more prepared to take care of an advocate for my future patients. Thank you so much for letting me share my story, now let’s send it back to Alex.
– Wow Sonja, successfully completing your graduate studies in optometry will certainly give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. And the fact that Salus is such a welcoming place for you and other non-traditional students is a tremendous benefit of the university. Thanks again for sharing your story Sonja.
Okay everyone, next let’s please welcome Tavii, a second year occupational therapy student and first year OTD student who will share with us about student life and diversity at Salus university. Tavii has been so enmeshed in student life at Salus that when she saw an unmet need at the university, she helped co-found a group to address that need. Let’s hear all about it. Tavii.
– Thank you for the introduction Alex. Here at Salus, all your focus doesn’t have to be on the academic side. Trust me, there’ll be plenty of time to devote to your studies. There are also many opportunities to be involved socially. You can participate in student council, become a student ambassador or join the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. I participated in the peer mentoring program, my first year as a mentee and my second as a mentor. Coming into a new environment can be challenging on its own. The mentoring program made the transition so much easier. Having a peer who was in your shoes only a short while ago is such a blessing. All my worries and anxious thoughts were settled by the answers my mentor kindly gave. As an added bonus, the program put together social events on an off campus to better the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. There are also many organizations to join such as Hearts in Motion. The Student Occupational Therapy Association or Nosa, the National Optometry Student Association. I particularly took interest in Salus Christian fellowship and eventually became vice-president my first year. Not only did we host our weekly Bible study sessions but we actually went out in a community to serve as others and to hang out. Here at Salus, you can build true friendships, interacting with people from other professions that you would’ve never met otherwise from your regular classes. But if you still aren’t sure Salus has exactly what you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know that you can bring all your wonderful ideas here and create an organization of your own and host events within it. A group of us saw a need being unmet here at Salus and decided to start the Black Student Union. We wanted a safe space for us black minorities to be able to gather, discuss our feelings about current events and have our own platform for our voices to be heard by the Salus community. The induction process was a breeze and although we are a new organization, we already have a variety of supporters. It is amazing to see the appreciation and respect that was received all around. So here at Salus, all are welcome and able to express themselves freely. Won’t you come join us. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you Tavii. We appreciate you opening up and telling us about the many opportunities to engage in student life at Salus that can provide a much needed break from your very intensive studies. Cheers Tavii.
All right everyone, next let’s meet Ashka, a second year Doctor of optometry student, whose Salus experience has taken her from elementary school classrooms, providing care to local children, to places abroad, where students are able to practice patient care skills while treating an underserved population. She is gonna tell us about all of the opportunities she has had as a healthcare student to help people, both near and far through a myriad of special projects offered right here at Salus. Take it away Ashka.
– Hi there. One of the best resources at Salus University and its clinical facility offers is access to the patient population of greater Philadelphia. This exposure really helps prepare us for the real world and for the number of conditions we will see in our future careers. Some of the services that our clinical facilities offer include eyecare for adults, children, inocula emergencies, contact lens services, low vision and vision rehabilitation, dry eye disease management and care for multisensory conditions. Locally students will visit preschools and elementary schools to screen children’s vision, hearing and speech needs and provide volunteers for the areas where non hospitals. In this sense, not only are Salus students learning but we’re giving back to the very community in which we live. Student organizations on campus will also host events to incorporate hospitals and companies into our curriculum and patient base. One of our favorite optometry student events hosted by our colleges blinds club is Lens-a-thon, where students can practice reading the prescriptions of donated eyeglasses. This event not only benefits the Salus optometry students in allowing them to practice their lensometry skills but also benefits the underrepresented population who may need eyeglasses, but may not exactly have the means of obtaining a pair on their own. Then we have externships that we take part in, in our third and fourth years that give us a chance to really branch out of our comfort zones. We’ve had some students travel to Hawaii, India and even Japan in order to provide care, not only are these externships a requirement for us to graduate but they’re also an incredible opportunity for us to really be able to reach into the diverse or even underserved communities at home and abroad. One of the greatest things that this opportunity provides is the chance to bring care to patients who never really knew that they were in need of it. These individuals may go about their day thinking as if everything is fine, when really there is so much going on with their eyes and their overall health, this creates such an amazing opportunity for us to be able to give them the chance to improve their quality of life and that smile, with their reaction to seeing better for the first time is unforgettable. A lot of studying to become a doctor or healthcare provider revolves around the patient doctor relationship and when a skilled individual is able to help someone in this manner, that is a connection that is worth cherishing. Now let’s send it back to Alex.
– Ashka, great job. I can’t imagine how it feels to know you have the skills to help people worldwide. That’s incredible, from the universities three clinical facilities to community outreach and special projects, both nationally and internationally. You are already immersed in the world of healthcare. That is awesome. Thanks again Ashka.
Now it’s time to meet Zachary, a second year Doctor of audiology student and Sierra, a first-year audiology student. Zachary is a Philly native who already knew all of the potential packed into Philly’s prime location. Sierra on the other hand had to travel a little bit farther to attend Salus and become a local in the Philadelphia area, which is known as a leader in the healthcare industry, as well as a recreational hotspot offering easy access to city life, wildlife, basically anything you crave. Relocating from Oregon to become a Salus student is a move Sierra will never forget nor regret. Please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. What’s up everybody. With a city that has so much to offer, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia is one of the leaders in the healthcare field, attracting students from both near and far, just outside of Philadelphia in a smaller part of town is a university with a big attitude, Salus University. Salus University isn’t just your average university, it seeks those with passion, those who value hard work and dedication. Philadelphia, the city I call home and the place so many others seek out for its rich tradition and countless shall opportunities in the healthcare field. A city built on hard work, passion and a diehard fan base, Sko birds. Philadelphia is anything but ordinary. Whether it’s the city life you seek or a quiet place to enjoy nature, Philadelphia provides countless opportunities for all to find. If you ask a local Philly guy like me, choosing Salus wasn’t hard, especially with a great opportunity right down the street. The university located in the Mecca of healthcare, local to some of the greatest hospitals and medical facilities combined with hands-on experience from day one, Salus university makes no excuses when it comes to providing the most for students. Those who come from near and far. Hey Sierra.
– Hey Zach.
– Tell us a little bit of how you came up from the West coast to come to Salus.
– Yeah, absolutely. So I’ve always been such a home body, staying near my home town of Portland, Oregon. So when the opportunity to attend Salus came along, it really rocked my world. But how often in life can you pack up everything you own, drive over 3000 miles across eight States and experience an entirely new world? I’d only been to the East coast one other time before moving to the Philadelphia area but I fell in love instantly. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States so there’s always something to learn and explore. Remember back to your fourth grade history class when you learned how Betsy Ross made the American flag we know today? You can set foot right into her sewing room. Or how about Valley forge for George Washington set up camp during the revolutionary war? Well, I just took my dog on a walk there last weekend and whenever I’m missing home, I had the opportunity to see the breathtaking beauty of the Pocono mountains, or if I’m in the mood for some city lights, downtown Philadelphia is the ideal location. The best part about living here is you’re so close to so many other States and major cities such as New York, Washington DC, Boston, Baltimore and the Jersey shore. You can visit a new place almost every weekend when you’re a Salus student. That way, when your clinical rotations begin, you’ve already fallen in love with your next adventure. Back to you, Alex.
– You said it guys, from East to West coast, Salus students share the love for Philly, quickly feeling at home, not just in the city of brotherly love but also at the university, a whole community in itself. Thanks again for sharing that guys.
Okay, everyone, now let’s head over and meet Robert who is the Chair and Program Director for the speech language pathology program right here at Salus University. And he’s gonna be talking to us about how graduates of this program and all of the programs Salus offers will receive the necessary education and training to become integral members of today’s healthcare and education teams as well as leaders in their profession. Robert it’s all yours.
– Thanks Alex, speech language pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat people from across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly who are experiencing communication and swallowing disorders. My path brought me to the career because I was looking for a variety of choices in practice settings, a great salary, and the ability to balance work and life. The median salary of an SLP is around $80,000. Research shows that there’s more than 162,000 jobs available for SLPs with an expected 25% growth in employment outcomes over the next decade. And there are many other programs here at Salus experiencing the same growth. It was no wonder to me that speech language pathology was number seven on the list of US news and world report best jobs in 2021. In fact, Salus had three other programs on that list. I joined the Salus university faculty here in 2014 as the department was first formed. Being able to develop a new program with state-of-the-art facilities and begin to teach the next generation of SLPs has been the culmination of all the best parts of working in this field. Here at Salus, all of our programs offer a world-class education with hands-on training in early clinical experiences that move theory to practice. Whether working one-on-one with one of our amazing SLP students or on a research project in the community. My role is to foster critical thinking, apply evidence-based practice and individualized programming for competent care in the real world. The ability to affect the lives of others who are struggling to communicate demonstrates the value of the profession and the rewards of being a speech language pathologist. And the true gift is being able to provide students with a worldview through a Salus education in the field I hold so dear. I’ve always loved the ability to affect change in the lives of my patients and their families. And now watching students go through this, has even deepened my excitement in this career. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Bob. With speech language pathology being one of the top professions in the country now that allows students to work in a variety of settings. It’s easy to see why SLP students who receive a world-class education that provides hands-on training with early clinical experiences are well-positioned for the future. Cheers Robert.
We are now gonna hear from Carolyn, a senior nursing major. SDSU College of Nursing is consistently recognized as one of the best in the nation and prepares its graduates for a number of professional opportunities, from work as a registered nurse to opening doors in numerous healthcare fields. Carolyn, we’re excited to hear from you.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everybody. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. My mom has been a nurse for many years and she’s a great role model for me. I chose SDSU partially because of its great reputation in medicine, but mostly because it felt like home when I toured campus. The College of Nursing has provided me with many different ways to get plugged in here on campus, even before I was accepted into the program. Between the Student Nurses Association Volunteer Events and giving tours to incoming students, I have met so many people. Each semester the college accepts students to programs in multiple locations throughout the state, including programs available here on our Brookings campus. The small classes allow for a great support system as you go through nursing school. I have made lifelong friends in my nursing classes here at South Dakota State. Our program consists of three semesters of pre-nursing classes. You get to be in one of the best anatomy programs in the country and work with human cadavers. As well, you’re provided great academic resources, such as supplemental instruction and tutoring. After this, you start your five semesters of nursing school. During this time you get hands-on clinical experience that prepares you well for your future career. SDSU nursing students have a 98% pass rate on national board exams, and almost all of our students have one of their chosen job placements within three months of graduation. Whatever major you choose, you won’t just learn about it at South Dakota State, you’ll get to experience it hands on. When I started college, I would not have imagined I could have learned so much. The College of Nursing truly set me up for success. I started my senior year with a full-time job offer at one of the top hospitals in South Dakota. I’m so grateful for all of the amazing support SDSU provides and all of the impactful experiences I have gotten these last four years. From amazing friends, insane school spirit, and memories that will last a lifetime, SDSU has truly given me more than I could have ever imagined. That’s my story! Back to you, Alex, and go Jacks!
– What a cool story, Carolyn! Thanks for sharing it. We know you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of others, and that is amazing. Take care.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to our next student, Pierre. He’s a junior majoring in sport and recreation management with minors in marketing and facility management. And he’s ready to talk about one of the fastest growing programs at SDSU. Pierre, what do you have for us?
– Thanks, Alex. My story began in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when my birth parents decided to give me the opportunity of a lifetime. Shortly after the earthquake in 2010, at age nine, I was adopted by the Lear family from Morristown, South Dakota. It took a while to adjust to the winter weather, speaking English, and the American culture, but I had hope the best was yet to come. I am grateful and humbled for my athletic success. I received many offers from different colleges because of it, but it quickly became clear to me that SDSU was the college for me. When it came to picking a career field that interests me, the Sport and Recreation Management Program seemed like the perfect fit. It is full of students with similar interests and passionate about helping others. Right here at South Dakota State University, I have gained big-time experience working the high level NCAA athletic events and the ESPN College Gameday through the Sport and Recreation Management Program. We hosted the South Dakota High School Football Championship right here on campus. My program has also helped with the PGA Champions Tour, the Summit League Basketball Tournament, and the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Through the Sport and Recreation Program I have met some incredible people, as well as finding summer jobs, and exploring future career opportunities. South Dakota State University prides itself on having a curriculum that centers around students and experimental learning. I look forward to seeing what the remainder of my time here at SDSU has to offer. I am forever grateful for each opportunity that the Sport and Recreation Management Program has provided me. And as always, go Jacks! Back to you, Alex.
– Pierre, nice jump! That is so impressive! Not only can you have a great time as a student here, but the experience you’ll gain in this program can prepare you for dream job long before landing your first job, which is incredible. Thanks, Pierre, keep up the great work