Student Ambassador Bios

Kristen Battista, AuDiology, class of 2027

Hello! My name is Kristen Battista, and I am a first-year audiology student here at Salus. I grew up in New Jersey, but my family now lives in Connecticut. I graduated from Loyola University Maryland with an Interdisciplinary Major in Biology & Speech Language Hearing Sciences, which led to my discernment of Audiology as a profession. 

My side hobbies outside of school include managing my dog’s social media and crocheting various crafts. I chose Salus due to the positive relationship between the students and faculty,  that I witnessed when I interviewed here. In addition, I chose Salus due to the opportunity to observe in the clinic in the first year. 

I am looking forward to working with not only prospective students, but my current classmates, and the greater community.

Courtney Bond, Optometry, Class of 2027

Hello! My name is Courtney Bond and I am a first-year Optometry student, originally from New Hampshire. I received my bachelor’s degree In Neuroscience and Behavior, with a minor in Plant Biology, in 2020 from the University of New Hampshire. After graduating, I took some time off to explore my career options. In that time, I aided in creating a non-profit corporation focused on music education, as well as becoming an optometric technician where I quickly developed a passion for the field of optometry.

When I began the process of deciding what optometry program to attend, I was looking for a school that offered an involved clinical experience and had plentiful volunteer opportunities. Not only did Salus check both of those boxes, they also offered a warm and a welcoming environment for all students. As an Ambassador, I am extremely excited to contribute to the amazing student community that Salus has cultivated over the years and hope to spread positivity along the way!

Stephanie Chung, Optometry, class of 2026 

Hey everyone! My name is Stephanie and I’m a first-year OD Scholars student from Toronto, Ontario. I graduated from McMaster University in 2023 and am super excited for this new chapter of my life. I love going on hikes, travelling and am a huge soccer fan. 

I chose Salus for numerous reasons, including the early clinical experiences, welcoming environment and extensive externship sites. I am really looking forward to being an ambassador by meeting and building relationships with prospective students, staff and peers. Being an active part of the community is very important to me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds and all the experiences I will gain! 

Eli Claman, optometry, class of 2027

Hi! My name is Eli Claman, and I am a first-year Optometry student from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Penn State University at the Berks campus in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in psychology. 

During my time in undergraduate university, I was a lion ambassador for two years; through this organization, I gave tours and attended admissions events, so I have a lot of experience with giving tours and I have a great passion for giving back to my university and the community by giving tours and welcoming prospective students and their families to campus. Because of this previous experience, I am excited to use that experience to give back to the Salus community! 

I chose Salus as the place I wanted to achieve my dream of becoming an optometrist because of the people I met on campus during my time as a prospective student and I want to have that impact on future prospective students and help them to make the decision to come to Salus to pursue their graduate degree!

Carley Coleman, Optometry, Class of 2025

Hey y’all! I am Carley Coleman and I’m currently a third-year Optometry student from Dayton, Ohio. Go Buckeyes! I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry.

When deciding where to go to school to pursue my dream of becoming an eye doctor, Salus was always a school at the top of my list. When going through the application and interview process, Salus always did a great job of making sure us as applicants knew that we would be in good hands when we came here.

Saying yes to coming to Salus was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The Salus community feels like family. The faculty, staff, and even upperclassmen are so willing to help their students and peers in any way they can and as a Salus Ambassador, I hope to do the same. As the Ambassador Student Coordinator, I am excited to get out into the community to help advocate for Salus and help ease the transition into professional school new students will be facing. I cannot wait to see what the future holds as a Salus Ambassador and I look forward to what new experiences this position will bring over the next four years!

Brittney Cullen, Audiology, Class of 2027

Hi everyone! My name is Brittney Cullen and I am a current first-year Audiology student. I grew up in Hamilton, New Jersey and received my undergraduate education from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. I graduated from Rutgers in 2022 with a double major in Linguistics and Psychology, as well as a minor in Education as a Social Science. 

During my time at Rutgers, I was a Learning Assistant for Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms course. I was actively involved in research as a Research Assistant for the Laboratory of Developmental Language Studies, where we hosted a variety of experiments looking into adjective acquisition in typically developing children. Additionally, I volunteered as a writing tutor to help my peers navigate the complexities of a collegiate level research paper. Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to have my research paper published by our Undergraduate Research Writing Conference. After graduating from Rutgers, I took a gap year to really delve into the field of Audiology. I worked at a local private practice as an Audiology Assistant where I was exposed to a variety of hands-on experiences within the field. I was granted the unique opportunity to help with our humanitarian trip to Brazil, where our Audiologist fit economically eligible children and adults with hearing aids! 

From early on in my application process, I knew I not only wanted to attend Salus, but to also become a Salus Ambassador. Salus has always stood out to me because of its alignment with my ideals of a top-notch institution. What really drew me into Salus was the early clinical exposure, sheer amount of clinical exposure, diverse campus life, enthusiastic faculty, and hands-on curriculum. The amount of clinical exposure we accumulate throughout our programs highlights the emphasis on tactile learning, and the faculty implements a safe environment to practice these clinical skills. Additionally, having an institution that cultivates interprofessional practices is incredibly advantageous, but also a unique trait I did not find at any other facility. Salus goes above and beyond to ensure the student body is well prepared for successful educational and professional careers. 

My Salus pride has and always will be at an all-time high and as a Salus Ambassador I want nothing more than to share this love and admiration for our school with others!

Kelsey Delaney, Post-Baccalaureate Program in Health Sciences, Class of 2024

Hello! My name is Kelsey Delaney and I am in the Post-baccalaureate Program in Health Sciences here at Salus University. I am from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, but I spent the last 5 years in Pittsburgh attending the University of Pittsburgh for my undergraduate studies. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. Outside of my studies at Pitt, I was a member of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band where I spent many exciting hours!

I have been working in a dental office since I was fifteen years old and am thrilled to say I found my passion. I would like to be a dentist and am grateful to have the post-baccalaureate program as a jumping point into my aspiring career as a healthcare professional. While at Pitt, I was the president of the Pitt Dental Science Club - you could say I’m a tooth nerd!

Salus has provided me with tools to grow and become a better student. I am looking forward to my time as an ambassador so I can share my experience with others. I would love to help other students achieve the transformation I am going through at the hands of the wonderful faculty and students.

Mary-Kate Dennis, Orthotics & Prosthetics, class of 2026

I’m Mary-Kate Dennis and I am a first-year orthotics and prosthetics student. I am originally from Munfordville, Kentucky which is a short hop, skip, and jump to Mammoth Cave National Park for all of my spelunkers out there! I graduated from Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky with a BS in Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish in the spring of 2022. While at BU, I was the captain of the women’s soccer team and president of the spanish club and the athlete student government. After graduation, I took a year off and split my time as an intern for a local orthotics and prosthetics lab, a target employee, a referral specialist at a doctors office, and a server.

Choosing Salus was a no brainer for me. With its brand new O&P lab and the amazing facility that comes with it, I felt right at home as soon as I stepped on campus. I cannot wait for what the future holds for me and this program. 

As a Salus Ambassador, I am looking forward to the relationships that will be formed while sharing my excitement to be here at Salus.

Maddy Edwards, Optometry, Class of 2026

Hi everyone! My name is Maddy Edwards, and I am an Optometry student in the accelerated Scholars Program here at Salus. I am from State College, Pennsylvania, and I gradated from Penn State University with a BS in Biology and minors in Women’s Studies and Biochemistry. In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family, playing with my dog, and working out! 

Before pursuing my dream of becoming an eye doctor, I worked as a paraoptometric technician in my hometown. I loved learning about optometry and working with patients of all ages and backgrounds. When choosing an optometry school, the amazing faculty and early clinical experience at Salus persuaded me to attend school here. After only two quarters in the scholars program, I have already learned so much and met so many amazing people! 

During my undergraduate career, I served as the Academic Outreach Chair for the Eberly College of Science Student Council and the Director of the Diversity in Healthcare Taskforce. I was also an executive member of Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society. I loved being involved at Penn State, so I am very excited to start my involvement at Salus with the Ambassadors Program!

Kaylea Ellison, Optometry, Class of 2026

Hello! My name is Kaylea Ellison and I am a second-year Optometry student here at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University! I am from Prince George's County, Maryland and graduated from Towson University in December 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Before attending Salus, I worked as an optometric technician for a private practice optometry office and gained so much experience there working with four doctors, two of which attended PCO.

During my time in undergrad at Towson, I was involved in a lot of clubs and activities, including student ambassadors. I wanted to continue gaining more leadership positions on campus at Salus, which led me to joining the ambassadors team here. I want to be able to share my experiences to help future students who are seeking admission into a health professional program. I specifically chose PCO because of the inclusivity, attention to and want for diversity within its community and the field of optometry, the facility/labs, and early clinical exposure.

I am excited and proud to represent Salus as an ambassador and get to know other students from every program. Salus has shown me support, ways to grow, and an aspect of community that I look forward to sharing with you in order to help you make the right decision for yourself. When I am not studying or serving my community, you can find me catching up on all my favorite shows, hanging with friends, or learning a dance routine.

Sophia Hwang, Physician assistant, class of 2025

Hi everyone! My name is Sophia Hwang and I’m currently a first-year Physician Assistant student from Massachusetts. I graduated from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biochemistry. I was born in Michigan and lived in New Jersey and Massachusetts. I took a few gap years after college to work in both the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare field. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, biking, watching movies, and spending time with friends. 

I chose Salus because of the outstanding faculty, early pre-clinical experiences, simulation lab, and high pass rate for students who took the PANCE. I have always challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and improve my leadership and communication skills. As a Salus Ambassador, I will connect with students, alumni, and staff across the different programs at Salus and also be involved in community events. I am really grateful for my professors, peer mentors, and TAs for creating a welcoming environment during college and being a great resource for advice and comfort. Similarly, I hope to help students with the transition to graduate school. I look forward to sharing my experiences and encouraging others to stay motivated in their journey to becoming clinicians. I am proud to represent Salus as an ambassador and I am excited to see what the future holds!

Peter Lam, Optometry, class of 2027

Howdy! My name is Peter Lam, and I am currently a first-year Optometry student. I was born and raised in Grand Prairie, TX which is roughly about 20 minutes away from Dallas. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Since I didn’t decide on Optometry until very late in my undergraduate career, I took  some time off to shadow and work as a tech and optician to make sure it was the right career path for me. I was (still kind of) a to-myself type of person, so working at a job that required me to interact with people on a regular basis was extremely out of the blue for me and way out of my comfort zone. Every day that I worked, the more I enjoyed the interaction and feedback I would get from patients. From these experiences, I knew that this was the right path for me, and I can’t wait to continue forward on this path.

I decided on Salus because of the early clinical experience and the welcoming environment I received during my application and interview process. Since starting my first year, the staff, faculty, and students have all made me feel like they have my back. Salus is also located close to Philly, so it’s close to my extended family. As an ambassador, I am excited to engage with the surrounding community and add to the welcoming environment of Salus!

In my free time, I like to kayak, catch up with friends and family, watch sports/shows/movies, cook, and go to the gym. I am also trying to read more, so if you see me on campus and have any suggestions that is not a textbook, please let me know!

Kayley Lammel, Optometry, class of 2026 

Hey everyone, my name is Kayley and I am so excited to be one of your Salus Ambassadors this year! Just a little about me, I’m originally from a small town in Ontario, Canada called Hagersville. If you know your geography it’s directly north across Lake Erie from Erie, Pennsylvania!

I’m currently a first-year Scholars Optometry student! I chose Salus because of how early the Scholars program integrates its students into the clinic! In my free time I enjoy staying active whether that be playing hockey, soccer and volleyball or just messing around in the gym!

Amber Lewis, Orthotics & Prosthetics, Class of 2026

Hey everyone! My name is Amber Lewis and I am a second-year Orthotics & Prosthetics student from Philadelphia. Let’s go Phillies and let’s go Birds! I graduated from East Stroudsburg University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science. After graduating, I took a year off to work and found myself outside of being a student along with traveling and spending time with family and friends after being away during my undergraduate program.

I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Orthotics & Prosthetics in high school, and knew I needed to find the path that would get me there. I always knew that Salus was here in Elkins Park because I live in the area but they never had my area of interest until this year. After finding out that Salus was starting a new Orthotics & Prosthetics program, I knew I needed to apply and gain more information about the University and the program. I immediately knew I wanted to be here after meeting with the faculty and touring the campus. Being a part of the first inaugural class is a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful to be part of.

After starting at Salus and meeting new students, faculty, and staff, I knew I wanted to be a part of all the University had to offer. Everyone at Salus is so willing to help students, other faculty and staff members in any way that they can. I knew I wanted to jump right in and be part of this amazing community. Being an Ambassador will allow me to connect with prospective students and help them with their transition into graduate level education. I cannot wait to see what the next few years will bring!

Jocelyn Lim, Audiology, Class of 2027

Hello, my name is Jocelyn Lim and I am a first-year Audiology student. I am of Taiwanese and Malaysian descent, but was born and grew up in Central New Jersey. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology with a minor in Linguistics from Bloomsburg University. During my senior year, I had a chance to turn my Fundamentals of Audiology course into an Honors project, which had allowed me to perform supervised hearing evaluations for five of my classmates. This experience confirmed my passion for Audiology.

I chose the Audiology program at Salus after being impressed by the clinical skills of Salus graduates that I shadowed at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. I also learned more about the audiology program at Salus University at their open house, which matched my interests and goals.

What attracted me to Salus’ program included early clinical training, their biomedical curriculum, and a general training on both auditory and vestibular systems. The other was the program having a vast variety of equipment, including those for assessing the vestibular system, which were available for students to practice and improve their preclinical skills.

Salus provides a supportive and friendly environment created by my cohort, peers, as well as faculty. As a Salus ambassador, I wish to expose the field of Audiology to others, place myself out there more as well as hope to improve my leadership abilities.

Matthew Molina, Audiology, Class of 2026

Hello! My name is Mat Molina and I am a second-year student doctor of Audiology. I am from a small town of Fallbrook, California. I graduated with my degree in Mathematics with a minor in psychology from Hood College in 2018. Decided that math life was not for me and pursued other options that matched my interests and through various research landed on Audiology. I took some prerequisite courses at San Diego State Global Campus and further deepened my interest in Audiology. Especially as a person with Auditory Processing Disorder. 

I chose Salus for the interdisciplinary training and the early clinical training on day one as a first year. The program will provide me with the skills and knowledge to become any sort of audiologist I can be. I felt like I was at home and a part of the community as soon as I stepped onto campus. The faculty and staff truly want to see you succeed. 

As an Ambassador, I look forward to continue working with people outside of my profession of interest, guide prospective students, and serving our community as a face of Salus. 

Angelika Mudik, Optometry, class of 2027

Hey there! My name is Angelika Mudik and I am a first-year optometry student coming from Greenville, South Carolina! I grew up in Sacramento, California and graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Psychobiology. When I was 8 years old, I told myself that I will become an optometrist because I want everyone to experience clear vision — and I am very happy to be fulfilling this dream at PCO!

I chose Salus because I fell in love with the location. Immediately as I stepped out of my car on my interview day, I imagined myself staying there because the campus was so beautiful and the staff members that I interacted with were genuine and approachable people. When researching the curriculum of different optometry programs, PCO stood out because of the variety of clinical cases student-doctors face at The Eye Institute and the amount of externships students will complete upon graduating. 

As a Salus Ambassador, I am beyond excited to share my experiences with incoming students and I am honored to work with all of the amazing professionals in our community!

Chinoyelum Nnorom (Nana), optometry, Class of 2027

Hello everyone! My name is Chinoyelum Nnorom and I am currently a part of the Optometry program here at Salus. I am from Prince George's County, Maryland and graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. In my free time, I enjoy binge watching tv shows, couponing, and cooking.

I chose Salus because of the opportunity to take graduate level courses and learn better study habits. This will ensure that I feel more prepared for optometry school. As a Salus Ambassador, I hope to show other students that Salus will be a home for them. I will be able to engage with prospective students and help lead them in the right direction. I am honored to not only be a student at this University but also be a voice.

Mansi Parikh, Optometry, class of 2027

Hi everyone! My name is Mansi Parikh and I am a first-year optometry student. I am originally from Sayreville, New Jersey. I graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in the winter of 2022. Even though, I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field from a young age, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to specialize in. However, I did know that helping people made me happy and I wanted to do something where I could make an impact on others. It wasn’t until I started working at the vision center that I realized how passionate I was about optometry. It made me appreciate my eyes and think of how fortunate I am to have my eyesight. This pushed me to pursue a career in optometry so that I could help those who aren’t as fortunate.

I chose Salus because it is a school that not only cares about patient care and patients, but it also cares about its students and molds each person into the best professional they could be. Also, it’s friendly environment and plethora of resources are unlike any other school I’ve seen. Salus was a top choice for me because it provides early clinical exposure and a diverse population of patients.

As a Salus Ambassador, I hope to give back to Salus and get involved in the community. I hope to help prospective students see what I saw in Salus and hope that they find it as great as I did. I look forward to building meaningful connections and leaving an impact on the school in the way that it left an impact on me.

Anjali Patel, optometry, Class of 2027

Hello! My name is Anjali Patel, and I am currently enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry Program at Salus! I am from Hamilton, New Jersey, and I achieved a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Rutgers University. I have worked as an optometric technician for different sites in retail and private practice optometry for the past five years. This gave me a great deal of experience working with a multitude of physicians, four of whom went to PCO. I was educated about glaucoma, sports vision, neuro-optometry, pediatric, elder care, dry eye, vision therapy, low vision, contact lenses, myopia, and cosmetics, among other things.

I've always been active in my community, both in my educational institutions and in my personal life. My academic career has challenged me to demonstrate leadership in a number of settings. I was president of the Medical Club throughout my college years. In this capacity, I was in charge of supervising a club of 60 peers, preparing weekly meetings, training freshmen, organizing club trips and inviting speakers, as well as educating myself and enlightening my peers about medical concerns. As the lead optometric technician, I was also in a position to lead with a deeper emphasis on the optometry sector. Moreover, in order for the optometrist to manage the business effectively, this task needed me to train new technicians for the role. As it turned out, our office welcomed many patients who spoke Spanish, so I too got better at it. As a result I was able to better communicate with patients, and also lead the new technicians to learn basic Spanish terms to smoothly transition the patients' experience upon seeing the optometrist. On a more personal basis, for the past five years, I've worked with the non-profit BAPS (Bochasan Akshar Purushottam Sanstha) to promote Hinduism among young people. Here I volunteer my time to give back to the community in any way I can. For instance, I  frequently lead dance rehearsals and compose dance steps for our temple's Indian community. As we worship our God at the designated festivals, I frequently do this to better promote cultural representation in the Hindu community. 

When I am not studying or serving my community, you can find me working out, baking, or dancing. On my social media platforms I like to promote healthy living, fitness, and nutrition. I think that leading a healthy lifestyle can lower the chance of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and some malignancies, as well as the limitations that come with them, as well as preventing and/or promoting weight loss. It is a goal of mine to eventually be able to use my knowledge, after completing my OD degree, to go on missions to third world countries where I can provide resources and knowledge to those who may need it.

Being a Salus Ambassador enables me to be involved at the University and forge close bonds with peers and faculty, which is especially advantageous given that I am only beginning my graduate studies. The position's inherent challenges excite me, and I look forward to the opportunities it presents. In addition, I'm looking forward to meeting students and faculty on campus and networking with them, as well as taking part in committee work to advance university initiatives. In order to deliver growth that enables an organization to thrive, I have a valuable combination of leadership, a talent for understanding consumer behavior, expertise in the healthcare industry, and a delivery of great dependability. Salus has already provided me support, opportunities for growth, and aspects of the community that I am excited to share with others. Salus has always been my top choice for graduate school. I love the culture, student body, the staff's commitments to the students, its location, and its ideology of giving back to the world. To sum up, I am very excited and proud to represent Salus as an ambassador, and I want to emanate tremendous school spirit and give visitors a wonderful experience at Salus.

Peyton Provost, Audiology, Class of 2025

Hello! My name is Peyton Provost and I am currently a third-year Audiology student here at Salus University. I am from Saint Clairsville, Ohio and in December of 2020 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a Minor in Psychology from West Liberty University in West Virginia.

I chose Salus because of the early clinical experiences available to their students. After completing my observation and practicum courses in my undergraduate degree, I realized that learning doesn’t stop after graduation. Every day presents itself with new challenges and obstacles to overcome. As an audiologist, I will commit myself to a lifetime of learning. Salus’ dedication to shaping me into the best possible audiologist is the reason I chose Salus and the reason I love my decision. As an Ambassador, I look forward to engaging and collaborating with past, present and current students of all different professions that the institution offers.

Re’naijah Purvis, Post-Baccalaureate in health sciences, class of 2024

Greetings! My name is Re'naijah Purvis, I am from Niagara Falls, NY, and I am in the Post-baccalaureate Program in Health Sciences here at Salus. I graduated from Penn State University on the Abington campus in May 2023, receiving my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on vertebrate physiology. 

I aspire to become a Navy Physician so I am currently at Salus University to expand on my clinical experience, grow as a professional, and prepare myself for the rigors of medical school while also commissioning into the Navy as an Officer. Salus and the community have exceeded my initial expectations of preparing all of their students for health profession school whether that be at Salus or a different University, so I am grateful to be here!

In undergrad, I was a student leader on campus and my first involvement was as a student ambassador, so I decided to challenge myself to become a Salus Ambassador as well to continue to connect, grow, and develop outside of the classroom which is equally important to me in becoming a great Physician in the future. I love to give back to my community in the best ways that I can when I am not in class, studying, training, or working as a pharmacy technician. I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge and experiences I have of the university with prospective students who have their eyes (pun intended) on Salus. 

Abigail Ramsaroop, Audiology, Class of 2026

Hello everyone! My name is Abigail Ramsaroop and I am an Audiology student. I am originally from Queens, New York. I graduated from St. John’s University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  I graduated a semester early and took some time to travel with my family before I started here at Salus in August. I definitely want to take some more time to travel as the opportunity presents itself.

I chose to study here at Salus for several different reasons. I liked that the curriculum included lots of hands-on experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the openness of the admissions team throughout the process. Salus has a family feel to it and I am honored to be part of that family now.

As an Ambassador, I like collaborating with other students across the multiple professions offered at Salus. I am excited to also speak about my own experiences and help prospective students find their home for graduate school. Personally, I am also challenging myself to step out of my own comfort zone, build upon my leadership skills, and create long-lasting relationships with my peers. I also am excited to share my love of audiology with others.

Emerson Romero, Optometry, class of 2027 

Hello everyone! My name is Emerson Romero and I’m a first-year optometry student in the traditional program. I am originally from Poughkeepsie, New York and I graduated from University at Albany in 2021 with a BS in Biology. Before attending Salus, I became very familiar working in the field of eye care as a lab technician, optometric technician, and pediatric ophthalmic technician.

Salus presented a great opportunity to become an optometrist with their early clinical exposure. I also chose Salus because of their faculty and staff. They made it abundantly clear that while attending the University, there are many resources to help achieve your goals. The student ambassadors that I met during my inquiry to Salus reinforced that this is the place I wanted to pursue my career.

I am excited and grateful to be a part of the Salus Ambassadors Program. I am looking forward to giving back to the community and help prospective students with important decisions regarding their future, just like the Ambassadors did for me. I cannot wait for the experiences that the Ambassadors Program will provide!

Aunica Rybar, Optometry, class of 2026

My name is Aunica and I am a first-year student in the OD Scholars program. Though a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, I have been loving my time on the East Coast and have a new appreciation for Philly sports fans. In my limited free time, you’d find me on the ski hill, the golf course, or the volleyball court. I joined the Ambassador program to help make everyone feel welcome, no matter their distance from home!

Kyle Rucki, AuDiology, class of 2026

Hello everyone! My name is Kyle Rucki and I am a second-year Audiology student. I am originally from Toms River, NJ. I graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2020. My time at Penn State allowed me to become captivated by the impact audiology can have on people’s lives. 

I chose Salus because of the early hands-on clinical experience during the first year of the program. I believed coming to Salus was the best way to ensure I would become a successful audiologist one day. Salus’ emphasis on community and clinical rotations will allow me to apply my knowledge to real-world situations and connect with my patients on a personal level. The faculty and staff here immediately made me feel welcomed and are willing to go above and beyond to help you succeed. 

As a Salus Ambassador, I am excited to help make all future students feel welcomed as well as forming relationships with fellow peers.

Julia Sennett, Occupational Therapy, class of 2025

Hello! My name is Julia Sennett, and I am a first-year Occupational Therapy student, class of 2025. I grew up in Gloucester county in South Jersey, and graduated with a Bachelor's in Health Science degree from Stockton University in Fall of 2022. I was fortunate enough to graduate early and start my journey at Salus University at 20 years old. I enjoy reading and going to the beach with my friends and family!

I always knew I wanted to work with children with cognitive disabilities, I just wasn't sure what profession would allow me to do this. Once I found occupational therapy, I knew it was the perfect option for me. After researching a few different graduate programs near me, I came across Salus. Salus has allowed me to better myself and my education. Although the classes can become frustrating, the students and staff here are extremely supportive and you never feel like you are going through this alone. Since I am a first generation graduate student, a lot of the process was very new to me. Salus made sure to assist me in any way they could.

I am very grateful to represent Salus as an ambassador, and I look forward to helping prospective students make the best decision for themselves. I hope to bring awareness to occupational therapy as a whole and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me!

Sakshi Singari, optometry, Class of 2027

Hello everyone! My name is Sakshi Singari and I am currently a first-year in the Optometry Program and had been in Post-baccalaureate program here at Salus! I received my Bachelor’s in Health Science from University of the Sciences in 2019, now called Saint Joseph University.

After graduating, I took a year off to try out different jobs and gain experience. I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a nursing home, Radiology Reading Room Assistant at Jefferson Hospital, Scribe in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Christiana Care, and finally, became an Ophthalmic Technician, which is where my passion truly belonged. I enjoy traveling, exploring different things (whether food or activities), go on adventures and spend time with family members and friends. Since the beginning, Salus has been on my radar because many of my coworkers and the doctors I have worked with are Salus Alumni. As a result, I had always heard wonderful things about this university, which motivated me to enroll. While switching career paths and gaining experience, I have developed many memorable moments and friendships through it, which is another reason why I wanted to become a Salus Ambassador. 

As an ambassador, I am excited to develop my leadership abilities, proudly display my school spirit, spread positivity, guide my fellow and upcoming students in the right direction when needed. I feel extremely privileged to have joined the Salus Family as an Ambassador.

Alisha Srivastava, Optometry, class of2027

Hi My Name is Alisha Srivastava and I am currently in the traditional Optometry Program at Salus University. I am from Chesterfield, NJ! I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology at the College of New Jersey in the spring of 2022. 

During my undergraduate, I was able to explore many different healthcare paths through becoming part of the founding class for a pre-health fraternity on campus. I was also able to gain my networking skills and confidence through being involved in student government! 

During my gap year I solidified my interest in Optometry as I worked as a technician and PCO quickly became my top choice when I saw the program’s  emphasis on early clinical exposure. I also appreciated that there were students and faculty members that willing to answer all of my questions and made me feel welcome in the Salus community! I’m so excited to see all the prospective students and families on tour!

Cheyenne Willard, Optometry, class of 2027

Hello! My name is Cheyenne Willard and I am in the Traditional Optometry Program, class of 2027. I like to say I am from the south, being that I spent half of my childhood in Florida and the other half in Georgia. I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science: concentration in Chemistry, from Savannah State University, where I played on the women’s golf team all four years. I worked in the golf industry after graduating as a golf shop merchandiser/manager and a year later returned to my undergraduate university to continue my education by taking post-baccalaureate courses needed to get me into any medical professional school. I was lost in the decision of what path to proceed and had an amazing professor who helped me find my drive, which pushed me to change career focus and start the pursuit of applying to PA School (and yet I said I am part of the optometry class?) I started working to gain patient care hours in a MD/OD ophthalmology practice, with no prior knowledge and was hooked. I found myself wanting to be as involved within the field as one possibly could – which is essentially how I ended up here in the optometry program at Salus!

My four years of experience took me from someone with no knowledge of medicine, to being someone who now knows the inner workings of medical practices. I saw how a global pandemic shaped the scope of practice and the changes that continue to arise from the COVID-19 experiences we all share. What led me to Salus/PCO first and foremost was the aesthetic of the building; no other optometry school captured me the same way when doing my research. What kept my interest was everything else Salus/PCO has to offer its students – not only is the early clinical experience a plus, but the feeling of family right when you walk in the door of admissions on your tour day/interview day. The friendliness of everyone Salus affiliated is hard to beat, from the doctors teaching our classes to the staff that greet us daily is another huge thing that constantly reminds me of the best decision I made. In my free time, I have become a huge football fan (we can talk about teams later!) I also enjoy golfing, as well as a new hobby of fishing. I have two cats that keeping me company while being far away from family. As a Student Ambassador, I am a face and a voice for the university that took a chance on me, and my hope is to introduce such an amazing school to those who are interested in the same things that brought me in.

Kaylyn Yeager, Audiology, Class of 2026

Hi everyone! I’m Kaylyn Yeager and I am a second-year audiology student at Salus University. I’m originally from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and I graduated from Westminster College with a major in biology and a minor in psychology. Originally I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after undergrad, but after some soul searching I stumbled upon Salus University’s Doctor of Audiology program. I didn’t know anything about audiology before finding my program, but I’ve fallen in love with the subject and can’t wait to continue my education here.

I decided on Salus because of the early clinical experience and the interdisciplinary approach to providing patient care. I wanted to get into a clinical setting as soon as possible, and clinic has been my absolute favorite part of the whole program. Learning all the information is crucial, but seeing it all put together to help patients is the most important part of my learning experience. Salus offers so many amazing programs, and we get to learn about how all of them work together to provide the best care to our future patients around the world. As an audiologist I will focus on my patient’s hearing mostly, but I want to make sure I am also focusing on other aspects of their wellbeing outside of my expertise. Salus allows me to get an insight on how other experts can help my future patients in areas that I am not trained in, so in the future I can refer my patients to other clinicians who will be able to help them with their vision, mobility, speech, and more.

I decided to become an ambassador because I remember how it felt to be lost in my own world, not knowing where I was supposed to go after undergrad and not knowing who I wanted to be. I want to do my best to help future students at Salus navigate this tough time, and hopefully pursue a career in one of the many healthcare related programs offered here. The transition from college to grad school isn’t an easy one, I can sympathize with feeling overwhelmed with all the aspects and I want to be there to help my future classmates make this transition and be the best clinician they can be.

Rebecca Zeiner, Audiology, Class of 2027

Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca Zeiner and I am a first-year Audiology student. Most people call me Becca. I am originally from Leesport, Pennsylvania, right outside of the Reading area. I graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Fall of 2022. While at PSU, I was an ambassador at a commonwealth campus and an orientation leader for the university.  

I chose Salus because of their early clinical experience and interdisciplinary training. I really enjoy the early hands-on experience and our course work goes hand in hand with what we see in the clinic and labs. Since being at Salus, I have felt comfortable and right at home. All the faculty and staff are here to help and see you succeed in your career path. 

As a Salus Ambassador, I am very excited to be a part of meeting and making new relationships with prospective students, families, alumni and staff. I look forward to bringing the Salus community to life for everyone.