Length of Service Award Winners Recognized

You’re a mean one, Mr. Pandemic. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Pandemic.

In a move right out of the Grinch’s playbook, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has — to the surprise of nobody — canceled the annual Salus University Holiday Party. 

But that doesn’t mean the Salus family hasn’t been able to adjust, just like it has for all the challenges that have previously been thrown at the administration, students, faculty and staff since March.

“I look at what we have done since March and I look at our results among the students, faculty and staff, and everybody has rallied around this emergency in a way that has made us successful,” said Salus president Dr. Michael H. Mittelman in a videotaped message. “Not every organization can say that.”

In that video, an important part of the holiday event organized by the Human Resources department — the Length of Service Awards — was still celebrated but with a virtual twist. And HR also had some fun holiday giveaways that the Grinch didn’t get his hands on. 

“This is always an opportunity for me to say thank you to the staff. You all are the best,” said Dr. Mittelman before reading the names of the Length of Service awardees. “Clearly we have our challenges, but we are working through them in a way and I’m unbelievably proud to be part of this team. So I really want to thank you. And, I know I speak for the Board of Trustees when I say this, for all of your efforts and everything you have done to keep us Salus Strong.”

The Length of Service Awards recipients included:

50 Years: Dr. Satya Verma

45 Years: Dr. Joseph Ruskiewicz

40 Years: Dr. Sarah Appel, Dr. Dick Bennett

30 Years: Daphne Wilson

25 Years: Dr. Gwenn Amos

20 Years: Richard Echevarria

15 Years: Marie Szolna, Dr. De Gaulle Chigbu, Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan, and Debra McReynolds

10 Years: Lydia Friel, James O’Donnell, Ken Rookstool, Agron Memed, Dr. Erin Draper, Dr. Elizabeth Tonkery, Dr. Jonette Owen, and Maura Keenan

Five Years: Dr. James Hall, Dr. Nicholas Karbach, Candida Mulligan, Kerri Dougherty, Theresa Barrow, Jermaine Smith, James Linden, Anthony Patterson, Patricia Mayro, Dr. Andrew Meagher, Dr. Ashley Maglione, Dr. Erin Kenny, Dr. Jenny Rajan, Donna Agnew, Dr. Erin Jenewein, Dr. Maria Armandi-Pimley, Taylor Evans, Alison Finkelstein, Jennifer Downs, Leah Morton, Jill Grogg, Shelley Slott, Susan DeMilia, Suzanne Kelly, Dana Nissenfeld, Joseph Moore, Brianna Brim and Dr. Amy Lustig 

Normally Dr. Mittelman would hand each of the winners an envelope when he called their names. But this year, the Human Resources department will handle distribution differently. Just like when Mr. Grinch brings back the toys, don't forget to check your emails and mailboxes for some holiday cheer this season. And, we bet your heart too will triple in size.