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If the reaction of the winners is any indication, then it’s good to have the Salus Awards Gala (SAG) back.
“To say I’m honored to receive this award, let alone just be nominated for it, is a huge understatement,” said Rachel O’Brien, MS ‘23, who was named the 2023 winner of the Lombardi Emerging Professional of the Year Award, named in honor of Lorraine Lombardi, PhD, who spent decades teaching students at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. “To be recognized for my work as a student, student leader, as well as my dedication to becoming a ‘distinguished professional’ within my field of speech-language pathology is an absolutely amazing feeling, for which I am so thankful.”
The seventh gala was hosted by the Campus Activities Committee and honored various Salus faculty, students and staff who have made an impact throughout the year. The event, which was forced into hiatus for the past few years due to the pandemic, is usually a black tie and evening gown affair held at a site off campus. But the re-emergence of the 2023 ceremony was a more casual affair held June 15 in the gymnasium of the Hafter Student Community Center on the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus.
That did nothing, however, to dampen the excitement and enthusiasm for the awards.
“I remember when everybody was all dressed up and this was a big party,” said Salus president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE. “Next year the challenge is to do this up a little bit bigger because what we’re doing tonight is so important in recognizing the excellence of those faculty members and others who have taught you.”
In order to ensure the integrity of the awards, the process is overseen by the Office of Student Affairs. This year, the office received more than 150 nominations and more than 400 votes from the Salus community.
Michael Speirs, associate professor at Salus University, received the Onofrey G. Rybachok Memorial Educator of the Year award. Named after Dr. Rybachok, a PCO faculty member from 1937 to 1978, the award is presented to the most valuable academic professor of any program or department at the University.
“I’m very honored to receive this award. It’s been a pleasure in the 17 years that I’ve been teaching here to be involved in the establishment of many new programs,” said Speirs.
Michelle Britchkow, OD ‘09, received the PCO Outstanding Faculty Member award.
“I am truly honored to receive this award. I am very grateful to be a part of a faculty that works hard and inspires me every day, and for the students who do the same,” she said.
Here is the full list of awards and winners:
Outstanding Clinical Preceptor, Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) — Amanda Ayars, AuD
