Optometric Glaucoma Foundation’s (OGF) Annual Meeting

I recently attended the Optometric Glaucoma Foundation’s (OGF) annual meeting at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. The meeting included 8 hours of education as it relates to glaucoma with renowned speakers from the institute. The OGF is a chapter of OGS (Optometric Glaucoma Society) that promotes education via recruiting a faculty member from each optometry school to attend and share what they learned with their respective schools. My biggest takeaway was an article cited in the lecture discussing a way to detect apoptosis in vivo with bio markers which can help detect worsening glaucoma sooner than other conventional methods.

- Andrew Meagher, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, is an assistant professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University

Fulbright Conference in DC

I was thrilled to be accepted to present at the 2017 Fulbright Conference in Washington DC this week. I had an excellent time learning about the other Fulbright participant outreach and activities and I was able to share information about Salus University and how our programs would match perfectly with the goals and mission of Fulbright! And, Salus University was one of 16 universities in PA that had a scholar receive a Fulbright in 2016. We also were trained to advocate for Fulbright on Capitol Hill. I was able to speak to the support provided by Salus for me to accept my Fulbright opportunity and how I was able to share with the Salus community upon my return. I provided each house member with my Salus business card. I have included a photo of meeting with Congressman Sarbanes from MD. And, a photo of my fellow round-table presenters after our presentation.

- Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the interim dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation

This Concludes My Wonderful Trip to Greece & Germany

All in all, it was a wonderful trip to both Greece and Germany. I was treated well in both countries and the hospitality was incredible! I enjoyed speaking with many individuals from Europe and my keynote speech went very well in Athens. And, I truly enjoyed my guest lecture for graduate students at Oldenburg University and the joint work with the Dean and the faculty was also quite relevant and I left with clear plans to continue our work. There looks like there could be several possible collaborations within both countries and Salus. A professor at the University of Athens indicated interest in learning more about the BLVS  programs and there is interest from Oldenburg University in Germany to discuss ways to mesh the role of mental health with our rehabilitation programs in CER, as well as working to provide global experiences for our junior faculty members. (Included in this blog are some photos from my guest lecture and my presentation to faculty in Germany.)

- Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation

Safe Arrival in Oldenburg, Germany

Safe arrival into Germany but Sal had a rough time as I was stopped after flying from Athens to Frankfurt.  I was stopped and a policeman was brought over as all the contents of my back pack, Sal included, were removed. Well, needless to say, all was well with everything in my backpack and my suitcase! And, Sal and I were able to get on the next flight to Bremen. We are safely in the hotel now in Oldenburg and I will be having a working dinner with the dean and faculty of the School of Education and Rehabilitation from Oldenburg University.  Sal is nice and relaxed now as you can see!

 - Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation

UDLnet Presentation & Off to Germany!

I had a wonderful turnout and was delighted to represent Salus University and the US at the UDLnet conference. I am en-route today to Germany so that I may begin my work with Oldenburg University tomorrow.  Athens and its people were very hospitable and I look forward to seeing more of the country at a later date. I met with a member of the Ministry of Education and also met with a member of the university of Athens. There might be some possible ways that Salus University may be able  to find some synergies in the near future. I must sign off for now as my plan is boarding!

 - Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation

First Day of Consortium Meeting of UDLnet

Sal and I are with Stephanie from Ireland

The Consortium Meeting of UDLnet (Universal Design for Learning) began today! As the only US member of the consortium as an AssociatePartner, I represent Salus and the US. In this role, I provide assistance to the full European partners (from Ireland, Greece, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, and Cyprus) and associate partners in the area of Universal Design for Learning in schools, including primary and secondary schools and universities. This is the final meeting of the consortium and I have been working with them for the past 4 years of their 5-year program. The primary goal is to ensure that there is validation of the project which was to have effective way to disseminate and then to assure maintenance of the products created and the integration of the use of UDL in practice. The conference opening begins this evening and my keynote will be tomorrow morning, Nov. 5th. Sal joined me at the meeting this morning to boost the spirits of all participants!

UDLnet International Work Group

And here is a photo of the view from my hotel room! 

- Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation

Travels to Greece and to Germany

I will be leaving for Europe this Tuesday, arriving in Athens mid-afternoon on Wednesday to begin a very busy week and a half of events. I have been invited to be a keynote speaker at the Schools for Open Societies Conference/ UDLnet.eu Strand in Athens, Greece on the topic of Understanding the Differences between Universal Design for Learning and Appropriate Accessibility Accommodations. 

I will also be representing Salus University as the sole American associate partner in the consortium at the UDLnet.eu meeting prior to the conference.

Following the conference, I will spend a day meeting with colleagues from the NHL University of Applied Sciences to discuss future collaborative endeavors. I will then be off Oldenburg University in Germany to meet with our other partners. Salus has signed MOUs with both institutions. I have been invited to present a professional development workshop to faculty and to conduct a guest lecture for graduate students in their School of Educational and Social Sciences, Department of Education and Rehabilitation. We will be also be discussing an initial junior faculty exchange that we hope to begin next fall between our colleges. 

I am bringing Sal the Salamander along with me to take photos and share stories about our work overseas!

I will try to write every few days to keep the blog updated, so make sure to check back. 

- Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, is the associate dean for the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation