Presidential Medal of

2021 Presidential Medal of Honor Awardees

The Presidential Medal of Honor is bestowed upon those who have made significant contributions to their profession and for their service to Salus University.

Since there was no medal ceremony in 2020 because of the pandemic, the Presidential Medal of Honor awardees from that year were recognized during the 2021 ceremony. Pictured, left to right, are winners from both years and include, Giri Sundar (2021), Fern Silverman (2020), John Fitzgerald (2021), Neal Nyman (2020), president Michael Mittelman, Sarah Appel (2021), Reade Fahs (2021) and Victor Bray (2020). Not present was 2020 medal winner Andrew Gurwood.

Girija Sundar, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, OSBORNE COLLEGE OF AUDIOLOGY

“There is no end point, and the fact that the University has acknowledged and applauds this process is both inspiring and challenging at the same time. Now, I have to find ways to live up to the spirit of this award.”

Education: BA/MS William Patterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, 1977. MPhil/PhD, City University of New York, 2004;

Role at Salus University: Director of Distance Education, Osborne College of Audiology (OCA); assistant professor, OCA.

READ MORE AT SALUS.EDU/SUNDARMEDAL21

Sarah Appel, OD, FAAO, ’79

PROFESSOR, PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

“As a faculty member of both of these illustrious institutions (PCO and Salus) and a member of the remarkable William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center staff, I have had the opportunity to positively impact on my patients’ health and welfare, teach and mentor wonderful students and residents and contribute to the field of low vision rehabilitation. For that, I will be forever grateful.”

Education: Douglass College of Rutgers University, BA 1975; Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), BS, OD, 1979; Residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation, PCO 1981.

Role at Salus University: Director of Pediatric Low Vision Services; co-director of the Special Populations Assessment and Rehabilitation Center.

READ MORE AT SALUS.EDU/APPELMEDAL21

Dr. John J. Fitzgerald III, DO, FACOG

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

“I was overwhelmed a bit because I know some of the people who have gotten this award in the past. And, it’s rather an elite crowd, so I was happy to be part of it.”

Education: Resident, Obstetrics and Gynecology, four years, Temple University; Intern, JKF Memorial Hospital; DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; BA in Biology, Lasalle University.

Role at Salus University: Assistant director in the Physician Assistant Studies Program (PA); director of clinical education, PA program; medical director, PA program; associate professor, PA program.

READ MORE AT SALUS.EDU/FITZGERALDMEDAL21

Reade Fahs, MBA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL VISION INC., THE THIRD LARGEST RETAILER IN THE U.S., SINCE 2003

“I have loved my experience at Salus. I think it’s helped me understand the concerns, desires and empathy of not just optometrists, but all of the different types of medical professionals that we train at Salus.”

Education: BA in English and American Literature from Harvard University.

Role at Salus University: A Salus University Board of Trustees member since 2017 who currently serves on the Institutional Advancement Committee and the Institutional Policy & Curriculum Committee.

READ MORE AT SALUS.EDU/FAHSMEDAL21