Rebecca Delia is the New

Feature

Rebecca Delia is the New Chair of the Board of Trustees

Rebecca Delia, senior vice president at FSL Public Finance in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was appointed chair of the Salus

University Board of Trustees, effective

July 2021.

She replaced Jo Surpin, who served as chair for 14 years. Delia spent a year as a non-board member on the audit committee before becoming a full member in 2018, when she also served as chair of the finance committee.

“Jo Surpin has been a wonderful mentor and sounding board and has been very patient making it as smooth a transition as we possibly can,” said Delia. “I believe in the University and its mission. I think it’s a great organization. It’s something that I think I can do and do well.”

Surpin, who will remain on the board in a non-chair capacity, believes the transition of Delia will be seamless. The two have worked together quite a bit since she joined the board.

“I think Becky will bring incredible expertise, energy and vision to the role,” said Surpin. “I think she’ll be able to take what we’ve done up to now and continue to move us forward. I am really excited as she takes over and I look forward to supporting her in her efforts.”

Like Surpin, she, too, has been an advocate for women in leadership roles and believes it is especially important to see women in leadership positions as an aspiration. Delia said it’s also important because women bring diversity to the table in their viewpoints, and both professional and life experiences.

“For instance I am a full-time working mother with a teenage son and I’m trying to juggle that. We have non-traditional students who have the same issues,” she said. “Being sensitive to issues like that, and bringing a diverse viewpoint and life experiences makes us better as an organization. The more diverse you are, the more well-rounded you are.”

Among the University’s goals moving forward that Delia is excited about is the establishment and development of the Orthotics and Prosthetics program. She supports initiatives and ideas for academic programs as well as the partnerships Salus forms with international universities.

“Salus is well-run, well-managed, well-governed. I’m not looking to make drastic changes, but I do plan to look at everything,” she said.

Salus president Michael H.

Mittelman, OD ’80, MPH, MBA, FAAO,

FACHE is also looking forward to continuing to work with Delia.

“Becky will bring additional energy, expertise and experience to the chair position that will help to elevate us as an institution even more,” he said. “We are so very lucky to have such talented and dedicated individuals who volunteer their time, wisdom and resources to Salus. It’s what helps to differentiate us from others.”