New Members Join

New Members Join DEI Committee

Dr. Juliana Mosley-Williams

AS DEI STRATEGIST ARTHUR CHAN says: “Diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is an action, belonging is an outcome.” Thus, the goal of belonging is dependent upon our choosing to be equitable and being actively inclusive of the diversity present within our community. This effort cannot be the responsibility of one person, nor achieved in a silo, but should be the work of the people. That’s why, as we returned to campus this fall, I’m proud to announce the newest members of our DEI Committee.

While the idea of a DEI Committee is not new to the Salus community, this renewed Committee is an extension of my role as Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It takes the diverse backgrounds, voices, and perspectives of many representative matters. The Committee is charged with sharing this idea, providing awareness, and promoting the values of DEI: respect, equity, dignity, and equal opportunities for the Salus community and beyond. As students, faculty, and staff, they are expected to be active and engaged members of our community, in order to offer perspective that will inform and advise the Office of the President in maintaining an inclusive and diverse University community.

It was important to ensure that the tentacles of the committee were as broad and far-reaching as possible. Thus, the University community was provided the opportunity to apply for committee membership, where they were asked to share their thoughts on diversity, equity and inclusion, and personal contributions to the committee. As outlined in its charter, each of Salus’ three Colleges will have a student and faculty participate as members, with the remaining seats reserved for staff and/ or additional students and faculty. Each faculty and staff committee member will serve a two-year term, while students will serve a one-year term; each committee member, however, can serve for an additional term.

The Committee has decided to form four subcommittees that will address specific DEI issues and topics, such as disparities in disability and accessibility, sexuality and gender, race and ethnicity, and health equity. The subcommittees will offer another opportunity for the campus community to engage with the DEI Committee and may welcome additional members to participate.

With several meetings underway, I am already excited by the energy and ideas shared, and looking forward to the work and activity that will come out of this Committee. The experiences and insights of the members are invaluable and will provide a platform for other voices in the Salus community to be amplified. They have committed to joining me and sharing the responsibility for ensuring respect, equity and dignity are paramount on campus.

But, as I mentioned before, our work cannot be done alone. Email diversity@salus.edu to share any ideas and feedback to help us achieve our DEI goals. You can also visit salus.edu/DEI-events for information on upcoming and past events.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Sampson Abu ’25OD Rasheeda Barlow, Patient Access Coordinator

Chaitali Baviskar, Assistant Vice President of Clinical Operations Taylor Foley ’23SLP Julie Jimenez ’23AUD

James Konopack, PhD, Dean, College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER), Deans Council Representative Lisa Lonie, MS, Executive Assistant to the President - Committee Secretary Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, President, Ex-Officio

Juliana Mosley-Williams, PhD, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Committee Chair Adaeze Nnabue ’24OD, Cultural Affinity Organization Representative, White Coats for Black Live (WC4BL)

Jacqueline Patterson, MPA, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Community Relations Carlos Rodriguez, Director, Safety & Security Monica Scirrotto, MS, Director of Admissions

Brandy Scombordi-Raghu, OD ’98, Resident ’99, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, PCO Faculty Representative Margie Singer, Academic Coordinator, Department of International and Continuing Education Lachelle Smith, MS, CVRT, Assistant Professor, Blindness and Low Vision Studies, CHER Faculty Representative Amanda Thomason-Ayars, AuD, Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) Faculty Representative