Clinical Rotations During COVID

My name is Mauli Chothani and I am currently a second-year Occupational Therapy student. During our last semester, we have two clinical rotations, each 12 weeks long. My first clinical rotation was scheduled to be January 6 through March 27. We are given a one-week break, and my second clinical rotation was scheduled to be April 6 through July 26. 

When COVID-19 began in March, I had two more weeks left of my first clinical rotation in an outpatient pediatric setting. The facility had to quickly shut down and move to teletherapy. It was challenging treating kids virtually because there was a lot more parent involvement required, and kids usually don’t have the same equipment at home that is used in clinic.

My second clinical rotation is in an outpatient orthopedic setting, focusing on upper extremity injuries. Since COVID was at its peak around the time I was supposed to begin in April, the student clinical affiliation program was temporarily furloughed. Therefore, my graduation was also delayed. Fortunately, I was able to begin on July 13, I will be finishing up on October 2 and graduating that same month.

Although COVID-19 delayed my rotation schedule and delayed my graduation, I used the time off to my advantage. I picked up on new hobbies, caught up with family/friends via Zoom, and virtually taught children English. Having the break was much needed!

- Mauli is a second-year occupational therapy student at Salus University

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Insights on the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 has definitely been a year we can never forget. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon challenges we had never prepared for, becoming a time for us to function with strength, unity and caution. For me, this has been a difficult yet incredible learning opportunity! 

I graduated from my Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia in November 2019, and was excited to spend the next few months transitioning to optometry school. Little did I know, the world as we see it was about to change come March of this year. I had decided to take a trip to India this March, to visit family and reconnect with my cultural roots. My family and I left Vancouver, Canada just days before learning that COVID-19 was officially a pandemic. Just a week into our trip, what was supposed to be a relaxing time turned into a race to get early tickets back home before the Indian government enforced a complete nation-wide lockdown. We were one of the lucky ones to make it out the day before it started.

Arriving back in Vancouver after just 2 weeks, it seemed as though the world had completely changed. Streets were generally empty, household items were being sold out in all stores, and overall the world had become a fearful place. With the virus spreading and uncertainty for how schools, universities, and workplaces would function, many people around us including myself were starting to worry. Although I was not enrolled in any courses at that time, I began to wonder how long this pandemic would last, and what optometry school would look like for me. After some time, I started to notice some of the inspiring stories being shared in my community of people reaching out to those who were going through a tough time with the business closures and loss of jobs. People in my community, and in communities around the world were choosing to step up despite their own concerns and hardships. I realized that this pandemic would not be over until we tackle it by coming together and supporting one another. I decided to use this opportunity and organized a group of volunteers to start The Mask Project through my organization “Girls Empowered”, which I have been running for many years. We utilized our extra time indoors to make and donate cotton masks to women in need in shelters and resource centers around Vancouver. At a certain point during quarantine, I had felt as though I was serving no purpose, but channeling the time and resources I had to help others gave me a sense of strength. 

Another observation I have made during this pandemic is that despite all the technology and resources we may have in today’s time, proper leadership and the ability to listen as a population at large is critical in circumstances such as this pandemic. I have witnessed the direct effects of excellent leadership from the top doctor of BC, which helped us control the pandemic much better than any other province in Canada. I have also witnessed the negative effects from a lack of effective leadership which has led to an explosive rise of cases in other parts of the world. What has been the most shocking of all for me is to see the lack of unity we as people have, even when it comes to taking care of our own health. I have seen protests for wearing masks, hate crimes against certain races, and the refusal to accept protocols and public health measures. At a time like this, I feel that we need to be vigilant listeners and abide by the recommendations of health experts who are looking out for our health. We need to show compassion and kindness to those around us so that we can fight this challenge together. 

It is encouraging to see that despite some not cooperating, many choose to make the extra effort to social distance and protect one another. I am especially grateful to institutions such as Salus University, who are putting in so much effort to keep vital protocols in place so that we feel safe and stay healthy while adapting a hybrid model of study. As a new journey begins for my future classmates and I, I hope that we learn and grow as a strong, cohesive community to keep ourselves and those around us safe. I believe this pandemic has taught us the importance of listening, adapting and being patient while doing our part to keep our communities healthy. 

- Jaskirat is an optometry student at Salus University




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Transitioning into Optometry School During a Pandemic

There are so many unknowns when applying to graduate school. Where will I get in? Will I enjoy living in this city for four years? Who will be my future roommate? And now the additional unknown of how classes will change based on a worldwide pandemic. 

When we got the news of a hybrid first semester, I didn’t know how to feel. I graduated from the University of Miami, in 2019 so I didn’t experience the shift of online learning. In my gap year before optometry school, I worked as a public health teacher in a local high school. Through this role, however I felt the shift of online teaching, as I had to change the curriculum to accommodate an online setting. From a teacher’s perspective, I saw how important it was to have a continuation of learning, and how easily discouraged students could get being at home. I found that Salus University's approach was ideal, and truly has the student’s best interest at heart. By holding our lectures online, and maintaining small groups for lab, I am assured that I will be safe, educated, and friends with my classmates. 

Being from Miami, Florida the now epicenter of COVID-19, I saw the effects of this virus firsthand. I witnessed what irresponsible actions will result to - and how quickly hospitals can reach capacity. I am fortunate that Salus University understands the impact of this virus, and is taking all the steps to keep us healthy. 

So what are my intentions for a hybrid semester?

• Setting a schedule and sticking to it!
• Practicing the life skills, I’ve learned in quarantine, such as preparing my homemade coffee and cauliflower gnocchi.
• Maintaining a positive attitude, remaining grateful for continuation of learning, mindful of the state of our world, and thankful for this beautiful community.

- Sonali is an optometry student at Salus University



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