Given that didactic classes are online for the summer and faculty/staff continue to work remotely, staying in touch is more important than ever. Therefore, it is time to require The Snellen to work over the summer months. As clinic operations resume this week and our OPT IVs venture out on their first extern rotations, most of us are all still working through the discomfort of uncertainty and change. This is a process and it is both normal and OK to feel anxious, out of sorts, or lacking in motivation. Go easy on yourself – you don’t need to be perfect, “normal” may need to be re-imagined, not all plans need to be made today, feel all the feelings, breathe, talk it out, and find ways to connect to hope and joy. Finally, reach out if you need help – we are here for you! See below for other resources that can help you navigate COVID-19.

I am excited to be your new Chief Diversity Officer. Diversity is not only about class composition, it’s about our willingness to understand people who are different from ourselves, to cultivate empathy, and to be inclusive. Conversations about diversity, inclusion, and equity should not be side topics; instead, they should represent key behaviors necessary for providing the best optometric care for all patients. I am delighted that I will be working with all of you and the faculty and staff to develop ways to learn about and celebrate diversity as an integral part of optometry. For example, this month Jen Bennett and I will be hosting a book club about racism and I sincerely hope you will join us as we learn together and work together to understand health disparities, racism, implicit biases, learn tools to mitigate harmful behaviors, and discover ways to be better allies. Thank you!

Thank you to the leadership of NOSA for sharing resources with the college that will help us learn about systemic racism, support the Black Lives Matter movement, and take care of ourselves and our colleagues. Challenge yourself to become better informed. Here is one more opportunity:

Beginning this month, the Snellen Letter will celebrate cultural heritage and awareness months throughout the year. Thank you to the students and faculty that suggested this idea! Pride Month honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan and recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally (paraphrased from https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/).

Learn more about the Stonewall Uprising and the history of Pride Month: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
Learn more about LGBTQ Identities: https://thesafezoneproject.com/learn/
LGBTQ Resources at Ohio State: https://lgbtq.osu.edu/
Central Ohio Community LGBTQ Organizations and Resources: https://lgbtq.osu.edu/community/central-ohio-resources

Recreational Sports has created a weekly workout plan that provides a mix of Group Fitness LIVE classes, Group Fitness on Demand videos and written workouts to help hold you accountable each day and keep your workouts balanced. Recreation Sports’ fitness team is here to support you as you navigate your physical wellbeing in this new normal. Contact them with any questions or feedback at fitness@osu.edu. https://recsports.osu.edu/articles/beginner-weekly-workout-plan/

If you are involved in activities that cannot be completed remotely, such as patient care or clinical research trials with participants, then you may access the college at the 352 W. 10th Ave. entrance Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when there is a screener. As a reminder, activities such as studying, group meetings, etc. cannot take place within the buildings until further notice.

Jen Bennett, Shawn Gilbert and Becca Roby continue to work remotely until further notice, and we are available for all of your student service needs. You can reach us via e-mail or phone. We also can set up Zoom meetings if you would like to talk in person. Contact us with questions, or if you just need to talk. Don’t know who to ask? Start here!

Jen Bennett, 614-292-2973, bennett.1075@osu.edu
Shawn Gilbert, 614-247-6426, gilbert.351@osu.edu
Becca Roby, 614-292-0497, roby.77@osu.edu

Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to work remotely until further notice and remains available as a consultative resource. He will offer initial meetings by phone with new clients and follow up consultations via Zoom to new and existing clients, as needed, as long as normal operations are suspended. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek at levstek.4@osu.edu. In addition, Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) number, 614-292-5766, is available for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.

Stay up-to-date with the latest college, campus and community news:

Ohio State Updates: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/features/coronavirus/staff-and-students
College of Optometry Resources: https://u.osu.edu/optcovid19/
Keep Learning: https://keeplearning.osu.edu/
Office of Student Life Updates: https://studentlife.osu.edu/articles/student-life-faqs-coronavirus-covid-19/
State of Ohio: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home
City of Columbus: https://www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Emergency-Preparedness/Coronavirus-Outbreak-2019/