Elkins Park Campus Stars Honored at Awards Gala 2025

One of the primary reasons Brittney Cullen ‘27AUD is so involved with student life on the Elkins Park Campus of Drexel University is that she believes it will help her become a well-rounded clinician.

And, involved she certainly is. Now serving her second term as executive vice president of Student Council and as a student ambassador, Cullen plays a key role in the organization and planning of the Salus Soiree and Salus Scoop. She was also instrumental in planning and executing the Salus Awards Gala (SAG), which celebrates the achievements of the Elkins Park campus community.

“I wanted to learn organizational skills and time management and build interpersonal people skills,” said Cullen. “It’s something that doesn’t always come naturally to people, and it’s something you have to work for. But I think I’ll be able to leverage all these things into my patient contact, and I’m excited about that.”

In honor of her many contributions, Cullen was recognized with the Pinnacle Award – established to honor a student who demonstrates leadership outside the classroom - at the ninth annual SAG Awards reception Oct. 16, 2025, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park campus.

“I’ve spent a lot of my time here on campus trying to make an impact, and it really is meaningful that the faculty, staff, and my peers all recognize the efforts that I’ve put into all of the different roles and responsibilities that I’ve had,” said Cullen.

The SAG Awards have evolved over the years to recognize outstanding educators, faculty, staff, administration, and students in the Salus University community. This year, more than 100 nominations were received and more than 250 votes were cast to the Campus Activities Committee, who organizes the event.

Among the honorees was Cheyenne Willard ‘27OD, who was named the Lombardi Emerging Professional of the Year Award recipient. The award is named after Lorraine Lombardi, PhD, professor emertia, who spent decades teaching students at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and then Salus University before retiring in 2018, is given to a standout student leader in one of the programs on the Elkins Park campus.

“I was up against a lot of amazing students, some within my program, that I feel like I don’t stack up against sometimes. So, to be recognized by my community around me was outstanding,” said Willard. “It solidifies what I’m doing and that I need to continue being a voice for PCO and an advocate for the profession.”

Benjamin Lim ‘29OD was honored with the Leader on the Rise Award, presented to a student from any program that displays remarkable growth in becoming a well-rounded leader on campus within his/her respective organization.

“I was surprised, but I’m very grateful to get this award. I have a heart to serve others, and I wanted to use some of my time as a student ambassador in a way that I could impact people in some way,” said Lim.

The Onofrey G. Rybachok Educator of the Year Award was given to Darryl Horn, PhD, FAAO, director of graduate programs in Biomedicine and director of the Post-baccalaureate program in Health Sciences on the Elkins Park campus. The award is named after Dr. Rybachok, a PCO faculty member from 1937 to 1978, and is presented to the most valuable academic professor in any program or department.

“I received a couple of texts while the ceremony was going on asking where I was at,” said Dr. Horn, who was unable to attend the ceremony in person due to a prior commitment. “They included a picture of the big screen at the ceremony, and I was thinking, ‘What is this?’ I didn’t even know I was nominated. The award was unexpected, and I am grateful to the students for the nomination and choice as the winner.”

Here is the list of 2025 SAG Award winners:

Helping Hand Award – June Dunwell, Office of Admissions.

Spirit of Salus Community Award – Hearts in Motion (Salus at Drexel Physician Assistant Studies).

Outstanding Faculty Member, Osborne Audiology – Amanda Marchegiani, AuD ’10, clinical educator.

Outstanding Clinical Preceptor, Pennsylvania Ear Institute – Rebecca Blaha, AuD, assistant professor.

Outstanding Faculty Member, Pennsylvania College of Optometry – Michelle Britchkow, OD ’09, assistant professor.

Outstanding Clinical Preceptor, The Eye Institute – Stanley Hatch, OD, Resident ‘91, PhD, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, associate professor.

Outstanding Faculty Member(s), College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) – Michael Speirs, associate professor, and Julie Quinlan, MPO, MS, CPO/L, ATC, FAAOP, assistant professor

Outstanding Clinical Preceptor, Speech-Language Institute – Anne Ruckdeschel, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS, assistant professor.

Student Organization Advisor of the Year – Monae Kelsey, MS.

Social Event of the Year – Adaptive Recreational Sports Day, Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Organizational Leadership Excellence Award – Leah Abraham ‘27O&P.

Leader on the Rise – Benjamin Lim ‘29OD.

Unsung Hero Award – Kayla Connelly ‘26O&P.

Steadfast Service Award – Facilities Department.

Lombardi Emerging Professional Award – Cheyenne Willard ‘27OD.

Onofrey G. Rybachok Educator of the Year Award – Darryl Horn, PhD, FAAO, associate professor.

Pinnacle Award - Brittney Cullen ‘27AUD.

Crozier Cup, Student Organization of the Year – Student Ambassadors.