General News
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Current Student News
When it comes to first and lasts, Salus University’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) Class of 2025 occupies a unique spot in the University’s long and storied history.
Not only do the eight students in the inaugural O&P cohort – affectionately known as the “Great 8” of the program that launched in 2022 – have the distinction of being the first graduates of the new program. At the same time, they also are among the final students to graduate under the Salus University name, as the institution completes its two-year merger and integration with Drexel University this summer.
“It felt like we were under a little bit of a lens sometimes, but in the best way. Even though we were only eight people at the University, we felt important because we were the first in the program, which was really cool,” said Molly Luckinbill, MSOP ‘25. “But the end of something is a bit difficult to navigate. We’ve spent our time shaping this program under the name of Salus. In one way it’s an honor to be the last ones who have the Salus degree. It is a little bit weird that we helped shape this program and now it will be under a new name. But it is cool that we have something that is just for us.”
For Antonio Butler, MSOP ‘25, graduating was bittersweet. When he entered the program in 2022, Butler had a plan that once trained, he was going to join his father Larry Butler, a practicing O&P in Memphis, Tennessee, in the family business. Sadly, his father didn’t have the chance to see his son graduate or fulfill their shared dream of working together. Larry Butler passed away seven months ago at the age of 63.
“My thing as of late has been legacy. It’s been a common theme in my life, especially lately with my dad passing,” said Butler. “Being able to carry on his legacy is big for me. And, to be able to carry on the Salus legacy as the first and only Salus graduating O&P class. I take a lot of pride in both of those things.”
Isabelle “Izzy” Mugnier, MSOP ‘25 said being part of the first cohort was special and the eight students grew together like a family. “There were some difficulties in navigating a new program as we were kind of the test subjects in that sense,” said Mugnier. “Coming into this, we didn’t really think about how special it would be. Now leaving as the only Salus O&P graduates, it’s cool. We helped build this program up and to see what it’s become is really super-special.
In addition to Luckinbill, Butler and Mugnier, the Class of 2025 “Great 8” includes Casey Evans, Stephanie Maltez, Amber Lewis, Nicholas Ruppenthal and Victoria Page. A reception honoring the class was held earlier in the week on the Elkins Park campus.
