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Scholarship Opportunity
The Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program application period is open to accept nominations through December 6th. This scholarship program will provide financial support to veterinary students, addressing the issue of student debt and the need to foster diversity in the veterinary profession.
Applications can be submitted here.
Stay tuned to aaavmc.org for more information on all opportunities and direction on how to apply.
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AAVMC Annual Award Nominations are open through November 17th
AAVMC grants various awards to inspire and recognize professional excellence in academic veterinary medicine. The following awards are open for receiving nominations: AAVMC Excellence in Research Award; Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service; AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award Presented by Zoetis; and the AAVMC Iverson Bell Award.
All 4 awards will be presented at the 2024 Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium. Submit nominations here.
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The 2023 AAVMC Annual Report is available. Check it out here. | |
Spectrum of Care Initiative | |
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Starting Critical Conversations to Reduce Barriers to Spectrum of Care Practice: How the SOCI is Partnering with Regulatory Entities
The SOCI team recently attended the annual meeting and conference of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) in Kansas City, MO, on September 29, 2023. During this event, we addressed the core elements of practicing along the spectrum of care, why this practice is paramount to our profession, and how we can forge collaborations with regulatory entities to empower students to develop care plans that meet the needs of both patients and clients to make care accessible to a broad range of pet owners.
One of many reasons that we were excited to engage with AAVSB members is that veterinary students have expressed concern that spectrum of care practice can lead to Board complaints, disciplinary action, or litigation. These debilitating fears likely stem from students’ misconception that only the “gold standard” care that they witness in tertiary-level teaching hospitals qualifies as meeting the standard of care expected by regulatory entities.
However, regulators have explicitly affirmed that care options that align with the client's and patient's needs are appropriate with effective communication and detailed documentation about conversations describing the care options, available evidence, and potential outcomes of the care options.
To dispel misconceptions and support the next generation of veterinarians, initiatives surrounding SOC must collaborate closely with regulatory entities. Andrew Maccabe, CEO of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, emphasizes the importance of regulatory entities' participation in this initiative, stating, "Our profession thrives when our graduates are confident in their abilities and free from unnecessary fears. Regulatory entities play a vital role in clarifying misconceptions and empowering students to practice across the spectrum of care."
During the AAVSB event, we had the privilege of hearing from several regulators who are already taking steps to engage with students in academic programs. These regulators recognize the importance of conveying the message that practicing along the spectrum of care is not only acceptable but encouraged with appropriate communication and documentation. Yet, more work needs to be done to ensure that this message reaches every student multiple times throughout their education. If you don't already have a member of your State Veterinary Board coming to speak to students about these issues, please consider inviting them. We are also happy to connect you with AAVSB's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Beth Venit, to arrange a visit from their Student Outreach Task Force.
AAVMC, is well-positioned to create collaborative communities with faculty and regulatory bodies to devise innovative ways to deliver this critical message. Together with state regulatory entities and AAVSB, we are embarking on a communication campaign to embed this knowledge deeply within the fabric of veterinary education.
While clarifying misconceptions is a journey that takes time, AAVMC is enthusiastic about forging partnerships with stakeholders across the veterinary profession to nurture a generation of veterinary professionals who are not only confident but also competent in practicing across the spectrum of care.
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Keeping the Spectrum of Care Conversations Going at PCVE and VES
We're excited to invite you to join us for some engaging discussions at two Spectrum of Care Initiative events held during the Primary Care Veterinary Educators (PCVE) Symposium and Veterinary Educator Symposium (VES) this October. These events are a fantastic opportunity to share your ideas, gain insights, and connect with colleagues who are passionate about spectrum of care pedagogy.
October 18-21: Primary Care Veterinary Educators Symposium (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL)
Industry Carousel on Friday, October 20th at 8:30 am: We'll kick off with an interactive town hall session where you can voice your thoughts and experiences about preparing graduates to offer a range of care options.
Swap Shop #2 on Friday, October 20th at 1:30 pm: Join us for an engaging interactive session. Here, we'll delve deeper into how primary care educators are preparing their students to practice across the spectrum of care. Your input is invaluable!
October 27-28: Veterinary Educator Symposium (Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX)
Spectrum of Care Town Hall on Friday, October 27th at 3pm: We're hosting another town hall session at VES. This is your chance to learn from and contribute to the collective wisdom of veterinary educators and practitioners in preparing students for the evolving landscape of veterinary practice. We encourage you to come ready to share your thoughts, insights, and ideas during these sessions.
Additionally, please feel free to chat with us anytime you see us at these events. We look forward to connecting with you in Gainesville and Amarillo. Your input is vital to the success of the Spectrum of Care Initiative, and we can't wait to engage in great conversations with you. Let's work together to help shape the future of veterinary education!
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Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month
October is known as Learning Disabilities / Dyslexia / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 7.3 million students aged 3 – 21 receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Of that 7.3 million, 32% are students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Specific Learning Disabilities refers to conditions where genetic or neurobiological factors alter brain functioning in a way that affects cognitive processing related to learning and can often interfere with the development of skills such as oral language, reading, written language, and mathematics. There are a vast range of symptoms and conditions that can fall under the designation of “learning disability”, including but not limited to Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, as well as many others.
ADHD is not technically considered a learning disability, but research shows that 30-50% of children with ADHD also have a specific learning disability. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects approximately 11% of school-aged children and continues into adulthood for over 75% of those diagnosed. ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, as well as having issues with executive functioning and other cognitive functions. While a significant amount of those diagnosed with ADHD are diagnosed in childhood, the population of adolescents and adults diagnosed has been steadily increasing over the last several years, and even more so over the years associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, with research showing a 10% increase in those who received prescriptions for stimulant medication (a common treatment for ADHD) during 2020-2021, for several adolescent and adult age groups. ADHD and some other neurodevelopmental conditions are also known to exist under the umbrella of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is often used to describe individuals with diverse or variant cognitive functioning. The term asserts that the cognitive differences of neurodiverse conditions are just variations of the human brain.
The processing problems related to learning disabilities and neurodiversity can inhibit obvious skills such as writing, reading, handwriting, and math. They can also affect higher executive functioning skills such as time management, memory, organization, attention, and abstract or metaphorical reasoning. People with learning disabilities might not only experience struggles within a classroom setting, but might also experience issues with interpersonal relationships, workplace environments, and in their daily lives, and those diagnosed can struggle with their symptoms their whole lives. Additionally, these conditions often run in families as research has shown strong evidence that learning disabilities and neurodiversity is genetically inherited. While the conditions can be disabling or impair participation in certain activities, with proper accessibility and support neurodiverse individuals/those with learning disabilities can be successful in education, work, and all aspects of their lives.
Further resources on intellectual disabilities and ADHD/neurodiversity can be found through the links below:
Sources:
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Diversity & Inclusion On Air
Catch up on this recent episode:
9/6/23 - Demographic Data with Dr. Roderick J. Gilbert, Penn Vet, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Tune in for a replay of past episodes here.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Podcast to connect with the latest conversation around VetMed.
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Save the Date for the AAVMC Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium, April 11-13, 2024 ,The Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC | |
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CIVME Grant Program Application Open
The Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (CIVME) is an initiative of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), which intends to promote and share best practices in veterinary medical education around the world. The CIVME Research Grant is open and will receive applications through December 6th, 2023. For more information on the CIVME grant program and to apply, visit here.
The announcement of selected grantees will be made at the 2024 AAVMC Annual Conference in Washington, DC.
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AAVMC is Now a Provider of RACE-approved CE
The AAVMC’s first RACE-approved CE offering will be during the Veterinary Educator Symposium (VES) on October 27-29, at Texas Tech University in Amarillo, Texas. VES has been approved for 42.5 hours of RACE CE. This includes approved CE for both veterinarians and technicians. Please see the VES agenda for information about the RACE-approved offerings.
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COVE Update
The AAVMC Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education encourages everyone to visit the CBVE website for the October 2023 edition of the CBVE Newsletter.
The CBVE Catalyze Working Group has also published the first two “Just-in-time” videos in a series designed to highlight the facets of CBVE as well as the components that support the implementation of outcomes-based education. Please visit https://cbve.org/cbve-videos to review the first two installments in this series. Stay tuned for additional resources as they become available.
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AAVMC in partnership with HOSA
On September 25th, AAVMC represented at a recent "Health Professions Panel," featuring esteemed healthcare professionals and HOSA partners: Dr. Margot Savoy (American Association of Family Physicians), LCDR Schuyler Price (Medical Reserve Corps), Diana L. Dabdub (American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges), and Dr. Sarah Amesbury and Dr. Stacey Schwartz (American Physical Therapy Association).
These experts, representing various health industry sectors, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare and the importance of collaboration among healthcare professions.
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Dr. Dominique Griffon has been appointed as the Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2024.
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Veterinary Medicine in the News | |
Check us out on Instagram; Facebook; Twitter; YouTube and LinkedIn | |
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The AAVMC is working hard to create a culture of diversity and inclusion in every dimension of academic veterinary medicine. To foster this goal, the photographs and illustrations which are used in our communications programs are aspirational, and do not necessarily reflect the levels of diversity and inclusion that currently exist.
Sign up to receive the Vet-Med Educator in your inbox here. See past issues here.
Sign up here to receive FOCUS, a bi-annual newsletter that examines prominent issues in academic veterinary medicine. See past issues here.
Sign up for our Advocacy newsletter here. Read past issues here.
Sign up for the newsletter of the Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (CIVME) here. Read past issues here.
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American Association of Veterinary
Medical Colleges
202-371-9195
655 K Street, NW, Suite 725
Washington, D.C., 20001
www.aavmc.org
[email protected]
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