The communications program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, led by Public Relations Director Sarah Carey, APR, has been recognized with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) 2017 Communications Excellence Award. Florida's communication program was reviewed and enhanced as part of a major institutional strategic planning program completed in 2014. The revamped program was tethered to the college's 40th anniversary celebration and configured to support a major new college branding campaign themed "Challenge Accepted." "Communications excellence and institutional advancement go hand in hand," said AAVMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "We congratulate our colleagues at the University of Florida for earning this honor, and appreciate the role their work is playing in advancing the interests of all of us in academic veterinary medicine." Learn more.

The Council on Education approved revisions to several standards of accreditation, considered proposed revisions to others, and issued a call for COE site visitors during their March 25-28, 2017 meeting, according to AAVMC Senior Accreditation Advisor Dr. Sheila Allen. Changes in several standards were made to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion within colleges of veterinary medicine. Other changes clarify the role of the Chief Executive Officer for an accredited college or school, require that admissions processes be clearly stated and consistently applied, address the need for broader communication skills in the curriculum, and underscore the importance of professional development for students and faculty. Public comment is sought for proposed changes that pertain to financial literacy and management of educational debt. The COE has also issued a call for Council on Education site visitors. The deadline for applications is June 15. For more site visitor information, please click here. Learn more.

Perhaps some of the greatest progress to come in the war on cancer will rise from the burgeoning field of comparative oncology, where physicians and veterinarians are battling the disease side-by-side. Some of the remarkable advancements achieved and tantalizing prospects ahead are explored in a compelling half-hour video airing nationally on public television stations this spring and summer. Produced by Colorado State University (CSU) and Rocky Mountain PBS, the program is titled " The Answer to Cancer Might Be Walking Beside Us." While the program is moored by the history-making osteosarcoma work underway for decades at the pioneering cancer research center, it lays out the vast possibilities which lie ahead through the words of human and veterinary medical researchers, NIH scientists, patients, and clients. Learn more.

A Veterinary Internship Working Group has been established by the AAVMC to examine post-DVM veterinary internship experiences in academic veterinary medicine. The group was formed following the January 2017 publication of an article in Newsweek magazine alleging that many veterinary clinical internships are little more than opportunities for institutions and private practices to hire qualified clinical personnel at sub-market wages. The working group will broadly consider veterinary internship experiences and examine the existing guidelines as part of their work. Working group members are expected to make a recommendation regarding a proposed course of action later this year. Learn more.

AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe recently made a presentation at the 30th General Assembly and Educational Symposium of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) at the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. While in the United Kingdom, Maccabe also networked with officials and representatives from veterinary colleges and schools, visiting several universities and discussed the benefits of AAVMC affiliate membership with several institutions. "This was an excellent opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at some of the leading educational institutions in Europe," said Maccabe. "We're all dealing with similar issues and trends in academic veterinary medicine, and it's helpful when we gather and consider these matters from a global perspective." Learn more.

It ain't over till it's over, said former baseball great and armchair philosopher Yogi Berra. But at least in the short term, President's Trump's proposed FY2018 budget looks bleak for veterinary medicine. The budget document eliminates all funding for the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP). It cuts funding for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) from $6.5 million to $4.99 million. It cuts Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) funding from $375 million to $349 million. It cuts NIH by $7.1 billion. Finally, it eliminates the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program altogether. While the proposed budget looks bleak right now, AAVMC Governmental Affairs Director Kevin Cain counsels patience. "The budget document is really a reflection of the priorities of the administration," he said. "It does not, however, reflect the priorities of Congress." Learn more.

The American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) plays an enormous role in academic veterinary medicine. Focused on the clinical dimension of the academic enterprise, they operate the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP), provide educational programming and perform other important services. To increase collaboration and engagement with the AAVC, the AAVMC board of directors voted to establish a new non-voting liaison position for the AAVC on the AAVMC board during their March meeting. Dr. Roger B. Fingland, executive associate dean at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was named to serve as Liaison Representing AAVC at that meeting. Learn more.

Pakistan's University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore has joined the AAVMC as an affiliate. Lahore is Pakistan's second largest city and is the capital of the northeastern Punjab province. The origins of the institution date back to 1882, and it was upgraded to university status in 2002. UVAS includes over 300 faculty members working on five campuses. More than 5,000 students are presently studying in fields such as veterinary and animal sciences, animal production & technology, biotechnology, microbiology, pharmaceutical sciences, food sciences, environmental sciences, zoological sciences, and other disciplines. Learn more.

"Giving back" is a big part of living a sustainable life for many people, and several AAVMC staffers recently enjoyed a unique opportunity to do that by participating in the 2017 "655 K Street Cares Day" community engagement program. Coordinated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the program organizes community service projects for people working with the various health education associations headquartered in the new building. This year more than 20 different projects, ranging from working on community gardens to working in thrift shops, were addressed by more than 200 people. "The event was a well-coordinated opportunity to give back to the community in which we live and work, and to work side-by-side with other 655 K Street tenants," said AAVMC COO Dotty Gray. "For me, it was a humbling experience that I will not soon forget." Learn more.

From our Members

• MOOC course unites faculties of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy at University of Montreal in clinical reason processing course.       
• Artist Nina Kaiser's "Animal Anarchy" sculpture installation at the UC-Davis SVM administration building celebrates human/animal bond.                                                
• Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction demonstrates that second-grade students who read aloud to dogs show improved attitudes about reading.                       
• Plan now to attend the 4th International Congress on Pathogens at the Human-Animal Interface (ICOPHAI): Doha, Qatar

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