October 2014

Congressional Briefing Highlights Veterinarians in Biomedical Research

Panelist speakers (from left) Drs. Larimore (UC-Davis), Rockey (NIH) and Thamm (CSU)

The critical role veterinarians play in biomedical research was the focus of a well-attended Sept.18 Congressional briefing organized by the AAVMC through the auspices of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.The briefing highlighted the importance of ensuring a well-qualified and highly trained workforce to advance research, primarily being funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Panel speakers were: Dr. Michael Lairmore, dean of the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Sally Rockey, NIH deputy director of extramural research; and Dr. Douglas H. Thamm, associate professor and director of clinical research at the Colorado State University (CSU) Flint Animal Cancer Center. Learn more.

Purdue Begins Offering Online Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion

On Sept. 15, the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University began offering an online Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, educators and students. The Center, developed in partnership with the AAMVC and the American Veterinary Medical Association, offers programs that are designed for those who seek to improve their communication, leadership, teaching/learning and cultural competency skills and who are committed to fostering welcoming work and learning environments. Learn more.

Seoul National University Joins AAVMC

The Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine (SNU-CVM) in Seoul, South Korea, has joined the AAVMC as an affiliate member. The university, which was established in 1947, is accredited by the Korean government and is in the process of seeking accreditation through the Council on Education. SNU-CVM has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program that consists of two years of pre-veterinary work followed by four years of work in the college of veterinary medicine. Learn more.

AAVMC Creates Consolidated News Feed from Member Institutions

Discoveries and achievements that shape the modern profession of veterinary medicine are constantly emerging from AAVMC member institutions. To better leverage the important stories generated by communications officers in our colleges and schools, the AAVMC has created a new consolidated news stream from participating institutions. Located on the News and Media Resources page of the AAVMC website, the automatically updated news aggregator provides a one-stop resource for reporters and other interested parties wishing to catch up on the latest news from academic veterinary medicine. Efforts are being formulated to "market" the news service to trade and general media. Almost 20 member institutions are currently participating in the program. Others wishing to participate are invited to contact Jeanne Johnson at jjohnson@aavmc.org.

AAVMC Co-Sponsors AHI's "Pet Night" on Capitol Hill

Kevin Cain, director of governmental relations, with Marti, who stars in the film Annie.

It's not every day that members of the U.S. Congress get photo-ops with celebrity cats and dogs. But they and their staffers did that and more during one of the animal health industry's premiere networking and advocacy events on Capitol Hill. Several AAVMC member representatives and officials joined hundreds of others during the Animal Health Institute's 18th Annual "Pet Night on Capitol Hill" on Thursday, September 18. The AAVMC is an affiliate sponsor of the event that attracts a range of senior corporate executives and government officials. The goal of the reception is to educate members of Congress about the human-animal bond and the corporations that help keep pets healthy. Some AAVMC members in town for "Pet Night" took advantage of their time on Capitol Hill to schedule personal visits with Congressional leaders. Learn more.

NIH Grant Funds Nerve Agent Antidote Research at MSU

New research at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is producing nerve agent antidotes that are more effective than those currently in use. Current antidotes work by restoring function to the nervous system after the nerve agent has already poisoned it. But NIH-funded research at MSU has identified antidote compounds that can enter the brain and work to stop the seizures and brain damage that nerve agents cause. Jan Chambers, director of the MSU-CVM Center for Environmental Health Sciences, and her colleagues are currently testing six nerve agent antidotes that can be used by the military and public health agencies to protect civilians. Learn more.

Note: The above story is part of a series of stories that the AAVMC highlights in the Vet-Med Educator on a regular basis from member institutions that demonstrate the many benefits of federal investment in schools and colleges of veterinary medicine.

Academic Veterinary Medicine in the News

Arizona Regents Approve UA Vet School- Veterinary Practice News

Australian Veterinary Students Get Naked to Cover Costs - dvm360

On the Scene in 2015: University of Arizona - Veterinary Practice News

Pre-Vet, Pre-Dental Students Frustrated by Lack of U. Support - The Brown Daily Herald

Cancer Experts from Colorado Universities Partner to Bring Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy to U.S. - dvm360

Report: Ontario Vet School has Huge Economic Impact - Veterinary Practice News

Researchers Discover Potential Biomarker to Detect 'Bubble Boy' Disorder - MedicalXpress

Food Animal Production Faces Challenges with New Antibiotic Regulations - GardnerEdge.com

Vet Students Get A Boost From AABP-Zoetis Scholarship Program - Beef

Regents Approve UA Veterinary School - Arizona Daily Star

Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine Alum's Work Featured in Dolphin Tale 2 - WTVM-TV