Winn, AAFP announce 2018 scholarship winnersMay 25, 2018The Winn Feline Foundation and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have announced the recipients of the 2018 joint scholarships for clinical practice and clinical research scientist. Each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Nicole Rowbotham, a junior at Mississippi State University who was awarded the clinical practice scholarship, aspires to obtain her American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certification in feline practice and become the owner of a feline-exclusive hospital. Courtney Meason-Smith, a junior at Texas A&M University who was awarded the clinical research scientist scholarship, seeks to develop an independent research career investigating histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in cats and is developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics to address these conditions. In 2016, the boards of directors of both Winn and the AAFP approved a joint scholarship. The application process prompts students to answer two essay questions explaining their specific interest and background in feline health and welfare, as well as their plans for future participation in feline medicine. Recipients of the scholarships are selected based on individual academic achievement, strong leadership, and deep dedication to the study of feline medicine, health, and welfare. "Both Nicole and Courtney have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that …
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AVDA recognizes Kim Allen with Lifetime Achievement AwardMay 25, 2018Kim Allen, president of Henry Schein Animal Health's commercial division, has been honored with the American Veterinary Distributors Association's (AVDA) 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. Allen, who has worked in the veterinary distribution industry for more than 36 years, was the first woman to join the AVDA board of directors, serving from 1990 to 2005 and as chair from 2001 to 2004. "Kim's dedication and service to the animal health industry and distribution for more than 36 years is truly remarkable," said Paula Brown, AVDA chair. "She was a role model and mentor for me and many other women in the industry. Her support of AVDA as a board member and first woman chair was groundbreaking and helped to make the association better for all of our members." Allen, who received her bachelor of science in animal science from Rutgers University, joined Henry Schein in 2005. Prior to that, she worked in various senior executive positions in the veterinary distribution industry, including president of Burns Veterinary Supply for the Darby Group Companies. An avid horse rider and breeder, Allen is also a member of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Dressage Federation, and U.S. Eventing Association. …
CSU veterinary school celebrated for communicationsMay 25, 2018The communications program at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) has been recognized with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) 2018 Communications Excellence Award, with association judges praising the school for a "portfolio of fresh and engaging communication products and content" designed to facilitate student and community engagement. "Communications excellence is fundamental to institutional advancement," said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, AAVMC CEO. "We congratulate our colleagues at Colorado State University for earning this distinction, and appreciate the role their work is playing in advancing the overall interests of academic veterinary medicine." Spearheaded by director of communications Kristen Browning-Blas, CVMBS's strengthened efforts include a recently redesigned website, which features a continuously updated online news room that has garnered millions of page views. A story exploring cross-species viral transmission reached 325 million readers and viewers, while another on Lyme disease research earned an estimated readership of 407 million and elicited global coverage through 300 mainstream media outlets. The college also increased its social media programming, which helped grow the veterinary teaching hospital's social media audience by 132 percent year-over-year. Through social media engagement, CVMBS helped introduce girls to …
NY State to invest $12M in veterinary educationMay 24, 2018New York State will contribute $12 million to fund a new college of veterinary medicine at Long Island University (LIU) in Brookville as part of a $40-million project to establish the first school of its kind in the New York metropolitan area, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While there are 30 schools of veterinary medicine across the U.S., only three are located in the northeast and none are in the New York metropolitan area. LIU's College of Veterinary Medicine, which is expected to begin classes in September 2019, will effectively fill this academic gap. The college will enroll 100 students into the four-year doctorate program annually and create at least 100 staff positions. "Investing in the nation's newest veterinary college and the first in the New York metropolitan area is a transformative event for Long Island University, for the region, and for animal health, which will create great New York jobs and research opportunities," said Kimberly Cline, LIU president. "We are grateful to all of our partners in government, the animal health community, and business community, for their support." The funds are part of a $72 million investment to support three economic developments on Long Island. In …
Eastern Wyoming College AVMA accreditation renewedMay 24, 2018The veterinary technology program at Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) has maintained full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) after review last year. "We are pleased to receive ongoing accreditation from the CVTEA," said Susan Walker, DVM, program director. "We constantly strive for excellence in order to meet the needs of the veterinary field in this region. As a result, our graduates continue to be in high demand." EWC's program participated in a full site visit with a team from AVMA last September. The committee announced the continuation of the program on full accreditation following deliberation of the report of evaluation from the site visit. The program, which first received AVMA accreditation in 1976, will complete a biennial report due in September 2019, with a full site visit scheduled for 2023. "We are the only veterinary technician program in Wyoming and one of the most exceptional programs in the United States," said Lesley Travers, Ph.D., EWC president. "The instructors in this program work hard to ensure this level of excellence and to maintain accreditation. Our students benefit greatly from this level …
NAVTA veterinary nurse initiative receives additional corporate supportMay 22, 2018Midmark Corp. has announced its support for the effort to make registered veterinary nurse the standard credential in the U.S. veterinary technician profession. To unite the profession under a single set of credentialing requirements and scope of practice, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) initiative aims to establish the credential of registered veterinary nurse as a substitute for the current titles of registered veterinary technician, licensed veterinary technician, certified veterinary technician, and licensed veterinary medical technician. The result, NAVTA believes, is allowing practice at a higher standard of care. Additionally, the alignment of current veterinary technician titles under a single credential will open avenues for better reciprocity across the nation, allowing technicians to work outside of the state where they were originally credentialed. A key outcome is to establish a nationwide standard for obtaining and maintaining credentialing requirements that are appropriate for veterinary nurses in every state. NAVTA is actively seeking insights and feedback to ensure this standard meets private credential levels. Interested parties are encouraged to email vetnurse@navta.net and contact their state associations to provide feedback regarding this proposed standard. "… we believe that creating a single, unified title that elevates and …
Mississippi State University survey aims to improve shelter dog welfareMay 22, 2018A Stanton Foundation-funded survey that aims to compile data about dog populations in shelters located in key geographic regions across the U.S. is underway at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine with the goal of determining the number and physical characteristics of dogs entering shelters, as well as the eventual outcome of their shelter stays. "The lack of reliable data makes it difficult to most effectively serve and help dogs in need," said Kent H. Hoblet, DVM, MSc, dean of MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. "This survey will ultimately enable organizations that seek to promote canine welfare to help the greatest number of dogs. The information will be beneficial to shelter operators, policymakers, and ultimately dog owners across the nation because it will provide vital insights into patterns and behaviors regarding dog ownership, adoption, transfers, outcomes, and resource distribution." The research team will connect with more than 400 participating shelters in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, and Oklahoma. These states were chosen because they each have a registry of shelters and provide a diverse geographical representation of the U.S. "People in all regions of the country care very much about canine welfare, and we believe that this study …
Report: Canadian veterinary drug prices expected to spikeMay 21, 2018An increase in veterinary drug service fees proposed by Health Canada could lead to higher prices for some animal medications and the elimination of others, according to a report from research organization Agri-Food Economic Systems. The report, which was commissioned by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), states the suggested increases would range between 169 to 500 percent by April 2019 and would affect more than half of the veterinary drugs for livestock and companion animals, leading to potential medication shortages in Canada, as well as a decreased competitive edge for the country's food animal industries. "The proposed fees will have unintended consequences that will hurt the safety of our food supply, our trade with foreign countries, and reduce pet owner access to health management tools for their pets," said Al Mussell, the report's co-author. "This is an administrative decision made without the full understanding of the ramifications for Canada's economic competitiveness and welfare of its animals; it also sets an alarming precedent for regulatory service fees that could apply elsewhere in the agri-food chain." While Health Canada suggests the proposed fees make the country more consistent with those applied in the U.S., …
NYC Animal Medical Center leads global feline cardiovascular risk studyMay 21, 2018NYC's Animal Medical Center (AMC) announced the publication of a research study that identifies how hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a form of heart disease that can cause sudden death and heart failure in people—is also present in cats and linked to serious health problems in these pets. Termed "The Reveal Study," the collaborative, international, 10-year investigation involved 50 veterinary centers in 21 countries in an effort to learn how this disease impacts the health of cats over more than a decade.1 Published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, lead author, Philip Fox, DVM, MS, DACVIM/ECVIM (Cardiology), DACVECC, is head of cardiology at the Animal Medical Center and director of its Caspary Research Institute. The study reports that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a global feline health problem and estimates that it might affect millions of pet cats. Although the disease has been known by veterinarians for nearly 50 years, almost nothing was known about its epidemiology until now. "The Reveal Study documented that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy puts cats at considerable risk to develop congestive heart failure, arterial blood clots, and cardiac death," said Dr. Fox. "Heart failure or blood clots occur in nearly one-third of affected cats, and overall, one in every three or …
Vetstream, MicroLearn offer expanded veterinary professional elearningMay 21, 2018Veterinary digital content company Vetstream, creator of Vetacademy elearning platform, has partnered with elearning specialist MicroLearn. Vetacademy provides veterinary professionals with more than 300 clinical courses from various training and continuing professional development providers. The MicroLearn partnership adds to that menu more than 120 business training modules on topics including customer service, management and leadership, and workplace well-being. In each module, learners watch a short video before participating in interactive content to support learning. They are also given tasks or questions to complete to trigger activities or to help them to practice new skills and learn from experience or reflection. "In today's highly competitive market, running a successful practice requires more than excellent clinical skills," said Sharon Tongue, Vetstream's business development manager. "It also requires a high level of business acumen and experience—yet this is an area is not a major focus during undergraduate training for vets and vet nurses because the curriculum is so full." In addition to Vetacademy, Vetstream also offers Vetlexicon, an online peer-reviewed veterinary reference tool, as well as Webpartner, which offers a suite of website design, online content, and digital marketing services to the veterinary sector. "The MicroLearn …
