Photo courtesy VIN Foundation The VIN Foundation, a nonprofit that provides tools and resources to support veterinary students and veterinarians throughout their careers, has announced the results of its second annual Solutions for the Profession Competition. This year’s competition asked veterinary students to share in essay form what information would have been helpful to know before applying to veterinary school. It also asked applicants to suggest ways veterinary schools could better communicate the realities and challenges veterinary students face. Veterinary student debt and mental health were among the most common problems addressed. “This essay competition provided an opportunity for veterinary students to suggest ways pre-veterinary and veterinary students can be better prepared, which will help future colleagues, and therefore the veterinary profession as a whole,” said Richard Headly, DVM, VIN Foundation board chairman. More than 100 entries were submitted from around the world. Three winners were awarded cash prizes to help with educational expenses. The winners of this year’s essay competition are: Paige Livingston won first place for her essay on ways to improve student debt education. Livingston is entering her fourth year as a student at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Cheyenne Cannarozzo won second place for her suggestion to add resilience to the core competency requirements for veterinary students. Cannarozzo is entering her third year at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Linnea Thraen won third place with her essay highlighting the need for improved business management education in veterinary school. Thraen graduated the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more about the Solutions for the Profession Competition or about VIN Foundation resources.
