AVPMA Symposium Lecture Descriptions
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Charles Hendrix “The Trees Have Names”: Beloved and inspirational Professor of Parasitology and four time “Teacher of the Year” award winner, Dr. Charles Hendrix will share his thoughts on life, luck, and veterinary medicine, and will inspire you on your journey to live this special life of purpose.
Dr. Anna Reddish, "Stress Management and Veterinary Well-Being": Learn healthy habits to take with you to vet school! This session will cover practical stress management tips and perspectives on well-being in the veterinary profession.
Dr. Annette Smith, “Dogs (and Cats) Get Cancer?”: Practicing veterinary oncology provides a great opportunity to explore transitional research in a "one medicine" approach. The path to becoming a veterinary oncologist and some of the advances in veterinary oncology will be presented.
Dr. Julie Gard, “Reproductive Ultrasound of the Bovine and Equine”: This talk will review the use of ultrasound for evaluation and as an important diagnostic tool of the bovine (primarily) and equine reproductive tract.
Dr. Caitlin Cossaboom, “From Slaughterhouse Floors to Global Disease Outbreak Investigation: The Wide World of Veterinarians in the U.S. Public Health Service”: This talk will describe the many opportunities that are available for veterinarians in the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as give an overview of the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), CDC’s two-year applied epidemiology training program. We will also walk through a recent investigation into an anthrax outbreak in hippopotami in Namibia as a case study.
Dr. Fred Caldwell, “Equine Dentistry 101: Basics of the Equine Oral Examination”: This session will focus on common dental terminology, examination procedure, and identification of pathologies while highlighting an important area of medicine for mixed and large animal practitioners.
Dr. Merrilee Holland, “Imaging 101: An Overview of Imaging”: This session will present an overview of all the imaging modalities that we use in veterinary medicine, including x--ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. A brief review of image creation with primary focus on presentation of interesting cases will be highlighted.
Dr. Rick Tubbs, “Swine Production & Virus Diseases”: This session will address how changes in swine production systems and the impact of the major viruses have evolved over the past 40 years. The emphasis will be on the major viruses that impact swine production today (PRRS, PCV2, PED, IAV) and how various career pathways (research, diagnostic lab, clinical medicine) intersect around the need to deal with these viruses. Dr. Erica Ward, “Unpacking the Pachyderm: Asian Elephant Medicine”: This session provides an overview of the plight of the Asian elephant, unique medical and behavioral characteristics, and several interesting medical case examples. Be entertained and learn something new during this Dumbo knowledge drop. It's a lecture that you'll never forget!
Dr. Tony Frazier, “The Role of the State Veterinarian": This presentation will be a look at the role of the State Veterinarian and regulatory activities related to livestock and poultry. Emphasis will be on the interaction of the State Veterinarian and the private practitioner.
Dr. Erin Groover, “Cool Cases in Equine Internal Medicine”: This session will highlight several unique cases in the field of equine internal medicine. The session will describe each case in detail with opportunities for attendees to interact with the speaker.
Dr. Merrilee Holland, “Abdominal Ultrasound Examination in Dogs and Cats”: This session will utilize a video presentation of an ultrasound examination of a canine patient followed by a brief discussion of ultrasound terminology and physics. The focus of the presentation will be on interesting diseases found on abdominal ultrasound studies.
Dr. Anne Wooldridge, “Carbs and Fat, Foundered Horses”: In this session attendees will learn how eating too much sugar and poor regulation of insulin, glucose, and body weight may lead to medical problems in horses, especially laminitis (founder).
Dr. Ruth Schroeder, “The Importance of Providing Evidence of Cognitive and Non- Cognitive Attributes in Your Vet Med Application”: This session will focus upon you and discuss strategies for building a well-rounded veterinary admissions portfolio and a well- rounded you!
Dr. Soren Rodning, "U.S. Army Veterinary Medicine--A Veterinary Practice Like No Other.": Given this career path can often be associated with substantial scholarships that pay for veterinary school and offers a unique interface between veterinary medicine and public health, this session will focus on the opportunities to serve your country through a career veterinarian in the military. It will highlight the road map to such a career and describe the types of opportunities to practice a unique brand of medicine using case studies and real life examples of Army veterinarians in action.
Dr. Erin Groover, “The Solution to Pollution is Dilution: A Case of Pleuropneumonia in a Horse”: This session will be a detailed discussion of a case of pleuropneumonia. The session allows for student participation and highlights the case with video.
“Veterinary Student Roundtable, A Day in the Life-Vet Student Survival Skills”: This panel session will offer an interactive discussion between current veterinary students and you through question and answer style dialog with a focus on giving you advice concerning how to survive after you get in! Dr. Emily Graff, “A Day in the Life of a Research Veterinarian”: While research is considered a non-traditional career path for most veterinarians it plays and important role in the everyday decisions of clinical veterinary medicine. This talk will cover the crucial role veterinarians play in basic science research and talk about the numerous opportunities for veterinarian to contribute to science.
Dr. Reid Hanson, “The Pre-Purchase Examination in the Horse”: Pre-Purchase examination in the horse is a commonly asked procedure of veterinarians by potential buyers of a horses. There are several issues related to the examination which could expose the examining veterinarian to legal liability. Animated examples of these conflicts and liabilities will be discussed.
Dr. Jamie Bellah, “Caring for the Injured Raptor”: Raptors are commonly injured when Mother Nature collides with the environments that people live within. This lecture will provide examples of raptor injuries, commonly orthopedic, and how they can be treated.
Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer, “Think Like a Cat!”: This session will provide attendees with an understanding of feline behavior and how veterinarians can use it to their advantage to care for their feline patients.
Private Practice Business Roundtable, “So You Want to Own Your Own Clinic?”: The panel of successful local practice owners will offer an interactive discussion between veterinarians who own their practice and you. Learn the ins and outs, the do’s and don’ts, the thrills and the challenges of owning a clinic as you talk with local veterinarians.
Dr. Anna Reddish, "Veterinary Economics and You!": Worried about student debt? Want to learn more about your earning potential as a new veterinarian? Join this session to discuss the ins and outs of veterinary student debt, financial literacy and the veterinary market. Arm yourself with the knowledge to make good decisions.
Dr. Amelia White, “Skin --A View from the Outside In”: This session will be a case-based approach to examining and diagnosing dermatitis in an itchy gerbil.
Dr. Chris Lea, “The Feline Physical Exam and Kenny Rogers”: This lecture is an introduction to the physical exam of the feline patient and highlights contrasts to the canine patient. An emphasis on feline friendly and feline restraint techniques are also covered to aide in the examination.
Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer, “Feline-Friendly Changes for Success”: This session will address practical applications of using feline-friendly skills for the benefit of the cat, the owner, and the veterinary team.
AVMA Sponsored Wellness Roundtable: This panel session featuring doctors and current veterinary students will offer a friendly, open, interactive discussion on important topics related to your health and happiness both while in veterinary school and once you enter practice. The goal isn’t to survive vet school- it’s to thrive. Let’s talk!
Dr. Amy Yanke, “Neurology 101: An Introduction to Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery Focusing on Neurological Emergencies”: This lecture will highlight how one becomes a specialist in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery. It will further discuss diagnostics performed to diagnose neurological diseases, as well as focusing on common neurological emergencies to expose the audience to a variety of cases we treat.
Dr. Lenore Bacek, “Trauma in the Emergency Room”: This session will be a case-based approach to common traumas seen in the emergency room. This will include traumas such as hit by car, gunshot, and dog bites.
Dr. Ellen Behrend, “Life After Vet School: Is Specialty Medicine for You?”: This lecture will offer information about specialty medicine options available for veterinarians. Attendees will gain insight into the steps required for pursuing internship and residency opportunities.
Dr. Liz Crandall, “The Role of the Veterinarian and Clinic Staff in Wildlife Rehabilitation”: This session will focus on the rehabilitation of multiple wildlife species and the role of the veterinarian in creating relationships with the community, educating the public, and teaching volunteers and veterinary students about raptor medicine and rehabilitation.
Tony Wynne, “Preparing to Apply to Vet School”: No matter where you are on your road to veterinary school, preparation is key. This lecture, with Tony Wynne (VMCAS Director), will discuss early preparation and tips and tricks to making sure you are a qualified applicant, where to apply and some possible surprises!
AVPMA Symposium Laboratory Descriptions
Veterinary Anatomy at Auburn University CVM, Dr. Elaine Coleman: Participants will have the opportunity to experience the activities of first year veterinary students at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine through hands-on, laboratory exposure to canine skeletal structures: skull/mandible/teeth.
Techniques in Equine Theriogenology, Dr. Aime Johnson: During this lab, students will have the opportunity to learn skills common to equine reproduction using a combination of live animals and reproduction tracts. Skills will include artificial insemination (standard and deep horn), evaluation of a late term equine pregnancy, and semen evaluation. Students will rotate through stations and have the opportunity to learn all 3 techniques.
Equine Oral Endoscopy, Dr. Fred Caldwell: In this lab we will utilize the equine oral endoscope for performing an oral examination. Additionally, we will be reviewing dental instrumentation routinely used in dental procedures in horses.
Overview of Cytology and Hematology: What Do We See When We Stare into a Microscope?, Dr. Elizabeth Spangler: This lab will give you a chance to look at some of the things we see commonly in Cytology and Hematology. The lab will start with a brief introduction, but most time will be devoted to letting you look at a series of microscope slides. Members of the clinical pathology group and veterinary students will circulate around the room to answer questions.
Raptor Skeletal Anatomy, Dr. Seth Oster and Dr. Ray Wilhite: This lab will be organized into two parts, a cadaver lab where Dr. Wilhite will review skeletal anatomy of raptors and an imaging lab where Dr. Oster will use radiographs to show a different view on raptor skeletal anatomy and some clinical cases. Each part will last 1 hour.
Medications, Formulations, and Regulations, Dr. Dawn Boothe: The goal of this laboratory is to introduce the future veterinary clinician to the different types of medications that will be used in your patients and provide examples of key information, and where to get it, necessary to use these medications safely and effectively.
Learning to Suture, Dr. Julie Gard: This lab will focus on teaching students how to perform simple suture patterns. It will include learning how to appropriately hold instrumentation while suturing and how to correctly form knots.
Cryotherapy: Therapeutic Uses and Skills Lab, Dr. Amelia White: Brief lecture on technique, uses, and safety of cryotherapy in veterinary medicine followed by a wet lab in which participants will practice cryotherapy techniques.
Small Ruminant Herd Health and Management, Dr. Nar Gurung: Located on historic Tuskegee University, this lab is designed to provide a hands-on experience concerning the procedures involved in handling and monitoring goat herd health. Calving Workshop, Dr. Soren Rodning and Dr. Lew Strickland: Featuring a life-size calving simulator, this lab provides the hands-on experience necessary to ensure the health and safety of cows, heifers, and calves including how to recognize the signs of impending parturition as well as the sequence of events associated with normal labor and delivery to determine if and when assistance is necessary.
Beef Quality Assurance, Dr. Soren Rodning: This lab offers the opportunity for participants to earn certification. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides education and training for cattle producers and veterinarians about good animal husbandry and management. BQA programming includes best practices for things such as parasite control, animal handling, vaccinations, herd health guidelines, humane euthanasia of cattle, the proper use of feed additives and medications, record keeping, animal handling, calf management, weaning and preconditioning, and culling, just to name a few.
Reptile Handling Lab, David Laurencio: This lab offers the opportunity to learn how to safely handle typical client-owned reptilian species so that you, the patient, and the client aren’t hurt. Emphasis will also be placed on venomous species and issues related to unfortunate interactions between companion animals and venomous biters.