“One medicine, one health” refers to the principle that the health of people, animals, and ecosystems are inextricably interconnected.

Later this month, the College’s new Center for One Medicine, One Health at the University of Illinois will convene a One Health Illinois Summit, which will bring together topical experts and policymakers from across the state to assess the current health needs of Illinois communities and consider feasible policy solutions to address those needs.

Four panels of experts will discuss the health of Illinois human, animal, and ecosystem communities, health inequalities in Illinois, trends regarding zoonotic and infectious diseases, and health policy initiatives for improving health in Illinois communities.

Those attending include Dr. Roger Mahr, former president of the AVMA and now leader of the One Health Commission; representatives from state agencies and state and federal legislative offices; and researchers from the three campuses of the University of Illinois. Dr. Paul Gibbs, a veterinary virologist and epidemiologist at the University of Florida, will set the stage for the summit with a talk entitled “One World, One Health: Who Pays?”

By the end of the two-day summit, we will have developed a blueprint for ways our College can make contributions with a real impact on the health of Illinois communities. Stay tuned. I will give an update on those plans—and how you can help—as this initiative unfolds.--Herb

Spotlight on Ines Carrera

Dr. Ines Carrera, clinical assistant professor of veterinary clinical medicine, joined the diagnostic imaging team in mid-December 2009.

After receiving her master’s degree from the, Glasgow University School of Veterinary Medicine, she stayed on to complete a diagnostic imaging residency.

Dr. Carrera’s main interest is in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modality, because it provides excellent soft-tissue contrast, and therefore, is extremely valuable in diagnosing diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord. MRI is also beneficial for musculo-skeletal system diagnoses and has an important potential for abdominal and cardiac abnormalities.

Soon she and others in the imaging services area will begin a collaboration with the University of Illinois’ Beckman Institute, which will give them access to 3 Tesla (or 3T) MRI.

While she works primarily with small animals, she hopes to increase her work with horses.

Dr. Carrera is available for consultations and can be reached through the imaging clinical coordinator at 217-244-2031.