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Illinois VetNews

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IN THE OCTOBER 2008 ISSUE:


MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

More than 100 veterinarians packed the room for the public health sessions preceding our annual Fall Conference last month. Topics ranged from raw diets to MRSAs and salmonella transmission.

Fall ConferencePublic health concerns like these grab news headlines daily. The AVMA calls the need to address disease prevention and health promotion in people, animals, and the environment a “new professional imperative” (www.avma.org/onehealth/).

Our College has embraced this opportunity by naming our One Medicine/One Health initiative among our top five strategic priorities. With leadership from the Community Health and Preventive Medicine section in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, this effort encompasses educational initiatives, research, and service to the state.

On the educational front, the first three students to enter the joint DVM/MPH program, begun in 2004, finished their DVM degree in May. They are now completing their public health master's degrees at the University's Chicago campus. Twenty-one second-, third- and fourth-year students are enrolled in the program, and the current first-year students will have an opportunity to apply in February.

Innovative public health electives, such as a 4-week senior clinical rotation and a course focusing on public policy at the interface of human, animal, and ecosystem health, round out the opportunities for Illinois students to experience this aspect of veterinary practice.

We are also partnering with the state’s public health department to evaluate its emergency response preparations for a food-borne disease outbreak and engaging in research focused on public health aspects of diseases ranging from blastomycosis to salmonella.

I urge veterinarians to heed the call to take a role in public health issues at the local level or beyond. Please contact me if you’d like to learn more about how our College is working to attain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment. — Herb

 


NEW ON THE WEB

Celebrate National Vet Tech Week - October 12 to 18

National Vet Tech WeekWatch Nancy George, clinical coordinator for oncology, explain the responsibilities and background of veterinary technicians—and the crucial role more than 50 of these professionals (including Jessica Garrett, left) play in our Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Learn more about National Vet Tech Week.

 

Gap Junction Protein Vital in Pregnancy

Researchers in veterinary biosciences have discovered findings with important implications for early pregnancy loss and female infertility. Read more about this study.

The Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine

A first-of-its-kind initiative for a U.S. veterinary college, the Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine will be our metropolitan headquarters for general and specialty veterinary care for pets, education, student recruitment, public outreach, and research collaboration. Read more about the Chicago Center.

Oskee Bow Wow Memories

Oskee Bow Wow 2008Oskee Bow Wow 2008 was a night to remember. Thanks to Laura Trovillion Photography these moments have been captured forever. Check out the slide show and learn how you can order your own photo prints. Prints of the watercolor artwork are also available for sale. -Email advancement@vetmed.illinois.edu or call 217/333-2761 to place your order.

2008 Faculty Staff Awards

Faculty, staff and graduate students were honored for service excellence and length of service in a ceremony held September 25. Read more about the honorees.


FROM THE TEACHING HOSPITAL: Spotlight on Mauria O'Brien

Mauria O'BrienThere's a new face in emergency and critical care services. Dr. Mauria “Mo” O'Brien, clinical assistant professor, has joined Dr. Maureen McMichael on the emergency/critical care team, which provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round for primary emergencies, post-operative care, and collaboration with internal medicine, surgery, and other specialty areas.

Dr. O'Brien recently completed a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, Wis.  After receiving her DVM in 1996 she worked in small animal general practice for nine years before specializing in emergency and critical care.

Dr. O'Brien will focus on developing the emergency and critical care service and establishing the hospital as a leader in this area. She will participate in clinical investigations of antioxidant therapies and coagulation studies.  

Read more on Dr. Mauria O'Brien

Note: Illinois VetNews features a VTH clinician or clinical coordinator each month.


RESOURCES FROM VETERINARY EXTENSION: For you & your clients

Recent Pet Columns

Horse

Straight to the Horse's Mouth


Heels for Horses

Dreaming of a Happy Home


Pet columns are archived on the Web where you can also subscribe to receive them by email as they are issued.

Listen to Pet Columns podcasts.

Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities

  • Canine Dentistry Laboratory , January 9, 2009, University of Illinois-Chicago. E-mail ope@vetmed.illinois.edu for additional information.

  • Fish Medicine, January 10-11, 2009, University of Illinois-Chicago. E-mail ope@vetmed.illinois.edu for additional information.

ALUMNI NEWS

2008 Alumni Awards

The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and its alumni association presented three Dr. Erwin Small Distinguished Alumni Awards and a Special Service Award on September 11, 2008, during the annual Fall Conference for Veterinarians. Read more about this year's recipients.

View the awards ceremony slide show.

Fall Conference Recap

It was four days of fun and learning. Revisit the highlights, from the Ron Zook show to the Class of 1988's presentation of its endowment.

View the fall conference slide show.


CALENDAR

Upcoming Translational Biomedical Seminars

October 20, Extrapulmonary Effects of Air Pollutants:  Lessons from the Laboratory Mouse.
Jack Harkema, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Center for Integrative Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University. Co-Sponsor:  Merck Seminar Series

November 3, Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging:  Towards a practical tool for automated histopathy. Rohit Bhargava, PhD, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois

Both sessions will be held at noon in 2271 in the Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building.

Pix with PetsPix With Pets, Prairieland Feeds, Savoy, Ill., October 25. E-mail advancement@vetmed.illinois.edu for details.

View samples of Tom Schaefges’ amazing pet photography in our Pix with Pets slide show!

View our calendar for other events.

comments or questions? contact advancement@vetmed.illinois.edu

The College of Veterinary Medicine is located at 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Ill. 61802