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May 2014 Edition
FROM THE DEAN
Tomorrow afternoon the 102 women and 20 men of the Class of 2014 will recite the veterinary oath as we celebrate their academic achievements. In the final six weeks of their studies, during the “professional development” phase of the new Illinois curriculum, these students tailored individual experiences that allowed them to delve deeper into their chosen career. Activities ranged from learning to perform laparoscopic spay surgeries to exploring non-clinical veterinary career opportunities through externships at the AVMA headquarters. As we graduate the second class to be educated under the innovative Illinois veterinary curriculum, evidence of the curriculum’s value is mounting: Illinois students are performing well on the national veterinary licensing examination and in the national clinical internship and residency matching program. Please join me in welcoming these new colleagues to the veterinary profession.
FRED KUMMEROW CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION RECAP
On April 23, family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Fred Kummerow came together at a symposium celebration in honor of his centennial year and in recognition of his tireless contributions to health and science.
"I don't think it's well-appreciated that he did this by himself. Everybody was quite satisfied with the existing paradigm. He was the only one who said no, there's more to it," said Dr. William Marshall, owner of IMMUNOM Technologies, Inc. "He is unique in that he tackled a problem no one else saw as a problem. He was true to himself and it took him 100 years to do it."
University of Illinois president Bob Easter paid tribute to Dr. Kummerow by noting that when "thinking about the origins of human nutrition, our Fred Kummerow is a link to that history. [Your] contributions to human health are tremendous, as are your contributions to the reputation of the University of Illinois as a place where cutting edge science gets done."
Listen to Dr. Kummerow's recent interview on NPR's Here & Now. | See photos from the event on Flickr.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE TEACHING HOSPITAL: Meet Dr. Aulakh
Before joining the teaching hospital’s surgical team in late 2013, Dr. Karanvir Aulakh completed both a small animal surgery internship and residency at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He became boarded by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in February of 2014.
Dr. Aulakh’s research focuses on canine knee kinematics. He is currently investigating the effects of different isometric points (attachment sites of lateral suture stabilization) on stifle biomechanics, i.e., cranial tibial translation, axial tibial rotation and hyperextension.
Dr. Aulakh is excited that the teaching hospital’s orthopedic surgery service will begin offering total hip replacement procedures in the coming months.
Dr. Aulakh can be reached for orthopedic consultations at VTHOrthopedics@vetmed.illinois.edu or 217-265-5533. Read more about Dr. Karanvir Aulakh.
IN THE NEWS
Dr. Margarethe Hoenig, professor of veterinary clinical medicine, discusses the rising prevalence of diabetes in cats and dogs and what can be done to prevent and treat it. Read the full story.
Toxicology expert Dr. Val Beasley, a professor emeritus of comparative biosciences, noted that “it’s really important that the CDC is showing an interest,” in the danger to dogs who drink stagnant water from ponds. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one out of three U.S. lakes harbors hazardous levels of toxin-releasing cyanobacteria. Read the full story.
The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has killed at least 4 million young pigs since being identified in the U.S. one year ago. A research team led Dr. James Lowe, clinical instructor of veterinary clinical medicine, recently concluded and published a study investigating how the devastating virus is being spread. Read the full story.
NEWS FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS
The new VSC at Illinois partnership between the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Specialty Center, located at the college's Chicago headquarters in the Illinois Medical District at 2242 West Harrison Street, includes VSC veterinarians Dr. Mitch Robbins and Dr. Paula West, surgeons; Dr. Mimi Noonan, internal medicine; and Dr. Rhonda Feinmehl, oncology, who will be assisted by certified veterinary technicians hired through VSC.
To accommodate this new specialty practice, the college's primary care practice at that location, which opened in 2009 with the name "Furnetic Veterinary Clinic," will be relocating in early summer to an adjoining suite in the same building and has changed its name to Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois.
KUDOS
Seven student clubs participated in the Nestle-Purina Dog House Building Competition on Saturday, May 3. Check out the photos on our Facebook page. The Veterinary Student Outreach Program, pictured left, won the competition and received $125 for their club. The majority of the dog houses will be donated to local shelters, while some will be saved for an upcoming benefit auction. Read more about the competition.
The University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has once again met the evaluation criteria and requirements to become an approved laboratory of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. As such, they partner with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to provide early detection of, rapid response to, and recovery from animal health emergencies that threaten the national food supply and public health.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS
- 2014 College of Veterinary Medicine Convocation, Friday, May 16, 4:00 pm, in the Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana, Ill. Find out more.
- AVMA Alumni Reception, Monday, July 28, 7:00 pm, at the Hyatt Regency Denver, Colo. Find out more or register now.
- Fall Conference Alumni Award Presentations, Thursday, September 11, 5:00 pm. Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign, Ill. Do you know colleagues, mentors or classmates who deserve to be recognized for their achievements? Nominate them for either the Dr. Erwin Small Distinguished Alumni Award or Special Service Award. Find out more.
- 8th Annual Veterinary Medical Association Golf Outing, Saturday, September 13, 9:00 am,
Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Mahomet, Ill. This event supports student and alumni activities. Join us or sponsor a student. Find out more or register now.
FEATURED CLINICAL TRIAL
The teaching hospital's rehabilitation service is currently seeking dogs for a
study
to
evaluate
the efficacy
of
a
neutraceutical
in
the
treatment
of
dogs
with
osteoarthritis. To qualify, dogs with arthritis of the hip, knee or elbow, and/or lameness must be between 20 and 50 kg and in overall good general health. Other conditions will not disqualify candidates, as long as they are currently stable.
Learn more about this and other clinical trials.
PET COLUMNS
UPCOMING CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Carle One Community, One Medicine, One Health, Session II: Patient-Based Communicable Diseases: May 20, Urbana, Ill.
- Universal Imaging Intermediate Abdominal Ultrasound Course: June 21-22, Urbana, Ill.
- Hands-On Ultrasound Training: July 14, 2, Urbana, Ill.
- Fall Conference for Veterinarians, September 11-12, Champaign, Ill.
- Executive Veterinary Program: Swine Health Management, October 2014-April 2016, Urbana, Ill. $1000 early registration discount ends July 15.
