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March 26, 2007

In the News

Volume 1, Issue 11
Monday, March 26, 2007

"News and Events" is a (mostly) bi-weekly briefing from Melissa Weber in the CVM Communications & Marketing office. If you have news items or comments, please send them to weber [dot] 254 [at] osu [dot] edu or give me a call at 614-292-3752.

Stories Today

Welcome to Spring Quarter!

As always, spring is a busy time in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Check "upcoming events" for a summary of activities – and if your group, organization, class, etc. has an event not on the list, remember to email the information to weber [dot] 254 [at] osu [dot] edu to be included in the next edition of "News and Events."

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Printed announcements being sent to alumni and referring vets

Faculty and staff, look in your mailboxes…for a sample of the announcements being distributed to our alumni and referring veterinarians. The mailing list is a compilation of multiple lists and I want to thank everyone who helped: Steph Yoachem and Fred Marker for their assistance getting the referring clinic lists from Vet Star; thanks to Kris Burns in Equine, and Lorie Kipp in Food Animal for use of their lists. These announcements feature Dr. Frazer and Dr. Moore and their recent appointments to the college. This is just the beginning of a plan to increase regular communications with our referring veterinarians. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact weber [dot] 254 [at] osu [dot] edu (Melissa Weber).

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MentorNet Update

Remember to sign up for MentorNet. The College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the contributing members at Ohio State in this email-based mentoring service in the sciences and engineering. More information is available on the college website or go directly to the MentorNet website to sign up as a mentor or for a mentor.

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VBMA Chapter wins recognitions

In January, officers from Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) chapters across the nation convened at the North American Veterinary Conference to participate in two days of leadership training, lectures, experiential learning, and strategic planning sessions. During these events, chapters were chosen to receive awards, and the Ohio State University chapter was honored with an award for "Best Marketing." National officers complimented the Ohio State on their dedication to promoting events to all students. The chapter membership has just successfully voted to add a fifth officer position, a Director of Marketing, in order to stimulate more interest among students and in the professional community. In addition to the Best Marketing award, the SAVMA Economics, Finance, and Management Committee (EFMC) awarded VBMA the Club Excellence award. The award includes recognition in the form of $750 for use by the group. In addition, the applicant, Laurel Miller, received $50 to recognize her for her efforts. For more information about VBMA events, including dozens of hours of educational and special programs annually, please visit the Ohio State VBMA website (www.osu.vbma.biz).

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Ohio State chosen to host 2009 SAVMA Symposium

SCAVMA students were proud to be chosen to host the 2009 SAVMA Symposium here at The Ohio State University.

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Students funded by the Morris Animal Foundation

The Morris Animal Foundation selected two Ohio State Veterinary students in the College for the Veterinary Student Scholar Program for 2007. Hillary Voris, VME I, won for her project in Companion Animal Research, "Activity of Decitabine, a Demethylating Agent, on Tumor Suppressor Genes in Canine Lymphoma." Her mentor is Dr. Laura Rush in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences. The other winner is Stacy Dralle, VME II, with a project focused on Wildlife/Special Species Research, "Prevalence of Diabetes in Captive Tamandua in AZA Institutions." Her mentor is Dr. Pam Dennis in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine Each student will receive a $4,000 stipend for summer research.

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Gamma awards presented in March

The White Carnation Awards dinner was held in February by members of the Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity. Three veterinarians in the College of Veterinary Medicine were recognized by members of OTS. Dr. Michelle Harcha DVM '85, was presented with the National Gamma award, which recognizes an outstanding member of the veterinary community of national notoriety who upholds the standards of the fraternity and the veterinary community. As the former Veterinary Affairs Manager for Hill's Pet Nutrition, she oversaw the Hill's feeding program which is distributed from the OTS house. She was also responsible for other major contributions to the fraternity, which has allowed the chapter additional growth and success. She now serves the college as Director of Alumni Services and Professional Development Education.  The Alumni Gamma award was presented to Dr. Guillermo Couto, professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences. This award is given to an outstanding Gamma alumnus who shows support for the fraternity and upholds the fraternal standards in the veterinary community. Dr. Couto has been a great influence to all the students of the fraternity. Members of the fraternity appreciate all he has done in the classroom, on the clinic floor, and in all extracurricular activities to support students. The Honorary Gamma is given to a member of the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine community who is not a Gamma member or alumnus but who shows dedication to students and upholds fraternal standards. This year's Honorary Gamma was presented to Dr. Ed Cooper, a resident in Emergency and Critical Care, whose "student-first" outlook demonstrates a love of teaching and a dedication to help the students succeed in their everyday lives.

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Vet Med in the News

Pet food recall update

The recall of several varieties of pet food following the reported serious illness and even death of nearly a dozen cats generated lots of concern and questions. For the most up-to-date information for veterinarians, please refer to the web site of the AVMA at www.avma.org. Many local and national media also contacted experts here in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

  • What's in a Can of Dog Food?
  • Grocery stores, veterinarians scramble after pet-food recall
    • The Dispatch
    • March 20, 2007
    • Featured Expert: Jane Flores, instructor, Veterinary Medical Center
    • Read the full story
  • Pet illness cause sought
    • Suspect food under many brands
    • Cincinnati Enquirer
    • March 20, 2007
    • Featured Expert: Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, specializes in animal nutrition
    • Read the full story

Food-animal veterinarians a 'dying breed' statewide

  • This story from the Dayton Daily News features quotes from Dr. Richard Meiring and Dr. Bimbo Welker, both in the Department of Preventive Medicine.
  • An excerpt of the story was picked up by the AP News Service and featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer (OSU vet school tries to promote livestock specialty
  • ONN: Veterinary school plans for livestock specialist shortage

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Upcoming Events

Family Fun at the OTS House, Saturday, March 31

  • Omega Tau Sigma is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 from 2-4 pm at the OTS house, 4673 Kenny Rd. Bring the kids for an afternoon of fun, face painting, and most importantly CANDY : ) This event is for the children of all staff, faculty and students of the college. Parking is across the street from the house. Please respond to gentry [dot] 49 [at] osu [dot] edu if you think you might attend or need directions to the OTS house.

Congratulate Dr. Charles Neer, Tuesday, April 3

  • The Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine is hosting a reception for Dr. Charlie Neer on Tuesday, April 3 from 2:30 - 4:30 in the Hummel Grand Lounge (VMAB) to give everyone at the College the opportunity to congratulate him on receiving the 2006 Veterinarian of the Year Award from OVMA. This will be our opportunity to show Dr. Neer how much we appreciate all the time he spends supporting students and our Alumni Society, and his contributions to the College as a whole. Cake, cookies and fruit will be provided.

Veterinary Forensics and Animal Cruelty Investigations, Wednesday, April 4

  • Presented by Melinda Merck, DVM and Forensics Consultant for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
  • Noon – 1 pm, Veterinary Hospital Auditorium, "Veterinary Forensics: Recognition of Abuse and Examination of the Live Victim," all faculty, staff and students are welcome
  • 5 pm – 6 pm, Veterinary Hospital Auditorium, Presentation for Shelter Medicine and Pathology Clubs, "Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations and the Role of the Veterinary Practitioner"

Research Day, AKA: Advances in Veterinary Medicine, Thursday, April 12

  • Remember to attend the annual Research Day on Thursday, April 12. Poster judging will be held from 8-10:30 a.m.; the keynote speech by Dr. H. Scott Hurd, Director of WHO Collaborating Center for Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification in Foods of Animal Origin, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State Univeristy and awards will be held from noon-2 in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
  • More information

Open House Saturday, April 14

  • The annual Open House for middle and high school students is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 2007 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the past, hundreds of students who are just beginning to plan their college careers, have enjoyed tours and the opportunity to speak with representatives from undergraduate admissions as well as first and second-year DVM students. In addition, the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is hosting a " pre-vet day." While no RSVP is necessary for our open house activities, FAES does require online registration.

Tuesday, April 24, Keeping Cats Healthy

  • Join Dr. Tony Buffington, professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, at the new WOSU-COSI studio on Tuesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. for his presentation on techniques for keeping indoor cats healthy and happy. With space for a live studio audience of up to 250, the show will be videotaped for broadcast later. The event is free but due to limited seating, RSVPs are recommended: 614-292-1171 or weber [dot] 254 [at] osu [dot] edu

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News Across Campus

Health Literacy Workshop

The Ohio State University Health Literacy Initiative is sponsoring a one day workshop on Health Literacy for Diverse Audiences on May 8th in Columbus. This workshop is designed to offer the basic knowledge and skills needed to apply guidelines and tools necessary to develop low-literacy materials that are culturally specific. Previous training in health literacy is not necessary to attend this workshop. More information is available at the Medical Center website

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