11-19-07

In this issue

• College news
• College seeks potential nominees for University teaching award
• Nominations sought for Distinquished Research Partner Award
• MVMA seeks award nominations
• We Can Ride and mounted patrol horses arrive at Equine Center
• Help SCAVMA give a Gift of an Ark to Heifer International
• National Center for Food Protection and Defense seminar is today
• FISH! to be presented Dec. 7
• Year-end appreciation lunch planned for Dec. 13
• Free flu shots available Nov. 28
• Open enrollment continues through Nov. 30
• Calendar
• Media coverage
• Equine Center heralded in Star Tribune, AgriNews, The Horse
• Pet Central section features article by Jeannine Moga
• VDL in UMNnews
• Student news
• Coin war continues to raise funds for RAVS
• Graduate program news: Kari Ekenstedt completes prelim exams; Carolina Ricco successfully defends master's thesis
• Research news
• Clinical studies currently enrolling in the VMC
• Links

College news (top)

College seeks potential nominees for University teaching award
The CVM Awards and Scholarship Committee will be meeting to select a nominee from the CVM faculty for the University’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education. The College may only submit one nomination to the University, which is due by the end of January. Since the inception of this award in 1999, four CVM faculty members have received the award – Dr. Bob Hardy, Dr. Dave Hayden, Dr. Tom Molitor, and Dr. Carl Osborne.

The committee is seeking input from the CVM community about potential nominees. To be eligible for consideration, the faculty member must have been with the College of Veterinary Medicine for at least five years and be either a tenure, tenure-track, or term faculty member of the College. Previous winners are not eligible.

Criteria to be considered include:

• Excellence in instruction

• Involvement of students in research, scholarship, and professional development

• Development of post-baccalaureate, graduate, and/or professional instructional programs

• Advising and mentoring of students

Suggestions for the nomination should be forwarded to Larry Bjorklund in the Academic and Student Affairs Office at bjork010@umn.edu or to any of the following committee members:

• Dr. Kelly Hall, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, wilke022@umn.edu

• Dr. David Brown, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, brown013@umn.edu

• Dr. Marie Gramer, Veterinary Population Medicine, grame003@umn.edu

• Dr. Randy Singer, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, singe024@umn.edu

• Dr. Sheila Torres, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, torre009@umn.edu

The deadline for submission of names to the Awards and Scholarship Committee is Monday, Nov. 26. Please include a brief statement as to why the individual nominated would be a good candidate for the award.

Nominations sought for Distinquished Research Partner Award
Nominations are being requested from College faculty and staff for the Distinguished Research Partner Award to be presented at the annual Points of Pride Research Days event on March 25 and 26, 2008. The purpose of the Distinguished Research Partner Award is to recognize and honor an organization or company that has supported the College's research mission over the years. Past recipients of the award have been Pfizer Animal Health (2007), Geneticporc (2006), Boehringer Ingelheim (2005), R&D Systems (2004), Hills Pet Nutrition (2002), and PIC USA (2003).

The award will be presented during the Points of Pride Research Days awards ceremony on March 26. Nominations should be submitted electronically with no more than a one-page justification for each nomination to Shan Balmer at balme001@umn.edu by 4:30 p.m. December 3. Nominations will be reviewed by the Research Days advisory committee.

MVMA seeks award nominations
The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association is seeking nominations from members for awards to be presented at the annual meeting at the Minneapolis Hilton Feb. 7-9. The awards are:

• Veterinarian of the Year
• Distinguished Service Award
• Outstanding Faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine
• Outstanding Industry Representative
• Veterinary Service Award

Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 1. For more information and a nomination form, go to http://www.mvma.org/members/2008NominationForm.pdf

We Can Ride and mounted patrol horses arrive at Equine Center
The first We Can Ride and University of Minnesota mounted patrol horses have arrived at the Equine Center. We Can Ride, Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is serving children and adults living with physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. Their goal is to enhance their client's skills and well-being through challenging programs of therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving.

"It is much more fun to receive therapy on a warm and fuzzy horse than a physical therapy room," comments Sheryl Ferguson, Large Animal Hospital manager. "The Piper Clinic is proud to be a home for this program, and the inner-city location of the Piper Clinic is great as it is more accessible for inner-city kids."

Judi French, program development director of We Can Ride, was ecstatic about her program's new home.

"This week was amazing!" she wrote in an e-mail to Paula Buchner, chief operating officer. "The facility is working so well -- where our office is located, access to the arena, access from the stall area, and the fantastic screen and light and fan controls are a dream come true. . . Our new clients and their families are so thrilled. We had many teary parents Tuesday as they watched their children ride and have so much fun."

Mounted patrol horses Officer Louie and Officer Whisper have settled into their new home at the Equine Center as well.

Help SCAVMA give a Gift of an Ark to Heifer International
The Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA) is trying to raise $5,000 for a Gift Ark from Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that works with communities worldwide to end hunger and poverty by providing livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers. A Heifer Gift Ark provides 15 pairs of animals.

Every contribution made by University of Minnesota CVM students will be matched by SCAVMA, up to $2,500.

"If you are looking for a holiday present for the person who has everything or are looking to go beyond the normal gift, consider giving a Heifer gift," says SCAVMA president Ian Rubinoff.

Gifts can be made online by going to  SCAVMA's Team Heifer Web page. For more information about Heifer International, go to www.heifer.org. If you have any questions, contact Ian Rubinoff at feld0128@umn.edu.

National Center for Food Protection and Defense seminar is today
The National Center for Food Protection and Defense Fall Seminar will be held today from 3:30-4:45 p.m. in the Cargill Building Seminar Room (105). The topic: "Best Practices for Defense Against Terrorism: What Consumers Expect and Food Companies Do."

Food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers have approached their preparation for dealing with a potential terrorist attack on food and facilities with various degrees of intensity. A benchmarking survey and subsequent diagnostic tool discovered the strengths and weaknesses in potential resilience to such an attack. Consumers also have various degrees of fear and expectations about deliberate attacks on the food system. Three national surveys tracking their attitudes and expectations about protection by government and the private sector reveal dramatic changes in confidence in our food supply.

Refreshments will be served before the seminar. For more information, go to http://www.ncfpd.umn.edu/

FISH! to be presented at Dec. 7 professional development seminar
FISH! will be the topic of the professional development seminar to be presented on Friday, Dec. 7, at noon in 280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. FISH! introduces the service philosophy used by the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle--an otherwise ordinary fish market that's extraordinarily successful. The work is hard and the hours are long, but the employees make a personal choice to bring passion, playfulness, commitment, and a positive attitude to work every day. Pike Place has not always been such a place. Years ago, the dreariness of long hours, smelly fish, and cold lockers was reflected in the employees' attitudes. Yet, by some simple choices, the employees at Pike Place Fish have created a totally different environment and an alive and engaged work place. Through video and discussion, seminar participants will:

• Learn about one company's unique approach to delivering great service.
• Review the four principles that make Pike Place Fish Market successful.
• Explore how you can apply the four principles to your work -- without adding single item to your to-do list!

Year-end appreciation lunch planned for Dec. 13
The College's annual year-end appreciation lunch is planned for Dec. 13 at noon in the lobby outside 125/135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. If you have volunteered to bring a dessert, please bring it to the lobby by 11:30 a.m. or drop it off at the dean's office (455 VMC) before 11 a.m. Dec. 13.

Free flu shots available Nov. 28
A free walk-in flu shot clinic will be offered for University of Minnesota students, employees, and their dependents 18 years of age or older on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine building lobby. The clinic is sponsored by Employee Benefits, School of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy. For more information, contact Julia Sanem at jsanem@bhs.umn.edu

Open enrollment continues through Nov. 30
Open enrollment -- the month-long period during which you can make changes in your health plan coverage -- continues through Nov. 30. Options this year include selecting different medical and dental plans, adding or canceling medical or dental coverage, adding or canceling dependent coverage, adding $25,000 of additional employee life insurance without evidence of insurability, and adding or increasing the amount of long-term disability insurance. If you want to participate in the health care or dependent day care flexible spending accounts in 2008 or make other benefit changes, you must make your choice on the Employee Self-Service Web site by Nov. 30. Re-enrollment in your current medical and dental plans is not required if you are satisfied with your plan. See Open Enrollment, which includes a narrated presentation. If you have questions about open enrollment or your benefits, visit the Employee Benefits Web site at http://www.umn.edu/ohr/benefits or call the Employee Benefits Service Center at 612-624-9090 or 1-800-756-2363, option 2.

Calendar (top)

Monday, November 19

New Employee Orientation
8:30 a.m.-noon
458 Veterinary Medical Center

National Center for Food Protection and Defense Fall 2007 Seminar
3:30-4:45 p.m.
Cargill Building Seminar Room (105)
For details, go to http://www.ncfpd.umn.edu/

Tuesday, November 20

Seminar in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
Research Rotation Reports
Noon-1 p.m.
215 Veterinary Science
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Wednesday, November 21

Comparative Biosciences Seminar
No seminar today

Thursday, Nov. 22

Thanksgiving holiday
University offices closed; no classes. The Veterinary Medical Center will be open for emergencies only.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Friday, Nov. 23

University holiday
University offices closed; no classes. The Veterinary Medical Center will be open for emergencies only.

What's ahead

CVM Seminar on Teaching: Assessment: Writing Test Questions, presented by Dr. Elizabeth Pluhar: Nov. 30, noon, Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Sponsored by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

A Global Perspective on the Concept of One Health, presented by Dr. David Sherman: Nov. 30, noon-1 p.m., 215 Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Using animal agriculture as the basis for discussion, Dr. Sherman will explore the relationship of animal, human, and environmental health and the value of a one-health approach to global well-being.

Hill's Pet Food Orders Due: Nov. 30. To order food, to to  https://www.summationdata.com/hpn. For more information about the Hill's Pet Food Distribution program, contact Jaime Nett at nett0049@umn.edu or Alisha Leonard at leona156@umn.edu.

Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease: Dec. 2-4, Chicago Marriott. For more information, go to   www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/microbiology/crwad/authinst.htm

Deadline for nominations for Distinguished Research Partner Award: Dec. 3. Nominations should be submitted electronically with no more than a one-page justification for each nomination to Shan Balmer at balme001@umn.edu.

CVM Noon on Fridays Professional Development Seminar: Dec. 7, noon, 280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Topic: FISH! presented by Jeff Stafford, Office of Human Development. FISH! introduces the service philosophy used by the world-famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle.

CVM Seminar on Teaching: Connecting the Curriculum: Integrating the Basic Science and Clinical Curriculum, presented by Dr. Robert Washabau: Dec. 7, noon, Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Sponsored by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

Monthly Clinical Rounds: Dec. 10, noon-1 p.m., 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: Dec. 12, noon-12:50 p.m. and 5:00-5:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: Dec. 13, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

CVM Year-End Appreciation Lunch: Dec. 13, noon, lobby outside 125/135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: Dec. 14, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Go to the Academic Health Center's calendar of events.

Go to the University of Minnesota campus events calendar.

Media coverage (top)

Equine Center heralded in Star Tribune, AgriNews, The Horse
"U Opens 'the Mayo Clinic' for Horses," an article published in the Nov. 11 issue of the Star Tribune, quoted Dr. Stephanie Valberg, director of the Equine Center, and Robert Bruininks, president of the University of Minnesota. The article is online at  http://www.startribune.com/10240/story/1543907-a1543904-t3.html The Equine Center was also covered in a Nov. 13 article in AgriNews, online at
http://webstar.postbulletin.com/agrinews/48848758181102.bsp and a Nov. 14 article in The Horse, online at www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10814

Pet Central section features article by Jeannine Moga
The Pet Central section of the Nov. 3 issue of the Star Tribune published an article about pet custody issues by Jeannine Moga, Social Work Services. Read it online at http://www.startribune.com/10200/story/1514785.html

VDL in UMNnews
"Putting Pathogens in Their Place," a story posted on a UMNnews Web page,  mentioned that the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is about to open a necropsy facility to investigate outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza ("bird flu") and other diseases transmissible from nonhuman animals to people.

Student news (top)

Coin war continues to raise funds for RAVS
The Student Council's "coin war" to raise money for Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) continues through Wednesday. As of Nov. 15, more than $400 had been raised. The class of 2010 was in first place, followed by faculty and staff, the class of 2011, the class of 2009, and the class of 2008.

Coin buckets are located outside 125/135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine during the lunch hour and in the Small Animal Pharmacy and Academic and Student Affairs Office at other times of the day. In the coin war, pennies count as postive funds and should be put into your own team's bucket, while silver coins and bills count as negative funds and should go into other teams' buckets.All funds will go to support RAVS. For more information, contact Allison Schnurrer at schn0515@umn.edu.

Graduate student news
Kari Ekenstedt successfully completed her preliminary examinations on Oct. 30. Kari is advised by Dr. James Mickelson. Congratulations, Kari!

Carolina Ricco successfully defended her master's thesis, "Use of a Wireless System to Measure Invasive Arterial Blood Pressure During General Anesthesia in Ponies." She was advised by Dr. Lynelle Graham and Dr. Jane Quandt. Carolina has accepted a tenure track position as an assistant professor on the anesthesia faculty at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Congratulations, Carolina!

Research news (top)

Clinical studies currently enrolling in the VMC
For a list of clinical studies currently rolling in the Veterinary Medical Center, visit the Clinical Investigation Center Web site at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/current.

Links (top)

AVMA News Bytes and other news
www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp

CVM This Week
Back issues of CVM This Week, from June 2004 to today's issue, are at      http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek/home.html.

Hills pet food distribution program
Food ordering is now done online through the Hills online ordering system at https://www.summationdata.com/hpn. For more information about the Hill's Pet Food Distribution program, contact Jaime Nett at nett0049@umn.edu or Alisha Leonard at leona156@umn.edu.

Housing
For information about student and off-campus housing, including a housing and roommate search service, go to http://www.housing.umn.edu/.

Job openings
For information about positions available at the College, visit   www.cvm.umn.edu/About/HumanResources/Employment   /. For detailed information about current job openings, how to apply, and application materials, go to the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/index.html.

The VMC Pulse
Issues are available online by logging in at   http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc/staffresources/Pulse.html.

University of Minnesota Legislative Network News
http://ga4.org/u_of_m_leg_net/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=8620389&r=

Veterinary conferences
Dates, places, and links for national and international veterinary conferences are on the College Web site atnbsp;                   http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/conferences/home.html.

Veterinary Medical Library
For information about the Veterinary Medical Library, including new acquisitions, visit http://www.vetmed.lib.umn.edu/news.

Veterinary Practice News
Did you know that you can get a free subscription? Subscribe (or renew) online at www.vetpracticenews.com.

CVM This Week is a weekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Please submit news and calendar items for the Nov. 26 issue to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirch004@umn.edu before noon Wednesday, Nov. 21.

The University of Minnesota is an equal-opportunity educator and employer.