College granted full accreditation
Remember the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education evaluation of the College in April? Good news: The AVMA recently notified the College that it had been granted full acceditation for up to seven years.
Among the strengths cited in the report:
The social worker/counselor employed by the CVM interacts with clients, faculty, and students who have life issues and provides valuable counseling services.
The Pomeroy Center provides state-of-the-art classrooms and a number of areas for student interaction in a unique and attractive setting.
The use of numerous educational posters/brochures throughout the hospital helps develop knowledgeable clients who use the services of the CVM.
The CVM is generally clean and well-maintained.
The CVM is committed to an animal/client friendly hospital.
The UVIS medical record/business management system as developed by the CVM provides a contemporary system for students/faculty to manage medical information, and the College is commended for its plans to enter medical records into the UVIS system retroactively to 2001.
The CVM has developed a strong commitment to medical imaging and uses the resources in the teaching program.
The CVM has made a significant commitment to using certified veterinary technicians in the teaching/animal care program which enhances the learning environment for the students.
The off-campus food-animal facilities provide good resources for student learning.
The Raptor Center provides exceptional avian wildlife resources for DVM students interested in rehabilitation medicine/surgery.
The library staff is strongly service-oriented in providing the resource needs of CVM personnel.
The D.V.M. students are mature, enthusiastic, motivated, articulate, and committed to their education and to the CVM.
The CVM summer research programs, other Academic Health Center, and high school programs provide information and incentives for enrollment of minority students in the DVM program. The VetFAST program is used to attract students interested in food animal veterinary medicine.
The teaching faculty are committed to the D.V.M. students and to providing teaching/learning resources needed for a successful educational program.
The Community Practitioner Preceptor Program and other college programs provide early hands-on opportunities for the DVM students in a veterinary practice that reflects a small business operation.
The CVM is commended for the philosophy of a commitment to student learning rather than student technical work.
The CVM research programs and the investigators support the student summer research program and employment opportunities that allow students to explore research as a career.
The CVM has processes to measure student learning and institutional outcomes and the data generated are being utilized to improve the curriculum.
The alumni are pleased with their education and the education and competencies of the graduates, and are supportive of the CVM.
Recommendations
The report offered recommendations in the areas of finances, physical facilities and equipment, admissions, curriculum, and outcomes assessment, including:
Funding of the off-campus food animal facilities should be reevaluated to ensure sustainability of the educational program.
The management of the isolation facilities (both small animal and the food animal/equine) should be carefully reevaluated to ensure that clear protocols are posted on all doors, proper waste disposal systems are employed, and the facilities are not used for storage.
Gas cylinders on the loading dock should be properly secured and trash cans, etc., should not block fire extinguishers in order to ensure safety.
The CVM is strongly encouraged to evaluate the space occupied by the Pharmacy in the Companion Animal Hospital as it appears to be small and crowded.
Some of the CVM facilities are aging and renovations have been carried out on what appears to be an “as required” basis. The CVM and University are urged to develop and follow strategic action plans to set priorities for facilities improvements that will ensure contemporary teaching, learning, and research environments.
The CVM is encouraged to reevaluate its bio-security practices used in the food animal/equine hospitals (for example, foot baths).
The CVM is urged to continue to seek feedback from the interviewers on the ease of application of the evaluation guidelines for interviews with prospective students.
The CVM is strongly encouraged to complete its comprehensive review of the curriculum in a timely manner and make appropriate adjustments.
The CVM is encouraged to continue its efforts to develop processes/evidence to ensure the clinical competencies of its graduates.
Special delivery: one MRI magnet
Workers used a crane to deliver the VMC's new eight-ton MRI magnet on Nov. 1, then carefully wheeled it into the Large Animal Hospital. The equipment is expected to be up and running by Christmas.
Another case of bovine TB found in Minnesota
Star Tribune, Oct. 26, 2007
A heifer from a farm in northern Minnesota's Beltrami County has tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB), dealing a disappointing setback to the state's cattle industry, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health said Oct. 25. The state has now detected bovine TB in eight beef herds in Roseau and Beltrami counties.
The state's cattle herds will be declared free of TB only after two years pass without a positive test. Losing the "TB-free" label poses a cumbersome financial burden for ranchers, who must then pay for testing if they want to sell their animals outside of the state.
Open enrollment is Nov. 1-30
Open enrollment -- the month-long period during which you can make changes in your health plan coverage -- is now underway and 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. See Open Enrollment, which includes a narrated presentation, and attend a health and benefits fair at the St. Paul Student Center Nov. 7. Call the Employee Benefits Service Center at 612-624-9090 or 1-800-756-2363 if you have specific questions about open enrollment.
Yoga classes offered
The CVM's Holistic Club and the University's Center for Spirituality and Healing are offering weekly yoga and meditation classes starting today. Classes will be held every Monday at noon in room 281 of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Classes will run about an hour, but there will be opportunities to leave earlier for those who need to. No previous experience is necessary, and anyone who would like to attend is welcome. There is no charge for participating. If you have a yoga mat, please bring it. If not, just bring yourself. You are welcome to come to as many or as few of the classes as you'd like. For more information, e-mail Megan Watland at watl0010@umn.edu.
Social Work Services is collaborating with One Yoga Studio in Minneapolis to provide CVM students, staff, and faculty with an opportunity to reap the stress-reduction benefits of yoga. The four-week series will be held on Wednesday nights from 5:00-6:15 p.m. starting November 14 and running through December 12. (No class will be held the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.) The instructor will be Mary Syverson of One Yoga Studio, and the class is open to all levels of experience, including beginners. The minimum group size is eight; depending on the room, the maximum class size will be 10-12. The location is to be announced, but will be on CVM grounds. Fees are $37.50 per person for the series or a $10 drop-in fee, space allowing. For more information or to register, contact Jeannine Moga at moga0019@umn.edu or 612-624-9372.
Free flu shots available
Free walk-in flu shot clinics are being offered for University of Minnesota students, employees, and their dependents 18 years of age or older. St. Paul campus dates and locations are--
The clinics are sponsored by Employee Benefits, School of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy. For more information, contact Julia Sanem at jsanem@bhs.umn.edu
Book fair planned for Nov. 13
Veterinary Student Supply will host a book fair on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine lobby. Special promotions and discounts on many Elsevier (Saunders and Mosby) titles will be offered.
Monday, November 5
New Employee Orientation
8:30 a.m.-noon
458 Veterinary Medical Center
VMED 5190 Graduate Seminar
Use of Environmental and Pooled Fecal Sampling Strategies to Detect High Shedders of M. paratuberculosis
Presented by Dr. Luis Espejo
3-4 p.m.
215 Veterinary Science
Everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Contact: Dr. Sandra Godden, godde002@umn.edu or 612-625-8177
Tuesday, November 6
Seminar in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
Towards a Diagnostic Tool for Subclinical Bovine Tuberculosis
Presented by Meetu Seth
Advisor: Dr. S. Sreevatsan
Noon-1 p.m.
215 Veterinary Science
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Wednesday, November 7
Walk-in Flu Shot Clinic
Sponsored by Employee Benefits, School of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
St. Paul Student Center, Cherrywood Room
For more information, contact Julia Sanem at jsanem@bhs.umn.edu
Employee Health and Benefits Fair
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center
Comparative Biosciences Seminar
Understanding the Interplay Between Inflammation and Adipocyte Metabolism
Presented by Dr.Xiaoli Chen, Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Hosted by Dr. Bruce Walcheck
3 p.m.
125 Animal Science Veterinary Medicine
Contact: Jaclyn Barnes, barne063@umn.edu or 612-624-2700
Finance Seminar Presented by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Hosted by the INFO Club
5:30 p.m.
Carlson School of Management
RSVP to Amber Behrens at behre077@umn.edu.
Thursday, Nov. 8
Small Animal Grand Rounds
Turning Cancer Genetics on Its Head
Presented by Dr. Jaime Modiano
8 a.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Monthly Clinical Rounds
Noon-1 p.m.
135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Ecosystem Health/Conservation Medicine Open House
The event will include short presentations followed by a reception with refreshments and an informal poster session.
Sponsored by the Ecosystem Health Cooperative
5:30-7:00 p.m.
The Raptor Center
Contacts: Michelle Verant at vera0018@umn.edu or Pete Cutter at cutt0016@umn.edu
Friday, Nov. 9
College-wide Personal and Professional Development Time
Noon-1 p.m.
What's ahead
American College of Veterinary Pathologists Annual Meeting: Nov. 10-14, Savannah, Georgia. For more information, go to http://www.acvp.org/meeting/
Environmental Roundtable: Biofuels and Environmental Quality: Nov. 12, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 105 Cargill Building for Microbial and Plant Genomics. Attend online via UMConnect at https://umconnect.umn.edu/ione111207/ For details, go to http://environment.umn.edu/events/roundtables.html
VMC Update Meeting: Nov. 13, 7:30-8:30 a.m., 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. The agenda will include a discussion of the strategic plan by Dr. David Lee, VMC director, a project update by Pat Berzins, director of operations, and a look at the vision and budget for the VMC by Dr. Trevor Ames, interim dean. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Master's Thesis Defense Seminar, presented by Carolina Ricco: Nov. 13, 1 p.m., 280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Advisors: Dr. Lynelle Graham and Dr. Jane Quandt. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Veterinary Student Supply Book Fair: Nov. 13, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine lobby. Special promotions and discounts on many Elsevier (Saunders and Mosby) titles.
Hill's Pet Food Distribution: Nov. 14, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m.CVM Seminar on Teaching: Use and Abuse of Powerpoint, presented by Bill Rozeitis: Nov. 16, noon, Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Sponsored by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
TPLO Surgery and Interlocking Nail Fracture Fixation Workshops: Nov. 17-18, 213 Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/tplo.html or call Veterinary Continuing Education at 612-624-3434.
Thanksgiving holiday: Nov. 22-23. University offices closed; no classes
Walk-in Flu Shot Clinic: Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine building lobby. Sponsored by Employee Benefits, School of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy. For more information, contact Julia Sanem at jsanem@bhs.umn.edu
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: 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.
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.
Go to the Academic Health Center's calendar of events.
Go to the University of Minnesota campus events calendar.
Shaun Kennedy and Frank Busta, National Center for Food Protection and Defense, were quoted about food safety in the September issue of Scientific American. Go to http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=3CE37B89-E7F2-99DF-35A30E3706972090
Dr. John Deen is quoted on the topic of sow lameness at www.pigprogress.net/news/id1602-34607/zinpro_1st_symposium_on_sow_lameness.html. The world's first symposium on sow lameness will take place in Minneapolis on April 2-4, 2008.
Dr. Mike Murphy was quoted in a ConsumerAffairs.com article discussing the possibility of pets ingesting a toxic level of lead from pet toys containing trace levels. Go to http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/10/pet_food_recalls78.html
A Pioneer Press article about a Twin Cities resident's close call with a bat mentioned that the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory had seen an increase in requests to test bats and other wild animals for rabies. The article is online at www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7325795?nclick_check=1
The Oct. 30 issue of AgriNews -- online at http://webstar.postbulletin.com/agrinews/22214760797350.bsp -- contained an article about the College's veterinary education partnership with Davis Family Dairies.
Dr. Jeff Bender: Driven to Discover
The U of M's Driven to Discover campaign featured Dr. Jeff Bender's work in animal health and food safety on the University's home page last week. To see the print ad, go to http://discover.umn.edu/assets/pdf/print_ad_7.pdf
Dr. Marie Gramer elected president of diagnostic pathologists' group
Dr. Marie Gramer has been elected president of the Western Conference of Veterinary Diagnostic Pathologists, a group of diagnosticians, pathologists, and residents from around Canada and the United States. They meet annually for pathology continuing education and resident training. Congratulations, Marie!
On the move
The offices of Sue Allard, executive office and administrative specialist, Shirley De La Torre, giving and stewardship coordinator, Sue Kirchoff, principal informational representative, Susanna Styve, development specialist, and Carrie Stowers, Web and marketing coordinator, have moved to 460 VMC. Their e-mail addresses and phone numbers remain the same.
Welcome to the College
Welcome to the following new faculty and staff members who joined the College in October:
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Barbara Marie Creswell, administrative director
Adrienne R. Keen, junior scientist
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Lacey C. Klucas, assistant scientist
Veterinary Medical Center
Kathryn Alice Anderson, customer service specialist
Jessi L. Bauer, pharmacy technician
Garrick A. Dietze, customer contact center supervisor
Pamela S. Jagow, veterinary technician
Karen Ann Knutson, customer service specialist
Veterinary Population Medicine
Naresh Jindal, post-doctoral associate
Jean Paul Cano successfully defends Ph.D.
Jean Paul Cano has successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis, "Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Transmission within Infected Populations: Modulation and Monitoring." Jean Paul was advised by Dr. Scott Dee and Dr. Carlos Pijoan. Dr. Cano is returning to Venezuela and the Central University of Venezuela in Maracay, where he will assume his position as a faculty member in the Population Veterinary Medicine Department in the College of Veterinary Sciences. Congratulations, Jean Paul!
Student Council wages coin war to fund RAVS
Today through Nov. 21, the Student Council is having a "coin war" to raise money for Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS). Coin buckets will be located outside 125/135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine during the lunch hour and in Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center and the VMC Pharmacy at other times of the day. Each class, as well as faculty and staff, will have a team bucket to put change into. Pennies will 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. For more information, contact Allison Schnurrer at schn0515@umn.edu.
Fellowships allow faculty to devote themselves to research
Institute for Advanced Study residential fellowships allow faculty members to devote themselves to research for one semester. Up to 20 awards (50 percent of each fellow's base salary and fringe up to a maximum of $30,000) will be made for 2008-09. Deadline to apply: Nov. 30. See residential fellows.
New clinical studies launched
Several new clinical studies are seeking dogs, including:
For a complete list of clinical studies currently enrolling in the Veterinary Medical Center, visit the Clinical Investigation Center Web site at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/current.
Gabe, a horse
Gabe, a 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, is free to an excellent dressage home where he can be outside. Excellent ground manners, clips, trailers, very good for farrier, 16 HH. Trained to at least second-level dressage, but needs confident rider. Sound and healthy. Delivery possible. Dressage riders only please! E-mail kope0051@umn.edu for more info.
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 next week's issue to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirch004@umn.edu before noon Friday.
The University of Minnesota is an equal-opportunity educator and employer.