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Academia & Education
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Veterinarians react to academia’s expansion into private sector
4/11/2013
Ohio State's new specialty practice pits school against alumni, critics say
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Final destination for Ross veterinary students — Buffalo?
3/7/2013
Abandoned medical facility could become veterinary teaching hospital
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Government orders veterinary-school accreditor to correct problems
12/14/2012
Veterinarians air criticisms before education panel
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Satellite practices: academic evolution or unfair competition?
10/26/2012
OSU to open emergency, specialty practice in Columbus suburb
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Welfare college receives provisional recognition
8/16/2012
Veterinarians eager to watch specialty group evolve
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Delegates punt move to eliminate AVMA vice presidency
8/13/2012
Task force to assess relevance of leadership position
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Can MDs and DVMs bridge the cultural divide?
7/24/2012
Physician champions concept of 'zoobiquity'
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Veterinarians try to make sense of Cuddon case
4/5/2012
CSU seeks permanent restraining order against veterinary neurologist
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‘Special Direct Consolidation Loan’ offer confuses borrowers
3/19/2012
Limited offer exemplifies complexity of school-debt repayment options
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Economist's talk rouses debate among veterinarians in academia
3/16/2012
New models for veterinary education presented
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Clinic to serve needy pet owners, veterinary students
2/22/2012
High school setting believed to be a first
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Student debt relief option: Instant gain, distant pain
1/4/2012
Pros and cons of Income-Based Repayment
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Purdue veterinary school becomes ‘college’
12/28/2011
Name change ratified by Board of Trustees
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AUA closes veterinary medical program
12/12/2011
Students forced to seek education elsewhere
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Bid to bring veterinary education to Alaska stirs debate
11/9/2011
Fears of oversaturation weigh on need for more veterinarians
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AAVMC leadership change puts Osburn at helm
10/21/2011
Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou resigns to pursue work in public health
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Veterinarian campaigns for awareness of mammary gland cancer
9/30/2011
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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St. George’s veterinary school receives U.S. accreditation
9/23/2011
Roughly 90 percent of program's graduates draw from North America
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Dr. Donald Patterson: veterinary genetics pioneer and more
9/8/2011
Award recognizes lifelong medical research contributions
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Homeopathy group sues AAVSB over CE credits
8/16/2011
Controversy shines spotlight on inner workings of RACE
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Colorado State to examine rubble in fire's wake
8/2/2011
Source of blaze that destroyed Equine Reproduction Laboratory unknown
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New Jersey forgoes AVMA House of Delegates
7/8/2011
‘Dramatic gesture’ underscores doubt about House’s relevance
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ISU settles lawsuit with veterinarians
6/29/2011
Specialty referral practice to pay ISU
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AVMA terminates online CE venture
4/22/2011
AVMA Ed to close by Dec. 31
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New Utah veterinary education program wins approval, funding
3/11/2011
Plan stirs concerns about a potential oversupply of practitioners
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Ross’ veterinary medical school earns U.S. accreditation
3/9/2011
First Caribbean program to receive COE's approval
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Renowned veterinarian Dr. Robert W. Kirk dies
1/20/2011
Veterinarian had worldwide impact on profession
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Physicians and veterinarians to share perspectives
1/7/2011
“Zoobiquity” conference aims to bridge medical divide
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Veterinary student debt continues to climb
1/4/2011
Despite years of concern, solutions remain elusive
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Debt problem is everyone’s
1/4/2011
Most student loans financed by taxpayers
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Proposed welfare specialty college bends to veterinarians' concerns
12/16/2010
AVMA welfare principles no longer a point of contention
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AVMA seeks third-party audit of accreditation program
12/10/2010
Voluntary review meant to allay scrutiny, concerns raised by veterinarians
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Utah Regents approve new veterinary school
12/9/2010
Final decision rests with Legislature
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Utah Regents to vote on new veterinary medical program
12/8/2010
Plan requires millions of dollars in support from Legislature
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Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program gets off ground
11/9/2010
First USDA awards go to 62 recipients
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Texas veterinarians mull reviving bid to examine AVMA’s role in global accreditation
8/19/2010
Those calling for audit face accusations of racism; issue clouded by politics, some contend
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Proposed animal welfare college challenged by veterinarians
8/5/2010
Critics lambast mandate to sign AVMA welfare principles
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What's happening with accreditation of foreign health professional schools?
7/13/2010
Veterinarians in heated debate; dentists pushed to test water; physicians eye from a distance
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Veterinarians question AVMA's role in international accreditation
7/13/2010
Texas resolution calls for self-study
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Veterinarians to AVMA: Talk to us
7/6/2010
In VIN survey, group rates low on communication, high on leadership
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Renowned statistician to teach course for veterinarians
6/1/2010
Course outlines main statistical concepts used in veterinary research
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St. George's shuns rumors of closing, seeks U.S. accreditation
5/14/2010
Federal student aid could soon be available to students
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UNAM appeals failed bid for U.S. accreditation
4/22/2010
AVMA COE tight-lipped on findings that led to negative decision
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CSU professor remains in critical condition following accident
4/2/2010
Support pours in from community
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Prospect of accreditation for Mexican program fuels concern from U.S. veterinarians
3/12/2010
COE silent on recent UNAM verdict
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Western U receives full accreditation
3/5/2010
COE grants three-year window
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Accreditation under fire in veterinary medicine
2/26/2010
Concerns surface with the accreditation bids of two controversial programs
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Osburn resigns from Banfield board of directors
2/13/2010
UC Davis dean cites potential conflict of interest as impetus for decision
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Animal welfare initiative could divide Ohio veterinarians
2/11/2010
HSUS 'serious' about winning ballot measure to ban cramped housing for farm animals
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Colleges grow with satellite clinics
10/21/2009
Ventures breed hostility from private sector in some cases
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UI clinic opens shop in Chicago
9/22/2009
Supporters express high hopes for satellite clinic
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H1N1 virus played no part in UC Davis worker's death
8/12/2009
Official cause of death pending
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UC Davis death prompts warning of Type A H1N1 pandemic flu
8/10/2009
Administrative assistant complained of flu-like symptoms prior to death
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AU veterinary student missing in Thailand
7/30/2009
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Revision to AVMA’s policy on acquiring research animals gets ax
7/13/2009
'Pound seizure' illegal in 17 states
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UC Davis opens stem-cell program for horses
6/23/2009
Stem-cell therapy: a highly active field
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Father of veterinary cardiology remembered for unceasing labor, curiosity
3/3/2009
Dr. David K. Detweiler leaves legacy in veterinary medicine
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Vet Schools: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
1/30/2009
Colleges bruised by ailing economy
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Fanconi-like cases continue in Australia
12/15/2008
Company recalls chicken treats made in China
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Canine open-heart surgery coming to UC Davis
12/15/2008
History of veterinary cardiac surgery suggests formidable challenges ahead
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Internships, residencies skyrocket in popularity, AVMA says
10/17/2008
40 percent of 2008's graduating class to seek advanced training, report shows
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Researchers seek dogs for chronic renal disease study
10/1/2008
LSU investigates statin's power to slow disease
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Lawsuit against Ross University heads for trial
9/30/2008
Student alleges harassment, deceit concerning terminal surgeries in curriculum
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Mexican university seeks AVMA accreditation
9/22/2008
COE nod could usher Mexican veterinarians into the United States
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International Animal Welfare Training Institute kicks off at UC-Davis
9/17/2008
Welfare group seeks partnerships with agriculture, research sectors
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AAVMC spurns third-party rankings of veterinary colleges
9/12/2008
U.S. News and World Report scale breeds friction, leaders say
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Nation’s 29th veterinary program...
9/10/2008
Second UC school headed for San Diego area
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Veterinary medicine’s future incites debate
9/8/2008
Topics include limited licensure, tracking, accreditation
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Purdue offers certificate in veterinary homeland security
9/8/2008
Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Homeland Security to create “critical mass” of experts
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Inaugural class kicks off new Canadian veterinary program
9/5/2008
University of Calgary boasts 'innovative' program
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CDC creates residency program for veterinarians
9/3/2008
Effort addresses 'national shortage' of DVMs working in biomedical research
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UC-Davis to create Animal Welfare Institute
8/28/2008
Development meeting slated for Sept. 5
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UT hires Thompson as dean
8/12/2008
Appointment effective Oct. 1, officials say
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Cornell earmarks $25,000 gift for equine research
8/6/2008
Company with horse-racing ties issues funds to College of Veterinary Medicine
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Wind power explored at Tufts veterinary school
7/8/2008
Study to determine feasibility of renewable energy source
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OSU names interim dean following Rosol's resignation
7/2/2008
Dr. John Hubbell now heads OSU's veterinary program
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LSU to host dermatology conference
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Clinic to serve needy pet owners, veterinary students
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February 22, 2012
By: Edie Lau
For The VIN News Service
 Photo courtesy of Worcester Technical High School
Worcester Technical High School is opening a community veterinary clinic to serve pets from low-income households. The clinic will be staffed by high school students studying veterinary assisting and fourth-year students from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
The clinic will be located at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, Mass., a 15-minute drive from Tufts’ Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton.
Overseen full-time by a private practitioner and staffed by veterinary and high school students, the clinic will be open five days a week and offer a range of primary-care services, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, dental cleanings and extractions, X-rays and minor surgeries.
Only low-income pet owners will have access to the clinic; clients must provide proof of eligibility.
Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski, an associate professor of emergency and critical care at Tufts and an architect of the plan, said organizers are keen on ensuring that the clinic not take away business from private practices in the area.
“We’re very cognizant of that,” Rozanski said. “We’ll absolutely income-verify: ‘Are you on some kind of state or federal assistance?’ We want to make certain that animals are not receiving care elsewhere, or that this practice could negatively impact any local practitioners.”
Its combination of characteristics — location in a high school; teaming of veterinary students with teen-aged assistants; and being a freestanding full-time facility for underserved patients — make the clinic highly unusual in this country, and possibly unique.
“This appears to be the first of its kind in all of those ways,” said Sharon Curtis Granskog, a spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Certainly, the majority of the schools accept individual hardship cases for teaching purposes, but this is quite a bit different. Many schools collaborate with local shelters to increase the number of spays and neuters students get to do. Some of those shelters probably see a fair number of low-income people that adopt animals. Again, this is quite a bit different.”
She added: “It is possible that there is another school doing this but we have not heard of it.”
Rozanski said the idea germinated 2-1/2 years ago during a visit to Worcester Technical High School. Part of the public school system, Worcester Tech admits students on a competitive basis and offers training in a variety of vocations, such as automobile repair, nursing assistance, food service, salon services and veterinary assisting.
The last program is taught by two veterinary technicians who used to work at Tufts. One of the teachers invited the college to give a presentation to the high school students. The teacher explained some of the challenges she had in teaching techniques such as animal restraint. “She can talk about it, she can show videos, but then they have (only) stuffed cats to restrain,” Rozanski said.
While visiting Worcester Tech, Rozanski was impressed by beauty of the facility, which was built in 2006 in a downtrodden neighborhood. “They have a beauty salon, a restaurant,” she recounted. “I said, ‘What do you think about putting a clinic in here?’ ”
The idea took root.
Rozanski said the veterinary school dean’s office consulted with the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and sent letters soliciting input from private practitioners located within five miles of the high school.
“It was a heads-up: ‘We’re thinking of this, is this in any way stressful for you?’ ” Rozanski said.
Many local veterinarians responded with support, she said, noting that they cannot afford to offer unlimited discounts to pet owners of limited means.
Consulting with veterinarians in the community should help to build goodwill with the profession at large, which is experiencing increasing tension between for-profit and non-profit clinics, said Dr. Gary Block, past president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association and the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics.
As co-owner of a referral and emergency clinic, Block said he is not personally directly affected by discount spay-neuter clinics and the like, but he’s aware of the potential for friction. “About two years ago, a fairly large-volume spay-neuter clinic opened here in Rhode Island and absolutely rubbed the veterinary community the wrong way,” he said.
A study released last year by Bayer Animal Health, Brakke Consulting and the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues examined why veterinary visits are declining in number despite a growing pet population in America. Fragmentation of services was identified as one of the factors. The researchers said that when pet owners use discount clinics for procedures such as spays, neuters and vaccinations, traditional veterinarians lose “starter” visits that serve to establish long-term relationships.
But there should be no problem with a clinic that serves people who otherwise lack the means to take their pets to veterinarians, Block said. “I would say Tufts should be commended for trying to bring veterinary services to what is generally seen as an underserved community,” he said. “We all know that preventive care is almost always more medically successful and financially wise than waiting for animals to be seen when they’re sick or ill.”
Since 2009, Tufts veterinary school has reached out to underserved pet owners by holding annual free vaccination and wellness clinics at Worcester Housing Authority residences. The Housing Authority manages rental units subsidized by the state and federal governments. Rozanski said the once-a-year visits revealed the need for a greater breadth of veterinary services to be available on a regular basis.
For example, Housing Authority rules state that pets must be spayed or neutered, but many animals slip through the cracks, especially those obtained as puppies and kittens, she said. The veterinarians and veterinary students also saw dangerous health exposures such as secondhand smoke, and troubling medical conditions such as unclean and decaying teeth.
“We saw one (dog) with a huge perianal mass and ... couldn’t do anything for him,” she recalled.
Rozanski estimated that the Housing Authority alone houses 750 to 1,000 pets.
Worcester Tech students have been involved directly in making the clinic a reality. They came up with the clinic’s name, Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic, with the catchy nickname Tufts@Tech. And those studying the construction trades designed and are remodeling the space formerly used for a horticulture program. The clinic will have a small footprint, Rozanski said: two classrooms and a hallway.
Dr. Greg Wolfus, a Tufts alumnus who has been in private practice, was hired to oversee the clinic. Rozanski said the plan is to have two or three Tufts fourth-year veterinary students serving on rotation at a given time, working 40 to 50 hours per week.
The high school veterinary assistant program, which has about 35 to 40 students, would supply four to six assistants at a time.
Rozanski said organizers hope the clinic will see 10 to 15 patients a day, and become self-sufficient in two years.
Along with giving Tufts students direct primary-care experience, the clinic also will be a place to learn the business aspects of veterinary practice, Rozanski said.
“One of the goals is to (have them) figure out how much money they would have generated in a full-service clinic by how hard they worked,” she said, so that they “recognize that you don’t get paid as a veterinarian (just) because you love animals.”
An eventual goal is to use the clinic as a resource for research on public health questions such as the effects of secondhand smoke in pets and whether and how pets may be affected by toxicity from lead in the environment, Rozanski said.
For the moment, a few logistical details have yet to be worked out. For example, the high school day starts early, at 7:20 a.m., and ends early, at 1:43 p.m. Would clinic hours extend beyond that? Similarly, how should the clinic handle the school’s spring, winter and summer breaks?
Once the wrinkles are ironed out, and assuming all goes smoothly, Rozanski said, the clinic will open within a month or two.
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