Archive - March 2010

The college welcomes new employees George Chisholm, an animal care orderly, and Francis Howard, a large/small animal technician. They attended the CVM orientation held March 3 and are members of the Department of Clinical Sciences staff.

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Women in Science and Engineering are sponsoring Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou’s visit April 5-6 to Auburn. Dr. Pappaioanou is executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C., and holds a joint appointment as Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Prior to her academic appointments, Dr. Pappaioanou held numerous positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2003 she coordinated the CDC’s international response to SARS and avian flu outbreaks. 

Dean’s Hour: Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou, “Emerging Opportunities for One-Health Veterinarians” 
April 5, 11 a.m.
Audience: First- and second-year CVM students

Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou on public health issues
April 6, 3 p.m.
Open to the public

Dr. Bernard E. (Bernie) Rollin, a philosopher widely recognized for his approach to animal rights, as well as his influence in politics, delivers the keynote address for the Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Forum on April 7. Among his accomplishments, Dr. Rollin is the author of Animal Rights and Human Morality; The Unheeded Cry: Animal Consciousness, Animal Pain, and Scientific Change, Farm Animal Welfare; and Science and Ethics. He is the editor of a two-volume book titled The Experimental Animal in Biomedical Research. A leading scholar and pioneer in animal rights and animal consciousness, Dr. Rollin holds the position of University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University.

• 7th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Forum
• Keynote Address - Dr. Bernie Rollin
• April 7, 6 p.m.
• Room 2222
• Auburn University Student Center

Annual Conference Brings Jeanne Robertson
to CVM on April 9  

Our 103rd Annual Veterinary Conference, which occurs April 8-11, "Welcomes Home" past graduates while offering knowledge and information for the veterinarian's world today. Pre-conference events kick off Thursday morning with a shotgun start at the Annual Conference Golf Classic at Yarbrough Farms.

Professional speaker Jeanne Robertson is the conference keynote speaker, but as a special treat for CVM staff, Jeanne is speaking at noon in Overton Auditorium. Jeanne, who specializes in humor based on her life experiences, will talk about humor in the work place. An Auburn graduate, Jeanne is also the great-granddaughter of Dr. I.S. McAdory, the second dean of our college.

The college is purchasing lunch for the first 200 persons who register to hear Jeanne Robertson. For those who miss out on the complimentary lunch, you can still hear Jeanne – just bring your own brown bag lunch.

Faculty are encouraged to hear Jeanne’s keynote presentation at 10:15 a.m. at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

To register for lunch, click the following link:
Jeanne Robertson - Humor In The Workplace

• April 9, Noon
• Overton Auditorium
• Free lunch for the first 200 who register

Read more about Jeanne and Annual Conference in the online brochure: http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/ce/upcoming-events

When Dr. Steve Swaim, Professor Emeritus of the Scott-Ritchey Research Center and the Department of Clinical Sciences, taught veterinary students he included similes and expressions in his lectures and printed lecture notes. “By including these, I was attempting to give some life to the material and help avoid some of the boredom that can go with learning large quantities of scientific material,” said Dr. Swaim.  For example when teaching surgery he would encourage students by saying, “When you first start, you will feel about as graceful as an octopus falling out of a tree; but you get better with time and practice.” Among his students, these sayings became known as “Swaimisms.”

Recently Dr. Swaim transcribed his life experiences as they relate to his veterinary career into a humorous and touching book. Dr. Swaim is bringing copies of “I Wanna See a Veterinarian” to Annual Conference for purchase and for personalization by him. After the conference, his book will be available through AVESS, J & M Bookstore, and Amazon.com.

Along with popular favorites like Teddy Bear Surgery, this year’s Open House on April 24 also offers two scouting opportunities. Boy Scouts can work on the Veterinary Medicine Merit Badge and Cub Scouts can receive a certificate in Wildlife Conservation. Open House activities begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., but scouts should bring their merit badge blue card and arrive before 10 a.m. to complete the required activities. Logan Botzman, a second-year veterinary student, serves as merit badge counselor (270-293-2591, ljb0005@auburn.edu).

For a full list of activities, visit the Open House Web page.

A new group to form this year is AU-CVM BRaTs (Auburn Undergraduates Committed to Veterinary Medical Bioscience Research and Training). Each month members interact with CVM faculty to learn about veterinary and biomedical science research.

On March 8 Dr. Curt Bird, a Professor of Molecular Biology and Cancer Genetics in the Department of Pathobiology, spoke to the group on canine mammary cancer and a therapeutic model of human breast cancer. As principle investigator, Dr. Bird is currently conducting clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment for mammary cancer in dogs. Candidates for potential recruitment in the clinical trial are sought and referring veterinarians within a reasonable distance (the trial involves approximately six visits) are being contacted.

The goal of the clinical trials is to extend the life and the quality of life for dogs. In regard to working in his lab, Dr. Bird said although BRaTs members would not discover cancer’s cure they would “help improve the lives of animals and the management of cancer.”

Many have asked Dr. Ghislaine Dujovne, who is from Santiago, Chile, and an equine theriogenology resident in the Department of Clinial Sciences, how to help with earthquake relief for the people of Chile. Thankfully Dr. Dujovne’s family is fine, but there are many persons who need aid, especially those who lived near the epicenter where whole towns were destroyed by the tsunami that followed.

The Embassy of Chile ( http://www.chile-usa.org/) has opened two accounts that are accepting donations:

1. Bank of America Account

Bank: Deposit or wire money to Bank of America account Chile Earthquake Relief Fund. Checking account number: 226000255231. ABA or Routing number: 026-009-593. SWIFT: BOFAUS3N

Checks: Payable to Chile Earthquake Relief Fund and mail to Embassy of Chile, 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036

2. Donate (tax-exempt) through the Pan American Development Foundation

Online: http://www.panamericanrelief.org/

Toll-free: (877) 572-4484 to donate with VISA or MASTERCARD

Bank: Deposit or wire money to Citibank Account: 15488659. ABA Routing Number: 254040116

Checks: Payable to Pan American Relief Foundation noting Chile Relief and mail to Pan American Development Foundation, 1889 F Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington DC 20006

Dr. Dujovne is appreciative for everyone’s support and concern.

Some may not be aware of the special relationship our college has with Chile in the form of a student exchange program. 

Each year in May second-year students take a trip to Valdivia where they stay for three weeks at Austral University. They arrive in Santiago and travel south to Valdivia where they live in student housing near the new veterinary teaching hospital.

“They get to do things they wouldn’t normally be able to do like sheep production,” said Dr. Haroldo Toro, who coordinates the program with Austral University. Dr. Toro received his D.V.M. from the University of Chile in Santiago and began his academic career there before joining the CVM faculty in 2002.

Students also see cold water fish, such as salmon, and visit the salmon industry. Chile was the second-largest producer of salmon until a devastating virus killed millions of fish two years ago.

While visiting different types of dairy farms, Auburn veterinary students are able to see the strong influence immigrants have had on Chilean dairy farming through the existing structures and agricultural practices. Other non-typical experiences for second-year students involve assisting in the teaching hospital’s small and large animal clinics, including patient surgeries.

This year there are five Auburn students who will leave May 20 for Chile. 

The College of Veterinary Medicine, along with the School of Nursing and the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction, won the $3,000 scholarship award in the Deans’ Challenge Women’s Basketball Competition. According to Mike Hales with the Auburn Athletics Department, these three schools used the highest percentage of their allotted tickets with 62%. “This initiative has made a significant impact over the years on attendance, atmosphere, and overall interest in our program and we are very appreciative of your efforts and enthusiasm,” said Mike. The college thanks all of you who supported Auburn Women’s Basketball and veterinary medicine.

As a thank you for being part of the 2010 Faculty Staff Campaign, Dr. Mary Boudreaux, who created “Brownie Fridays,” is providing fleece blankets to be given away in a weekly drawing for those who contribute.

In the 2009 campaign, the College of Education and the School of Nursing boasted 100 percent participation. As a whole, Auburn University continued to outpace other Southeastern Conference schools in campus support efforts with an unprecedented 70.33 participation level.

Participation in the Faculty Staff Campaign demonstrates a belief in Auburn and its programs. It also shows others we are deserving of their philanthropic support.

Week One Giveaway Winners – Teri Dunaway and Shelly Aono

On Feb. 7 the Auburn University Board of Trustees approved the schematic drawings for the design of the New Small Animal Hospital and education wing. The new hospital will provide innovations in education, clinical research, and animal health care. An in-house building committee has provided input into the hospital’s spatial design. Faculty and staff were invited to learn more about the new hospital and the long-range research plans associated with its construction at a Feb. 9 meeting with architect Skip Wyatt. Hospital planning updates will be shared at upcoming staff and faculty meetings. For those who attend Annual Conference, a comprehensive overview of the new hospital will be presented by Dean Boosinger during the opening session on Friday, April 9, at 8:30 a.m.

Anyone at the CVM – faculty, staff, veterinary and grad students – interested in learning about holistic integrative veterinary medicine is invited to attend a lunch meeting of the Auburn Integrative Medicine Club (AIM). Recently formed as a student chapter of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, AIM held its first lunch-and-learn session on March 30. Twila Floyd, D.V.M., who is certified in veterinary acupuncture, spoke on complementary medicine including acupuncture and nutrition. The next opportunity to learn more about alternative and complementary approaches to veterinary healthcare is April 6.

Acupuncture Basics and Clinical Use

• Dr. Janet Steiss
• April 6, Noon
• 120 Greene Hall 
• For information contact Emily Yunker, (ety0001@auburn.edu). 

Dr. Twila Floyd and Emily Yunker

• Dr. Ya-Xiong Tao, Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology who recently published an article in Endocrine Reviews. His comprehensive 38-page article summarizes the current state of the art on the physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology of the melanocortin-4 receptor. Dr. Tao’s own contribution to this field, especially in using small molecule drugs to correct genetic defects in this receptor, is highlighted. Endocrine Reviews is ranked number one in the field of endocrinology and metabolism, and number 26 in the 6620 journals tracked by Science Citation Index according to its five-year impact factor of 24.444.
• Dr. Rebecca Funk, a third-year equine internal medicine resident and biomedical sciences master's student in the Department of Clinical Sciences. Dr. Funk is selected as one of ten Auburn University distinguished master's outstanding students for 2009-2010. She was honored, along with other outstanding master's and doctoral students, at the Graduate Research Forum on March 6 at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art.
• Dr. Nancy Cox on her promotion to the rank of Professor.
• Dr. Robert Kennis on receiving tenure.
• Dr. Linda Martin on receiving tenure and becoming an Associate Professor.
• Dr. Janet Steiss on attaining the rank of Professor.
• Dr. Wayne Waguespack on becoming an Associate Professor.

to Debbie Watkins (Clinical Sciences) and her family upon the death of her mother, Joan J. Jones, on March 6.

to Russell Adkison (Clinical Sciences) and members of his family upon the death of his mother on March 24.

Did you get married, have a baby, win a teaching award, receive a grant for a study, publish your work in a professional journal, or, do you have immediate family serving in the U.S. Military? @the CVM is a monthly e-newsletter for faculty and staff and we would like to hear from you!  Please send information to Tara.Lanier@auburn.edu, 105 Greene Hall.

The college has launched a Fan Page on Facebook. Search for "Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine."

You must be a Facebook user to view our page. To post CVM news, upcoming events, honorary awards, grant awards, etc. (with photographs), please send your information to Tara.Lanier@auburn.edu.