September 2011

Freshman through senior students from southeastern veterinary schools with interests in food animal medicine will descend upon the CVM campus Oct. 7 through 9 for the 2011 Pfizer Southeastern Student Food Animal Symposium. Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Student Chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners are hosts of the free weekend symposium which includes lectures, wet labs, and social events.

The CVM Graduate Student Association continues its Ab Initio lecture series on Sept. 29 with Dr. Chad Foradori of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology. For the event, faculty members are asked to speak to graduate trainees about their life “ab initio,” or from the beginning, including undergraduate/graduate studies, post-doc training, and other experiences that contributed to a career in science as a researcher, professor, or veterinarian. Speakers are also asked to share opinions about careers available to graduate students who possibly plan to follow in the speaker's academic footsteps.

Dr. Foradori’s informal lecture takes place in 120 Greene Hall from noon to 1 p.m. Pizza will be provided and graduate trainees and faculty are invited.

Dr. Benson Akingbemi, an associate professor of anatomy, “takes 5” with Auburn University answering questions on his educational journey from Nigeria to Zimbabwe, and eventually, to the U.S. Dr. Akingbemi’s research is centered on chemicals in the environment and their effects on public health. Read more about his journey and research here.

Employees who attended the Sept. 6 CVM orientation session included, front row (l-r): Heather Wilkerson, canine instructor, Animal Health and Performance Program; Mallory Guthrie, canine instructor, Animal Health and Performance Program; Coree Pledge, large animal/small animal technician, Clinical Sciences; and Melissa Sloss, veterinary technician, Clinical Sciences. Back row (l-r): Jennifer Henson, surgical services supervisor, Clinical Sciences; Shelby Million, large animal/small animal technician, Clinical Sciences; Ramuy Ibrahim, canine instructor, Animal Health and Performance Program; and Justin Tew, large animal/small animal technician, Clinical Sciences. Attending, but not photographed, was Will Riley, contracts and grants coordinator, Administration. 

Every year the College of Veterinary Medicine is a major participant in the United Way of Lee County LIVE UNITED campaign. As the campus division, Auburn University donated $131,665 last year with the CVM contributing $13,732. This year the university’s goal is $140,000 and our college goal is $14,000.

The United Way of Lee County supports 27 agencies that serve the local community.  Four focus areas target education, health, families, and crisis, or specific agencies may be selected to receive donations.

To answer questions and to assist with the CVM’s campaign efforts are:

• Hattie Alvis - Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology
• Lisa Carter - Animal Health Research
• Sherry Compton - Scott-Ritchey Research Center
• Karie Dalton - Information and Instructional Technology
• Karen Galik - Animal Health and Performance Program
• Glenn Horne - Clinical Sciences
• Paula Johnston – Laboratory Animal Health
• Kathy Kidd – Pathobiology
• Mark McClendon – Equine Plasma Project
• Karla Meadows – Administration
• Dr. Charles Hendrix, special coordinator 

The Critical Care Program hosts the tenth annual Celebration of Life on Sunday, Oct. 16, to recognize patients that overcame life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

The CVM community and the public are invited to the event which begins at 2 p.m. in Overton Auditorium.  Following an overview of the Critical Care Program, faculty and residents will present highlights of cases in a special tribute.

Animals with their owners attend the event which culminates in the Manny Morpeth Award for the Case of the Year, named for the first recipient in 2002.

Nurses selected these extraordinary cases from more than 1,500 animals treated in the past year by the Critical Care Program.

With the academic year underway, it is a good time to review several aspects of security in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

• Make sure doors are closed and locked at the end of the day. Report suspicious behavior or unauthorized visitors to your supervisor or to Auburn Police at 501-3100 or 911. Please do not disable locking systems by propping doors open.
• Wear your CVM identification badge on campus during normal working hours, after-hours, and weekends. Individuals who do not have appropriate identification may be escorted off campus. This policy will be strictly enforced after-hours, weekends and holidays. Identification badges and replacements can be obtained from Information and Instructional Technology located in 180 Greene Hall. 
•  Note the locations of six outside emergency "blue light" phones on the CVM campus. One is located between Greene Hall and the large east-side parking lot, three at the Large Animal Teaching Hospital, one next to the Multi-Purpose Laboratory, and one at the Southeastern Raptor Center.
• Security video cameras are positioned at key locations of the exterior and interior of the CVM campus, including Greene Hall, Hoerlein Hall, J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, McAdory Hall, and the Scott-Ritchey Research Center. These are monitored by the Auburn University Department of Public Safety and Security and/or by college units.
• When parking at the CVM after working hours or after dark, please use the lots that are well-lit and located close to the entry door. Follow normal precautions for personal safety.
• Please report safety concerns to your supervisor or the Auburn Police at 501-3100 or 911 for emergency assistance.