PEGASUS PRESS Spring 2015
M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y • C O L L E G E O F V E T E R I N A RY M E D I C I N E
CVM Takes Research to the Field
Advancing Beef Cattle Productivity
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R E S P E C T
B Y
E X C E E D I N G
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students complete a required rotation in neurology, ophthalmology, and radiation oncology. • In the fall of 2007, we started a required ambulatory rotation to private clients’ farms. This rotation provides students experience with large animals in a realistic practice environment. • Our Shelter Medicine Program, with one mobile clinic, had just started in spring 2007. Now, we have two mobile units that regularly visit 20 North Mississippi animal shelters. In addition to gaining surgical experience, students practice preventive medicine in working with shelters on proper ventilation and disease control and prevention. • In keeping with the MSU plan for globalization, we have instituted a study-abroad program. To further prepare students for changes in demographics in the U.S., as well as globally, cultural competency topics have been embedded throughout the curriculum. • A new $12 million necropsy facility was built, and the college’s main Starkville facility, the 376,000-square-foot Wise Center, received a new roof and building envelope ($6.79 million). • Applications for the DVM program have increased from 525 to 988 per year. Class size has increased from 72 to 85, and the average national board passing rate at graduation (5-year average) stands at 97.2 percent with a 100 percent pass rate for the Class of 2014. • Faculty members have successfully secured funding for research, with
a message from the
extramural research expenditures growing from $4.6 million in 2007
DEAN
to more than $8.5 million for the current fiscal year. The CVM was awarded its third successive competitive 5-year National Institutes of Health T35 award for the veterinary student summer research program. • The CVM’s aquatic animal health program, long one of our points of
Dr. Kent Hoblet
pride, was designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a Center of Knowledge for Aquatic Animal Health,
the first such designation in the world for a college of veterinary
Each accredited college of veterinary medicine must complete a U.S.
medicine.
Department of Education-mandated site visit every 7 years. Our recent
• Our combined DVM-PhD program was initiated after the last visit. The
site visit occurred over a 5-day period in late October. While we were
first student to successfully complete both degrees will finish in 2015.
encouraged by the site team’s preliminary report, we will not learn of our
• A bachelor of science in Veterinary Medical Technology program,
accreditation status until after the entire Council on Education meets in
with the final 2 years completed in the CVM, will graduate its fourth
mid-March.
class in May. One goal is to educate veterinary technology and DVM
Accreditation is focused on a college’s professional DVM education
students in the same environment to prepare them to work together
program and is about how a college meets (and documents how it meets)
more effectively as they enter the workforce.
each of the standards. Colleges are not compared with one another. The first step when preparing for an accreditation visit requires that the faculty conduct a self-evaluation of their program’s compliance with each of the 11 standards, including finances, curriculum, facilities, and clinical resources. From this, a 100-page self-study document is prepared.
As a result of this process of self-evaluation, it is inevitable for a
college to look at how its program compares with where it was 7 years ago. I want to share some of the changes that have occurred at our college since October 2007: • All 4th-year veterinary students now rotate through the Animal Emergency and Referral Center (AERC) and veterinary/poultry diagnostic laboratories in the Jackson metro area. These rotations build student expertise in first-opinion emergency cases, regulatory
It is clear that a great deal of change has occurred across the
CVM over the past 7 years. These changes demonstrate the hard work, commitment, and creativity of our faculty and staff in teaching, research, and professional service. Furthermore, the range of experiences integrate well with the DVM teaching program, with the overarching goal being to produce well-rounded, entry-level veterinarians capable of meeting a host of societal needs.
As I visit with others at professional gatherings, I continue to hear of
the great accomplishments of our graduates. We at the CVM continue to look to the future with excitement as we anticipate what is possible during the next 7 years.
medicine, and population medicine (using the poultry industry as a model). • At the Veterinary Specialty Center, located 4 miles from our main Starkville campus in a shared facility with physicians, 4th-year
Dr. Kent H. Hoblet Dean & Professor | CVM Office of the Dean | (662) 325-1131
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PEGASUS PRESS
MISS ISS IPP I STATE UN I VERS IT Y • C OLLEGE OF V ETER INARY ME D I C I NE
Pegasus Press is published three times each year by the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Kent Hoblet
Keryn Page
Dean
Editor
Dr. Ron McLaughlin
Kim Trimm
Interim Associate Dean Administration
Dr. Mark Lawrence Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies
Dr. Margaret Kern Associate Dean Academic Affairs
Dr. Rich Meiring Assistant Dean Admissions & Student Affairs
Karen Templeton Director Outreach & Communications
Katie Timmerman Communications Coordinator
Dr. Joey Burt Director Animal Health Center
Dr. Stephen Pruett Department Head Basic Sciences
c o n t e n t s
Graphic Designer
Tom Thompson
5 B o m b - S n i f f i n g D o g
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Photographer
Direct suggestions, requests, comments, and story ideas to:
8 AER C U pd a t e
Dr. Wayne Groce Pegasus Press Managing Editor
(870) 866-5062 (cell) (662) 325-1131 (MSU) groce@cvm.msstate.edu
11 N I H G r a n t
12 B e e f P r o g r a m U pd a t e Pegasus Press is produced by the MSU Office of Agricultural Communications.
16 A l u m n i P r o f i l e
www.cvm.msstate.edu www.facebook.com/msucvm We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
2 0 2 015 M a t ch D a y
Dr. andrew Mackin Interim Department Head Clinical Sciences
Dr. Bill Epperson Department Head Pathobiology & Population Medicine
Dr. Lanny Pace Executive Director Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory System
COVER PHOTOS: Dr. David Smith (front cover), the first MSU-CVM Dr. Mikell and Mary Cheek Hall Davis Endowed Professor of Beef Cattle Health and Reproduction, credits the Davises’ endowment for advancing the college’s beef program. Smith was able to hire Liesel Schneider (back cover), now a 1st-year DVM/PhD student at the CVM, to work on epidemiological research projects when she was an undergraduate student. Read more on page 12.
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Before the eradication program, the screwworm activity cycle
dictated the application of management practices and procedures in our
Things Aren’t What They Used to Be. Thank Goodness!
livestock operations. They were pretty well omnipresent from last frost
repeatedly until healed.
You don’t have to think very hard to come up with an extensive list of preparations and products that veterinarians now have at our disposal that were not even imagined five or six decades ago. As I recall the “medicines” and techniques used on the farm of my rearing, the scope of advancement is astounding. Dr. LeGear brand products were popular, and they seemed to have a potion or powder for most common animal ailments. It was a common opinion with human as well as animal medicines that, to be effective, they had to stink, stain, sting on application, or taste horrible. If you could get a trifecta out of this list of properties in one product, it had to be a “wonder drug.” Control of internal and external parasites has always been a critical management battle in our region. I have always contended that parasites do not want to go to heaven when they expire; they want to go to the southeastern United States. We would pile brush around stumps on the perimeter of our pastures during the summer and winter, and then sequentially burn them during the spring to provide the cattle relief from swarms of buffalo gnats. The cattle were smart enough to graze in the areas where the smoke drifted. Cattle were also periodically sprayed with solutions of noxious pesticides or herded through dipping vats of the same. We sprayed swine with similar products to control lice and mange. These products were effective, but they provided short-lived control. We used a product called Black Leaf 40 to control fowl mites in our home poultry flock. This was a crude extract of tobacco that contained 40 percent nicotine sulfate. We would work at night after the hens had gone to roost to catch them one at a time, upend them, and apply one drop of the extract near their vents. Catching hens from the underside of the high roost bars puts one in a perilous position. Without any doubt, our most formidable insect foe was the dastardly Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the screwworm. The larvae (worms) of this black sheep of the blow fly family feed on living flesh, while the rest of the blow flies’ larvae feed upon dead, decaying tissue. The female of the screwworm clan mates only once before dying and prefers to deposit her eggs in a fresh wound on an animal. This limited window for reproduction was the key to screwworm eradication from the southern United States by 1966. USDA scientists developed techniques to rear massive numbers of screwworms, which were then exposed to sufficient radiation to sterilize but not kill them. The sterile flies were released from low-flying airplanes, whereupon the sterile males mated with native female flies, which then laid their nonviable eggs in wounds.
until first hard freeze each year. Any wounds, whether accidental or surgical, had to be treated preventively, then monitored and treated The USDA developed a treatment/repellent termed Smear 62, which
was used extensively in infested areas. My father preferred a mixture of one part axle grease, one part pine tar, and one part Smear 62. He thought it had better sticking power, and he deemed the Smear 62 pricey. He applied this mixture liberally to navels, incisions, and wounds with a paddle whittled out of a cypress shingle. Of course, the mamma cows would diligently lick any foreign substance off their precious babies, which meant repeated treatments were required. I could detect a sickly sweet odor from screwworm-infested animals, especially swine. My father dismissed this, because he could not pick up the odor, but I was always right in my olfactory diagnosis of this pest. After cleansing the exterior surface of the wound, we instilled chloroform into the wound to drive the maggots out of the deep pockets and kill them. The chloroform gave a sharp cold/stinging sensation upon application to these raw surfaces. I can remember several times when we had pretty large groups of suckling pigs with screwworms in their castration sites. When we returned the pigs to their pen, they would put their “owie” to the ground and “chug” around in a comical “choo-choo” scoot for several seconds.
There were not a lot of internal parasite control products available
for farm animals, and their efficacy was limited. The dose range between effective against the parasite and toxic to the animal was very narrow with most of these products. We treated cattle for internal parasites with orally administered copper sulfate solution or phenothiazine. Pigs were dewormed with sodium fluoride in feed until safer, more effective piperazine was available. These products were only effective against adult worms in the gastrointestinal tract and did not destroy migrating larvae in the animal’s body; thus, they had no effect on reducing reinfestation from the environment.
Futuristic advances in preventing and controlling pests and diseases
in humans and animals have obviously occurred in our lifetime.
Until we meet again to share reflections and recollections from the
tractor seat, please remember, if you are not hurting, you probably are not doing enough. Thank you.
A. Wayne Groce, DVM Professor Emeritus | groce@cvm.msstate.edu
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CVM Provides Care to MSU
Bomb-sniffing Dog
Bully is the CVM’s highest-profile patient, but his veterinarians provide healthcare to another important campus dog. MSU’s new bomb-sniffing dog is the newest member of the university’s police force. Migel, a nearly-2-year-old Belgian Malinois arrived on campus last September, 2 months after Vance Rice began his tenure as chief of the MSU Police Department. The dog has to give the “all-clear” signal before anyone can enter Davis Wade Stadium or Humphrey Coliseum for MSU football and basketball games. He scans all venues where highly attended events are held before they begin, Rice said. For 32 to 40 hours a week, he is on patrol with his handler and walking around campus with him. When he’s on duty, he’s always searching. “I ask the handler to have him searching,” Rice said, “even if they’re just walking around in the Union.” Migel has gotten to know his handler, Patrick Jenkins, very well since the two were paired last year, but he’s also familiar with CVM assistant clinical professor Dr. Christine Bryan. Bryan is in charge of keeping Migel healthy and up-todate on his vaccines. Andrea Hannigan, a Community Veterinary Services technician, and CVM students also assist with the dog’s healthcare. “He is up-to-date on vaccines and will return for annual physical examinations
and vaccine boosters,” Bryan said. “We have also vaccinated him against additional diseases that he may potentially be exposed to while on duty. If any problems arise with him, we will diagnose and treat him as needed.” Bryan said she has encouraged the handler to bring the dog by to visit with CVM faculty and students on a regular basis. “He needs to be comfortable being handled by the staff and exposed to all the sights and sounds that happen in our building as he will be exposed to similar things while on duty,” Bryan said. “We have had the students work with us in handling him, but, initially, we limited student exposure to him until we could get him used to being handled. Dogs trained for police work are not always the easiest patients to work with. Until we could work with him and get him used to us and make sure that the students and dog would work together well, we limited their interaction.” Rice said dogs for university campuses must be both diligent and personable. “I have to look for a dog that is social and friendly yet will still do the job,” Rice said. “Migel is a friendly dog who does well in crowds and will allow you to pet him.” Bryan said it took time for her to adjust to working with Migel because most of her previous patients have been pets. “I have worked with retired police and military dogs before, but never ones
currently on duty,” Bryan said. “Migel has a job to do that is very important, and I have to keep him in tip-top shape to do that. It has meant scheduling appointments around his work shifts so he does not feel bad while on duty. It has meant learning how to safely handle him while keeping him at ease with us, as well as determining how to incorporate students into his care. It’s been fun to learn about his idiosyncrasies and watch him settle in and get to work.” One of Migel’s quirks, Jenkins said, is a trick he does when he’s at home playing with his ball in the back yard. “He’ll take his ball, put it in his mouth, and roll over on his back,” Jenkins said. “Then, he’ll put it in his two front paws, throw it up, and catch it. He’s a very unique, funny dog. Not only is he great around kids when he’s on the job, but he’s the exact same way at home. Anybody can come up to him.” Bryan said working with Migel has been a rewarding experience. “He is a fantastic addition to the university,” she said, “and I look forward to the opportunity to work with him for many years to come.”
By Nathan Gregory
Pegasus Press
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Timmerman
Works with Students and Alumni
CVM Professor
Leads Major Reference Publication
Katie Timmerman joined the MSUCVM in December as communications coordinator. In this role, she interacts with current students and alumni. Her first big projects will be coordinating the annual Open House and Vet Camp. She also has been in touch with alumni to set up lunch-and-learns for the Community Veterinary Services students and is finding new ways to engage alumni in MSU-CVM activities. Timmerman earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public policy and administration at MSU. Previously, she worked at MSU as a scholarship counselor in the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. She loves Mississippi State and the many opportunities it offers students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In her spare time, Timmerman enjoys traveling, coin collecting, and walking her two rescue dogs, Cinnamon and Oliver. She can be reached at katie.timmerman@msstate.edu or (662) 325-0465.
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A comprehensive reference book on all aspects of bovine reproduction was recently published under the leadership of Dr. Richard Hopper. Hopper, a professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, is lead author and editor-in-chief of Bovine Reproduction. Hopper is section leader for the CVM Theriogenology, Ambulatory, and Food Animal Medicine Service. As lead author and editor, Hopper identified contributing authors, developed content, and evaluated and approved the book’s 83 chapters. MSU faculty and other Mississippi-based experts wrote many of the chapters. The book provides information on all aspects of reproduction in bulls and cows, including current research for evaluating and restoring fertility in bovine patients. Bovine practitioners, theriogenologists, animal scientists, and veterinary students are already using the book. “This compendium was a huge undertaking by Dr. Hopper and has been much needed in the field,” said Dr. Peter Ryan, MSU associate provost and contributing author. “The resource is a living document and available electronically, so it will be easily
updated and become the go-to source for veterinarians, animal and dairy scientists, and students. Dr. Hopper has been an outstanding educator throughout his career, and this book enables a greater sharing of his knowledge.” Hopper kept international veterinary medicine in mind as he developed the material. “What is really unique is that Dr. Hopper was careful to place information in the context of herd health, giving a global view of bovine theriogenology,” said CVM Dean Kent Hoblet. “This is timely as our university strives to meet a wide range of needs of small communities here in our region and also around the globe. Bovine reproduction is a major factor in helping provide food security for communities, and it makes us, as a college, especially proud to have a hand in improving international animal agriculture.” Hopper entered private practice in Oneonta, Alabama, after earning a veterinary degree from Auburn in 1978. He later went to work with the MSU Extension Service and became a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. He established the theriogenology service at MSU, which has grown to have a substantial multispecies caseload and has maintained a successful resident training program. Hopper has been active in the Society for Theriogenology and served as its president in 2012. He has made numerous presentations at scientific and lay meetings across the U.S. and continues to be a resource to practitioners and students.
By Karen Templeton
Meet
The faculty
Dr. Brittany Thames
Critical Care Specialist Takes ICU to the Next Level
Dr. Brittany Thames (Class of 2010) may have discovered her career in veterinary medicine by chance, but her track record of success is based on hard work, not luck. “It is important in my family to find something you are passionate about and chase that dream,” Thames said. After getting a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in public health from the University of Southern Mississippi, Thames left her job at Pine Belt Veterinary Hospital to pursue a DVM degree at MSU. “I became enamored with and wanted to gain additional knowledge in the fields of emergency and critical care medicine,” she said. “So after an incredible internship in a small animal referral practice at the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield, Virginia, I was fortunate enough to spend the next 3 years in a residency at Texas A&M University in small animal emergency and critical care.”
The fast pace and variety of patient cases at TAMU allowed Thames to gain invaluable experience in infectious diseases, polytrauma, envenomations, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and toxicities. She made genuine and lasting friendships in Texas, but Thames missed her family and her state, so she decided to chase her dream of working in Mississippi. “I wanted to treat animals in my state,” she said. “So many Mississippi veterinarians offered me guidance and help. Along with my family, they helped make my dreams reality. So, I wanted to try and make a difference in the lives of emergency and critical care patients and make a positive contribution to the people and place that raised and supported me, in my Mississippi.” Thames returned to the Magnolia State as a faculty member and emergency and critical care veterinarian in August 2014. Her enthusiasm for treating patients in the clinic and getting to know clients is accompanied by a passion for teaching and mentoring CVM students. “It is heartwarming when you come across students who truly love their chosen career path, are passionate about communicating with owners, and put their whole hearts into each patient they treat,” she said. Dr. Cory Langston, service chief for the CVM small animal ICU, said Thames is able to offer expertise beyond that of most practitioners. “We already provide high-quality care in our ICU—the highest we can for each patient—but there is always room for improvement, and that is where she comes in,” Langston said. “She is so valuable
I wanted to try and make a difference in the lives of emergency and critical care patients in my Mississippi.
for patients who truly need intensive care because of very severe injuries, heart and kidney failure, shock, burns, or severe trauma.” Langston said that while Thames is focused on clinical patient care and working with senior students during their 6-week emergency and ICU rotation, she is developing an elective course in critical care, as well. She also is preparing to take her board exam in the fall to complete her specialist credentials. But Thames has added more than her expertise to the ICU; she has brought a high dose of energy. “She is so enthusiastic about what she is doing, it’s refreshing,” Langston said. “Having someone come in who just loves what she is doing is invigorating to everyone else around her.” Dr. Andrew Mackin, interim head of the Department of Clinical Sciences, said Thames is the cornerstone of an investment CVM is making in its critical care, emergency care, and intensive care services. “She came in to make sure that, as we build up our entire service, we have the best advice,” Mackin said. “From patient care to which walls to knock out as we expand, we get information from an expert who knows what is most important.” With a limited number of critical care residencies available in the U.S., the experience Thames received is precious. “Every time she does something, we are all learning, observing, and watching,” Mackin said.
By Keri Collins Lewis
Pegasus Press
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AERC Team
Sees Success & Growth A Rare Case It was about 7 p.m. when a small, mixed-breed dog arrived with her concerned owner at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center in the Jackson suburb of Flowood. The little dog had been found chewing on a poisonous substance, despite her owner’s best efforts to keep the home safe. The dog seemed lively and alert as the veterinarian examined her. To a casual observer, the dog was doing just fine so far. But as an emergency veterinarian at the AERC, Dr. Aimee Daniel is used to zeroing in on the problem. She consulted with a toxicologist and learned that the poison was not absorbable through the gastrointestinal tract; it would only be absorbed into the system through possible tiny abrasions in the dog’s mouth. Daniel watched her small patient closely as the toxicologist described the poison as “quick-acting, causing respiratory depression and likely respiratory paralysis.” A check of the dog’s blood gas revealed that its oxygen levels were dropping quickly. Within moments of ending her conversation with the toxicologist, Daniel could see the poison had taken effect. Daniel quickly anesthetized her patient, who then spent 4 hours on a ventilator. By the next day, the toxin had cleared from her system and the dog was able to return home with her owner. “This was such a rare case,” Daniel said. “As good as the dog looked when it got here, the oxygenation in its blood was
already bad. If it hadn’t arrived here within 20 minutes, the outcome would’ve been very different.” Daniel noted that, as the poison took effect, the dog would have been mentally alert, but it would not have been able to manifest any movement, including breathing. “Between the team here and the toxicologist on the phone line, we made a difference for that family and for their pet. Cases like this make me feel good about being an ER veterinarian,” she said.
An Extension of the Primary Care Veterinarian Since 2010, the AERC, an affiliate of the MSU-CVM, has been open 24/7 to see emergency cases ranging from pets hit by cars to accidental poisoning, dog fights, and much more. Daniel is one of eight emergency veterinarians who staff the center, along with specialists in surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, and dentistry. “We are an extension of the primary care veterinarian,” said Dr. Darrell Phillips, hospital administrator. “Because we’re always open, we can take care of their emergencies if they would like us to.” Currently, the center sees an average of 130 emergency cases per week. For clients and patients, the AERC has become a source of great relief. Brittany Hodges works at the front desk at the AERC, checking patients in. “We have patients who call us before they come, because it’s late at night and they’re imagining that there isn’t
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anywhere open for them to take their pet. When we can tell them, ‘Yes, come on in,’ you can hear the relief in their voices,” she said. “And then the relationships we develop with the primary care veterinarians—those are great because we’re working together to take care of the clients and patients they also know and love.” Phillips said the Jackson-area veterinary community has been wonderful to work with. As new providers and specialties are added, both capacity and satisfaction for the referring DVMs grows, as their clients do not have to travel as far for appointments and can easily visit their pets while they are hospitalized. “We have worked hard to make sure we have a good relationship with our referring doctors,” Phillips said. “When we make things more convenient for their clients and patients, and get the patient right back to primary care, their relationships with their clients flourish. We’re very proud of the partnerships we have grown with our local DVMs.”
A Unique Opportunity for Students A rotation at the AERC has been a part of the student experience at MSUCVM since 2010. As the AERC’s caseload has grown, so has student interest in the rotation, as well as the knowledge and experience they take away. Because only three to five students visit on each rotation, Phillips said they get ample one-on-one time with the emergency veterinarians and specialists.
“The CVM has to teach the students so much,” Phillips said, “including bedside manner, medical records, and so on. Here, the process moves a lot more rapidly and requires the students to learn to think and solve problems quickly.” Phoebe Ainsworth, a member of the CVM Class of 2015, recently completed her rotation at the AERC and said she learned many things that will come in handy after graduation. “I am a lot more comfortable with emergencies now,” she said. “The word ‘emergency’ is such an intense, scary word, but after seeing it in action for 2 weeks, I realized I can do it, too.” Internist Dr. Emily Skovira says DVM students benefit from experience in the private practice setting for various reasons, one of which is that they learn to develop a modified treatment plan based on the owner’s needs. “Many clients don’t have unlimited resources,” Skovira said. “I discuss with the client the ideal diagnostic and treatment plan for the patient; however, if the owner is not able to proceed with that plan due to finances, I work with them to come up with an alternative plan that is within their means.
Students participate in this discussion and see that practicing medicine is not an allor-none situation.”
Skovira said that although most people go into veterinary medicine because of their passion for animals, a passion for people is also a large part of the job. “One of the most important roles a veterinarian has is client education and talking with owners about end-oflife decisions. If a patient’s prognosis is uncertain or poor, I spend significant time counseling owners. When curative intent treatment is not possible, my goal is to provide palliative care with good quality of life for as long as possible. I want to do the best I can for my clients and patients.”
Room for growth With the AERC’s steady growth comes new challenges. “We’re outgrowing our current facility. There are times when we’re absolutely at capacity with emergencies and our referral cases,” Phillips said. As the demand for more specialty services increases, more treatment rooms and exam rooms are needed, as well as more space for isolating and monitoring the most critical patients.
CVM Director of Development Jimmy Kight said the AERC has many opportunities for those who would like to become partners in the team’s mission to deliver the best in healthcare to the region’s pets. “There is a real need for a hardship fund at the AERC to offset the expenses of some of those major medical problems clients face,” he said. “Low-income families can be especially challenged when their pet is facing a complex or unexpected illness, and we want to help them out as much as we can. And with the continued growth in the caseload, we are going to need more space to work with these cases.” Phillips said the need to see things through with their cases means he sometimes has a hard time getting his team to leave when their shifts are over. “For most people in veterinary medicine,” he said, “it’s like a religious vocation, and that passion and drive gets amplified in this environment. We see a lot of bad, hard cases. I’ve seen some incredible successes—patients I thought wouldn’t make it but who have lived and done well. For all of our clients, that patient is their family member, and our people try to pull out all of the stops for them.” For more information on the services available at the AERC, see www.cvm. msstate.edu/aerc.
By Brandi Van Ormer
CVM Professor Chairs
National Research Board
The Morris Animal Foundation has named Dr. Cyprianna Swiderski chair of its Large Animal Scientific Advisory Board. Swiderski, an equine internist who studies airway disease in horses, credits Morris Animal Foundation with the early support of her research that helped to give it credibility. The foundation is a nonprofit organization and is the largest private funding source for research to advance the health of companion animals, horses, and wildlife. “Unlike many funding agencies, whose funding initiatives are not comprehensive for companion veterinary species, Morris Animal Foundation has a broad commitment to funding research that improves companion animal and equine health, species that are directly relevant to the mission of our clinical sciences department,” Swiderski said. “The organization is also very forward-thinking and has developed funding programs specifically tailored to foster the next generation of animal health researchers,” she said. “Funding by this body is highly competitive and is synonymous with excellence.” The foundation relies on its board members to review research proposals and select which projects to fund. This service requires a significant amount of time and scientific expertise. Swiderski has served on the large animal board for 3 years and will spend her
CVM Recognizes
Two Alumni of the Year
PHOTO: Fellow Class of 1988 alumni Drs. Stephen King (left) and Glenn Thomas were selected as MSU-CVM’s 2015 Alumni of the Year. 10 | EARNING RES P EC T BY E X CEE D ING E X P EC T A T IONS
4th and final year as the chair. She will coordinate the board’s review of proposals related to horses and other large animals. The foundation has supported the CVM Summer Research Experience program for the last 7 years. Through the program, veterinary students are paired with faculty mentors in the students’ areas of interest. After students choose research projects, they formulate study plans, conduct research, analyze the results, and present their findings at a national symposium. “This type of research support helps build careers,” Swiderski said. “I’m honored to be part of Morris Animal Foundation. Their commitment to animal health and to facilitating research careers within this discipline is unparalleled.” Swiderski studies pasture heaves, also called summer pastureassociated recurrent airway obstruction, a disease that causes severe respiratory distress in horses maintained on pastures during summer in the Southeast. Her research has advanced this equine disease as a model of human asthma, providing an avenue to identify new asthma treatments. Recently, Swiderski received a highly competitive USDA grant that will enable her to further study the disease. “We are proud of Dr. Swiderski’s work, and her position with such a prestigious national organization really elevates the research programs here at our college,” said CVM Dean Kent Hoblet. Swiderski attended the University of Maryland and earned her DVM from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. After a year in an equine practice, she completed an internship at North Carolina State University. She also completed an equine medicine residency program and then earned a PhD from Louisiana State University in 1998.
By Karen Templeton
Nearly 400 alumni and friends gathered on the Mississippi State University campus for an exciting awards banquet and conference earlier this year. The Alumni Association annually recognizes some of its most outstanding alumni and friends and also offers informative sessions for chapter volunteers. The MSU-CVM alumni selected to participate in this recognition were Drs. Stephen King and Glenn Thomas. The two were classmates and earned their DVMs in 1988. King grew up in Memphis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before making his way to MSU. Thomas, a Tupelo native, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Millsaps College before continuing his education at MSU-CVM. The two now put their talents and veterinary degrees to use as co-owners of Tupelo Small Animal Hospital. They founded the practice in 1994 and have become fixtures in the community.
In addition to practice management, King’s main areas of interest are internal medicine and orthopedic surgery. Thomas’s areas of interest include pediatrics, oncology, general surgery, and behavior. “As members of the MSU-CVM family, Drs. King and Thomas have generously given of their time and expertise to the college,” said CVM Dean Kent Hoblet. “We proudly salute the prestigious and dedicated team as our alumni of the year.” King has served as a member of the MSU-CVM Shelter Medicine Advisory Board and has played an important role in improving shelter medicine in the state. Thomas and King are proactive in fostering the next generation of veterinarians and, as such, have partnered with the college to host Vet Camp at their clinic. They also provide DVM students with externship opportunities at Tupelo Small Animal Hospital.
By Karen Templeton
New
Faculty Lee
CVM Researcher
Receives NIH Grant
Dr. Henry Wan’s NIH grant will fund research to develop more effective flu vaccines.
In the midst of one the country’s largest flu pandemics, scientists around the world are beginning the tedious process of developing the next season’s influenza vaccines. CVM researcher Dr. Henry Wan seeks to make that process more effective. Determining what seasonal flu viruses to vaccinate against is a long, time-consuming process that depends on samples analyzed at laboratories around the world. Each year, thousands of scientists in about 136 influenza centers in 106 countries, along with numerous vaccine companies and surveillance programs, generate data to develop influenza vaccines. The vaccines developed through this process are currently the world’s best defense against the flu. The vaccines’ effectiveness varies from year to year, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that this season’s flu vaccine was only 23 percent effective against the current strains. Wan, an associate professor in the Department of Basic Sciences, has been awarded a major National Institutes of Health R01 grant to develop better ways of determining flu vaccines. R01 grants are highly sought after and have a typical funding rate of less than 10 percent of the grants submitted. “The R01 is the original and oldest grant mechanism used by NIH,” said Dean Kent Hoblet. “After an initial triage process, an NIH panel of experts scores the remaining R01 applications. Dr. Wan has achieved a perfect score, a very rare and difficult feat. We are proud to have his expertise at MSU-CVM and are thankful for this opportunity to elevate this work to achieve international impact. Ultimately, this work is going to save lives and remove an economic burden involved in flu vaccine development.” With this grant, Wan and his team will develop what is referred to as a “machine learning” process. He will use computational methods to discover the critical changes or mutations among influenza viruses by looking at their genome
Chun Sheng (Jason) Lee joined the Clinical Sciences faculty November 16 as a clinical instructor. Lee previously was a neurology resident in Purdue University’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. He was chief surgery resident at the Chun Hsing University (Taiwan) Department of Veterinary Medicine from 2004 to 2011. Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine in 1997 and a master’s degree in 2006, both from Chun Hsing University. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine at Chun Hsing University.
sequences. These mutations determine viral immunogenicity—the ability for the virus to induce immune response in humans. The information derived will be entered into a computerized model that will then provide the best vaccine selections to combat these viruses. “Vaccine development is expensive, labor intensive, and depends on many laboratories around the world. It also involves the use of live viruses and growing them in the lab,” Wan said. “The machine learning method involves looking at the genetic makeup of the viruses along with their changes through history and over geographic regions. Because genomic sequences can be obtained directly using clinical samples, this method can save us from growing the viruses.” Vaccine selections need to be made early because it can take 5 to 6 months to develop the first batch of vaccine. Wan hopes to shorten this process with the use of a system called antigenic cartography, which he developed through his earlier NIH support, and the genomic sequence-based method to be developed with this funding. “We are grateful for the support and the NIH grant,” Wan said. “Without depending on waiting for virus characterization in laboratories, we can get vaccines developed quickly and help lower the risks for the U.S. population, and also people and animals around the world.”
By Karen Templeton Research reported in this release is supported by the National Institutes of Health under award number R01 AI116744-01. Pegasus Press
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CVM Beef Program
Faculty & Students Share Knowledge By Karen TEmpleton It was while Liesel Schneider was growing up on her family’s Century Farm in Troy, Tennessee, that she initially became aware of the challenges facing the cattle industry. From controlling disease to increasing profitability, Schneider knew she wanted to be a part of it. “My family had been in the Hereford cattle business,” Schneider, a 1st-year DVM/ PhD student at the CVM, said. “As part of family tradition, I got involved in livestock showing and judging. I learned a lot about animal husbandry through those experiences and knew that’s what I wanted to study.” As a high school student, Schneider started a Simmental cattle herd and got a taste of the livestock business. The raising and selling of calves is how she earned enough money to pay for her education. She was admitted to MSU-CVM through the earlyentry program. “I started my freshman year knowing that I’d have a spot at CVM,” Schneider said. “During my time as an undergrad in animal and dairy sciences, I became involved in research projects, and my interest in a career in veterinary research grew. I decided to apply for the DVM/PhD dual-degree program,
but I wasn’t exactly sure what my research focus would be.” After graduating in December, Schneider had one semester before she was scheduled to enter CVM. She was introduced to Dr. David Smith, the first MSU-CVM Dr. Mikell and Mary Cheek Hall Davis Endowed Professor of Beef Cattle Health and Reproduction. Smith, a board-certified veterinary epidemiologist, came to CVM in 2013 from the University of Nebraska’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Through funds generated from the Davises’ endowment, Smith was able to hire Schneider to work on epidemiological research projects before she began her classes. “The Davises’ endowment has been such a tremendous gift to the college and the field. It gives us the ability to foster new research with undergraduate, professional, and graduate students,” Smith said. “Because of the endowment, we have been able to support three MSU undergraduate students working on beef cattle-related research, fund research allowing two veterinary students to complete summer research projects, and provide population medicine experiences for veterinary students from the University of Missouri and the University of Sydney.”
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With nearly a million cattle in Mississippi’s 82 counties, meeting producers’ needs is a priority for MSU’s veterinary college. Smith’s 30 years of experience in cattle production systems and disease control prepared him to assist the 17,000 beef cattle farms in Mississippi. Since arriving at CVM, Smith has involved students in every aspect of fieldwork and research to address industry challenges. Schneider dove into disease research. She has submitted abstracts at national meetings and has been recognized for her work. She won second place in the annual Association of Bovine Practitioners’ graduate student competition for her study on factors affecting E.coli O157:H7 hide contamination in feedlot cattle. She was also awarded for a presentation on the effect of morbidity on weaning weight of beef calves at the Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease. “Liesel’s research, along with projects being conducted by Min Wang and Danielle Doyle, also PhD students, will be directly useful to cattle producers,” Smith said. “The students are learning, and the industry is benefiting.” Smith and his team are sharing expertise and resources with MSU’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. “We are trying to anticipate questions the beef industry will be asking as the industry evolves. For example, by studying ways to prevent pneumonia in calves,” Smith said. “It’s important to give producers alternatives to antibiotics—something outside of mass medication. It’s nice to get
students involved in this kind of tangible research early in their careers.” In addition to finding ways to prevent and treat disease, Smith wants to identify more efficient ways to capture important information on the state’s cow-calf and stocker cattle. “We want to use health and performance records to make good management decisions,” he said. “But there is also useful information that can add value to the cattle. We need to learn what data are most worthwhile and then record them in a system that is easy to use.” To meet this need, the Risk Project, a team of faculty interested in population medicine, sought and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant supports purchasing computers to teach producers,
veterinarians, and students how to use animal production and health software. “Technology and partnerships are key,” Smith said. “This software system will make the health-recording process less cumbersome and more user-friendly. This is a way to build an even more viable business model for the state and, at the same time, improve the health and well-being of cattle.” Associate professor Dr. Carla Huston is working with faculty and students to learn more about what the beef industry needs moving forward. She is developing a comprehensive survey for veterinarians on what they can provide the state’s rural producers and also a survey on Mississippi community needs in regards to large animal care. “We get out to the field and the producers as much as we can, whether it is through on-farm visits, research, or participating in producer meetings,” Smith said. “We want to keep them updated and know more about what we can do for them.” Dr. Mikell Davis, who retired from MSUCVM after a long career of teaching and administration, gets to see firsthand that the endowment he and his wife created is helping the next generation of veterinarians, as well as the state’s growing industry. “With the work and the research being done through the beef program, many opportunities for the food animal industry are being presented,” he said. “Dr. Smith’s research and approach is allowing the industry to take that next step and deliver an even better, higher-quality product.” Involving students takes the research and veterinary medical experience to the next level, Davis said. “It is just fantastic to see these veterinary students involved in epidemiology and food animal medicine,” he said. “This leads them to opportunities and allows them, even before graduation, to be major contributors to food animal health. They are truly ahead of the curve.”
PHOTOs: Liesel Schneider, now a 1st-year DVM/PhD student at the CVM, began working on epidemiological research projects when she was an undergraduate student. Under the direction of Dr. David Smith, she has submitted abstracts at national meetings and been recognized for her work. Smith and his team work to meet the needs of Mississippi’s cattle producers. Pegasus Press
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CVM Office of
Development News Advancing International Study Many of the health problems in the world today not only impact humans, but also animals and the environment. To find solutions to the challenges facing our community and our world, MSUCVM is working with scientists, physicians, veterinarians, and other professionals from around the globe as part of the One Health initiative. MSU-CVM faculty and students are able to break down barriers that have previously hindered the sharing of information between health fields to accelerate the progress of advancements.
Our students are enthusiastic about their participation in
this initiative and have forged ahead with learning, teaching, and volunteering around the world. Such experiences provide students with an international perspective that expands their future career opportunities and promotes the application of veterinary skills, education, and knowledge. Additionally, they are learning about disease surveillance and mitigation in ways that help us prevent the transmission of those same diseases here in the U.S.
CVM students and faculty are encouraged to be a part of
international initiatives, and we are proud of the skills they are gaining and how they move the college forward. From helping small communities raise animals safely and efficiently to teaching wildlife management, we are seeing the mutual benefits of international veterinary work.
Students often pay for their own travel and expenses. We do
not want those expenses to hinder their enthusiasm nor prevent them from traveling. As you can read in the pages here, alumni and friends are making student travel possible through special funds. As our international program grows, so must our ability to fund these experiences.
We strive to keep ahead of the curve in global animal health
issues, making our community and our world a healthier place. I look forward to talking with you about how you can be a part of making these experiences possible.
Jimmy Kight CVM Director of Development
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We are excited to host the 5 th year of MSU-CVm’s
V e t C a mp
This opportunity provides teens with an interest in science to experience what the first 2 years of veterinary college are really like. They get the chance to participate in hands-on laboratory activities, learn proper suturing techniques, understand the basics of anatomy, interact with veterinary students and faculty, and, most importantly, have fun. The camp has become popular, and participants come from around the country. Space is limited, but we do provide a few scholarships for underserved teens here in Mississippi. We would like to expand the camp and provide more scholarship opportunities. To find out how you can help, please contact Director of Development Jimmy Kight.
CVM Alum’s Endowment
This gift speaks volumes about the importance of not just the education students receive here, but the friendships they make.
Memorializes Friend & Classmate
Jimmy Kight
A 1992 CVM graduate is honoring the memory of his friend and colleague, and advancing international veterinary medicine by providing a special endowment to current CVM students. Dr. Todd Henderson, CVM’s 2003 Alumni Fellow, has supported the research and student development efforts of his alma mater as president and CEO of Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Inc. Nutramax Laboratories develops animal health products and conducts research to promote quality pet care products. “Dr. Henderson is passionate about improving the quality of life for people and their pets,” said Jimmy Kight, CVM director of development. “He exemplifies the spirit and learning principles of the college.” While at CVM, Henderson and classmate Paul Farmer became good friends and colleagues. Dr. Farmer and his wife, Alyssa Farmer, owned and operated Animal Medical Hospital Inc. at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in the Jackson area. After a brave battle with pancreatic cancer, Dr. Farmer passed away. He is survived by his wife and two children. “Just prior to his passing, Paul and I were able to spend time talking and praying,” Henderson said. “My greatest joy was praying with my friend whom I dearly loved. The manner in which he handled his illness and the grace he showed was a great encouragement to me.”
As a tribute to his friend and in an effort to promote student travel and research, Henderson is directing $30,000 from Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Inc. to establish the Paul Farmer Memorial and Nutramax Laboratories Student Travel Endowment and the Paul Farmer Memorial and Nutramax Laboratories Student Travel Support Fund. The gifts will be used to support students in their pursuit of domestic and international travel to promote the practice of veterinary medicine. Student awardees must be in good academic standing, demonstrate strong leadership abilities, and be members of the MSU-CVM Christian Veterinary Fellowship. “This gift speaks volumes about the importance of not just the education students receive here, but the friendships they make,” Kight said. “Dr. Henderson and Dr. Farmer are examples of what it means to be a part of the MSU-CVM family. We are grateful to Dr. Henderson for supporting our students and also shining the light on Dr. Farmer’s legacy.” For more information on student scholarship funds and how to make a gift to the CVM, visit www.cvm. msstate.edu.
By Karen Templeton PHOTO: Dr. Todd Henderson (left) and the late Dr. Paul Farmer became friends as CVM students.
Support MSU-CVM There are a number of ways to support the CVM’s efforts. You may want to consider making an annual gift or creating an endowment.
Annual gifts are crucial to the CVM because they provide ongoing support for the College, individual departments, research programs, academic programs, and student support services. Your annual contributions provide critical assistance and ensure that we maintain quality programs and a high level of excellence. Your gift can be designated to support any of the CVM’s needs and can be used immediately to make a difference. Endowments to the CVM help to provide a resource for generations to come. Your contribution is held in perpetuity, the principal is invested, and only the income from the investment is spent, allowing your legacy to continue for years. Endowments may be named for the donor or in honor of another person of the donor’s choosing.
For more information on annual and endowed funds and how to become involved in efforts at the CVM, please contact the Office of Development staff.
Make a Donation!
Jimmy Kight | CVM Director of Development
(662) 325-5893 | jkight@foundation.msstate.edu
Melissa Montgomery | Advancement Coordinator (662) 325-5170 | mmontgomery@cvm.msstate.edu
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Alumni P r o f i l e
Dr. Patricia Hidalgo (Class of 1991) and Dr. David Hidalgo (Class of 1989) are a husband-and-wife team who met while they were students at MSU-CVM. Their alma mater is also where they honed their passion for animal healthcare, something they bring to Amory, where they own a mixed animal practice. Pat was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She grew up riding horses and has loved animals for as long as she can remember. After earning her bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry, she began working for Ayerst Pharmaceutical Company but always thought she would pursue a career in laboratory animal medicine. It was while working for Ayerst that she met Dr. John Harkness, at the time a laboratory animal veterinarian at MSU-CVM. This spurred an interest in attending veterinary college, and she applied for admission to MSU. David was born in Baton Rouge and moved to Starkville when he was in about 7th grade. His father, Dr. Richard Hidalgo, was a founding MSU-CVM faculty member. David said he always knew he would follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. He applied for admission to CVM during the same time his father had accepted a position with Louisiana State University. Although his family was moving, he knew Starkville was where he would stay and pursue his degree in veterinary medicine.
Hidalgo Husband-and-wife team find small-town success
David credits Dr. Wayne Groce and Dr. Tom Randolph as having memorable and positive influences on his time at MSU-CVM. Pat enjoyed working directly with clinicians and receiving personal attention from faculty members. Both fondly remember the close-knit environment of the CVM. They also both mention that one of the things they enjoyed most about their MSU-CVM experience was the extensive hands-on experience they received during their time as students. They credit their time at the CVM as preparing them well for their careers after graduation. The two were eager to begin their lives and careers together after veterinary college. “I graduated on a Saturday, and David and I were married the next day,” Pat said. Next, they moved to Henderson, Kentucky, where they began practicing veterinary medicine. It was at an American Veterinary Medical Association conference that they crossed paths with Dr. Burt Hill. Hill started Amory Animal Hospital in the 1950s and eventually sold the practice to Dr. Mac Huddleston. Huddleston was looking to sell, and the Hidalgos were interested. “I was a hometown boy and really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere,” David said. “Amory gave us the opportunity to do what we love, in a small town, and we’ve been here ever since 1994 when we bought the clinic from Dr. Hill.” The Hidalgos have advice for aspiring veterinarians. “You need to know this is what you want to do,” said David, who is board-certified in theriogenology. “And get some hands-on experience with a veterinarian so you have an idea of what being a veterinarian entails.” Pat said her favorite aspect of being a veterinarian is that it is never dull.
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“You never know what will come through the door,” she said. “It keeps things interesting. But it’s also a lot of hard work.” David’s favorites are the large animals, including potbellied pigs, hogs, and cattle. Pat’s favorites are some of the exotic animals that come through their front door. Pat has hosted students in the shelter medicine rotation, helping them learn more about diagnostics and disease management. She also serves on the MSUCVM Shelter Medicine Advisory Board. Since their start in Amory in 1994, the Hidalgos outgrew the original facility and built a new, larger building in 2000. They have also added two veterinarians to their staff. Dr. Erik Halbach and Dr. Alana Owen, also MSU-CVM alumni, work alongside the Hidalgos to provide quality care to the animals at Amory Animal Hospital, which is American Animal Hospital Association-certified.
By Katie Timmerman
ngside Alana Owen work alo Drs. Erik Halbach and spital. Ho l ima An ory Am at algo Drs. Pat and David Hid
CVM Offers
Vet Chat
Pet Behavior
Services When Dr. Christine Calder was a 2nd-year student at MSU-CVM, she adopted a surgery dog with a severe thunderstorm phobia. At the time, she did not realize the impact this would have on her career path, but as she began to research the condition her dog was experiencing, Calder’s fascination with animal behavior grew. “As a small animal general practitioner, I soon found that behavior factored into almost every aspect of veterinary medicine. It is also a common reason that pets are surrendered to shelters and euthanized each year,” she said. Calder wanted to find ways not only to help clients strengthen their relationships with their pets, but also to improve animal welfare and reduce shelter surrenders and euthanasia of animals experiencing behavioral problems. She found that early recognition of behavioral problems, appropriate treatments, and client education were key components of the solution. Now in her second year of a veterinary behavior residency, Calder offers behavioral services for clients and patients of the CVM’s Animal Health Center. Calder’s residency is approved by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and she is mentored by Dr. Julie Albright of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Albright is one of only 66 boarded veterinary behaviorists in North America. Since the program began in 2014, Calder has treated patients for problems including aggression to people and/or other animals, separation anxiety, thunderstorm and noise phobias, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, elimination problems, and compulsive disorders. Her evaluations
Engages Aspiring Veterinarians
and treatments are not limited to companion animals; Calder has also received training in the behavior of laboratory and production animals, horses, zoo animals, and exotic species. The program continues to grow, and it benefits AHC patients, veterinarians in the region, humane societies and shelters across the state, and CVM students. Dr. Andrew Mackin, interim head of the Department of Clinical Sciences, said the program has filled a gap experienced by MSU-CVM and the region. “A behavior specialist serves as a valuable consultation resource for the veterinary community,” he said. ”While most veterinarians are good at dealing with behavior problems among their clients, MSU-CVM is pleased to be able to offer an additional resource to veterinarians who are dealing with more complex problems to make client and patient care even better.” Behavioral consultations teach shelter workers how to care for animals. They also ease the transition of animals from shelters into the homes of their new owners. One of Calder’s goals is to provide veterinary and veterinary technology students with the foundational skills they need to recognize, prevent, diagnose, and treat a variety of behavioral conditions they are likely to encounter in practice. She shares her knowledge and skills with students in the Community Veterinary Service rotation. She also guest lectures on animal behavior topics in several CVM courses. Calder also will teach an elective course called Behavior for the Companion Animal Veterinarian for 4th-year students. She serves as the faculty adviser to the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior student chapter at MSU-CVM.
When the excitement of MSU-CVM’s Vet Camp is over, participants can turn to Vet Chat to continue learning about veterinary medicine. Vet Camp is an exciting opportunity for 13- to 17-year-olds to explore what it means to be a veterinarian. Campers take part in hands-on learning experiences led by rising 2nd-year CVM students. For campers who want to continue learning about veterinary medicine, CVM offers Vet Chat, a monthly live webinar presentation by CVM veterinary professionals. Brandi Van Ormer, referral and operations manager at the Animal Emergency Referral Center in Flowood, was previously responsible for organizing Vet Camp. She said the idea for Vet Chat began with the very first Vet Camp in 2011. “We had in mind that Vet Camp would only be one way we engaged young people and got them excited about the veterinary profession,” she said. “At that time, we also had dreams of ongoing methods of engagement like regular ‘talks’ by veterinary professionals.” Vet Chat featured speakers typically give 1-hour presentations on topics ranging from the veterinary technology profession to caring for indoor cats to equine health. As an added bonus, people who follow the Mississippi State Veterinary Camp Facebook page can pose questions to the speakers. “This gives our online viewers the opportunity to interact with the featured speaker and get some of their pressing questions answered,” Van Ormer said. Vet Chats are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about veterinary medicine. Visit www. msuvetcamp.com for more information.
By Jenny Burns
By Katie Timmerman
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Students win
Research Awards
Four CVM graduate students won awards for their presentations at the October 2014 meeting of the South Central Chapter of the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Russell Carr, an associate professor and environmental toxicology graduate coordinator, attended with the students. Lauren Mangum won first place in the outstanding graduate student poster category. Her poster was titled “p, p’-DDE enhances adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and alters cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in J774a.1 and THP-1 macrophage cells.” Mangum’s mentor is Dr. Janice Chambers, director of the CVM Center for Environmental Health Sciences. Anberitha Matthews won third place in the outstanding graduate
student poster category for her poster titled “Increased oxidative stress enhances endocannabinoid tone.” Matthews’s mentor is Dr. Matt Ross, an associate professor in the Department of Basic Sciences. Antonio Ward won the UAMS Student Regulatory Science award for his project titled “Effect of organochlorine compound exposure on apolipoprotein b secretion by rat hepatoma cells.” Chambers is his mentor. Royce Nichols won first place in the outstanding undergraduate student poster category for his poster titled “Diglycolic Acid, the toxic metabolite of Diethylene Glycol, induces mitochondrial dysfunction.” Nichols was an undergraduate at Kings College in Tennessee when he participated in this research at Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Nichols is an MSU-CVM graduate student now. Photo: (From left) Antonio Ward, Lauren Mangum, Anberitha Matthews, and Royce Nichols.
EMPLOYEE
OF THE MONTH December 2014 Burns
Jenny Burns says the best part of her job is working with the students. “Getting to see them come in as 1st-years who are a little anxious but ready to learn, and witnessing as they evolve into confident DVMs is an amazing thing to be a part of,” she said. As an administrative assistant in Academic Affairs, Jenny gets to foster her love for academics and use her experience in science. “I went to school to be a science teacher, and I think this background has really prepared me to understand our program design and curriculum.” Jenny uses her understanding of academia to communicate with faculty, staff, and students almost daily. She also is a key player in mapping the CVM curriculum and helping the college prepare for accreditation site visits. When Jenny is not studying in order to earn her MBA, she likes to paint, craft, and cook. She has two four-legged children, Buddy Kirby and Kip. 18 | EARNING RES P EC T BY E X CEE D ING E X P EC T A T IONS
& Awarded to CVM Faculty
External Grants Bindu Nanduri (PI). NSF EPSCoR. Identifying the role of spermidine in bacterial stress response using RNA-Seq and proteomics. $35,939 Ryan Butler (PI). New Med LLC. Novel antimicrobial topical treatment for otitistoxicity and proof of concept studies. $7,579 Lanny W. Pace (PI). USDA-NIFA. National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative, 2014. $55,000 Attila Karsi (PI); Mark L. Lawrence and Lesya M. Pinchuk (co-PIs). USDANIFA. Evaluation of novel live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine candidates for prevention of enteric septicemia of catfish. $310,000 Anberitha T. Matthews (PI). NIH. Role of endocannabinoids in atherosclerosis, graduate fellowship. $32,011 Keun Seok Seo (PI). Animal, Plant, and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency, Korea (funded through MSU RTC). Selection and genetic recombination of critical virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus for development of bovine mastitis vaccine (year 3 funding). $83,702
Internal Grants Lora Petrie-Hanson (PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Do natural killer cells from vaccinated fry demonstrate enhanced killing of bacterial targets? $5,000 Lesya M. Pinchuk (PI) and Attila Karsi (co-PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Innate immune responses of catfish antigen presenting cells to live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccines. $5,000 Attila Karsi (PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Development of live attenuated vaccines for prevention of enteric septicemia of catfish. $5,000
ALL C OLLEG E Awards DAY 2
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4
Attendees to the MSU-CVM 2014 All College Day enjoyed a picnic, dunking booth, and the annual All College Day awards ceremony.
Pfizer Award for Excellence in Animal Research Dr. Attila Karsi
The C. Edward Couvillion, DVM, PhD, Endowed Graduate Scholarship Neely Alberson
Staff Awards Stacy Taylor Greg Miller Brandi Van Ormer
Pegasus Faculty Awards Dr. Kimberly Woodruff | Service Dr. Heath King | Teaching Dr. Henry Wan | Research
Dean’s Pegasus Award Dr. Paula Scheurer
Vice President’s Pegasus Award Drs. Linda and Vince McGrath
President’s Pegasus Award Dr. Susanne Taylor
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01 5 2
MATCH Day results
Results of the 2015 American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program were recently finalized, with students and institutions being matched based on their previously declared mutual fields of interest. MSU-CVM students have the fifth-highest match rate of the 33 universities in the program, which includes the U.S. and Canada.
CVM seniors matched for internships Bradley Bishop, small animal internship, Carolina Veterinary Specialists, North Carolina Courtney Deer, small animal internship, Emergency Animal Clinic, Arizona Katelyn Hlusko, small animal internship, Colorado State University Meghan Johnson, small animal internship, VCA Southpaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center, Virginia Anthony Llamas, small animal internship, VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital Andrew Nelson, small animal internship, BluePearl Partners, New York Tyler Scott, small animal internship, The Regional Veterinary Referral Center, Virginia Jamie Steins, small animal internship, Kansas State University Becky Telle, small animal internship, University of Tennessee Allison Tobias, small animal internship, Dogwood Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Virginia Sharon Yang, small animal internship, VCA Aurora Animal Hospital & VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital, Illinois
Interns coming to MSU Small animal rotating Dan Caldwell (Tuskegee University 2015) Dr. Jacob Helmick (Mississippi State University 2013) Dr. Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble (University of Melbourne 2014) Dr. Judith Visser (Utrecht 2013; Massey internship 2014–15) Blake Webb (Ross University and Auburn University 2015)
Equine rotating Thomas McParland (Royal Veterinary College 2015) Mandy Cha (Massey University 2015)
Specialty oncology/medicine Dr. Katie Cooley-Lock (MSU 2013), currently an associate veterinarian at Hope Animal Hospital in Birmingham
Ophthalmology specialty Dr. Kaitlyn Walsh (NCSU 2013), currently an ophthalmology research scholar at North Carolina State University
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Residents coming to MSU Dr. Uri Donnett (Iowa 2014), shelter medicine, currently MSU’s shelter medicine intern Dr. Jamie Zimmerman (University of Wisconsin 2012), equine surgery, currently MSU’s specialty equine surgery intern Dr. Tasha Likavec (Michigan State 2014), equine medicine, currently an equine intern at Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic Dr. Sam Muro (Louisiana State University 2013), small animal internal medicine, currently MSU’s small animal oncology/ medicine intern. Muro also completed a rotating internship at Texas A&M University. Dr. William Kay (University of Pennsylvania 2014), neurology, currently a small animal rotating intern at Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Brandy Pearson (Western University of Health Sciences 2014), radiology, currently an intern at Animal Medical Center in New York City Dr. Hayley Gallaher (University of Wisconsin 2012), small animal surgery, currently the companion animal surgery fellow at Louisiana State University. Gallaher completed a rotating internship in Connecticut (2013) and a surgical internship in Kansas (2014).
CVM interns matched for specialty internships or residencies Dr. Kathy Gerken, small animal emergency and critical care residency, The Ohio State University Dr. Samuel Chiu, small animal specialty surgery internship, Dallas Dr. Rachel Blake, cardiology residency, University of Edinburgh Dr. Betty Chow, small animal internal medicine residency, Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego
CVM graduates matched for residencies Lauren Bright (2015), laboratory animal medicine, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Brolin Evans (2013), oncology, North Carolina State University Tyler Gamble (2015), avian medicine, University of Georgia Dr. Jenica Haraschak (2014), emergency and critical care medicine, Colorado State University Dr. Elizabeth Hiebert (2014), small animal surgical, Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital Dr. Darin Kepler (2014), radiology, Auburn University Dr. Michael Orencole (2014), small animal surgery, Mission Veterinary Specialists, Texas Rachelle Stammen (2015), laboratory animal, Emory University Dr. Samantha Vitale (2014), neurology/neurosurgery, University of Illinois Dr. Lark Walters (2013), oncology, University of Tennessee Dr. Jason Wright (2014), oncology, Texas A&M University
Necropsy Renovation Update
The extensive renovations of the necropsy and mechanical support areas of the Wise Center are complete, and labs are taking place in the facility. The upgrades provide savings in climate control costs and an improved gross pathology teaching environment. Layout and design changes facilitate sample handling and application of biosecurity protocols.
Necropsy floor
(From left) CVM pathologists Drs. Tim Morgan and Jim Cooley, MSU President Mark Keenum, Vice-President for Research David Shaw, and CVM Dean Kent Hoblet tour the newly constructed CVM necropsy building.
Teaching amphitheater
Lobby
Sample receiving
A spacious teaching amphitheater allows a large group of students and faculty to observe gross pathology case rounds presentations.
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Ambulatory Group teaches large animal rotation
Brett
Christiansen
Walters
Fourth-year veterinary medicine students get hands-on experience in the everyday world of large animal medicine with Drs. David Christiansen, Jim Brett, and Kevin Walters. As the primary veterinarians for the CVM ambulatory group, the field is their classroom. The three teach students on-site at various MSU Extension Service 4-H events, with animals at Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Stations, and at dairies, sale barns, and clients’ farms. “Most of the work we do is fairly routine and includes vaccinations, pregnancy exams, colic treatments, and dental checks on horses, cows, pigs, lambs, goats, and other livestock,” said Christiansen, an assistant clinical professor of theriogenology in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine. “Between the three of us, we have a pretty wide range of expertise. A lot of people would be surprised what we can do in the field— everything from sonograms and X-rays to surgeries.” While students have all done an equine and food animal rotation before coming to the 2-week ambulatory rotation, some who were not raised around large animals or who have a chief interest in small animals are still hesitant, Christiansen said. “It can be a little scary for some of the students, but part of what we teach them is how to handle larger species,” he said. “It’s not unusual for us to hear students say at the end of the rotation that they would be comfortable going into a mixed animal practice and treating horses or cows.” Brett said they try to give students a wellrounded, real-world experience during the rotation. Between three and five students travel with each veterinarian, depending on the call.
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“We allow each student to be involved in the procedures we do,” said Brett, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine with particular expertise in dairy cows. “This rotation really pushes their boundaries and builds their confidence.” Brett, who came to MSU in 2007 after 24 years in large animal private practice, especially enjoys watching students learn. “Teaching is really thrilling for me. My job is to help them learn the things they will need,” he said. “When the lightbulb goes on, you can see it. You know they really get it, and that is the coolest thing for me.” The same blend of teaching and practicing drew Walters to the ambulatory group. “I grew up with horses and cows and enjoyed working with them, but I also like helping people,” said Walters, an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine. After graduating from MSU in 2003 with a degree in veterinary medicine, he worked in private practice for several years. He then returned to MSU, completed a theriogenology residency, and pursued more training in equine reproductive systems. “That situation ultimately led me to be a part of the ambulatory group, where I could use the advanced skills I developed and provide the routine service to clients,” Walters said. “And I found I liked the teaching aspect of walking students and clients through a problem and helping them understand it and how to treat it. “From my point of view, I get the best of both worlds. I love getting up and going to work every day,” Walters said.
By Susan Collins-Smith
CVM Notes & News Alumni News • Dr. Courtney Baldwin (DVM 07), a supervisory public health veterinarian at a poultry plant in Ashland, Alabama, was featured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as one of its “Faces of Food Safety.” • Dr. Barden Greenfield (DVM 85) was unanimously voted president-elect of the American Veterinary Dental College. • Dr. Angie Zinkus (DVM 07) took first place in the women’s division of the Little Rock Marathon in March. Her final time was 2:59:59.7, and her total pace was 6:52 per mile.
Faculty & Staff News • Missy Hadaway, admissions coordinator, was recognized by the MSU Provost’s Office for exemplary service.
Student News • Liesel Schneider, a dual-degree DVM/PhD student, was awarded the Graduate Student Oral Presentation in the Epidemiology and Animal Health Economics honor for her presentation on the effect of morbidity on weaning weight of beef calves at the Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease.
Births • Drs. Cade and Susan Akers (both DVM 09) of Waco, Texas, welcomed daughter Emma Kathleen on December 3, 2014. She joins big sister Cecilia Rae, who will turn 3 in May. • Dr. Jennifer Carney (DVM 14) and her husband, Johnathan, of Mobile, Alabama, welcomed daughter Madison Ann to their family on December 17, 2014.
• Dr. Bob Meyer, professor in anesthesiology, was a featured expert in a JAVMA article titled “Though not always ideal, inhalants can be an effective euthanasia method.” • Dr. Danny Magee, director of the CVM Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in Pearl, has been appointed manager of the Poultry Medicine Section of the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention Management and Program Committee.
Calendar of events April 10 & 11 Friday & Saturday
June 4–6 Thursday–Saturday
Vet Camp day session Ages 13–17 Contact (662) 325-0465
June 10–14 Wednesday–Sunday
Vet Camp overnight session Ages 15–17 Contact (662) 325-0465
July 13 Monday
Help
WA N T E D You might want to check out our new jobs posting site on the MSU-CVM website. You can find it under the “Alumni and Friends” tab at http://www.cvm.msstate.edu/ alumni-friends. It allows practitioners to post positions electronically, and job-seekers can search by location.
MSU-CVM Annual Open House April 10: preregistered school groups; April 11: open to public Contact (662) 325-0465
July 16–19 Thursday–Sunday
Alumni Reception at 2015 AVMA Annual Convention (July 10–14) Boston | LTK Bar & Kitchen 7 p.m. Contact (662) 325-0465 MISSISSIPPI VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2015 SUMMER MEETING Orange Beach, Alabama Perdido Beach Resort Contact (662) 323-5057
Note to CVM Alumni This is your section of the magazine, and we need your assistance in gathering information to be disseminated through this column. If you would like to share news of marriages, births, deaths, awards, new positions, or anything else you consider newsworthy, please let us know.
Send your news to A.Wayne Groce: Box 6100, Mississippi State, MS 39762 | groce@cvm.msstate.edu Pegasus Press
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