Infectious disease researchers train with animal models at K-State lab

By KSNT News Topeka

KSNT News recently provided an "inside look" at how the College of Veterinary Medicine partnered this summer with an animal care team from the National Bio-Agro Defense Facility, or NBAF, for refresher training in the college's Clinical Skills Laboratory. In the video report, the CVM's Susan Rose demonstrates how animal models in the lab simulate different types of skills and procedures. She gave a tour of the Clinical Skills Lab to KSNT reporter Rebeka Chung.

New AFRI grants support the development of vaccines for cattle and swine diseases

Two new grants exceeding $1.2 million will be utilized to help protect global food supplies through the development of vaccines to protect swine and cattle from infectious diseases. The grants were awarded to the CVM's Drs. Jürgen Richt and Waithaka Mwangi.

Fourth-year student Paige Schmidt receives Mary Bechtol Memorial Scholarship

By Rylee Coy, CVM marketing and communications student writer

Paige Schmidt, fourth-year veterinary student from Medina, North Dakota, received the Mary Bechtol Memorial Scholarship from the Academy of Veterinarians Foundation at the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, or AVC, meeting held this summer in Denver, Colorado.

Third-year student Harrell Phillips III receives Merck Animal Health Scholarship

Harrell Phillips III, third-year veterinary student from Williston, Florida, was one of four students chosen nationwide to receive the Merck Animal Health Scholarship. Harrell received $5,000 from the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, or AVC, Foundation. The scholarships were awarded at the academy's summer conference in Denver, Colorado.

CVM selects Dr. Hans Coetzee as associate dean for research and graduate programs

Dr. Hans Coetzee has been named as the new associate dean for research and graduate programs in the veterinary college. He has served as the head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology since 2016 and will continue to manage those responsibilities until a new department head is identified.

SHIC: Review reveals Japanese encephalitis virus knowledge gaps

By National Hog Farmer

The CVM's Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro was cited for her collaboration on a recent study that synthesized existing information on the role of domestic and feral swine in the transmission of Japanese encephalitus virus through a systematic review of 228 articles deemed relevant in a process designed to identify knowledge gaps.

Fighting the Rural Kansas Vet Shortage K-Staters in the news!

By KSAL.com

K-State alumna Dr. Tera Barnhardt, DVM class of 2014 and second-year veterinary student Chance Kopsa share their experiences with the Veterinary Program for Rural Kansas, or VTPRK. This program represents an effort by the state of Kansas to encourage more veterinarians to establish or join practices in rural communities.

Future vets helping future pets: shelter medicine at Kansas State University

By Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

The September issue of JAVMA puts the "Spotlight On" the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The CVM's article addresses how the Shelter Medicine rotation is the most popular rotation for fourth-year veterinary students. It was written by Drs. Brad Crauer, Cody Dressler, Ron Orchard, Elizabeth Davis, and Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush.

Latest Alumni Biography Videos on CVM website

The latest Alumni Biography Videos features Dr. Lowell Cornwell, DVM class of 1959 and Dr. Dick Wampler, DVM class of 1955. Each video includes several stories from the alumnus' time in veterinary school and their careers. If you're interested in taking part in this meaningful project, please email Sharon Greene at sharong@vet.k-state.edu.

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

Roundin' up the veterinary crew at notable rodeos

At the end of July, Drs. Chris Blevins and Adam Bassett covered the Kaw Valley Rodeo as its official veterinarians, as required by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, or PRCA. Several students also attended. In the background image, from left are MaRyka Smith, Dr. Blevins, Miss Rodeo K-State Caitlynn Stapleford, and veterinary students Meaghan Sehon, Kenneth Santiago and Yuri Lee. Inset images: Dr. Cara Croft, equine intern; and fourth year students Abigail Horswell, Sarah Crum and Valerie Haskett; and Dr. Blevins.

The Dodge City Roundup Rodeo was held Aug. 1-6 in Dodge City, Kansas. There was over 100 livestock and over 100 horses there on any given day. The students also participated in the grand entrance every night (a parade of flags prior to the rodeo by horseback). They also got some media training with Mr. Ted Harbin (media coordinator at the rodeo). See names of students in the next picture.

From left: Alainka Sameiro, veterinary assistant; Dr. David Ripple, DVM class of 1972; fourth-year students Michaela Musselman, Katelyn Fox, Cori Hough and Carly Williams; and Dr. Blevins.

Veterinary research scholars attend national symposium in Puerto Rico

The conclusion of the annual summer Veterinary Research Scholars Program included a visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. The scholars took a moment to represent K-State.

Dr. Jennifer Schofield, an Elanco representative and a 2002 K-State DVM alumna, presents the Elanco Veterinary Research Mentor Award to Drs. Stephanie Hall and Phillip Shults. Danielle Lopez, a second-year student mentored by Dr. Hall, and Amanda Fideldy, a second-year student mentored by Dr. Shults, were recognized with plaques, along with all of the 2023 VRSP scholars, by Purina for their excellence in veterinary scholar research.

Top left: Second-year student Greta Karwath presents her poster on the pharmacokinetics of emodepside in canines. Top right: Second-year student Gabriella Lorino explains nanoparticles for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Bottom left: Second-year student Gabrielle Maroulis tells about her project about water use in a large animal teaching hospital. Bottom right: Third-year student Doug Farleigh presents his poster on canine cancer cases.

In their free time, the VRSP students found an opportunity to research the local beach scenery.

Everybody Counts - and their pets too!

A group of volunteers from the college and Veterinary Health Center participated in the 2023 Everybody Counts-Manhattan community event in early August. This event is designed to provide a vareity of services for families-in-need in the Manhattan community. Held at the Douglass Recreation Complex, the K-State veterinary team provided basic physical examinations, vaccines, flea/tick preventatives, heartworm testing/preventatives, deworming and pet food/treats. Products were donated by generous colleagues at various pharmaceutical and nutrition/pet food corporations.

CVM chooses 2023 class of Early Admission Scholars

The new class of Early Admission Scholars was announced Aug. 18. Established in 1999, the Early Admission Scholars Program recruits the best and brightest undergraduate students who are committed to studying veterinary medicine. From left: Rahul Chopra, Kailee Irvin, Ella Gardner, Ainsley Stiles, Alyssa Chevalier, Kaley Wagner, Sadie Alger, Bridget Johnson, Hudson Hildebrand, Aiden Anderson and Conner Dinkel. Congratulations to these students and good luck on your preparations for veterinary college.

Vet Med ROCKS welcomes campers

The Vet Med ROCKS student club hosted another annual Day Camp July 30-Aug. 2. Each day's events were held for different groups of students from high school, middle school and elementary school. Top middle: Third-year student/camp counselor Audrey Kastner leads a suturing exercise. Top right: Third-year student/camp counselor Emily Pierce holds a ferret for kids to meet. Bottom left: Second-year student/camp counselor Mackenzie Horn explains basic canine examination procedures. (Photos by Wendy Barnes.)

CVM offers new Sustainability Veterinary Certificate for DVM students

Students in the College of Veterinary Medicine, starting with the class of 2026, will have a chance to expand their potential job opportunities thanks to the creation of a new veterinary certificate program.

The college now offers the Veterinary Medicine Sustainability Certificate program as a way of encompassing three pillars of sustainability: environmental and social issues and economic burden. The veterinary profession is closely involved with the sectors that have a direct impact on these themes. The certificate program provides additional experiential learning opportunities for our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students.

Students will gain knowledge in the economic aspects of veterinary practice management, including basic business management skills. The program also provides students with a broad understanding of the environmental pillar, covering topics such as the environmental impacts of food animal production, emissions of anesthesia gases, and waste disposal.

See the certificates web page for more information.

Dr. Neala Boyer was selected for the Pet Tribute Faculty Professorship. She is recognized for her scholarly excellence, strong communication and leadership skills and her compassion and professionalism when working with patients, clients and students.

Dr. Ellyn Mulcahy was renewed for the James B. Nichols Professorship. This professorship supports the director of the MPH program when the position held is a faculty member in the CVM.

Dr. David Renter was renewed for the Dr. Robert MacDonald Professorship. This goes to a faculty member based on professionalism, character and achievements in the field of safe food production from livestock as exemplified by Dr. MacDonald.

Dr. Robert Larson was renewed for the Edgar E. and M. Elizabeth Coleman Chair Professorship. This chair helps support a professor in food animal production medicine in the department of Clinical Sciences.

Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn was renewed for the Morgan K. “Al” Jarvis Chair Professorship. This chair was created to attract and retain the highest quality faculty in the CVM.

Drs. Mac Hafen, Adryanna Drake and Ronnie Elmore published, “Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among Veterinary Medical Students”, in the AAVMC Journal of Veterinary Medical Education June 2023 edition.

Dr. Walter Renberg and surgery resident Dr. Rachael Cunningham received $4,450 in funding from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons for their study, “Comparison of a modified double pelvic osteotomy of the ilium and ischium to double pelvic osteotomy of the ilium and pubis”.

Dr. Mike Apley testified at the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Subcommittee Hearing in Washington D.C. on July 11, 2023, at the request of Senator Marshall’s office. He was asked to speak on antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Gretal Tovar and the exotics service worked the Riley County Fair on July 27-31, checking on over 140 birds and 40 rabbits.

Master of Public Health and concurrent Ph.D. student Theresa Quintana, successfully passed the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam.

K-State veterinary students place in Smithcors Student Essay Contest

Two students in the History of Veterinary Medicine elective last fall submitted their essays for the J. Fred Smithcors Student Essay Contest this year and were notified they had written winning essays:

2nd Place - $1,000 Reese Bailey, class of 2025, for "Nineteenth Century Urban Crisis: The Horse as a Public Health Hazard"

3rd Place (tie) - $800 Carlie Dill, class of 2025, for "Merrill’s Marauders: The Brave Men and Mules Who Found Victory."

The essay contest was established in 1991 in honor of Dr. J. Fred Smithcors (Cornell 1945), American Veterinary Medical History Society (AVMHS) co-founder as well as noted teacher, researcher, historian, author, and publisher. Since 2012, grants from the Donaldson Charitable Trust made it possible to award four prizes in honor of Dr. Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence, twice AVMHS president and former essay contest judge.

K-State has had more than 20 students from the history of veterinary medicine elective who have written winning essays in the Smithcors Essay Contest. These essays are published in Veterinary Heritage, Bulletin of the AVMHS. Their awards may also be published in the JAVMA.