David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days Spotlights Most Common Orthopedic Condition in Humans and Animals

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Keynote speaker Wayne McIlwraith addresses attendees in the Purdue Memorial Union East Faculty Lounge during PVM’s first David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days continuing education event, held November 9-10.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the first David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days Friday and Saturday, November 9-10.  The continuing education conference brought together veterinary and human medicine experts to address the topic of osteoarthritis, which is the most common orthopedic condition among both people and animals.

Presentations at the David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days included the use of visual aids to improve understanding about bone and joint related topics.

The Friday program, entitled “The Science of Osteoarthritis,” was designed for academic scholars.  The Saturday session on the topic “Orthopedic Health: Focus on Arthritis,” was open to the public. The two-day conference attracted a variety of attendees including researchers, teachers, retirees, students, veterinarians, industry representatives, medical professionals, and members of the general public. The Saturday program brought in many who were particularly interested in equine, dog, cat, or human osteoarthritis.

Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, renowned osteoarthritis researcher and equine orthopedic surgeon from Colorado State University participated as the keynote speaker for the event, which is named in memory of the faculty member who mentored him during his PhD studies at Purdue. Dr. McIlwraith obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University in New Zealand before coming to Purdue, where he completed a large animal surgery residency and then earned his PhD, working with Dr. Van Sickle, who was a long-time Purdue Veterinary Medicine professor of veterinary anatomy. Dr. McIlwraith spoke on several topics at the conference, including cartilage defect repair, the future of osteoarthritis research, and regenerative medicine and how it relates to osteoarthritis.

Dr. Gert Breur, who led the effort to coordinate the conference, pauses for a photo op with one of the other speakers from Purdue, Claire Kilmer.

Other conference sessions were led by PVM faculty members, including Dr. Gert Breur, professor of small animal surgery and director of the Center for Comparative Translational Research; Basic Medical Sciences Department faculty members Russell Main, Marxa Figueiredo, and Dianne Little; and Veterinary Clinical Sciences faculty members Stephanie Thomovsky, Sarah Malek, Chee Kin Lim, and Tim Lescun.  The Saturday session that was open to the public featured talks about how to manage the different stages of osteoarthritis in people, horses, and pets, and included presentations by Lafayette Orthopedic Surgeon Robert J. Hagen, M.D.  Other speakers from outside the College were Claire Kilmer, a graduate student in Purdue’s Davidson School of Chemical Engineering; Rachel Clarke, a sports dietitian and continuing lecturer in Purdue’s Department of Nutrition Science; and Judah Phipps, a physical therapy assistant with Miracles Rehabilitation in Lafayette.

The success of the conference reflected the support of sponsors and the participation of faculty and students.  Attendees commented on the value of the One Health perspective of the conference that highlighted the connection between veterinary and human medicine. They also appreciated how presentations were given in ways that audience members of all educational backgrounds could understand.

Conference attendees were able to view research poster displays between presentations.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern; Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Welcomes New Instructional Technologist

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Courtney Waxman joined the Veterinary Nursing Program team as Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Instructional Technologist effective October 1.

Courtney Waxman, CVT, VTS (ECC) joined the PVM staff as instructional technologist for the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program effective October 1.  Starting in the spring, she will assume responsibility for ten courses and two mentorships.

Originally from Arizona, Courtney spent the past 13 years working in private emergency and critical care practice. She has a specialty credential as a veterinary technician specialist in emergency and critical care. Her areas of interest include CPR, mechanical ventilation, environmental hazards, one-on-one case management, critical care nursing, critical thinking, and technician education.

During the past two years, Courtney has been transitioning from private practice to education by sharing her knowledge through her involvement with the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and publishing her work in veterinary technology and nursing articles. She seeks to influence students to view their future work in the veterinary profession as a career, not just a job. “I encourage veterinary nurses to make this their career by pursuing professional growth and opportunities for advancement,” Courtney said. She became interested in joining the PVM family because she loves working in an environment of continuous teaching and learning.

Outside of work, Courtney enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, fitness, camping, and spoiling her two dogs. Courtney is looking forward to meeting everyone and getting involved. Stop by and introduce yourself to our newest instructional technologist. Courtney’s office is located in Lynn G171E.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

New PVM Chief Development Officer Named

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Tanya Finkbiner has been appointed as the new chief development officer for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Her appointment, which took effect November 26, was announced jointly by PVM Dean Willie Reed and the University Development Office.  For the past three years, Tanya has served as a major gift officer for the College, first as director of development and most recently as senior director of development.  Prior to joining the PVM fundraising team, she worked in the School of Mechanical Engineering as the director of development operations and donor relations.

Dr. Kathy Salisbury presents a framed certificate of appreciation to Chad Rohlfs at a farewell reception November 12, honoring him for his service as PVM’s chief development officer.

“I look forward to working with Tanya in this new capacity,” said PVM Dean Willie Reed. “Tanya has done a phenomenal job during the past three years for our College, and I am confident that she will provide strong leadership for our Development Office.  Please join me in congratulating her on this new career opportunity.”

Tanya succeeds Chad Rohlfs, who left the University to pursue a new career opportunity.  He was honored Monday, November 12, at a special going away reception in the Continuum Café.  Chad came to the College in 2014 from the Sanford Health Foundation in Sioux Falls, S.D.  Since 2014, Chad personally raised more than $12.5 million, and the PVM development team raised more than $29 million for the College, as of the end of the 2017-2018 fiscal year June 30.

At the farewell reception, PVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathy Salisbury thanked Chad for his service to the College and commended him for his fundraising success.  “You will be missed but we wish you all the best as you move on to this next phase of your career,” Dr. Salisbury said.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Dr. Audrey Ruple Brings One Health Perspective to Purdue’s Dawn or Doom Event

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Purdue Veterinary Medicine Assistant Professor of One Health Epidemiology Audrey Ruple speaks at the fifth annual Purdue University Dawn or Doom conference, as the first Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member to give a presentation as part of the two-day event that focuses on risks and rewards of rapidly emerging technologies.

Now in its fifth year, Dawn or Doom is a major two-day event designed to foster conversations about potential risks and rewards of rapidly emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering.  Held on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, the event attracts upwards of 6,000 people, including leading national experts and top Purdue researchers.  This year, Dr. Audrey Ruple, assistant professor of one health epidemiology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology became the first Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member to speak at the event.

Dr. Ruple addressed the topic of emerging zoonotic viruses and related technology issues at her session entitled, “Chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika, Oh My!”  She began her presentation by giving the audience some background about pandemic diseases in history, focusing on the 1918 epidemic of influenza. Then she cautioned about the potential for a future pandemic that could catch the world unprepared, and shocked the audience with the prediction that the next pandemic could take 400 million people, if it occurred at the same levels as historical examples. She said it’s predictable that the next pandemic will be caused by a zoonotic disease (a disease transmissible from animals to humans) of a viral origin.

Dr. Ruple explained that several factors are leading to increases in the geographic spread of zoonotic viruses, including climate change, land use impact, and globalization. She said climate change results in vector species such as mosquitos and ticks arriving in new locations that they have never inhabited before, bringing them in contact with naive human populations. Land use impact is pushing the human population into close contact with previously wild areas, and increasing the likelihood of disease spreading from wildlife to humans. Lastly, Dr. Ruple stated that globalization spreads these diseases quicker than ever, as modern transportation decreases travel times, and infected individuals can travel across the world before realizing they are ill.

Dr. Ruple also talked about the similarities of diseases like Zika, West Nile, and chikungunya, which have spread across the world in what she described as a first wave of pandemic disease, characterized by less-severe symptoms in those who are infected.  She explained that experts are more worried about a second wave of disease spread that could have much greater impact on human health.  She said various groups and agencies across the world are monitoring the spread of these diseases in hopes of preventing a second wave or minimizing the human losses if one does occur.

Dr. Ruple then pitched the idea of using existing wearable technology to track the spread of disease. She said such a second wave of one of these diseases could be identified by monitoring health through smart watches and fitness trackers to detect when individuals are experiencing symptoms. This approach would provide a means for alerting individuals and public health agencies of unusual health reports and possible disease outbreaks. This kind of wearable technology is already used in devices like Fitbits, and fitness watches created by Apple and Samsung. In addition to monitoring heart rate and body temperature, such wearable technology tracks user location, which could be utilized to track the spread of disease.

Dr. Ruple sees this wearable technology as a vital means of reducing the impact of zoonotic diseases in the future. Dr. Ruple said the key is to be able to perceive this issue through the lens of One Health, which involves the concept of a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern, and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Capacity Crowd Greets Coppoc One Health Lecture Speaker

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Dr. Jeff Bender answers questions in Lynn 1136 during the 2018 Coppoc One Health Lecture, which attracted a capacity crowd. Associate Dean for Research Harm HogenEsch (in background) introduced Dr. Bender and moderated the question and answer session.

Entitled, “Antimicrobial Stewardship and One Health,” the 2018 Coppoc One Health Lecture by Dr. Jeff Bender, a veterinarian and public health practitioner with over 20 years of experience, drew a capacity crowd in Lynn 1136 Thursday, November 1.  Dr. Bender is a professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and director of the USAID One Health Workforce Project.

The topic of the lecture is something that Dr. Bender is passionate about and now is dealing with on a broad scale, as he serves as the One Health Workforce Project director.  His visit to Lynn Hall came between trips to Africa and Asia.  Dr. Bender explained that a One Health workforce fosters a multi-sectoral approach to infectious disease prevention, detection and response and features collaborative engagement, technical competence and an enabling environment.

(Right-left) PVM Associate Dean for Research Harm HogenEsch with 2018 Coppoc One Health Lecture speaker Jeff Bender and Dr. Gordon Coppoc and his wife Harriet.

Dr. Bender’s expertise focuses on epidemiology, infection control and prevention, designing and evaluating surveillance programs, and development of educational outreach programs. He has researched zoonoses and emerging diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease surveillance, and infection prevention and control. His research is multidisciplinary, requiring collaborations with government, industry, and commodity organizations.

Dr. Bender concluded his talk by emphasizing the need to encourage good antimicrobial stewardship practices; understand the interrelationships between humans, animals and the environment; and encourage the One Health approach.  He added the veterinarian’s play a very important role.

The Coppoc lecture was recorded in its entirety. Click here to view the presentation.

This is the 5^th year for the Coppoc One Health Lecture, which was established as an annual campus-wide lectureship focusing on the symbiotic relationship between veterinary and human medicine and its worldwide impact. The lecture is named in honor of Dr. Gordon Coppoc, Purdue professor emeritus of veterinary pharmacology, and his wife, Harriet. Dr. Coppoc is the former head of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences and served as director of the Indiana University School of Medicine-Lafayette and associate dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine before retiring in 2014.  Dr. Bender’s talk was followed by a reception in the Continuum Café.

Writer(s): Purdue Veterinary Medicine News | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Family Program Series “Takes a Peek” at Technology Behind Minimally Invasive Surgeries

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Dr. Micha Simons, clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery, helps children learn how to use an endoscope with a Teddy Bear during her PVM Family Program Series presentation called “Let’s Take a Peak.”

Children had a chance to play the role of an expert surgeon last week during the second of three sessions that are part of the PVM Family Program Series.  “Let’s Take a Peek” was the title of the presentation Thursday, November 1, by Dr. Micha Simons, clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery.  Dr. Simons demonstrated how tiny cameras can be used for diagnostic purposes and to perform minimally invasive surgeries.

More than 40 people attended the interactive session that was designed especially for children.  Four veterinary students assisted Dr. Simons as she gave the children hands-on opportunities to work with the high tech equipment.  Dr. Simons also taught the attendees about the different types of cameras used for different types of procedures and surgeries, including thoracoscopy and endoscopy. The children were able to try out their own skills by inserting an endoscope inside a large teddy bear’s mouth and down to a simulated stomach, where they could see what the teddy bear had “eaten” – in this case anything from plastic toy horses to toy snakes.

A parent watches as children work with special tools used in minimally invasive surgery, and seek to grab one of the small candy pieces situated inside a stuffed animal.

The children who participated mentioned that their favorite part was being able to use the cameras themselves. The event also generated positive feedback from parents.

The next event in the PVM Family Program Series will be on March 7, when Liane Shaw, RVT, diagnostic imaging instructional technologist, leads a presentation entitled, “Don’t Give Dental Care the Bush Off.” The talk will include discussion about the teeth of various species, and how veterinarians and veterinary nurses care for them. Liane also will teach audience members about how to care for their own pet’s teeth. Click here for more information.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern, and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Research shows how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, service dogs might be able to offer both behavioral and physiological benefits to help counter some of those symptoms, according to research that is being led by the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine.

Maggie O’Haire, assistant professor of human-animal interaction in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is at the forefront of the research that is taking a closer look at how service dogs help veterans with PTSD. The latest findings have indicated that veterans may benefit physiologically from having a service dog — the first published research to use a physiological marker to show the effects of service dogs.

Read more at: Research shows how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD

Writer(s): Purdue Veterinary Medicine News | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Successful Symposium Focuses on Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species

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Dr. Steve Thompson, clinical associate professor of small animal community practice, guides Purdue veterinary students John Fetner and Lydia Hall, both of the DVM Class of 2021, in the Avian Handling and Radiology Lab held as part of the Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species Symposium. Lab participants got hands-on experience handling, performing basic sample collection methods, radiographic placement, and interpretation.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a highly successful Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species Symposium Friday and Saturday, October 27-28. Previously called the Pet Bird Symposium, the program attracted nearly 90 registrants. Attendees included veterinarians and veterinary nurses, as well as DVM and veterinary nursing students working towards degrees at Purdue and several other universities, including University of Saint Francis, Lincoln Memorial University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Ohio State University, Iowa State University, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, University of Illinois, Kansas State University, and Ball State University.

Dr. Julia Becker, associate veterinarian at the Tippecanoe Animal Hospital in Lafayette, Ind., explains a handling technique to a participant in the Handling and Radiology of Small Mammals Lab during the symposium in Lynn Hall.

The symposium covered a variety of topics related to exotic companion mammal and avian care and medicine. Participants were able to engage in wet labs involving exotic mammal spay and neuter techniques, avian hematology, handling, and radiologic techniques in both small mammals and birds.

Dr. Endre Sós from the Budapest Zoo in Hungary gave the conference’s keynote lecture about rescue and conservation programs involving Hungarian small mammals. In addition, Dr. Sós also gave lectures on taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology of pet birds; physical exams; diagnostic imaging; and selected diseases of pet birds.  Other speakers included Dr. Angela Lennox, Dr. Steve Thompson, Dr. Tracey Ritzman, Dr. Peter Sakas, Dr. Kristen Hill-Thimmesch, Dr. Taylor Lewis, Dr. Kimberly McMunn, Dr. Julia Becker, Dr. Stephanie Moy, Rachel Yoquelet, RVT, and Abigail Rosenblum, RVT.

The successful conference was sponsored by SAVMA Purdue, ZuPreem, Zoetis, Lafeber, and Oxbow. The lectures and wet labs provided unique information and hands-on experiences for the attendees, who received 12.5 continuing education credits for attending both days.

Writer(s): Andrea Brown and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Recognizes Amalia de Gortari upon Her Retirement

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Amalia de Gortari, MVZ is joined by Dr. Deborah Knapp and Dr. Duncan Hockley as she holds a recognition gift given in honor of her retirement at a reception Monday, October 29.

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family came together Monday, October 29, to honor Amalia de Gortari, MVZ on the occasion of her retirement as oncology and radiation oncology technician supervisor in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Amalia came to West Lafayette in 1989 from Mexico, where she earned her Medico Veterinario Zootecnista (MVZ) degree, or Mexico veterinary medicine degree, at the Autonomous National University of Mexico.  She then began volunteering in the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s ICU and was hired full-time in 1990.

Amalia served as the hospital’s first versa-tech, and worked in surgery, medicine, community practice, diagnostic imaging, and oncology, as well as ICU.  For the last 25 years, she has worked full-time in oncology. Her hard work was recognized when she received an award for excellence in veterinary teaching in 1997 and the College’s Outstanding Staff Award in 2006.

Amalia de Gortari, MVZ greets well-wishers at a reception held in honor of her retirement in the Continuum Cafe.

During the retirement reception, faculty, staff, and students listened as comments were made by Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director Duncan Hockley and Purdue Comparative Oncology Program Director Deborah Knapp, the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology.  Amalia was praised for “…leaving many, many legacies,” and as someone who will be remembered for her bright smile when she greeted passersby in the hallways.

Amalia also recognized for “…being a champion with the international students.”  Amalia and her family were born in Mexico and became American citizens in 2001. Her background and the understanding she gained from that have been comforting and reassuring to international students. Amalia was recognized for putting her caring personality into everything she does. “You will always be a part of the Purdue family, and we wish you all the happiness as you embark on a new exciting chapter of your life,” Dr. Hockley said.  Congratulations Amalia!

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern, and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Forty-sixth Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog Raises Nearly $8,000

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First-year veterinary student Taylor Bolinger was the first female runner to cross the finish line.

The fundraising total is in and it shows Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s 46th annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, held in late September, raised nearly $8,000 for the College’s PetSafe and Priority 4 Paws Programs. PetSafe is a community service offered by Purdue Veterinary Medicine to meet the short-term housing needs of pets whose owners are affected by natural disasters, domestic violence, or the pet owner’s need for hospice care. Priority 4 Paws (P4P) is a shelter animal mobile care unit providing surgical services free-of-charge to Indiana animal shelters.

Purdue Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Lab Technician Chris Speers finished the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog first with his dog, Surge.

Held on September 22, the Dog Jog provided a fitting conclusion to the week of the Purdue Veterinary Conference.  The annual run/walk is named in honor of Dr. Horace (Skip) Jackson, professor emeritus of veterinary physiology and biochemistry, who again was on-hand for the event, which attracted faculty, staff, students, alumni, community residents, and their dogs.  This year’s event was a huge success with 170 human participants and 80 canine companions.  Prizes were given out to top-finishers.

Chris Speers, a lab technician in Purdue’s Department of Botany and Plant Pathology once-again crossed the finish-line first with his dog, Surge.  Dr. Garrett Oetelaar, a resident in diagnostic imaging in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, was the fastest male solo runner.  First-year veterinary student Taylor Bolinger came in first in the women’s division.

In hosting the event, the College also partnered with local animal shelters to have adoptable dogs at the race, along with representatives from the animal shelters who were available to speak with event participants and spectators about adopting a pet.

The 2018 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog was sponsored by McAfee Animal Hospital, Purina, Royal Canin, Pooch at Play, Banfield Pet Hospital, Petsburgh Pet Care, Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, Ashley Bigelow, and Greyhouse Coffee.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern, and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu