For the first time since the pandemic necessitated closing the lobbies of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital in March of 2020, animal owners may once again enter the Small and Large Animal Hospital waiting areas. The change took effect Monday, July 26, as the Veterinary Hospital implemented a hybrid arrangement for receiving cases that replaces the strictly curbside concierge service initiated when the lobbies were closed.
Animal patients now may be brought into the hospital by their owners, but special precautions still are being followed to ensure everyone’s health and safety. “Most importantly, we ask for everyone’s understanding as we balance providing excellent patient care and service to the animal owners with ensuring the health and well-being of our clinicians, staff and students as well as the animal owners themselves,” said Dr. Nolie Parnell, Small Animal Hospital chief of staff and clinical professor of small animal internal medicine.
Specifically, the new hybrid system for receiving cases involves the following requirements and procedures:
In keeping with Protect Purdue policies, social distancing is required in the lobby areas, which means seating is limited.
Due to the limits on lobby capacity, only one family member will be allowed to accompany a patient into the waiting area.
There will be opportunities for face to face communication between animal owners and clinicians. However, priority will be placed on allowing face to face interactions during first-time appointments for new cases.
Curbside concierge service, which involves hospital staff receiving patients from their owners at their cars in the parking lot, will continue to be offered for those clients who still need to minimize direct contact with others.
Facemasks will still be required as the Purdue Veterinary Hospital is following the recent updated CDC guidelines to address the surge in cases associated with the Delta variant.
“We understand the value of face-to-face interactions, and we also want to provide an environment where we can focus on the care and well-being of our patients as well as those who make up each pet’s care team, which includes the animal owner and the health care providers,” said Dr. Parnell.
Similar procedures and requirements are in place now for the Large Animal Hospital as well.
Dr. Parnell also said the hospital’s emergency service is experiencing record case volume, and she asked for everyone’s patience. “Animal owners may experience varying wait times as the hospital addresses the unprecedented number of emergency and urgent care cases,” Dr. Parnell explained. “Our medical teams are triaging and prioritizing cases to ensure that we can meet the needs of each pet that arrives at our hospital.”
Dr. Ellen Lowery, Purdue University Veterinary Hospital director, said everyone’s cooperation and understanding is vital during these unprecedented circumstances. “Our clinicians, veterinary nurses, students, and hospital staff, have proven themselves to be true heroes during the pandemic as we have provided treatment and care for a growing number of small and large animal patients without interruption,” Dr. Lowery said. “We are especially pleased that now we once again have our hospital waiting areas open to animal owners, and yet we must remain vigilant in following proven protocols for keeping our veterinary medical teams and the families of our patients safe and healthy.”
As these new procedures took effect, progress continued on the construction of an expansion to the Small Animal Hospital and new Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals. The new facilities are on schedule to be completed by the end of the year, with the opening anticipated in the spring of 2022.
Bittersweet is the word that came to mind as Purdue Veterinary Medicine students, faculty and staff offered congratulations and farewell wishes to Dr. Laurie Adams, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Administration, on the occasion of her retirement. After more than 13 years of teaching students in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Adams retired effective Wednesday, July 28. Colleagues and students were able to come by the Alumni Faculty Lounge that afternoon to express appreciation to Dr. Adams and sign a mat that will be placed in a frame with a picture of the college’s Continuum sculpture as a recognition gift.
Dr. Laurie Adams, senior lecturer, with her husband and Purdue Veterinary Medicine colleague, Dr. Larry Adams, on the occasion of her retirement Wednesday, July 28, when she was presented with a photograph of the Continuum sculpture with a mat autographed by well-wishers.
A 1984 DVM graduate of Auburn University, Dr. Adams completed a small animal veterinary internship at the University of Minnesota before working in private veterinary practice, first in River Grove, Ill., and then at animal hospitals in the Minneapolis – St. Paul area. She first joined Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s instructional team in 2000 to teach in the Applications and Integrations (A&I) courses, which utilize problem-based learning as part of the first- and second-year DVM curriculum.
Six years later, Dr. Adams stepped away from academia to pursue interests in private practice in the West Lafayette area. She also worked for two years as a locum in the college’s Small Animal Primary Care service before returning to the instructional team in 2014 to again teach in the A&I courses.
“Dr. Adams has served as an excellent coach and tutor to many classes of Purdue DVM students,” said Dr. Kathy Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs. “She has high expectations for the students and she helped the students to achieve them. She always worked to improve the students’ learning experience. As a key member of the A&I team, she will be greatly missed.”
Former Purdue veterinary students who recently returned to pursue residencies, Dr. Jessica Linder and Dr. Levi Smith, sign the Continuum sculpture photo mat for Dr. Laurie Adams in recognition of her retirement.
Dr. Adams said she plans to utilize her new found free time to pursue other interests, especially riding her horse! Thankfully, her husband and colleague, Dr. Larry Adams, professor of small animal internal medicine, is staying on as a faculty member in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Small Animal Internal Medicine section head in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.
Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Laurie Adams! Anyone who would like to sign the Continuum photo mat still may do so. It is available in the Dean’s Office.
New artwork adds color and family feel to hallways in Lynn Hall
As you walk the College of Veterinary Medicine’s hallways in Lynn Hall, don’t be surprised if some new “looks” catch your eye! The walls are now graced with several new art pieces created by people you may know personally, courtesy of the Art in Lynn Hall program.
Begun in the spring of 2010, the Art in Lynn Hall program started with an initial call for members of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family to submit proposals. The first set of three pieces was dedicated the following year. Recalling the early days of the program, Dean Willie Reed described the unpretentious beginning by explaining, “We started this with the idea of, ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful to have members of the PVM family contribute original art that we could display in our college?’… And so, with the help of Professor of Veterinary History David Williams, who has really led this project from the beginning, it became a reality.” Dean Reed added, “I’m just always amazed at the talent that we have here amongst our students, our faculty, and our staff, and even some of the relatives of our family here in Lynn Hall.”
Fast forward to 2021, and, on the eve of his retirement this summer, Professor Williams busily readied the newest art pieces for installation by connecting the artists with Susie Gibbs to have their works framed. He also collaborated with Facilities Manager Mike Kilpatrick, who worked with the carpenter’s office to have the artwork hung in place.
The four new pieces are the creations of Natalia Amaral, a student in the DVM class of 2022; Robert Burke, a former Purdue Veterinary Medicine laboratory technician; Roel Becerra Rangel, a graduate in the DVM class of 2021; and Aishwarya Chitnis, student in the DVM class of 2023.
The artists provided statements about their works, which are displayed next to each installation. A big thank you to each of the artists for their beautiful artwork, pictured here along with their statements.
“Where It All Began,” oil painting by Natalia Amaral, of the DVM class of 2022, located near the Veterinary Nursing Program office
This oil painting of a child feeding a giraffe was inspired by an encounter I had at a zoo when I was eight years old. After a twenty minute giraffe feeding, I was sure that I would spend my life working with animals. I wanted to capture the feeling of awe and enthusiasm that inspired many of us to pursue this field. Whether it was an experience in the zoo, working on a family farm, or meeting a pet, we all have a memory of an animal encounter that sparked our passion to pursue this career. As veterinary students and professionals, we can get bogged down by the overwhelming information and stress of our curriculum and work. I want this painting to serve as a reminder of why we are in this building, pouring all of our efforts into this wonderful profession.
“Buttercup,” watercolor by Robert Burke, former PVM laboratory technician, located in the hallway by Large Animal Reception
I worked for the Purdue Veterinary College from 1985-1997. I then worked for Parke-Davis in Groton, Connecticut as a Research Level 3 Scientist, and worked eight years for Pfizer Global Research and Development, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before returning to Purdue in 2012.
I produced many paintings, drawings and sculpture during my Purdue days, but due to long hours and heightened stress of working in industry I created no art during my Pfizer days.
I have since been retired due to stage 4 cancer and kidney failure. The cancer is at bay, not cured, and I start dialysis soon.
I appreciate the opportunity afforded by PVM to make art again. Art is the one thing that has been a constant throughout my life. This is the first watercolor I have made in nearly 20 years. My tubes of paint, still in my kit from those days, were mostly dried up and I had to replenish my supply.
There is a lot of rust associated with this painting but it serves as a launching point. I am working on another drawing now for an old friend and hope to revisit sculpting as pushing clay seems to speak to me more than any other form of art. My hope, too, is that dialysis helps me feel better and gets me back to my drawing table with more regularity.
I was once a licensed private pilot and flying airplanes was the thing I did best, the one thing that spoke to me most clearly. Illness at a fairly young age grounded me. I could no longer pass the flight physical. I believed my life was over when I was in my late 20’s because of that.
So I started drawing. I always liked to draw when I was young but never took art classes in grade school or high school. I read books and taught myself to draw and paint and then sculpt. I believe that saved my life and I produced a lot of art for nearly a decade.
Now, cancer and kidney failure had me thinking my life is over. So, I started to draw. And paint. And sculpt. I still have work to do.
I am blessed with my wife Kathi, my daughter Angeline; a dog named Daisy, and three cats (the dog claimed me, the cats claimed my wife and daughter).
“Te veo [I see you]” beans, seeds, and grass on felt by Dr. Roel Becerra, of the DVM class of 2021, located in hallway around corner from G-155
I see that life has many shapes, as well as dreams. Each person has the opportunity to shape their own future. Dreams come in different shapes and require hard work, passion, and perseverance; they are not accomplished in a few days. Dreams are created slowly, piece by piece and intentionally until the shape of your desired dream is achieved. Sometimes pieces may fall down and you may feel discouraged; but don’t stop assembling your dream. Just make sure next time you glue those fallen pieces even stronger than the first time. Some people are born with aspects of their future already shaped or in place; while others may have to find a way to shape their future and accomplish it. If you see yourself as having physical and mental limitations do not allow them to limit the shaping of your future. With dedication you can see that a limitation is just an unshaped skill, that needs work to be shaped.
“Azul cielo [Blue sky],” beans, seeds, and grass on felt by Dr. Roel Becerra, located located in hallway around corner from G-155
Live the present, study the past, and plan the future.
“Happy to help,” finger painting in oil by Aishwarya Chitnis, of the DVM class of 2023, located near the Veterinary Nursing Program office
Canine educators are an essential part of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine curriculum and have helped aspiring veterinarians learn essential skills that have helped them for the rest of their lives. Personally, the canine educator program is one of my favorite parts of our veterinary school.
This is a 30” x 30” finger painting created using oil paints. I created this painting in honor of the canines who have walked the hallways of our school and have filled our hearts with joy.
As it turns out, the installation of these pieces not only coincided with Professor Williams’ retirement, but also represented one of Susie Gibbs’ last projects before her retirement. Reflecting on the role Susie Gibbs has played in the Art in Lynn Hall program, Professor Williams recalled, “She framed all of the art in Lynn Hall over many years, and in particular worked with several of the students on choosing an appropriate frame. I always thought this was something the students enjoyed, and I know Susie did.”
Another important partner in the Art in Lynn Hall program through the years has been Executive Director and CEO of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette Kendall Smith II. In addition to the artwork created by PVM family members, the Lynn Hall art collection also includes pieces from the Art Museum’s community art projects through the years. “Give a Dog a Bone, an X-ray View” by artist Liz Rainey, which was part the “Dog Days of Summer” community art project that honored the College’s 50th and Art Museum’s 100th anniversaries, currently welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Veterinary Medical Library. Likewise, “Rockette, the Circus Bear,” a donation to the college by Purdy Concrete, was created by artist Bonnie Zimmerman as part of Art Museum’s “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” project.
In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine successfully hosted its summer program called “Vet Up! College” this year for undergraduate students who are serious about going to veterinary school. The six week summer program culminated in a virtual graduation celebration June 25.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s assistant dean for inclusive excellence, Dr. Latonia Craig, began the ceremony by explaining that Vet Up! College is designed to address two critical health professional disparities: a national and State of Indiana shortage of veterinarians in public health and rural or food animal practice and a significant lack of underrepresented individuals entering the veterinary profession. The goal of the program is to fill veterinary shortage areas with equity-minded individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas.
“Today we are celebrating 26 graduates from all over the nation who participated,” Dr. Craig explained. She noted the students represented more than a dozen states, from Indiana to Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas and Hawaii, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
This year’s program featured some creative adjustments from the inaugural Vet Up! College program that was conducted in 2019 as a residential summer experience at Purdue University. “Due to COVID 19, we had to cancel the program last year, but what that did was to give us more time to think of more innovative ways to deliver the program, without compromising rigor and quality,” said Dr. Craig. “Our biggest concern was that if we delivered the program virtually, how could we create an opportunity for students to job shadow and gain hands-on animal experience?”
Melanie Figueroa Cordero, one of the 26 graduates in the Vet Up! College Class of 2021, was honored along with fellow graduate Kyra Holt as a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award during the virtual Graduation Celebration.
The answer to that concern involved Purdue alumni and one of the program sponsors, National Veterinary Associates (NVA). “With the help of NVA and some Purdue alumni, we were able to place all 26 participants at a clinical site in their residential areas, even in Hawaii and Puerto Rico,” Dr. Craig shared enthusiastically. “I am amazed at the experiences our students gained in their clinical settings.”
NVA Director of Community Development Chris Janak joined in the virtual ceremony and praised the students in the Vet Up! College Class of 2021. “Vet up graduates – I want you to know the impact that you had on the clinics and the hospitals and the resorts that you spent time in,” Janak said. He then read comments about the graduates that were received from the clinical sites. “An absolute delight.” “Talented and so smart.” “Incredibly inquisitive.” “Bright and a beautifully positive attitude.” One of the clinical sites even commented, “…we’re so excited they have indicated an interest in joining our team.” Another described the student they hosted as “the Future of Veterinary Medicine.”
Janak went on to explain, “In my experience folks in animal care don’t just give compliments to be nice. They give them when they really mean it. So the feedback I’ve just shared, let it sink in because you wouldn’t be getting it if it weren’t true. You are all of these things and more. You are the future of Veterinary Medicine. We are grateful and humbled that we are able to be a small part of your journey.”
Dr. Craig also acknowledged her staff in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, for their hard work in getting the program off the ground, as well as all of the faculty who gave of their time to teach during the months of May and June. In addition, she recognized Dr. Sandra San Miguel, the college’s associate dean for engagement, for her initial help and leadership in pursuing the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which made the program possible. Additional program support is provided by Zoetis.
Dr. Craig also praised the Purdue veterinary students who served as teaching assistants in the program: May Brooks, Akila Bryant, Keishla Marrero Acosta and Daniela Sanchez. And she thanked Dean Willie Reed for his steadfast support of the program and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
But Dr. Craig reserved her highest praise for the graduates, noting, “We have kept our students extremely busy during the program, Almost every minute, every second was accounted for…The students were able to gain a total of 2,007 clinical hours in two weeks and over 150 hours in curriculum and assessment hours in four weeks, covering such topics as anatomy, emergency and critical care, parasitology, physiology, histopathology, bacteriology, cell and tissue biology, behavior and more.” Additionally, the students completed the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine and the first aid certificate training in mental health, engaged in four weekly problem based learning cases and even participated in a personalized Houston Zoo virtual tour with live Q-and-A.
Dr. Craig then invited one of the graduates to share her thoughts. Giormarie Rodriguez Vélez is a participant from Puerto Rico, and described for her fellow graduates the day she received her letter of acceptance into the program. “There I was, just like all of you. A Puerto Rican girl, passionate about animal welfare, receiving the opportunity of a lifetime – one that would transform the way I see veterinary medicine,” Giormarie explained.
She then shared how her initial insecurities as a participant gave way to excitement when she realized that not only had she been given the opportunity to participate, but she also was listened to with attention and interest. “No question was considered silly or unimportant because the faculty members genuinely appreciated our interest, answered our questions, and more importantly always asked, “Is it clear now, or would you like me to explain it another way?”
Giormarie continued, “With each interaction I understood that this is inclusiveness. I understood that this is what it feels like to be valued despite your limitations or backgrounds.” She also said she appreciated the inclusiveness she felt amongst the students, who, instead of being competitive, sought to help each other learn. “It created an environment where empathy and encouragement had the upper hand. There is room for all of us to shine.”
Giormarie further explained how her clinical experience reinforced those feelings. “To my surprise I was greeted with such enthusiasm that they made me feel like they were the lucky ones to have me instead of me to learn from them.” She added, “I familiarized myself with what it really means to put down your toy doctor’s coat and get into a real one.”
She concluded by thanking Purdue University for providing this opportunity that changed the way she looks at veterinary medicine. “Thank you, on behalf of us all, for not only equipping us academically, but also for empowering us to embrace diversity, inclusion and cultural competence. Most importantly, thank you for being an active example of all of these qualities.”
Dean Willie Reed offered his congratulations to the Vet Up! College program graduates via video.
Dr. Craig then recognized several participants with special awards. Congratulations to the recipients of each of these awards:
Model Pre-vet Student – recognizes a student who actively participated, demonstrated discipline, and maintained a can-do attitude in the Vet Up! College program: Giormarie Rodriguez Vélez
Academic Excellence – recognizes the top two students who were able to represent the core values of the Vet Up College program, passing their exams with straight As while maintaining a positive attitude and achieving high standards in their efforts to increase their competency skills in veterinary medicine: Melanie Figueroa Cordero and Kyra Holt
Most Dedicated Award – honors a student for maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating an eagerness to learn and excel in spite of any posted challenges in the Vet Up! College program. This award was given to the student who had to be up each day at 3:00 a.m., because she participated from Hawaii: Tyler Bright
Another component of the program involved a Capstone Project. The participants were placed in seven groups of three to engage in a research project. Each group had to come-up with a topic and title of their choice, and complete a literature review, prepare an introduction and complete a presentation either in the form of a PowerPoint presentation or an actual abstract or research poster. Congratulations to the winning group of Caroline Grannum, Paola Figueroa Pratts and Bryson Satterwhite, for their project on the dairy cattle industry and its impact on climate change.
Three Vet Up! College graduates, Caroline Grannum, Paola Figueroa Pratts and Bryson Satterwhite, were recognized for submitting the winning Capstone Project, which involved choosing a research topic and making a presentation.
Before Dr. Craig concluded the celebration by introducing each of the 26 participants individually, Dean Reed addressed the Vet Up! College Class of 2021 by video, adding his own congratulatory remarks. “I really hope you’ve had a wonderful experience,” Dean Reed said. “This program was designed to introduce you to our college, learn more about the veterinary profession, and gain more experience working in clinical setting. And also you had the opportunity to get to know some of our faculty and veterinary students.”
“I hope this has influenced your dream of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine,” Dean Reed continued. “I can’t help but to think about years ago when I had a similar dream of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. That dream came true for me and so I want that dream to come true for you. All of you have worked so very hard…And you’re very close to realizing that dream. I hope all of you will want to become Purdue Boilermakers. We would love to see you here to pursue your dream…This is a place where dreams can and do come true.”
The Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) has honored Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Professor of Veterinary History David Williams, upon his retirement, as the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Literary Award. The award was presented in a virtual ceremony by Gary Schnitz, one of the editors of the Journal of Biocommunication (JBC) and chair of the Journal Management Board.
The award is given each year to recognize an author for excellence in journalism. In presenting the award to Professor Williams, Schnitz explained, “David’s original paper about the Pernkopf Atlas of Anatomy first appeared in the JBC back in 1988. David had taken a sabbatical leave to study the original Pernkopf illustrations in Munich Germany. And then he studied with Franz Batke, in Innsbruck Austria. Batke at the time was the last living Pernkopf artist. David’s article provided a detailed discussion about the Atlas, as well as the Pernkopf artist.”
Schnitz then announced that the upcoming issue of the JBC is being called a special issue and is devoted entirely to the discussion of the Pernkopf Atlas and its dark history. The issue will include Professor Williams’ 1988 article, which he gave JBC permission to republish in its entirety for the special issue.
In accepting the award, Professor Williams thanked the Journal of Biomedical Communication board as well as AMI for presenting him with this year’s Literary Award for his paper on Edward Pernkopf, the Pernkopf painters and the beautiful Atlas that they created. “I want you all to know one thing…and that is that my interest in the Pernkopf Atlas was a pure interest right from the very beginning,” Professor Williams said. “I had no vested interest in the Atlas. It was a pure academic scholarly interest. Thank you again and this was a wonderful way to end my 48-plus year career at Purdue University.”
Purdue University is launching a national search for a new director of the Purdue Center for Cancer Research (PCCR) to succeed Dr. Timothy Ratliff, who has announced that he will step down from his role as the Robert Wallace Director of the PCCR after leading the organization for 14 years. He will remain on faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology as a Distinguished Professor and will continue to be an active member of PCCR.
Under Dr. Ratliff’s leadership, PCCR has retained its National Cancer Institute (NCI) Basic Laboratory Cancer Center designation and has seen tremendous growth in its endowment and translational activities. During his tenure, Dr. Ratliff has helped to shape the focus and culture of PCCR, enhancing collaborative science, encouraging dissemination of research, and revolutionizing processes and resources for translation.
“It has been an honor to lead the PCCR and to work with our outstanding and dedicated faculty. We have worked together to shepherd tremendous advances and promising treatments in cancer research,” Ratliff said. “What we’ve built is a cross-cutting collaborative research team dedicated to fundamental research that leads to the development of new therapies and tools that target cancer. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with this amazing team in a research capacity.”
Reflecting on Dr. Ratliff’s tenure as director, Theresa Mayer, Purdue’s executive vice president for research and partnerships, said, “Throughout its 45-year history, the Purdue Center for Cancer Research has brought together researchers from disciplines across campus to develop more effective detection, diagnostics, efficient drug delivery systems and treatments. We are very grateful for Dr. Ratliff’s leadership and remain committed to advancing the vision and mission of the PCCR to address the most pressing challenges in cancer research in the next decade and beyond.”
PCCR is among the first interdisciplinary research centers at the University, established in 1976. It received the prestigious NCI Basic Laboratory Cancer Center designation in 1978 and has maintained this status for over 40 years. PCCR is one of only seven NCI-designated basic cancer centers in the United States. It is focused on laboratory research, bringing together researchers from seven colleges to promote discovery into how cancers develop, progress and respond to treatment.
Dr. Timothy Ratliff is stepping down as the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research after a 14-year tenure marked by tremendous growth in the organization’s endowment and translational research.
PCCR is also among the nation’s leading institutions in drug development. PCCR scientists have 37 new drugs in the pipeline, including 11 currently in human clinical trials and 26 new immunotherapies in development. PCCR researchers’ intellectual property also has led to the creation of 16 companies during the past 10 years, and numerous patents have been licensed by existing or newly formed companies.
Dr. Ratliff came to Purdue in 2007 from the University of Iowa, where he served as a professor of prostate cancer research and research vice chair of the Department of Urology. Before that, he was a faculty member of the Washington University School of Medicine. His research has focused on immunotherapy studies using prostate and bladder cancer models to address questions about activation of antitumor responses, characterization of antitumor effector mechanisms and the regulation of antitumor immunity. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, Dr. Ratliff earned his master’s degree at Texas A&M—Commerce and his doctorate at the University of Arkansas.
Purdue has named a search advisory committee in conjunction with starting a national search for the next director of PCCR. The search will be supported by Korn Ferry talent acquisition experts.
Photo “Indigo Bunting” by Kurayba is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Natural resource management agencies in several states are working with diagnostic laboratories to investigate what is causing reports of sick and dying songbirds. The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has been helping with the investigation in Indiana, which is being led by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
According to a multi-state summary statement issued recently, wildlife managers in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky began receiving reports in late May of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. Since then, additional reports have been received from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee as well as Indiana. While the majority of affected birds are reported to be fledgling common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, and American robins, other species of songbirds reportedly have been affected as well. No definitive cause(s) of illness or death have been determined as yet, and no human health or domestic livestock and poultry issues have been reported.
Among the information gleaned so far is that the following pathogens have NOT been detected in any birds tested, based on results received to date: Salmonella and Chlamydia (bacterial pathogens); avian influenza virus, West Nile virus and other flaviviruses, Newcastle disease virus and other paramyxoviruses, herpesviruses and poxviruses; and Trichomonas parasites. Transmission electron microscopy and additional diagnostic tests, including microbiology, virology, parasitology, and toxicology are ongoing.
Birds congregating at bird feeders and bird baths can transmit diseases to one another. Therefore, the agencies involved in the investigation recommend the following standard precautions:
Cease feeding birds until this wildlife morbidity/mortality event subsides;
Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach mixed with nine parts water), rinse with water, and allow to air dry;
Avoid handling birds unless necessary. If you do handle them wear disposable gloves. If picking up a dead bird, place an inverted plastic bag over your hand to avoid direct contact with the bird; and
Keep pets (including pet birds) away from sick or dead wild birds as a standard precaution.
People who encounter sick or dead birds should contact their state’s wildlife conservation agency (in Indiana, the Department of Natural Resources) for further instructions and to help them track this event. To dispose of dead birds, place in a plastic bag, seal, and discard with household trash or alternatively bury them deeply. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Since earning his Purdue University DVM degree in 1993, Dr. Andrew (Andy) Stamper has experienced something of a dream career for a person with a love for marine life and conservation. And he will be sharing his expertise and insights during the virtual 2021 Purdue University Veterinary Conference in September as the speaker for the Class of 1971 / Dr. Jack and Naomi Stockton Lecture.
Dr. Stamper is the conservation science manager and veterinarian for Disney Conservation (yes that Disney!). Raised in the Midwest, Dr. Stamper spent his summers in high school traveling to Maine and working on offshore islands where he enhanced his passion for, and knowledge of marine life and participated in the National Audubon Society’s Seabird Restoration Program called Project Puffin. As he continued pursuing his interests, Dr. Stamper went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in marine sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, and then returned to the Midwest to enroll in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, Dr. Stamper spent time working at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and completed a residency in zoological medicine at North Carolina State University, before becoming the head veterinarian at the New England Aquarium. For the past 20 years, he has been with Disney’s Animal, Science and Environment team, focusing on marine animal and ecosystem health.
Entitled “Marine Ecosystem Health: One Vet’s Adventures To Save Coral Reefs,” Dr. Stamper’s lecture will be held Wednesday, September 8, at 4:00 p.m. The focus will be on ocean acidification and warming and what Disney is doing to help mitigate and adapt to climate-related issues. The talk will be given virtually, using the Whova conference app. Only those registered for the Purdue Veterinary Conference will be able to attend. Conference registrants can earn up to 24 continuing education credits over the course of the four-day virtual continuing education program September 7-10. With tracks on small animal, equine, food animal, practice management and exotics, the conference will offer content for the entire veterinary team.
Dr. F. Claire Hankenson (PU DVM ‘97) has been appointed as the new associate vice provost for research and executive director of University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) at the University of Pennsylvania, effective November 1, 2021. The announcement was made in June by Penn’s Senior Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell.
According to an article in the Penn Almanac, the official weekly journal of record, opinion and news for the University of Pennsylvania community, Dr. Hankenson also will serve as Penn’s attending veterinarian. In her new roles, she will oversee ULAR and lead the division of laboratory animal medicine as a professor of clinical pathobiology in Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
A 1997 DVM graduate of Purdue University, Dr. Hankenson is a past president of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research. She also recently served as the sole laboratory animal veterinarian on the National Institutes of Health Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD)’s Working Group on Enhancing Reproducibility and Rigor in Animal Research. In addition to her Purdue University degree, Dr. Hankenson holds an MS from the University of Washington, and a BA from Indiana University.
Currently, Dr. Hankenson serves as a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University (MSU), where she also is the attending veterinarian and director of Campus Animal Resources. She has been responsible for MSU’s animal programs during a period of growth in biomedical research and recently oversaw the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining research animal populations and ensuring the continuation of critical animal research projects during this unprecedented time. Before her position at MSU, Dr. Hankenson served for eight years at Penn as senior associate director of ULAR. “Dr. Hankenson is a proven leader with a strong record of accomplishments who will skillfully lead the next trajectory of excellence at ULAR and the academic laboratory animal medicine programs and I am delighted that she is returning to Penn,” said Senior Vice Provost Bonnell.
Purdue University has announced the appointment of Dr. Debra Hickman as the new attending veterinarian and associate vice president for animal resources in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships (EVPRP). Dr. Hickman also will be appointed as a clinical professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, where she presently is an adjunct associate professor.
Dr. Hickman’s new appointment takes effect August 2. “In this role, Dr. Hickman will be responsible for ensuring outstanding animal care and welfare in all of the university’s research and teaching programs,” said Dr. Theresa S. Mayer, Purdue executive vice president for research and partnerships. Dr. Mayer also said that as a clinical professor in the Comparative Pathobiology Department, Dr. Hickman will lead Purdue’s efforts to establish a unique Residency Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine that includes rotations at a partner university and a company in Indiana.
Dr. Mayer went on to explain that Dr. Hickman brings to Purdue a diversity of experience and expertise. “She has significant experience in administrative leadership and is a funded researcher, providing her with a unique perspective and set of skills to support the well-being and clinical care of animals across the university,” Dr. Mayer said.
Dr. Hickman comes to Purdue from Indiana University, where she has served as the director of the Laboratory Animal Resource Center and attending veterinarian for the School of Medicine since 2009. She currently supports an independently funded laboratory that focuses on enhancing the well-being of animals used in research. She previously spent eight years as the chief of veterinary services for the VA Medical Center in Portland, Ore. She also is president elect of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).
Dr. Hickman earned her undergraduate and DVM degrees at the University of Illinois, where she went on to complete a Lab Animal Post-doctoral Training Program, earning her MS degree in 2001. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW) as well as ACLAM and her research interests involve the use of behavior and physiology to assess the well-being of animals in research.
As she transitions to her new responsibilities at Purdue, Dr. Hickman will report directly to Dr. Mayer, who will assume the role of the University Institutional Official for animal care and use. The animal resources team and the central animal facilities team, both focused on the care and welfare of animals, will report to Dr. Hickman, while the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which provides protocols for proper animal care, will continue to report to Dr. Chris Agnew, the associate vice president for regulatory affairs. “This structure is in line with best practices across the animal care community,” Dr. Mayer explained.
In addition, Dr. Hickman will take on the role of attending veterinarian from Dr. Bill Ferner, the current director of Laboratory Animal Program, who will retire at the end of July. Dr. Mayer noted that Dr. Ferner provided more than 20 years of exceptional service to the university, and that during his tenure, Purdue’s animal resources program has maintained full AAALAC accreditation by exceeding the high standards set by the organization. “Please join me in congratulating Bill and in welcoming Deb to this new role,” Dr. Mayer said.
