Upcoming Purdue Veterinary Conference Features Keynotes on Wellness and Diversity

August 30, 2024

The 2024 Purdue Veterinary Conference features keynote speakers (left-right) Dr. Susan Cohen and Dr. Sandra F. San Miguel, and the annual Stockton Lecture, which will be given by Dr. Regina Tan.

The 2024 Purdue Veterinary Conference will continue an important tradition of offering keynote sessions on Wellness and Diversity. Another conference highlight will be the annual Stockton Lecture on current issues affecting the Veterinary industry.

This year’s Wellness Keynote will feature Dr. Susan Cohen, DSW, who founded Pet Decisions and is regarded as a pioneer in the field of pet loss. She will give a talk at noon on Wednesday, September 18, entitled, “What’s wrong with resilience? Transforming veterinary culture for better mental health.” During the lecture she will explore three paths to wellness that can make a difference in the life of veterinary professionals and their coworkers: interpersonal skills, self-care, and structural change. She encourages audience members to choose one small action and lighten a heavy load.

The Diversity Keynote will be given by Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s own Dr. Sandra F. San Miguel, associate dean for engagement and professor of veterinary clinical sciences. Dr. San Miguel will speak on the topic, “The Influence of Diversity in Communication in Healthcare.” During her presentation, she will share about The League of VetaHumanz, a global, inclusive veterinary superhero league where VetaHumanz in academia, practice, research, government, and industry engage with community centers and schools across the globe to provide access and support for under-resourced children. The award-winning program is supported by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. San Miguel’s presentation will include information about how veterinary professionals, veterinary practices, and organizations can join in the mission. The Diversity Lecture is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, at 12:00 p.m.

The Stockton Lecture will feature Dr. Regina Tan, a 1999 Purdue DVM graduate who joined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the Director of the center’s Office of Research. She currently is the Senior Advisor for the agency’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Tan will speak about the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda and demonstrate how the agency is using One Health to protect the health of humans and animals in the United States.

These special lectures represent just some of the highlights of the 2024 Purdue Veterinary Conference. To hear these enlightening presentations click here to register for the conference. Registrants also will gain access to continuing education tracks on Diagnostic Imaging, Equine, Exotics, Emergency Preparedness, Practice Management and Communication, Ruminant, Shelter Medicine, Small Animal, Poultry, and Veterinary Nursing, as well as industry presentations and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) modules. To take advantage of early bird pricing, make sure to register by September 1. Click here for more information about the 2024 Purdue Veterinary Conference.

The conference will conclude Saturday, September 21, with the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which is open to the public and starts at 8:00 a.m. in front of Lynn Hall. Click here to sign-up for the Dog Jog.

Writer(s): Tom Mauch | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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