As the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference returns to an in-person format for the first-time since the pandemic, a Purdue alumnus, Dr. Todd Eric Driggers (PU DVM ’94) will give one of the keynote presentations on the topic, “One Vet’s Adventure: Koala Medicine and Burn Management During the Australian Brush Fires.” A 1994 DVM graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Driggers is internationally recognized as a specialist in avian and exotic animal medicine. He will give the Dr. Jack and Naomi Stockton / Class of 1971 Lecture at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 21.
Dr. Driggers’ talk will be one of many continuing education sessions for the entire veterinary team that are offered along with traditional networking and special events during the conference September 20-24 on the Purdue campus. The conference will feature continuing education tracks on Veterinary Nursing, Small Animal, Ruminant, Swine, and Practice Management and Communication, as well as industry presentations and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) modules.
In addition to the Stockton Lecture, there will be three other plenary sessions. The Wellness Keynote at noon Wednesday, September 21, will feature Makenzie Peterson, DSW, MSc, director for wellbeing at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), who will speak on the topic “Addressing Organizational Culture and Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine.” At noon on Thursday, September 22, the AAVMC’s senior director for institutional research & diversity, Dr. Lisa Greenhill, will address the topic, “Developing Your Sense of Agency to Promote Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace.” Kicking off the conference on Tuesday evening, September 20, will be the Elanco Human Animal Bond Lecture featuring Gail Melson, Professor Emerita with the Purdue Department of Human Development & Family Studies, speaking on the topic, “The Other End of the Leash: Why Animals are Important for Human Development.”
As the speaker for the annual Stockton Lecture, Dr. Driggers brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the field of avian and exotic animal medicine. After earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1994, he interned at the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Indianapolis before starting Arizona’s first exclusive exotic animal practice in 1995. Currently, he has both a mobile and stationary four doctor practice named “The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Arizona.” He also is president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and of the Oasis Sanctuary that stewards over 800 birds.
A 2016 finalist for the Ted Lafeber Practitioner of the Year, Dr. Driggers has spoken internationally at Association of Avian Veterinary Conferences, Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians conferences and Unusual Pet Australian Veterinary conferences. In addition, he has authored several chapters in the publication Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, and has presented webinars.
Dr. Driggers advocates for ethical stewardship of exotic animal care and for animal welfare. He raised more than $75,000 for Australian wildlife during the Australian wildfires and is licensed to practice in three Australian territories as well as the state of Arizona. Dr. Driggers also serves as medical director for mission trips to the Dominican Republic conducted through Food for the Hungry. His other interests include herping, birding and photography.
Another 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference feature will be a special track presented Friday, September 23 by speakers from the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. The week of continuing education also includes special events involving three longstanding traditions. The 50th Class Anniversary Celebration for the DVM Class of 1972 will take place Wednesday evening, September 21. The following night, Thursday, September 22, the five year anniversary classes will be honored at the Alumni and Friends Reception, when members of the Class of 1972 will be individually recognized and receive their commemorative 50th Anniversary medallions. Then Saturday, September 24, will feature the return of one of the conference’s longest-running events, the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which will start at 8:00 a.m. in front of Lynn Hall, after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Click here for more information about the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference and to register. Click here to sign-up for the Dog Jog.
