A Purdue second-year veterinary student and a third-year small animal surgery resident helped put the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spotlight at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) this year. Madelynn Luebcke of the DVM Class of 2027 was selected to give a podium presentation on a research project she participated in through the college’s Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program. Dr. Michael Sliman, who is completing his final year of his Small Animal Surgery Residency, had his research poster accepted for presentation at the meeting, enabling him to showcase the work he is doing under the supervision of Dr. Mark Rochat, professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, and Dr. Tim Lescun, professor of large animal surgery.
The VOS Conference, which took place in Breckenridge, Colorado February 8-14, is the largest gathering of veterinary surgeons with an orthopedics focus nationally and internationally. This year’s program featured numerous sessions on leading-edge research in all fields of veterinary orthopedics, with a meeting schedule designed to also include opportunities for participants to hit the ski slopes.
Luebcke had started working with Dr. Sarah Malek, associate professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, through the Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program, when she joined a funded project entitled, “Comparison of Debridement of the Canine Antebrachiocarpal Joint by Arthrotomy Versus Arthroscopy.” The project was run by Dr. Rochat as the PI, and Dr. Malek was Luebcke’s assigned mentor and the Co-PI on the project. Dr. Kate Spies, a third-year resident at the time, was the lead resident on the project while Lubcke took over the bulk of image processing, analysis and measurement that provided a significant contribution to the project.
At the VOS Conference, Luebcke was able to share information about the project’s findings. Dr. Malek said many of the other presenters were third-year veterinary students, PhD students, interns and residents, as well as surgeons. “This was her first podium presentation and she did a fantastic job,” Dr. Malek said. “I received wonderful feedback from attendees on her presentation skills. She will have co-authorship on the manuscript that is underway based on this project. I am very proud of her.”
Congratulations also are in order for Dr. Sliman, who was able to share his research poster for his project entitled, “Comparison of double-loop cerclage wire application using a double handle wire tightener versus a single handle wire tightener.” Dr. Sliman is Dr. Malek’s resident advisee and is working on the manuscript for the project. “He did a great job with his poster and was able to also get some skiing done,” Dr. Malek noted. “We are very proud of Dr. Sliman for being an excellent resident, team player and colleague and we’ll miss him when he finishes his program with us in July 2025.”
Congratulations to both Madelynn Luebcke and Dr. Michael Sliman for their success standing in the spotlight at this prestigious specialty conference, presenting their Purdue research projects.