Attendance Figures Set Record at Purdue Veterinary Conference

September 18, 2015

Featuring popular tracks for such areas as bovine, equine, small animal, shelter medicine, professional development and veterinary technology, the 2015 Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted a record number of attendees.  The total attendance figure of 1,200 included 335 veterinarians, 215 veterinary technicians, 400 PVM faculty, staff and students, and 140 guests and other professionals.  Additionally, the popular Exhibit Hall in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms was staffed by 110 exhibitor representatives.

The conference literally provided something for everyone, with 65 different speakers, including 38 from Purdue, conducting 95 different Continuing Education (CE) sessions.  Seven special labs and workshops contributed an additional 21 CE units.  New sessions included the Milking System Evaluation workshop; a General Wellness session with Dr. Michelle Gaspar, feline internal medicine consultant for the Veterinary Information Network; and a Veterinary Practice Management Program Open House. The annual Dr. Jack and Naomi Stockton / Class of 1971 Lecture featured a presentation by Dr. Candace Croney, director of the Purdue Center for Animal Welfare Science, who spoke on the topic, “Food Fight! Factors Shaping Public Debates and Policy on Farm Animal Welfare.”  The general public also had an opportunity to take part in learning about “The Science Behind the Human-Animal Bond” as presented by PVM Assistant Professor of Human-Animal Interaction Maggie O’Haire who gave the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture, which kicked-off the conference Tuesday evening, September 9.

A variety of special events also were held as part of the conference week, which doubles as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s homecoming.  Those events included the Indiana Animal Health Foundation golf outing; the Awards Celebration (see story below); the Dean’s Club luncheon, which featured a presentation by a member of the 25^th reunion class, Dr. Charles Vite (PU DVM ’90), associate professor of veterinary neurology at the University of Pennsylvania; the “Meet Me @ the Mixer” reception, where reunion classes are recognized; and the PVM Tailgate before the Purdue v. Indiana State football game.

Writer: Kevin Doerr, pvmnews@purdue.edu