WesternU Joins the Effort - Western University of Health Sciences

WesternU's Veterinary News 1

Volume 2, Issue 3 March 2000

Western University of Health Sciences ✟ College of Veterinary Medicine

309 East 2nd Street ✟ Pomona, CA 91766

(909) 469-5628 ✟ FAX (909) 469-5635 ✟ www.westernu.edu/cvm

Shirley D. Johnston, DVM, Ph.D. I was informed last week that the AVMA Council on Education has decided not to provide a Letter of Reasonable Assurance to the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine. At its meeting February 28, the COE voted positively on nine of the 11 essentials but voted negatively on the WesternU plans for Physical Facilities and Curriculum. Dr. Donald Smith advised me of this development by phone, but was unwilling to provide details. He indicated that the details would be conveyed by letter within the next 30 days. All of us here at WesternU-CVM believe in the excellence of our proposed program and that this action by the COE was completely unjustified. We will carefully evaluate the reasons for denial when they are provided, and then we will pursue whatever avenues of appeal are available to us. We have created an innovative plan that we are confident meets all 11 AVMA-COE essentials when examined objectively, and we believe that the COE decision is in error. We are moving ahead on

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WesternU Joins the Effort

On February 29th the WesternU-CVM joined forces with the Inland Valley Humane Society (IVHS) to conduct a wonderfully successful Spay Day USA. WesternU faculty veterinary surgeons Drs. Cal Kobluk and Lara Marie Rasmussen were two of five veterinarians performing surgeries at the IVHS on that day. One hundred and twenty-seven animals were surgically sterilized in a 14-hour period with no morbidity or mortality. The overwhelming support of volunteer technical staff and lay-personnel ensured the success of this endeavor. As an incentive for the WesternU family, the University pledged a donation of $10 for every animal patient at Spay Day USA whose caregiver happened to be a WesternU faculty, staff, student or friend. President Philip Pumerantz, PhD, was quoted in a local paper, The Weekly News, as saying, “WesternU established a College of Veterinary Medicine to promote the love of animals. In addition to educating future veterinarians, we’re also happy to support and promote local health and safety efforts for animals. We started this donation drive to provide an extra incentive to do the right thing, and we challenge all other local companies and organizations to do the same.” Community spirit such as this will enhance and enlighten the

student experience here at WesternU-CVM! ✟✟

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 A Word from the Dean 1 Spay Day USA 2 Partners with a Common Dream 3 Faculty/Staff Introductions 4 Our Donors…/ Support the College

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We are proud to announce the establishment of The Dr. Jean Dodds Center for Veterinary Blood Banking here at Western University of Health Sciences. This center will house the non-profit service, HemoPet, and its business division, HemoLife. HemoPet will be relocating to the Western U-CVM campus in the summer of 2000. We will house approximately 300 greyhounds, rescued from the racing tracks. They will receive health screenings and care through the CVM Companion Animal Primary Care Clinic to be located at the same site. These dogs will live on-site for one year, providing valuable blood products to national and international canine veterinary patients. HemoPet has nurtured an extensive network of volunteers to assist with the social wellbeing of the dogs while housed at the facility, thus making this organization a true community experience. At the completion of their time with HemoPet, all dogs are entered into the adoption process complete with its rigorous protocols and high standards. Those dogs not suited for adoption due to significant medical or behavioral issues are place in established, permanent retirement homes. HemoPet currently provides all canine blood products (packed red blood cells, fresh-frozen plasma, whole blood, platelet-rich plasma, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatant), transfusion supplies, blood processing (for multiple species; Southern California only), and importantly, transfusion and hematologic consultation. The business division, HemoLife, will have a therapeutics and diagnostics sub-division. HemoLife Therapeutics will produce novel animal blood products for veterinary

therapeutic and prophylactic use. An example is the globulin-enriched canine plasma product produced through patented blood fractionation technology. These exciting new products (ex. canine parvo virus-specific globulins) have been safety tested and are expected to be licensed in the fall of 2000. Expansion into the bovine and equine markets is also envisioned. HemoLife Diagnostics will operate a clinical pathology laboratory for the CVM, will carry out research and development for specialty diagnostic tests, and will provide small animal necropsy services to the southern California region. Specific genetic diagnostic screening and related companion animal genetic counseling will also be available. We anticipate close integration of both HemoPet and HemoLife into our CVM curriculum and student experience. For example, students will assist in the daily veterinary and social care of the greyhounds oncampus. They will be exposed to these wonderful and tolerant “simulated patients” for learning physical examination and gait analysis. Third- and fourth-year students will be afforded the benefit of following their small animal patients who have died through the necropsy process. Many opportunities exist for the students for participation in graduate level research in related topics. The potential is incredible. We are very pleased with this development here at Western U-CVM. The relationship will likely grow in unforeseen areas much to the benefit of the future of veterinary medicine.

HemoPet & HemoLife

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FACULTY/STAFF INTRODUCTIONS Ms. Tami Arguijo, Senior Secretary Ms. Josie Hostetler, Secretary (909) 469-5627 [email protected] (909) 469-5628 [email protected] Dr. Gary Johnston, Professor Dr. Cal Kobluk, Adjunct Professor (909) 469-5644 [email protected] (909) 469-5689 [email protected] Dr. Shirley Johnston, Dean Dr. Lara Marie Rasmussen, Assistant Professor (909) 469-5637 [email protected] (909) 469-5668 [email protected] Dr. Bob Mason, Adjunct Associate Professor Dr. Ashley Robinson, Associate Dean (909) 469-5683 [email protected] (909) 469-5628 [email protected]

From the desk of Lara Marie Rasmussen, DVM: My position here at Western U-CVM, (besides newsletter editor!), is Director of Surgery and Clinical Skills Instruction. My history is perhaps unique. In veterinary school I pursued an “alternative” to the live-terminal use of dogs in the 3rd year surgery-training course. I was granted the option of taking the Washington State University (WSU) Summer Alternative Surgery Training Laboratory and participating in additional clinical rotations at my school (University of California, Davis). Extracurricular, self-initiated study included procedure practice using cadavers (having died of natural causes) and inanimate model exercises. My performance in subsequent clinical rotations received high marks. I graduated from UC Davis and continued my training through a small animal internship in a Massachusetts private practice. The methods by which I received my previous training were a non-issue, and I excelled in this internship that emphasized surgery. I was highly recommended for a small animal surgical residency, which I pursued and completed. Again, the methods by which I was trained were irrelevant to individuals evaluating my abilities; I functioned at a high level as a surgical resident and received my residency certificate upon completion. I was later awarded diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons after submitting my credentials and successfully completing my examinations. I have subsequently completed a year as a clinical instructor at WSU and a year in a private referral surgery practice. My background has given me both a view into the arena of clinical skills training and the incentive to find the best method of learning clinical skills. My premise is that surgery and clinical skills can be learned without the detrimental use of animals. I feel I am evidence of that concept. My approach though has changed as I have developed into a teacher. My job and my goal are to make sure that veterinary students are well trained in the basics and well prepared to safely continue their learning and training throughout their careers. I do not presume that we can teach them every skill they will ever need to perform. I have begun to re-evaluate and explore the best ways to

teach and learn clinical skills. I strongly disagree with the concept of “alternatives” and that an appropriate alternative is the closest approximation to live animal use that we can devise. I no longer believe we need an “alternative”. There is a better way to teach and learn clinical skills; thorough research and hypotheses testing will find, support and encourage the evolution of this “better way”. Perhaps I am biased, but I do believe this evolution will result in methods that do not involve the detrimental use of animals. Our program here at WesternU-CVM will be quite thorough; we have high standards and expectations! I believe we will be, as well as should be, in the learning and development process of education ad infinitum. We are an ingenious species; here at WesternU we will capitalize on this in our curricular development and evolution. So other than as an introduction, my reasons for disseminating these thoughts are to encourage everyone’s participation in our process. We value your experiences and thoughts. Even the smallest, most specific bit of educational information may have its place in our program. Feel free to interact with us and provide us with the benefits of your wisdom. Theoretically we are scientists because we like the excitement of the exploration, discovery, and challenge. We will change the view of education from “a cookbook”, “the way it has always been”, “traditional” to one of a scientific question. We will ask that question from the perspective of today and the future. It may be harder to try new things, but it sure is a lot more

fun! ✟

My job and my goal are to make sure

that veterinary students are well trained in the basics and well prepared to safely

continue their learning and training throughout their careers.

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O UR DONORS , O UR FR I E N D S… **Thanks to Dr. Larry Tilley for the fabulous EKG simulator! We have already put it to great use for veterinary technician CPR training with our partners at Cal Poly Pomona.

**Thanks to Dr. Duane Sharp, Professor Emeritus with the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science at Cal Poly Pomona, for Journal of Animal Science (1965-1998) collection. Most appreciated!

Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine 309 East 2nd Street / College Plaza Pomona, CA 91766-1854

Support the College Opportunities Large and Small!!

The (your name here) Town PuMP (PsychoMotor Proficiency) Surgical Training Theater $75,000 The (your name here) Willed Body Cremains “Scatter at Sea” Program $3000 The (your name here) Canine Female Urinary Catheterization Model $995

all fronts to ensure the successful launch of this important new college.

As always, we appreciate your continued support as we continue to battle for a program that we believe is badly needed, and that will achieve a level of excellence that will make us all proud.

All of us here at WesternU-CVM

believe in the excellence of our proposed program…

P

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