Adams Recognized by AAVMC for Leadership in Public Policy

Dr. L. Garry Adams, a senior professor at the college, is the recipient of the 2015 Senator John Melcher, DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award for his visionary leadership in promoting veterinary legislative advocacy.

Doris Taylor Keynotes 2015 CVM Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Research Symposium

The symposium was a wonderful event highlighted by a keynote address by Dr. Doris Taylor, director of the Center for Cell and Organ Biotechnology. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped with the event, especially the CVM Graduate Student Association and Postdoctoral Association’s executive committees.

CTEHR Rededication and Toxicology Forum Held

On January 13, the Center for Translational Environmental Health Research (CTEHR), a NIEHS-funded National Center of Excellence in Environmental Health Science, was rededicated. Dr. Stephen Safe, Dr. Cheryl Lyn Walker, and Dr. Tim Phillips presented in the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex Auditorium. After the presentations a poster session was held for students to display and discuss their research. The center will have a physical presence in College Station and at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston. The center is a collaborative effort between the Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Houston.

Dr. Rosina "Tammi" Krecek Accepts Interim Assistant Dean Position as we Bid Farewell to Dr. Mike Chaddock

Dr. Rosina "Tammi" Krecek has been named the interim assistant dean of One Health at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). She steps into the position most recently held by Dr. Michael Chaddock, the first assistant dean to serve in this role.

Johnson Receives Sigma Xi’s National Ferguson Award

Dr. Larry Johnson was recently awarded the 2015 National Ferguson Award for Service from the scientific research society Sigma Xi at Texas A&M University. He will be presented the award later this year at Sigma Xi’s national meeting.

NAVC (North American Veterinary Community) Conference

The college was well represented at the NAVC conference, the largest veterinary conference in the world. Attendees included many CVM faculty and staff as well as our NAVC student representative, and many of us presented at various session. I spoke about leadership at the WeLead session and the “Lean In” Master Class. Jodi Korich, Jordan Tace, Kenita Rogers, and I met with our Veritas partners; the college has met or exceeded all of its targets with 20 cases available. Furthermore, the Council on Education (COE) held a listening session on the COE accreditation processes.

Ebola Panel at the NAVC conference

Also at the NAVC conference, Dr. Deb Zoran and I represented Texas A&M and the college in a panel discussion about Bentley’s case and whether dogs can get Ebola. The panel, all but one of whom was a Texas A&M graduate, recalled how many people came together at local, state, and national level to manage the first Ebola-exposed dog in the United States. Nina Pham attended with Bentley to share her perspective and to express her gratitude to all for caring for Bentley.

AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges) Board Meeting

Each year in January, the AAVMC deans' meeting is held in Naples, Florida, preceded by the AAVMC Board of Directors meeting. As president-elect of the AAVMC, I became immersed in the workings of AAVMC and its strategic direction. The deans at the meeting include those from COE accredited schools, both domestic and foreign. The exchange is always valuable and underscores the commonality of issues in veterinary medicine nationally and globally.

PEER Videoconference Reaches 4,800 Students

The PEER program recently held a One Health K-12 videoconference titled “Examining Plant and Animal Cells.” More than 100 groups (or 4,800 students and their teachers) from 30 states viewed the live webcast. Based on feedback from schools, the students liked a variety of props and the online microscopic images they could view on their own electronic devices.

Conference to Address Impact of Diversity in the Workplace

For the second year in a row, the CVM is cosponsoring the Climate Matters Conference. The conference will provide an opportunity for dialogue on the importance of organizational climate and the influence and impact of diversity in educational workplace settings. All are encouraged to attend!

Nelson Appointed Interim Director of the VMTH

Dr. David Nelson has agreed to serve as interim hospital director, as Terry Stiles recently announced his retirement. Nelson, who earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M in 1976 and his DVM in 1978, spent the majority of his career in private practice. He also trained at the Texas Heart Institute and is qualified to operate a heart lung machine in human surgery. He has enjoyed hospital appointments at nine human hospitals and eleven veterinary hospitals. Dr. Nelson joined the Small Animal Hospital in 2001.

Follow the Progess of the VBEC Online

You can view the latest state of the new Veterinary & Biomedical Education Complex online. The webpage allows for a time-lapse video of construction.