Month: March 2015

Dean’s Perspective: Resident Training

“Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience.” – Denis Waitley

This past Friday, I had the privilege of providing opening remarks at the 37th Annual House Officers Day, recently named in honor of Dr. Gerald V. Ling. Dr. Ling was a faculty member for 35 years before his retirement. He influenced the early development of training programs for veterinary students and veterinarians in several specialties. Dr. Ling also helped establish the Small Animal Emergency and Small Animal Outpatient services at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. He would have been proud of the most recent House Officers Day.

Our residents contribute extensively to their education and expertise by conducting research and in doing so they also contribute to the reputation of our school. We host through the Veterinary Hospital the largest and most diverse residency program in the country. The faculty and staff of the VMTH train more than 100 house officers in 34 specialty services every year, each involved in raising the standard of care for our patients, seeking solutions in translating knowledge into helping their patients.

Dean’s Perspective: Protecting Our Food Supply

“Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.” – James Cash Penney

Central to all activities in the school is the advancement of the well-being of animals and the impact of animals on people. We see throughout our programs the evidence of our service to society. The California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System is one example of that service. CAHFS serves California and the nation as a warning system that helps to protect the health of California’s livestock and poultry.

The scientists and staff of CAHFS are currently working to understand and control the impact of a high pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild waterfowl), which can spread to domestic poultry and cause devastating outbreaks of serious disease. Our dedicated CAHFS virologists, such as Dr. Beate Crossley, develop and provide accurate diagnostic tests to efficiently detect pathogens threatening our food supply and our economy. Dr. Crossley and her colleagues are partners with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), veterinarians, and livestock and poultry producers.

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