Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium – Sept. 7-11, 2022

Event

28th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 7-11, San Antonio

Program

This year’s symposium focused on emergency resuscitation. The symposium was conducted jointly by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses, Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine. Jason Romero, Denver, a Paralympian marathon runner, presented the keynote lecture, discussing resilience over adversity.

Awards

Gary Stamp Award

Dr. Elke Rudloff (Purdue ’91), Glendale, Wisconsin. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Dr. Rudloff serves as a clinical supervisor at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Glendale. She has a special interest in fluid resuscitation, emergency surgery, and trauma management. Dr. Rudloff serves as the IVECCS program director.

Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Robert Messenger (Ohio State ’74), Mint Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Messenger has practiced at Carolina Veterinary Specialists for more than two decades. During his tenure, he co-established the first 24/7 emergency clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Messenger previously worked for more than 20 years at Charlotte Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Charlotte, where he served as chief of staff. He is a past president of the VECCS.

Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Scientific Achievement Award

Dr. Catherine Langston (Louisiana State ’91), Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Langston serves as a clinical professor of small animal internal medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

T. Doug Byars Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year Award

Dr. Julie Dechant (Saskatchewan ’96), Woodland, California. Dr. Dechant serves as a professor in clinical equine surgical emergency and critical care at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the ACVECC. Her research interests focus on improving the diagnosis and care of large animal emergency and critical care patients, with a secondary interest in camelid medicine and associated research.

VECCS Practice Leader of the Year, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance

Kevin Squires, Spokane, Washington. Squires is hospital director at Pet Emergency Clinic & Referral Center in Spokane. Under his directorship, the clinic has expanded services and experienced increased profitability. Squires has helped build an excellent team at the clinic and hopes to continue to provide exceptional customer service and a sustainable culture for emergency and specialty veterinarians and support staff members.

ACVECC Research Grant Award

Drs. Natalia Rodriguez, Texas A&M University, $18,228.24, for “Gastrointestinal injury in hemorrhagic shock,” and Ellan Wan-Chu Hung, Auburn University, $2,570.25, for “The effect of sevoflurane versus isoflurane on the endothelial glycocalyx in dogs”

ACVECC RECOVER CPR Research Grant Award

Drs. Noa Berlin, Foster Hospital for Small Animals, Tufts University, $10,520, for “Inflammatory biomarkers in dogs post–cardiac arrest—a prospective multicenter observational study”; and Kelly Hall, Colorado State University, $11,913, for “Evaluating the confidence and competency of leadership, teamwork, and communication skills gained from RECOVER ALS simulation CPR training course”

Louise O'Dwyer VTS Aspiration Award, sponsored by AVECCTN

Monique Brown, Manchester, Missouri, won this award, given in memory of Louise O’Dwyer, an emergency and critical care veterinary nurse.

Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. James Cooper, The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University, for “The hemostatic profile of cold-stored whole blood from non-Greyhound dogs over 42 days.”

Small Animal Officer Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International

A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Leah Morris, VCA Canada Western Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre, for “The effect of short-term peripherally inserted central catheter placement on coagulation parameters in healthy dogs.”

Small Animal Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International

A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Manuel Boller, VCA Canada Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital, for “Population characteristics and outcomes in dogs and cats undergoing CPR after pre-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest: a RECOVER CPR registry study.”

Large Animal Abstract Award

A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. JoAnna Faircloth, Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, for “Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter in horses: 27 cases.”

Veterinary Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International

A stipend of $500 was awarded to Dr. Stephanie Harris, Auburn University, for “Recovery and sequential imaging of a patient with osmotic demyelination syndrome.”

Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International

A stipend of $300 was awarded to Amber Prewitt, Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency, for “Chronic splenic torsion in a 3-year-old GSD.”

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business

It was announced that the society has more than 6,500 members. The society held two in-person continuing education events in 2022, including the spring symposium in Puerto Rico in March. Finances continue to be strong. Online continuing education offerings to membership have risen and will continue to expand. Participation in social media remains strong. The number of staff members has increased and will continue to do so to support ongoing membership and conference initiatives, which resulted from strategic planning in June 2022.

The VECCS Gives Committee provided an emergency care and CPR workshop during the symposium for operational K-9s and first responders, showcasing care for working K-9s and initial, pre-hospital first aid for injured animals in emergency situations. The committee raised $21,195 via an online raffle, $4,892 via donations during registration, and $7,283 via the IVECCS 5K & Fun Run. The committee donated $80,000 toward disaster relief and $15,000 to support animal welfare. The VECCS hosted an animal welfare project, providing free care to 49 pets of homeless owners.

Officials

Kenichiro Yagi, Ithaca, New York, president; Dr. Steve Epstein, Davis, California, president-elect; Dr. Matt Booth, Boulder, Colorado, treasurer; Dr. Lori Waddell, Philadelphia, recording secretary; Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, Norwalk, Connecticut, immediate past president; Dr. Chris Gray, DeWitt, Michigan, chief executive officer; and members-at-large—Dr. Nicolette Zarday, San Francisco; Alyce D’Amato, Appleton, Wisconsin; and Trish Farry, Gatton, Australia

American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Program

The ACVECC held its annual business meeting. The president of the ACVECC, Dr. Beth Davidow, and ACVECC executive secretary, Dr. Armelle de Laforcade, moderated the meeting. The college conducted its certification examination remotely Sept. 15-16, 2022.

New diplomates

Sixty-three individuals passed the certification examination. They are as follows:

Justina Bartling, Boston
Jami Becker, Boston
Zoe Elizabeth Bianco, Milwaukee
Tomas Boullhesen Williams, Ithaca, New York
Jessica Bouton, Rocklin, California
Christina Whitley Bray, Roswell, Georgia
Jasper Elizabeth Burke, Philadelphia
Fernanda Camacho, Birmingham, England
Weiqin Chee, Jandakot, Australia
Nathan S. Chumbler, San Antonio
Andreza Conti-Patara, Stillwater, Oklahoma
David S. Conway Jr., North Grafton, Massachusetts
Katherine Dawson, Ames, Iowa
Danielle DeMel, Oceanside, California
Christopher Drolet, Vancouver, British Columbia
Lisa Edwards, Williston, Florida
Terri Eurell, Carrara, Australia
Courtney Rae Gardner, College Station, Texas
Katrina Gazsi, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Ronald Goncalves, Gainesville, Florida
Carly W. Gregory, Boston
Sureiyan Hardjo, Springfield, Australia
Muhammad Harfoush, Washington, D.C.
Megan E. Harris, Houston
Cameron S. Henke, East Lansing, Michigan
Jessica Sarah Henry, Simsbury, Connecticut
Dalton Hindmarsh, San Antonio
Levi D. Hoffman, Fort Hood, Texas
Meghan Johnson, Lafayette, Colorado
Nicole Kalnins, West Beach, Australia
Marie Keith, Philadelphia
Philip Krawec, Knoxville, Tennessee
Bathilda Lake, Willingboro, New Jersey
Alice Le Gal, Tonbridge, England
Deanna M. Lombardo, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Becky Lozada, Gardena, California
Joseph Masciana, Los Angeles
Erica Matula, Philadelphia
Kaitlyn M. Mazzaccari, Gainesville, Florida
Franziska Meyer, Beinwil am See, Switzerland
Katherine A. Mix, Argyle, Texas
Kellyann Murphy, Philadelphia
Jacqueline Nemi, Washington, D.C.
Nadene Oliver, San Diego
Kayla Perry, Raleigh, North Carolina
Maude Poirier, Calgary, Alberta
Sinziana Maria Radulescu, St. Albans, England
Meera Ramesh, West Lafayette, Indiana
Angie Rincon, West Lafayette, Indiana
Heidi Saarenkari, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Laurence M. Saint-Pierre, Davis, California
Rebecca G. Sepuya, Aurora, Colorado
Amanda Maree Spillane, Urbana, Illinois
Blake Sutton, St. Louis
Emilia Terradas Crespo, Pullman, Washington
Audrey E. Tinsman, Pacific Grove, California
Kelsey Turley, Rochester, New York
Kate Turner, Auburn Grove, Washington
Nicole V. Tusa, Okemos, Michigan
Noel Vezzi, Athens, Georgia
Amber Dawn Vitalo, Gainesville, Florida
Marley Wipond, Port Moody, British Columbia
Kitty Yang, East Gwillimbury, Ontario

Business

ACVECC standing committees provided updates for 2022.

Officials

Drs. Beth Davidow, Seattle, president; Bobbi Conner, Blacksburg, Virginia, president-elect; Lenore Bacek, Tampa, Florida, vice president; Scott Shaw, Woodstock, Connecticut, treasurer; Ken Drobatz, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, immediate past president; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Massachusetts, executive secretary; and regents—Drs. Deb Silverstein, Philadelphia; Annie Wayne, Needham, Massachusetts; Tandi Ngwenyama, Corvallis, Oregon; Anusha Balakrishnan, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Kira Epstein, Athens, Georgia; and Jenefer Stillion, Calgary, Alberta

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses

Program

The academy conducted its certification examination remotely. A pinning ceremony and reception were held for the class of 2021. Christopher Norkus, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was honored as Technician of the Year.

Business

Committee reports were presented and ratified at the virtual business meeting.

Officials

Erin Spencer, Derry, New Hampshire, president; Justin Chandler, Matawan, New Jersey, president-elect; Marlaina Hrosch, Pleasant Valley, New York, treasurer; Lisa Kernaghan, Mesa, Arizona, executive secretary; Megan Brashear, West Lafayette, Indiana, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Dave Cowan, Hillsborough, North Carolina; Leslie Wereszczak, Knoxville, Tennessee; and Courtney Waxman, West Lafayette, Indiana

Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program

On offer were several special-focus lectures, many of which were livestreamed to extend continuing education opportunities in a virtual and on-demand setting.

Business

The AVTAA held its credentialing examination with both virtual and in-person proctored testing options. An in-person business meeting was held and livestreamed to members not in attendance. The academy provided a business and financial update. The immediate past president of the academy, Jennifer Sager, outlined several short-term and long-term goals for the academy.

Officials

Jody Nugent-Deal, Davis, California, president; Anita Parkin, Kenmore, Australia, president-elect; Katie Brakenhoff, Edmond, Oklahoma, treasurer; Darci Palmer, Auburn, Alabama, executive secretary; Jennifer Sager, Gainesville, Florida, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Amanda Shelby, Avon, Indiana; Sharon Kaiser-Klingler, Whitesboro, Texas; and Tasha McNeary, Philadelphia

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation

To better the missions of the foundation and the VECCS, the foundation board has been integrated into the society, and the mission of the foundation will continue through the VECCS Gives Committee.