Summer/Fall 2013 PDF - University of Minnesota College of ...

THE BUSINESS OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Caribbean veterinary colleges as well as
six international chapters.
Skills learned through participation
in VBMA benefit not only those who
eventually open their own clinics but also
those who join established practices.
“If I were hiring an associate into my
practice, I would want to hire someone
who is aware that there is more to practice
than diagnosing and treating patients—
there’s a lot more to keeping the doors
open than performing surgery,” says Rabe,
who worked in business before enrolling
in vet school. “There is a perception
among practicing veterinarians that many
new graduates want to practice medicine,
but they don’t fully understand that it is
also a business.”
A growing number of students, however,
do have a solid handle on what it takes to
run a practice, particularly those who have
earned a national VBMA certificate. These
students have achieved a level of business
know-how that puts them one step ahead
of their competition.
“A new, softer economy, increased
price sensitivity among pet owners, and
new alternatives are affecting demand
for veterinary care,” says Dr. David
Lee, hospital director of the Veterinary
Medical Center and faculty advisor
for the local VBMA chapter. “At the
same time, decreasing state support
and other factors are increasing tuition
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STUDENTS AS MENTORS:
VetCamp reaches out to
high school students
Many high school students love animals and say they “always wanted to
be a veterinarian.” But what do veterinarians do What does it take to get
into veterinary school At VetCamp, a College of Veterinary Medicine
community outreach program, high school students work with College of
Veterinary Medicine students to find out.
VetCamp was initially proposed in 2010 by CVM alumnus Dr. Mike
McMenomy, who was then president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical
Association. He brought the idea to Dr. Laura Molgaard, associate dean
for academic and student affairs, who encouraged leaders of the Student
Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association to launch
the project as a community outreach initiative. With funding from the
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, the program was officially
established.
Veterinary student Colleen Mans supervises as a VetCamp
participant practices suturing up a banana. VetCamp now has
more permanent, reusable suture boards.
Taught by veterinary students, VetCamp is an interactive program for
students in grades 9-12 who are interested in veterinary medicine. The
three-hour program includes hands-on learning activities and games.
Participants take part in a “choose your own adventure” style of case
study, where they work to save a fictional pat ient who has arrived at
the veterinary clinic. The students act as veterinarians, using models to
practice real clinical skills. Participants also learn about large and small
animal anatomy, public health and disease control, pet obesity and body
condition scoring, foods and common household products that are toxic to
pets, what it takes to get into veterinary school, and veterinary careers.
The college hosted the first VetCamp in May 2011 for high school students
from Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School. Sponsored by the
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, VetCamp now takes place at
various venues throughout the year, including summer day camp activities
at the College of Veterinary Medicine, inner-city schools, and county fairs
around the state. This year, VetCamp also received generous funding from
Zoetis, a global animal health company.
Veterinary students work with high school students at VetCamp.
To learn about upcoming VetCamps, visit www.cvm.umn.edu/education/
prospective/vetcamp.
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