2010-2011 Annual Report to Donors - University of Georgia College ...

New challenges bring fulfillment for CPC directorSometimes, you just need a change.For Dr. Ira Roth (DVM ’86), after his childrenhad graduated from high school and made their wayto college, he decided he needed more than just achange—he needed a challenge. So in 2009, afterbuilding and running a successful veterinary practicein Albany, Georgia, for 20 years, Dr. Roth headedto Northeast Georgia to become the director of theCVM’s Community Practice Clinic.“It was something that, with my two childrenhaving gone off to college, I thought would be anexcellent opportunity,” he said. “I wanted to see whatelse I could do in this field. Having the chance tobe around young people and help shape their mindswhile still getting to do the work I love was somethingI couldn’t pass up.”“We are grateful to Merial for providing the seedfundingthat allowed us to create this position,” saidDean Sheila Allen. “We wanted to hire someone whohad experience owning and running a practice, andwho wanted to share his or her time-management andclient communication skills with students. We foundthat balance of experience with passion for teaching inDr. Roth.” Indeed, the students themselves confirmedthe perfect fit when they recognized Dr. Rothwith their Faculty Recognition Award, given in April2011, and asked that he participate in the hoodingceremony at commencement.Dr. Roth said he was eager to work with studentsand better prepare them for their professional careers.He remembers working as an associate veterinarianfresh out of school, before starting his own practice,and being greeted with a whole host of challenges associatedwith running a business for which he was notfully prepared. He said he was surprised by not onlythe pace of the work, but also the numerous – andseemingly unrelated – tasks that are essential to theday-to-day operations of a private practice. When heopened his own practice, Dr. Roth found his need forthis knowledge was even greater.Dr. Roth wants the Community Practice Clinic tooffer the types of real-world experiences that will aidstudents as they prepare for their careers.For a period of three weeks during their senioryears, students are immersed in the challenges thatcome with daily veterinary work in a typical clinicalsetting. Primarily, they offer wellness care to incominganimals – vaccinations, dentistry and preventivetreatment – but a key component, in Dr. Roth’s eyes,is the practical experience students gain by interactingwith clients.“They have to handle all of the front-line communicationthat really happens in a private practice,”said Dr. Roth. “We really harp on teaching them thatone of the areas of success in a practice is going tobe the ability to communicate effectively with theirclients.”Cameras are installed in each exam room soDr. Roth and his staff can review the client-studentinteraction. This enables the students to get quick andaccurate feedback, and it assists them in developingthe types of communication skills that Dr. Roth feelsare so vital to maintaining a vibrant practice.Dr. Roth also plans to increase the clinic’s caseload,thus giving each student more responsibility andmore opportunities to interact with clients.“My ultimate goal is to make the clinic as modeledafter real life as possible,” he said. “So when theygraduate, they’re not shocked about the pace of workor the multiple things they’re going to have to balance.And the folks who hire them will be even moresatisfied with our graduates.”—Story by Johnathan McGintyDr. Ira RothThe UGA Community Practice Clinic servessmall animals in the greater Athens area. Forappointments call 706.542.1984.Photo by Christopher B. Herron27