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VetViews is the monthly eNewsletter designed to provide a central outlet for communicating to the members of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine community. VetViews strives to share information about the people, pets and perspectives of RUSVM.
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Message from the Dean
Retirement and the Future | |
 Faculty, Staff and Students:
As the semester draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a well-deserved break and to share some thoughts as I journey toward the next phase of my life, retirement. This semester has been an extraordinary one for Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. We have welcomed a new class of students to campus and transitioned the seventh semester class to begin their clinical year. We have welcomed new faculty and staff; and have said goodbye to others. It is always a great time, when we welcome new members to our community, but sad when we say goodbye... |More|
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JAVMA Visits RUSVM & St. Kitts
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 The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) News Web site recently released six articles about Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The articles were a result of a recent visit by JAVMA journalist, Malinda Larkin. Larkin visited the campus in February to learn more about the academic program and facilities available to students at RUSVM. During her visit, Larkin was able to tour the island of St. Kitts and produce a photo gallery of the campus and the country. Each article represents a various aspect of RUSVM... |More|
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Transition Ceremony Marks Next Phase
in Student Education
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 Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) opened its sixth Transition Ceremony with words of encouragement from its faculty and administration on Thursday, April 14. Presided by Mark D. Freeman, DVM, assistant professor of small animal surgery, the ceremony marks the next phase in student education at RUSVM as the students enter into their clinical studies and transition to the United States. The ceremony honored the Class of 2012 and conveyed the importance of professionalism and the academic training the students received while completing their didactic training. |More| |
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DOWNLOAD: RUSVM April 2011 Transition Ceremony Photo
Download a hi-resolution copy of the group photo in celebration of the 7th Semester's Transition Ceremony. Click on the text above to download your copy.
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17 Students Attend SAVMA Symposium
Article By: Dana Cannon, 5th Semester, SAVMA Senior Delegate |  This year, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine sent seventeen students to the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium held at the University of California-Davis. The SAVMA Symposium is a great way for RUSVM students to learn about new subjects and to meet peer students. The networking opportunities allowed for students to interact with other students who may one day be their colleagues. |More|
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| Employee Engagement Survey |  In March, Dr. Thomas Shepherd, president of Ross University met with faculty and staff to discuss the results of the employee engagement survey conducted last year. Employee engagement is defined as the extent to which employees are committed to the organization's goals, speak positively for the organization and go above and beyond their every day duties to achieve the objectives of the organization. The result of this survey showed that Ross' engagement score of... |More|
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Announcements @RossVet (and Beyond)
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| *Click each item for more information.
The Wedge Reopens | The Wedge, located in the on-campus housing complex, will reopen May 2nd, in time for Orientation.
Public Holidays | St. Kitts has three upcoming public holidays which will fall during the semester break and the University will be operating on an essential staff basis.
Grades Release | Grades will be available for viewing via your unofficial transcript in myRoss.
American Veterinary Medical Foundation Scholarships | Apply for an AVMF Scholarship by May 15, 2011.
Vehicles on Campus Over Break | If you wish to leave your vehicle on campus over break, you must check-in with security.
Social Media at Ross U | Ross Internal Communications Team begins a Social Media Workgroup.
MMR Vaccine | The SK Ministry of Health is hosting a vaccination program for the second MMR vaccination April 24-30.
Intramural Research Project Proposals | The RUSVM Research Committee is calling for submission of intramural research project proposals in veterinary research with a deadline of May 20, 2011.
Accommodated Parking On-Campus | Please be aware that spaces designated for accommodated parking on-campus have restricted use.
Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health | The 2011 Pan American Health Organization and the Pan American Health and Education Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2011 Award for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health (Deadline is May 13, 2011).
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HOW ARE WE DOING?
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TAKE THE RUSVM HOUSEKEEPING SURVEY!
Is the bathrooms spic-n-span? Wish your office was a bit cleaner? Wish the showers were a bit more sparkly? Is your classroom free from debris? RUSVM Housekeeping wants to hear from you. Help us keep our campus clean and improve our service by taking this brief survey (< 2 minutes).
THANK YOU! |
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SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATE
The safety and security of our campus community continues to be very important to RUSVM. During the evening hours, the school has been working to increase the number of roving patrols and has collaborated with the St. Kitts Police Force to add a St. Kitts Police Officer in many of the RUSVM nighttime roving patrol vehicles.
Immediately, RUSVM, has taken the security concerns another step, meeting with two individuals who... |Read More|
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REMINDERS:
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License Plate Renewal Plates ending in "4"
If the last digit of your auto license plate ends in a 4, you must renew your car registration by APRIL 30, 2011. Therefore your car must be inspected and insurance coverage must be current prior to going to Inland Revenue.
Incident Report System The Incident Report System provides individuals with direct access to current incidents as reported to campus security. The system is available via the Internet (on- and off-campus) with a RUSVM email account and password. Make it a habit to stay up-to-date.
View the System
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*Recently won an award, placed in a residency, or just simply have great news to share? Send us your information at news@rossvet.edu.kn
Mitchell Barnett, 3rd semester, received the Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award. The award recognizes students who distinguish themselves by demonstrating a keen interest in aptitude for the pursuit of business excellence in veterinary medicine. Barnett received a US $3,000 scholarship and has a chance of winning an additional US $15,000.
 Congratulations to Tracey Challenger, DVM, assistant professor of ambulatory services, as she is featured, along with other female trailblazers, in an exhibit showcasing the pioneering role of women in St. Kitts. Challenger was recognized as the first female Chief Veterinary Officer for the St. Kitts Government. The exhibit has been displayed through out the Federation since International Women's Day, March 8. To catch a final glimpse of the exhibit, you may visit the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank April 18-22. The display was created by the St. Kitts Departments of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.
Way to go, Jason Chin, 5th semester, who was selected to receive one of the 2011 Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Awards in the amount of US $2,500. Applicants were selected based on their academic aptitude, leadership skills and potential for contributions to the veterinary profession. Chin was selected from a group of more than 1,500 applicants from twenty-eight U.S. and three Caribbean veterinary schools.
Job well done by Desiree McKoy, manager of purchasing & inventory, who completed her master's degree with distinction in Project Management from DeVry, Inc. McKoy officially graduated in December 2010.
Congratulations to Jon Romano, 2nd semester, who was selected as a 2011 Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar. Romano's project evaluates the nutritional health of hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) of St. Kitts. He has been working with mentor, Dr. Kimberly Stewart, on the project. The goals of the project include establishing health parameters for foraging juvenile hawksbills, determining the species of sponges commonly foraged upon in the waters of St. Kitts, and completing a nutritional analysis on the most commonly consumed sponges. Data from this project will be used to monitor the health of this species of sea turtle in the wild and also provide insight on the nutritional needs of captive turtles and may ultimately be utilized to assess the health of the local marine ecosystem of St. Kitts. Romano received a US $2,000 stipend from the Foundation and the stipend was matched by RUSVM in the amount of US $4,000.
Good News! Ross University's Student Associate Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SAAVMA) was recently approved for a full SCAVMA Chapter. This approval was due in part to the recent AVMA COE accreditation status received by RUSVM and because the chapter met all of the requirements necessary for a full Student Chapter of the AVMA. RUSVM will now have a full vote in future Student American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegate meetings.
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Elpida Artemiou has been hired to assist and lecture within the communication skills program. Artemiou was previously the counselor for School of Veterinary Medicine and also lectured in the communications program. She completed her master's of science at McGill University (Quebec, Canada).
Jerome Davis, joins RUSVM as Anatomy Maintenance Technician in the Anatomy Lab. He brings more than ten years of experience in delivering health care to animals. Davis previously worked as an Animal Health Assistant for the St. Kitts Agriculture Department.
Leigh Ann Joseph has been hired in a new position as Information Technology Trainer. The position will focus on creating online learning material for faculty and staff. Joseph served the IT Department as Instructional Technologist.
 Keith Kramer was recently promoted to the position of Assistant Dean for Student Life where he is responsible for the overall management of student life at RUSVM. These responsibilities include leading new student orientation and managing student judicial affairs. Kramer serves as an advisor to the student government organization, SCAVMA. He has various experience in an administrative role in student life, including teaching career planning courses. Previously, Kramer served as the Director of Housing and Campus Living at RUSVM. | Kramer's Profile |
Joshua Moore joins the RUSVM Research Department as Technical Research Associate. He will be working closely with various aspects within the department and the research Web site
Novelle Rogers has been hired in the Clinical Skills Laboratory as Veterinary Technician Trainee. He is a graduate of Cameron University where he received his degree in architecture. Because of his passion for animals and their care he chose a career path with RUSVM.
Ericka Simmonds joined the Accounting Department as Accounting Clerk. She is a graduate of Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. Previously, Simmonds was employed as a customer service representative.
Desmond Tyson is a new member of the Safety and Security Department as Security Driver. Tyson has more than nine years of experience from his position at the St. Kitts Air and Seaport Authority.
Tsephonie Warner joins RUSVM as an Accounting Intern. Warner has previously interned though the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Internship program. As a part of her continued studies in completing her associate degree in applied arts, administration and management, she is required to complete an internship in the field.
Kevin Williams is a new member of the Campus Roving Patrol in the Safety and Security Department. Williams has worked in the security field for the past six years.
Yanic Williams joins the Exam Center Team as the new Exam Center Coordinator. Williams previously worked in the Library for more than three years. He is currently studying for his Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology.
Pereta Woodley is serving as Administrative Intern in the Administration Office at RUSVM. She is currently completing her associate degree in the applied arts, administration and management field. Woodley is required to complete an internship as a requirement of her studies.
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RUSVM would like to thank the following individuals for their service to the University and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Katie McCann, will be leaving the RUSVM Preparatory School after serving as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher. McCann also taught Social Studies in grades 7 and 8. McCann will be joining her fiance who is headed back to Indiana for his clinical year at Purdue. Hamish Mohammed, PhD, will be leaving the University at the end of the semester after serving as assistant professor of epidemiology and public health at RUSVM. In addition to his role teaching, he has also been involved with several studies on Dengue prevalence and mosquito surveillance in collaboration with the St. Kitts Ministry of Health. Mohammed will be returning to his home country of Trinidad to join the faculty of the University of Trinidad and Tobago. "This move elicits a mixture of emotions--I have had a very memorable experience at Ross, and will miss my Ross students and colleagues," said Mohammed. Alemensh Shiferaw, daycare and preschool teacher, will be leaving her position with the RUSVM Preparatory School returning to Canada with her husband who will be completing his clinical year of medical school. Shiferaw is planning to open her own daycare and preschool after gaining experience at the RUSVM Preparatory School.
Tyson Shirley, DVM, assistant professor of small animal medicine, has been with RUSVM for more than two and half years working primarily in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, clinical skills lab and anatomy palpation lab. He will be leaving RUSVM at the end of the semester to pursue an opportunity to own a practice in Boise, Idaho. "It has been very rewarding to teach students with a hands-on approach to learning veterinary medicine, which they will need in clinics and their first year of practice," said Shirley. He is also looking forward to operating his own business and being closer to his family. Adriano Vatta, PhD, assistant professor of parasitology, is leaving RUSVM at the end of the semester to take a research position with the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine. Vatta has been with RUSVM for 2 years primarily teaching veterinary parasitology. He is returning to full-time research investigating the molecular mechanisms of anthelmintic (worm remedy) resistance in sheep nematodes. When asked about his experience, he said, "My time on St. Kitts and at RUSVM has been a time of professional and personal development and I leave feeling enriched by this experience."
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