Veterinary Today Podcast

One Health is a global, collaborative goal that seeks to understand how everything in our world is connected to each other. One Health as a multi-sectoral and trans-disciplinary approach of achieving optimal health amongst all living things on earth – that the health of people is closely related to the health of animals and plants, and how we share our environment and ecosystems. It’s about co-dependency and a study of how all of these systems are all dependent upon each other and how one affects another. Will Sander, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Assistant Professor for Preventative Medicine and Public Health, and Director of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health Joint Degree program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine - Urbana, is interviewed by Debbie Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA’s Executive Director. Dr. Sander has been involved with the One Health initiative for years and is working on Illinois state-wide and federal levels in promoting dialogue and study about this movement. He works closely with other veterinary and human public health colleagues to increase the core principles of One Health, along with the challenges and future perspectives in which it faces. Dr. Sander serves on the ISVMA Board of Directors as the Alternate American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Delegate.

Tune in and learn about key issues that affect the veterinary profession in Illinois and, in turn, you and your practice! Dr. Sandra Faeh, President, AVMA, discusses how a bill passed in Colorado in November 2024 now allows the existence of a mid-level veterinary practitioner in clinics and hospitals in that state. It is a position that the AVMA, ISVMA and other veterinary-related organizations had opposed prior to a vote in Colorado. At this time, the creation of such a position is not being pursued in Illinois. This episode also reviews member approval of two new ISVMA membership categories, one of which allowing veterinary practice managers to now join the association. The second membership category, practice membership, goes live mid-2025. Hear how the ISVMA is on sound financial footing, a review of key legislation the profession in Illinois faced in 2024, as well as proposals that are continuing into 2025. A review of educational opportunities and member benefits rounds out this episode. Audio in this episode was recorded live at the ISVMA's 142nd Annual Convention's membership meeting presentation, held in November 2024.

Midwestern University in Downers Grove will be the home of Illinois’ proposed second college of veterinary medicine and teaching hospital. Not since the installation of the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine in Champaign-Urbana in 1944 has there been a similar collegiate offering for doctor of veterinary medicine students in the state. Coretta Patterson, DVM, DACVIM-SA, is the new dean of this college. In this Veterinary Today Podcast, Dr. Patterson outlines the steps currently being taken to establish this college, the expected timeline for approval and, when approved, when the first class of students may be expected to enroll. Dr. Patterson also discusses the importance of Midwestern University’s proposed DVM teaching hospital and how having this facility is important to the success of its future graduates. Dr. Patterson was recently interviewed by ISVMA’s Veterinary Today Podcast host, Dr. Joanne Carlson, Loving Care Animal Clinic, Palatine, about this exciting development.

“You just can’t make this stuff up!” Kevin Fitzgerald, DVM, DABVP, PhD, brings a light-hearted veterinary stand-up comedy Keynote presentation at the 142nd ISVMA Annual Convention this November! Dr. Fitzgerald is a renowned veterinarian and, like many fellow veterinary professionals, has encountered some amusing situations involving pets and their human caretakers over his career that Annual Convention attendees will relate with and enjoy in his comedic story telling! Dr. Fitzgerald also has a long-running career in television, having starred in the popular Animal Planet television series Emergency Vets for 11 seasons. He has also opened and worked with legendary comedic performers such as Joan Rivers and Bob Hope. Bringing his veterinary skills to work on a global scale, Dr. Fitzgerald has assisted in 10 animal expeditions, from Antarctica to Mongolia to Manitoba, focusing on the conservation of endangered species. He is an author, having published more than 150 scientific journal articles and 41 veterinary textbook chapters. Dr. Fitzgerald will also be presenting five different Small Animal track courses during Saturday’s agenda at the Annual Convention. Topics range from marijuana intoxication in dogs to everything you ever wanted to know about turtles! Tune in to find out more about Dr. Fitzgerald and his amazing career in veterinary medicine and as an entertainer. Plan to attend the 142nd ISVMA Annual Convention in November!

Emerging developments surrounding the spread of avian influenza (H5N1) into our nation’s dairy supply are ongoing and ever-changing. Meanwhile, Illinois has a new invasive species of tick, the Asian longhorned tick, confirmed by entomologists at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The species is capable of carrying tick-borne diseases, first identified in beef cattle. Advisories on each of these topics were recently issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The most recent podcast of Veterinary Today addresses the background of each subject and current practices in monitoring and handling cases of both H5N1 and Asian longhorned ticks that may develop. Mark Ernst, DVM, State Veterinarian, Illinois Department of Agriculture, joins Debbie Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA Executive Director, in a factual conversation about each development, their current status (as of podcast issue date) and how Illinois veterinarians can manage cases if they are encountered.