AVMA introduces Beyond the Basics sessions

Convention program provides a selection of in-depth presentations each day

By Katie Burns

Beyond the Basics logo From lost pets to raw milk, the new Beyond the Basics sessions at the AVMA Annual Convention offer attendees in-depth information about dozens of topics.

The convention features more than 140 Beyond the Basics sessions, identifiable in the program by a "BB" logo, out of a total of approximately 1,000 educational sessions. The BB sessions are the same 50-minute length as other sessions, but the speakers assume the audience has basic knowledge of the subject matter.

Dr. James E. Creed, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee, said the AVMA created the BB sessions in response to feedback from convention surveys and focus groups. Some recent graduates, for example, felt that educational sessions at the AVMA convention were not much different from lectures back in veterinary school.

Therefore, Dr. Creed said, the convention's section managers decided to target certain sessions toward veterinarians and veterinary technicians with a special interest in the subject matter. He said, "We thought it was worth a try."

The section managers identified or developed BB sessions by working with speakers and topic coordinators.

"We felt that we had many good speakers and lecture series available that were cutting-edge, so this was perceived as a good way to highlight them," said Dr. David A. Prigel, manager of the Food Animal/Equine section. "We also felt that having this category will inspire us to look 'outside the box' more frequently."

The Food Animal/Equine section has BB sessions in the tracks on equine, bovine, and aquatic animal medicine. The BB sessions in bovine medicine, for example, focus on immunology and welfare. Dr. James A. Roth, a researcher in bovine immunology, will present four sessions this afternoon. Dr. Daniel M. Weary, an authority on cattle welfare, will present four sessions Monday.

Other program sections also feature a variety of BB sessions. The Companion Animal Medicine section includes a number of advanced sessions on topics such as animal behavior, orthopedic surgery, and anesthesiology.

The Public and Corporate Practice section is offering BB sessions today about finding lost pets and will offer BB sessions Sunday on the "Raw Milk Conundrum," among other in-depth sessions. The Practice Management and Professional Development section includes BB sessions Monday on private versus corporate practice.

Malyssa Sopko, assistant director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division, said the goal for next year is to make 25 percent of the educational program BB sessions. Eventually, the AVMA might look at labeling sessions with multiple levels, similar to course levels.

For now, Sopko expects that the BB identification system will be a helpful tool for choosing educational sessions. She said, "I'm hoping it addresses some of the needs of the attendees."

A full list of BB sessions is available at http://avmaconvention.org by clicking on "Educational Program" on the top bar, then scrolling down within the main text.

Return to previous page


	146th AVMA Annual Convention Daily News—Saturday, July 11, 2009—Seattle, WA Convention News > News headlines > Beyond the Basics sessions AVMA introduces Beyond the Basics sessions Convention program provides a selection of in-depth presentations each day By Katie Burns From lost pets to raw milk, the new Beyond the Basics sessions at the AVMA Annual Convention offer attendees in-depth information about dozens of topics. The convention features more than 140 Beyond the Basics sessions, identifiable in the program by a "BB" logo, out of a total of approximately 1,000 educational sessions. The BB sessions are the same 50-minute length as other sessions, but the speakers assume the audience has basic knowledge of the subject matter. Dr. James E. Creed, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee, said the AVMA created the BB sessions in response to feedback from convention surveys and focus groups. Some recent graduates, for example, felt that educational sessions at the AVMA convention were not much different from lectures back in veterinary school. Therefore, Dr. Creed said, the convention's section managers decided to target certain sessions toward veterinarians and veterinary technicians with a special interest in the subject matter. He said, "We thought it was worth a try." The section managers identified or developed BB sessions by working with speakers and topic coordinators. "We felt that we had many good speakers and lecture series available that were cutting-edge, so this was perceived as a good way to highlight them," said Dr. David A. Prigel, manager of the Food Animal/Equine section. "We also felt that having this category will inspire us to look 'outside the box' more frequently." The Food Animal/Equine section has BB sessions in the tracks on equine, bovine, and aquatic animal medicine. The BB sessions in bovine medicine, for example, focus on immunology and welfare. Dr. James A. Roth, a researcher in bovine immunology, will present four sessions this afternoon. Dr. Daniel M. Weary, an authority on cattle welfare, will present four sessions Monday. Other program sections also feature a variety of BB sessions. The Companion Animal Medicine section includes a number of advanced sessions on topics such as animal behavior, orthopedic surgery, and anesthesiology. The Public and Corporate Practice section is offering BB sessions today about finding lost pets and will offer BB sessions Sunday on the "Raw Milk Conundrum," among other in-depth sessions. The Practice Management and Professional Development section includes BB sessions Monday on private versus corporate practice. Malyssa Sopko, assistant director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division, said the goal for next year is to make 25 percent of the educational program BB sessions. Eventually, the AVMA might look at labeling sessions with multiple levels, similar to course levels. For now, Sopko expects that the BB identification system will be a helpful tool for choosing educational sessions. She said, "I'm hoping it addresses some of the needs of the attendees." A full list of BB sessions is available at http://avmaconvention.org by clicking on "Educational Program" on the top bar, then scrolling down within the main text. Return to previous page