Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium – September 7-11, 2024
Event
The 30th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium was held September 7–11, 2024, in St. Louis.
Program
This year’s symposium focused on laboratory diagnostics in the emergency room (ER) and the intensive care unit. The symposium was conducted jointly by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC), Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN), Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA), International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM), and Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM). Dr. Craig Challen, an Australian veterinary surgeon, technical diver, and cave explorer, presented the keynote lecture, “Against All Odds: The Story of the 2018 Thai Cave Rescue.”
Awards
Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Deborah Silverstein (Georgia ’97), Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A diplomate of the ACVECC, Dr. Silverstein is a professor of emergency and critical care (ECC) and section chief of ECC medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet). Her clinical research interests include cardiovascular shock, sepsis, resuscitation therapy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and microcirculatory perfusion. Chair of the VECCS Grant Review Committee and a member of the VECCS Gives Committee, Dr. Silverstein is a past vice president and a current regent of the ACVECC.
VECCS Presidential Award
Drs. Daniel Fletcher, Ithaca, New York; Jamie Burkitt, Davis, California; and Manuel Boller, Victoria, British Columbia—co-chairs of the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative, which publishes the international standard, evidence-based veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines—were honored for their contributions to the society and its mission.
Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Scientific Achievement Award, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz (Florida ’05), Gainesville, Florida. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in neurology, Dr. Carrera-Justiz is a clinical associate professor and neurology service chief at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She was honored for advances in neurology and neurological critical care.
T. Doug Byars Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year Award
Dr. Langdon Fielding (California-Davis ’02), Penryn, California. A diplomate of the ACVECC and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Fielding is a managing partner of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Group and co-owner of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center. He has served as the ER veterinarian for several equestrian competitions, including the Pan American Games and the Tevis Cup Ride. Dr. Fielding is co-editor of the textbook, “Equine Fluid Therapy.”
VECCS Practice Leader of the Year
Dr. Megan Seekins (Colorado State ’08), Portland, Oregon. A diplomate of the ACVECC, Dr. Seekins is a critical care specialist and medical director at BluePearl Pet Hospital Northeast Portland.
ACVECC Research Grant Award ($10,000)
Drs. Tom Jukier and Ewa Krolak, Auburn University, for “Pharmacokinetics of intranasal levetracetam in healthy dogs,” and Dr. Sigal Klainbart, Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, for “High-dose tissue plasminogen activator followed by hemoperfusion in the treatment of feline acute aortic thromboembolism, a prospective, randomized”
ACVECC RECOVER CPR Research Grant Award ($10,000)
Drs. Sabrina Manley and Noa Berlin, Tufts University, for “Time to administration of epinephrine in dogs with cardiac arrest: Comparing intranasal versus intravascular routes”
Louise O'Dwyer VTS Aspiration Award, sponsored by AVTAA & AVECCTN
Melissa Shoard, Penrith, Australia. Shoard is an emergency veterinary nurse at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Penrith.
Small Animal Resident Abstract Award
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Claire Tucker, Colorado State University, for “Evaluating the confidence and competency of leadership, teamwork, and communication skills gained from the RECOVER ALS simulation CPR training course”
Small Animal House Officer Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Alyson Fitzgerald, North Carolina State University, for “Investigating the effect of intravenous flumazenil in dogs presenting with marijuana toxicosis: A pilot study”
Small Animal Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Manuel Boller, Victoria, British Columbia, for “Owner decision making is the predominant cause of death in dogs and cats that achieved return of spontaneous circulation: a RECOVER CPR registry study”
Large Animal Abstract Award
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Kavita Shroff, Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center, for “Transthoracic impedance in horses”
Veterinary Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Kelsea Studer, Neptune City, New Jersey, for “Cranial Vena Cava Syndrome and septic thrombophlebitis in a parvovirus puppy”
Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International
A $300 stipend was awarded to Colleen Johnson, Plano, Illinois, for “From thick to thin: Polycythemia”
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
Business
It was announced that the society has more than 7,700 members. The society held two in-person continuing education (CE) events in 2024, including the spring symposium in March in Jamaica. Finances continue to be strong. Online CE offerings to membership have risen and will continue to expand. Participation in social media remains strong. The number of staff has increased and will continue to do so to support ongoing membership and conference initiatives. With the increase in the number of staff, the society has purchased office space in San Antonio, thereby diversifying its investment portfolio.
The VECCS Gives Committee provided an emergency care and CPR workshop during the symposium for operational K9s and first responders. This event showcased care for working K9s and initial, prehospital first aid for injured animals in emergency situations. The committee raised $23,571 via the VECCS Gives Raffle. The entire amount was donated to Bi-State Pet Food Pantry. Also raised were $3,324 via donations during registration and $7,880 via the IVECCS 5K & Fun Run. The committee donated $100,090 toward disaster relief in 2024.
Officials
Dr. Steven Epstein, Davis, California, president; Dr. Armi Pigott, Ithaca, New York, president-elect; Alyce D’Amato, Naples, Florida, treasurer; Dr. Lori Waddell, Richboro, Pennsylvania, recording secretary; Kenichiro Yagi, Ithaca, New York, immediate past president; Dr. Chris Gray, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, chief executive officer; and members-at-large—Trish Farry, Gatton, Australia; Dr. Gabrielle Riccio, Wauconda, Illinois, and Dr. Nicolette Zarday, San Francisco
American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Program
The ACVECC held its annual business meeting. The president of the ACVECC, Dr. Bobbi Conner, and ACVECC executive director, Dr. Armelle de Laforcade, moderated the meeting. The college conducted its certification examination remotely September 5–6, 2024.
New diplomates
The ACVECC welcomed the following new diplomates in 2024:
Kayla Alessandrino, Madison, Wisconsin
Sophia Amirsultan, Winter Park, Florida
Judy Annalisa, Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Hernan Angulo Bracho, Houston
Sabrina Ayoub, Montreal
Leonie Bertram, Auburn, Alabama
Jeff Beverly, Freeville, New York
Caitlin Bowen, Tampa, Florida
Miranda Buseman, Chicago
Sherrie (Cacciatore) Satmary, Tampa, Florida
Trevor Chan, Athens, Georgia
Pierre Charlebois, Guelph, Ontario
Crino Chiara, Reading, England
Aina Claret Mora, Auburn, Alabama
Rachel Clarkin-Breslin, Philadelphia
Lindsay Cuddy, San Francisco
Elizabeth Cutchin, Madison, Wisconsin
Samantha Day, Rowville, Australia
Samantha Davis, Atlanta
Julia Delle Cave, Lyon, France
Barbara Delvescovo, Ithaca, New York
Devon Diaz, Bradenton, Florida
Logan Eicher, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Miria Elkin, Buckinghamshire, England
Connor Ellis, Tacoma, Washington
Rose Feldman, Cardiff, California
Linda Gabba, Zurich
Katelyn (Galos) Iuliani, Caldwell, New Jersey
Sanna Gough, Washington, D.C.
Molly Graham, Duxbury, Massachusetts
Elizabeth Gregory, East Lansing, Michigan
Selimah Harmon, Philadelphia
Yaiza Melina Herrero, Zurich
Jenna Herrington Cardillo, Davie, Florida
Molly Horridge, Stamford, Connecticut
Jung Hyein, Westbury, New York
Natalie James, Mission Viejo, California
Stephanie Kline, Wareham, Massachusetts
Manju Kunchur, Sandy, Utah
Li Kun, Parkdale, Australia
Theresa Langlois, New York City
Erin Lee, Phoenix
Brigid Lemburg, Dubuque, Iowa
Marisa Lourenco, Birmingham, England
Andrew Lukasiewicz, East Lansing, Michigan
Rachel Manchester, Chicago
Katrina Manson, North Grafton, Massachusetts
Hannah Matson, Loughton, England
Charlotte McDonald, Hatfield, England
Marie Sahee Min, College Station, Texas
Lauren Minter, Philadelphia
Amy Molitoris, Columbia, Missouri
Ivan Moses, Eastern Heights, Australia
Anne-Marie Osgood, College Station, Texas
Ashok Padmanabhan, Port Allen, Louisiana
Joseph Polit, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Manon Rigot, McMasterville, Quebec
Melissa Santonocito, Brighton, Michigan
Erika Sikina, Ponte Verda Beach, Florida
Edward Skibinski Baker, Gainesville, Florida
Morgan Stark, Euclid, Ohio
Amanda Storer, Markham, Ontario
Charles Talbot, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nicole Tey, Seattle
An To, Brea, California
Joanna Whitney, North Ryde, Australia
Morgan Woodforde, Kent Town, Australia
Julia VanDerslice, Boston
Diana Victoria Arbona, Bend, Oregon
Zsofia Vigh, Raleigh, North Carolina
Michal Yania, Givatayim, Israel
Hajeong Yoon, Woodland Hills, California
Xizi Zhu, Ithaca, New York
Business
ACVECC standing committees provided updates for 2024. Key updates included ones on the ACVECC-VECCS Joint Educational Initiatives and the conversion from a 501(c)(6) to a 501(c)(3) organization.
Officials
Drs. Bobbi Conner, Blacksburg, Virginia, president; Marie Kerl, Fulton, Missouri, president-elect; Elizabeth Rozanski, North Grafton, Massachusetts, vice president; Scott Shaw, Woodstock, Connecticut, treasurer; Beth Davidow, Seattle, immediate past president; Armelle de Laforcade, Westborough, Massachusetts, executive director; and regents—Drs. Kira Epstein, Athens, Georgia; Rita Hanel, Raleigh, North Carolina; Lauren Harris, Tampa, Florida; Virginia Sinnott, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Deborah Silverstein, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and Annie Wayne, Needham, Massachusetts
Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses
Program
The academy conducted its certification examination remotely. A pinning ceremony and reception were held for the Class of 2023. Megan Brashear, West Lafayette, Indiana, was honored as Specialty Technician of the Year.
Business
Committee reports were presented at the business meeting.
Officials
Justin Chandler, Middletown, Connecticut, president; Leslie Wereszczak, Knoxville, Tennessee, president-elect; Marlaina Hrosch, Pleasant Valley, New York, treasurer; Lisa Kernaghan, Mesa, Arizona, executive secretary; Erin Spencer, Derry, New Hampshire, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Dave Cowan, Hillsborough, North Carolina; Chloe Fay, Brighton, England; and Karen Roach, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia
Program
An in-person business meeting was held and livestreamed to members not in attendance.
Business
The AVTAA held its credentialing examination virtually in 2024. The academy provided a business and financial update. The immediate past president of the academy, Jody Nugent-Deal, outlined achievements and discussed future goals and projects. A new position of executive director was added to the board of regents.
Officials
Anita Parkin, Kenmore, Australia, president; Nicole Shuey, Portland, Oregon, president-elect; Katie Brakenhoff, Edmond, Oklahoma, treasurer; Darci Palmer, Auburn, Alabama, executive director; Jennifer Sager, Gainesville, Florida, executive secretary; Jody Nugent-Deal, Davis, California, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Sharon Kaiser-Klingler, Whitesboro, Texas; Tasha McNeary, Philadelphia; and Lanette Jordan, College Station, Texas
A version of this story appears in the July 2025 print issue of JAVMA