August 2012
Dear Fellow FAEP Members,
The middle of August in Ocala means ’balmy’ weather and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company yearling sale. I find it to be a difficult time for positive, philosophical, and forward thinking. The following President’s Letter is my best effort.
The FAEP’s 8th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium in Naples, FL is fast approaching (Oct. 11-14th). Our program is full of current and relevant topics presented by experts in our field. The Waldorf Astoria Naples offers all the amenities of a beautiful resort including a full spa, great restaurants, tennis and swimming, and beautiful beaches. We also will be sponsoring our annual golf and fishing tournaments that raise funds for the FAEP scholarship which is offered every year to a University of Florida veterinary student. Please join us in October for what promises to be a great conference!
Every other year the FAEP sponsors Student Appreciation Day. Thirty veterinary students from the University of Florida spent August 18 in Ocala. We limit the number of students in order to increase participation and student exposure to the instructors. All 30 students began their day at Goldmark Farm where they were served breakfast and watched two sets of 10-12 thoroughbreds gallop or breeze. Each of the three main group practices in Ocala (Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala Equine Hospital, and Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital) as well as my own practice (Florida Equine Veterinary Associates, note the shameless self promotion here,) hosted three rotating groups of 10 students throughout the day. The students were taught and performed digital imaging (radiographs and ultrasound of the limbs, thorax, and abdomen), regional anesthesia and joint injections, and reproduction techniques (stallion collection). Lunch was sponsored by The Sanctuary where the students were shown state-of-the-art rehabilitation and equine therapy modalities.
This was a tremendous learning opportunity for any student interested in equine practice and Dr. Amanda House deserves special recognition for her efforts facilitating the event this year. Many others contributed time and resources to make this event a success. Thanks to Donna Durant (Boehringer Ingelheim) for breakfast and the hyaluronic acid used to treat each of the retired thoroughbreds that were donated for the day by Stephanie Brennan. Thanks to Todd Quast who showed the students how he puts the Goldmark thoroughbreds through their paces every morning. Thanks to Brenda McDuffie who fed us lunch and hosted the joint injection session at The Sanctuary. Thanks to Angie Frye (Butler Schein Animal Health), Cliff Smith (Milburn Equine), and Kim Crabtree (Pfizer Animal Health) for their generous donation of pharmaceutical supplies. Finally, thank you to all the veterinarians who donated their Saturday including Drs. Jonathan McLellan, Sarah Plevin and Katie Rubin (FEVA), Dr. Jose Ramos, Dr. Adam Lusk (OEH), Dr. Tim Lynch (P & S), and Drs. Barry David and Corey Miller (EMCO). I apologize to anyone that I have neglected to mention.
In closing, I want to specifically mention our Executive Director Phil Hinkle and his FVMA staff for the time and effort they spend helping us with each of our events. Those of us on the current FAEP board remember what the work load entailed ’pre-merger’ and there is no doubt in my mind that we are all in a better place today.
Sincerely,
Greg BonenClark, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
2012 FAEP Council President