BluePearl invites the veterinary community and Associates from its more than 90 hospitals to watch the case report webinar.
In recognition of National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital is hosting its fourth company-wide Veterinary Technician & Assistant Case Report Challenge. Eight finalists will present their case reports in a free and live webinar on Thursday, October 15, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm EST.
Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC), program founder and Program Manager of Training and Health and Wellness at BluePearl, says this competition speaks to the importance of veterinary technician care in pet hospitals and serves as an opportunity for professional development. Once the competition has concluded, finalists have the option to submit their papers for publication, which many have done.
This annual contest gives technicians a national stage to share their knowledge, which moves the body of veterinary knowledge forward across the profession,” remarked Steven Baker, LVT, VTS (SAIM), Director, Training and Nursing Care at BluePearl.
“As vital parts of the patient care process, they deserve recognition, and this is an opportunity to do just that. We encourage our Associates and the general veterinary community to register and attend the virtual contest to learn more about the high level of expertise our veterinary technicians bring to the field.”
Finalists from past years have gone on to obtain their Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certifications and have been published in national and international publications, including Today’s Veterinary Nurse and the Australian Veterinary Nurse Journal. For some finalists, the Veterinary Technician and Assistant Case Report Challenge has helped them launch their professional speaking careers, showcasing their work at trade conferences around the U.S.
This year’s eight finalists are:
- Sara Nakamura — Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Resulting in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Megan J. Loiselle — Alligator Induced Pneumocephalus in a Canine
- Danielle Thomas — Red Herrings and Rodenticides
- Melissa Slaughter — Mysterious Anaphylaxis in A Young Labradoodle
- Francesca Young — What next? Post Cardiopulmonary Arrest Nursing care in a Miniature Dachshund
- Amanda Bernstein — Glaucoma and various treatment options
- Cindy Goldstein — A Giant Kidney
- Elizabeth Marklin — Analgesic Experimentation
Each report was evaluated by a veterinarian, and a mentor was assigned to each of the eight technicians. The finalists are from BluePearl hospitals in Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, California, and Washington.
