ACVIM shatters record at Baltimore venue

BALTIMORE — More than 3,251 veterinarians were enough to break all-time attendance records for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) meeting here.

According to ACVIM officials, preliminary attendance figures included 1,196 general practitioners, 974 specialists and 289 candidates for specialty status. ACVIM also hosted 354 veterinary technicians, 112 one-day registrations, 186 residents, interns and graduate students.

Dr. Sandy Wright, of VCA/Antech and public relations committee chair, says the meeting was built around the concept of sharing cutting-edge medical information to both generalists and specialists. Two continuing education tracks ran simultaneously designed around the information needs of these DVMs.

ACVIM was established in 1973 as the national certifying organization for veterinary specialists in large and small animal internal medicine, cardiology, neurology and oncology. The college provides services in monitoring of veterinary residency programs, consensus statements on controversial veterinary treatments, offering continuing education at many levels of expertise and promoting veterinary studies for the acquisition of new knowledge.

This year, ACVIM committees drafted two consensus statements regarding Lyme disease in companion animals and another targeted at anthelmintic resistant nematodes in small ruminants. The next step is to take the consensus statement through a peer-review process with a target publication date later this fall.

This year's forum boasted more than 40 interactive sessions (labs, workshops and special-interest groups) in addition to numerous scientific sessions.

Dr. Curt Civin, professor of oncology and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University delivered a keynote address about the current hopes and realities of stem-cell research.

Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt of North Carolina State University was bestowed the Robert W. Kirk Award for meritorious contributions to the veterinary profession. In addition, the college presented Russ Willoughby with the Distinguished Service Award given in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service in a volunteer capacity to ACVIM.

Next year's meeting is slated for New Orleans, May 31- June 3, 2006.