Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:From September 2021 thru June 2022, the VPMG visited six veterinary practices in Logan, Laure, Morgan, Taylor, and Warren counties in Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant. Two of the six clinics visited were assessed and provided feedback. One clinic is scheduled for assessments in August. The COVID pandemic has provided multiple challenges for in-person student rotation travel and conference travel for veterinarians. Feedback for the rural practice owners focused on critical areas for improvement based on data collected within the practices. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivable, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), workflow efficiency, and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). A new area of exploration is food animal populations in specific areas of need which are affecting the veterinary shortage. Auburn University preceptor/extern programs have placed 40 total students, 20 preceptors, and 20 externship students within veterinary practices in Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant. In FY 2021-22, five preceptor students spent eight-weeks training in Casey, Clark, Shelby, Grayson, and Todd counties, while eight externship students are currently working for two weeks training in Harrison, Morgan, Hart, Todd, and Taylor counties in Kentucky. Three of the five preceptors accepted mixed animal associate positions in shortage areas in Kentucky. One preceptor must complete military service and plans to return to rural KY to practice. The last preceptor took a mixed animal position in another state with similar veterinary shortages. Faculty directly involved in the KY rural grant project communicated findings in multiple venues in FY 2021-22. A reception and dialogue, including a presentation, were conducted with veterinary practice owners and KY stakeholders at the 2021 KVMA Mid-America Veterinary Conference held on September 24, 2021, in Lousiville, KY. Dean Johnson, Dr. Melinda Camus, and Mr. Glen Sellers presented and communicated information at the KY stakeholder's dialogue on the Status of Large Animal Veterinarians at the request of the KY Agriculture Commissioner, KY Department of Agriculture, KY State Veterinarian, and KY Board of Medical Examiners on June 15, 2022, at the KY State University Research Farm. Veterinary practices visited andassessed during 2022: Cornerstone Vet Clinic (Dr. Tabor; Russellville, Logan Co); Larue Co Animal Clinic (Dr. Clint Durham; Hodgenville; Laure Co); West Liberty Veterinary Clinic (Dr. David Fugate; West Liberty; Morgan Co); Green River Vet Clinic (Dr. Clint Durham; Campbellsville; Taylor Co); Hosp of Campbellsville (Drs. Hays and Andrew; Campbellsville; TaylorCo); Southcentral Vet Serv (Dr. Ed Grimes; Bowling Green; Warren Co). Preceptor students during 2022:Samantha Poynter (Casey County Vet Serv; Dr. Courtney Brockman; Liberty KY); Seth Baker (Boonesboro Animal Clinic; Drs. Reister, Skaggs, Head, Smith, and Condra; Winchester KY); Ronnie Sims (Shleby Vet Clinic; Drs. Ballard, Mitchel, Oliver, and Byers; Shelbyville KY); Brittany Brangers (Leitchfield Vet Clinic; Dr. Todd Ray; Leitchfield KY); Jordan Farrell (Todd Co Animal Clinic; Drs. Laster, Goodlett, Orem, and Lee; Elkton KY). Externship students during 2022: Amelia Bolin (Harrison Vet Clinic; Drs. Bridge, Grinstead, Wornall, and Avery; Cynthiana KY); Loni Saum (Harrison Vet Clinic; Drs. Bridge, Grinstead, Wornall, and Avery; Cynthiana KY); Austin Spradin (West Liberty Veterinary Clinic; Drs. Fugate, Adams, Howard, Rose, and Smith-Harr; West Liberty KY); Carly Lyle (Hartland Animal Hospital; Drs. Vance nd Horstman; Horse Cave KY); Casey Busby (ToddCo Animal Clinic; Drs. Laster, Goodlett, Orem, and Lee; Elkton KY); Lindy Knuckles (oddCo Animal Clinic; Drs. Laster, Goodlett, Orem, and Lee; Elkton KY); Kalley Coffey (The Animal Hospital of Campbellsville; Drs. Hays, Andrew and Wilk; Campbellsville KY); Jillian Sympson (Green River Vet Clinic; Drs. Durham and Dennois; Campbellsville KY). Changes/Problems:The period 2020-2022presented a tremendous challenge to the project activities due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The core of project activities such as student participation in the practice management rotation, support of continued education for rural veterinarians in Kentucky, practice management assistance to participating veterinary clinics, and recruitment of recent graduates into rural Kentucky veterinary practices is fundamentally based on traveling, meeting, and networking. Therefore, with the breakdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the restriction policies adopted by Auburn University, the state of Alabama, the state of Kentucky, and the Federal Government, the majority of these activities had to be cancelled or placed on hold until the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. During the spring semester of 2022 some of the resrtictions started to be lifted but this time was not enough to complete previous continuing education, practice support, student training, and communication goals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Since the program started in 2017, this project supported the preceptorships of 20AU CVM students in mixed-animal rural practices rural areas of designated need in Kentucky. Since the program started in 2017, this project supported the externshipsof 20AU CVM students in mixed-animal rural practices rural areas of designated need inKentucky. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from this project have been diseminated to communities of interest in multiple venues includingreceptions, dialogues, and formal results presentations toveterinary practice owners and KY stakeholders within theKVMA Mid-America Veterinary Conference and the Auburn Veterinary Conferences. The dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. calvin Johnson) as well as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Drs. Dan Givens and Melinda Camus) and Mr.Glen Sellers, the practice managmenet directorhave presented and communicated the results of this program toKY stakeholder's including the KY Agriculture Commissioner, KY Department of Agriculture, KY State Veterinarian, and KY Board of Medical Examiners in additional venues such as the KY State University Research Farm. The focus of these dialogues and presentations have been updates onthe Status of Large Animal Veterinarians in areas of designated need in the state of Kentucky. During the years of 2020-2022, state and university restrictions adopted due to the Covid-19 pandemicpresented a tremendous challenge for communication and dissemination efforts by drastically limiting the project's in-person travel and meeting activities such as theKentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) annual conference and the Annual Veterinary Conference at Auburn, AL. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Since September 2017, this project has supported activities to assist countless veterinarians serving in underserved rural Kentucky and forty Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM) students in gaining invaluable experience and transitioning into sustainable careers in underserved areas. The project activities have consistently assisted AUCVM students with educational and networking opportunities and real-life practice experiences, allowing for smooth, sustainable career transitions in rural underserved areas. Since the program started, 40 total students (20 preceptor students and 20 externship students) have been paced in veterinary practices located within rural areas od designated need in the state of Kentucky. From preceptor training,97.5% of students accepted jobs in rural mixed animal practices after graduation, with 85% taking jobs in specific areas of designated need inKentucky. Additionally, project activities supported rural veterinarians in designated need areas by providing veterinary continuing education, business management education, practice sustainability consultations, and twenty-two written report assessments. Additionally, since 2017 this grant has provided funding for multiple veterinary students to learn from a business consultant (the practice management director) through the process of completing in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species during the practice management rotation. During the 2021-2022period, practice management assessments were performed in veterinary clinics located in Logan, Taylor, Laure, Morgan, and Warren counties in Kentucky. These assessments involved careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each on-site practice assessment culminated with a debriefing with the clinic owner where students confidentially discussed the results of the assessment. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices were also discussed and included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency,and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). A new area of exploration isfood animal populations in specific areas of need which are affecting the veterinary shortage.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Since September 2020 thru June 2021, the VPMG performed sixteen visits toveterinary practices in Butler, Carroll, Franklin, Grayson, Harrison, Hart, Henry, Logan, Taylor and Todd counties in Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant (Table 1). Some of theclinics were visited twice in the same period.Within the sixteen vitsits, threeclinicswere assessed and strategic feedback was provided. Three additional clinics are scheduled for assessments this year. The feedback provided to participant clinics is supported by data collected from the same clinics and is focused on key areas for business improvement. The type of feedback provided to participant clinics has not changed since the beginning of the program. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), workflow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine preceptor/extern program hasplaced fifteen preceptor and thirteen externship students within veterinary practices in rural areas of Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant. In 2021, six preceptor students spent eight-weeks training in clinics from Hart, Henry, Taylor, Todd, Harrison, and Logan counties while four externship students spent two weeks training in clinics from Taylor, Hart, Boyle and Barren counties in Kentucky (Table 2). Five of the six preceptors accepted mixed animal associate positions in rural areas of veterinary shortage in Kentucky. One student accepted a mix animal veterinarian position in a rural area of veterinary shortage in another state after graduation. The period 2020-2021 presented a tremendous challenge to the project activities due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The core of project activities such as student participation in the practice management rotation, support of continued education for rural veterinarians in Kentucky, practice management assistance to participating veterinary clinics, and recruitment of recent graduates into rural Kentucky veterinary practices is fundamentally based on traveling, meeting, and networking. Therefore, with the breakdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the restriction policies adopted by Auburn University, the state of Alabama, the state of Kentucky, and the Federal Government, the majority of these activities had to be cancelled or placed on hold until the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Table 1. Visist to Veterinary Practices during the period of 2020-2021 (Clinic, Owner, City, County) Clinic Owner City County Logan Bethel Vet Serv David & Kristi Woodall Russellville Logan Todd Co Animal Clinic Laster/Goodlett Elkton Todd Cornerstone Vet Clinic Tabor Russellville Logan Logan Bethel Vet Serv David & Kristi Woodall Russellville Logan Cornerstone Vet Clinic Tabor Russellville Logan Heritage Anim Hospital Hampton Morgantown Butler Leitchfield Vet Clinic Todd Leitchfield Grayson Country Critters Julie Stewart Radcliff Harding Jefferson Animal Hospital Pat Kennedy Arrington Louisville Jefferson Henry Co Animal Clinic Pryor/Parker/Slone Newcastle Henry Carroll Co Animal Clinic Pryor/Parker/Slone Carrollton Carroll Hartland Animal Hosp Vance Horse Cave Hart An Hosp of Campbellsville Hays/Andrew Campbellsville Taylor Green River Vet Clinic Clint Durham Campbellsville Taylor KY State Vet Flynn Frankfort Franklin Harrison Vet Clinic Rice/Wornall/Grinstead Cynthiana Harrison Table 2. Number of preceptors and externs placed with the 2020-2021 period [Preceptors (P) and Externs (E), Names, Clinics, Owner, City, County] Period Year Program Student's name Clinic Owner's last name City County Spring 2021 P Austin Horstman Hartland Animal Hosp K. Vance Horse Cave Hart Spring 2021 P Dominica Avery Harrison Vet Clinic Rice/Wornall/Grinstead Cynthiana Harrison Spring 2021 P Amy King Henry & Carroll Co Anim Clin Pryor/Parker/Slone Newcastle and Carrollton Henry and Carroll Spring 2021 P Vasi Wilk Anim Hosp Campbellsville Hays/Andrew Campbellsville Taylor Spring 2021 P Dylan Davis Todd Co Animal Clinic Laster/Goodlett Elkton Todd Spring 2021 P Paige Weldy Cornerstone Vet Clinic Tabor Russellville Logan Summer 2021 E Haley Anderson Town and Country Anim Clinic Murray Danville Boyle Summer 2021 E Hannah Stokley Anim Hosp Campbellsville Hays/Andrew Campbellsville Taylor Summer 2021 E Carly Lyle Hartland Animal Hosp K. Vance Horse Cave Hart Summer 2021 E Grace Jones Animal Clinic of Glasgow Webb/Owaley/Creek Glasgow Barren Changes/Problems:The period 2020-2021 presented a tremendous challenge to the project activities due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The core of project activities such as student participation in the practice management rotation, support of continued education for rural veterinarians in Kentucky, practice management assistance to participating veterinary clinics, and recruitment of recent graduates into rural Kentucky veterinary practices is fundamentally based on traveling, meeting, and networking. Therefore, with the breakdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the restriction policies adopted by Auburn University, the state of Alabama, the state of Kentucky, and the Federal Government, the majority of these activities had to be cancelled or placed on hold until the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Consequently, activities associated with traveling of students in the Practice Management rotation, presentations in veterinary conferneces, and meetings in general were considerably affected. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2020-2021, this project supported the preceptorships of six fourth-year AU CVM students in mixed-animal rural practices in Hart, Henry, Carroll, Taylor, Todd, Harrison, and Logan counties in Kentucky. In 2020-2021, the project supported four, two-week externships for second-year AU CVM students at practices in rural Kentucky. The four externs spent two-weeks training at mixed animal rural practices in Boyle, Taylor, Hart, and Barren counties in Kentucky. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-2021, many of the in-person presentations and networking at the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) annual conference and the Annual Veterinary Conference at Auburn could not be completed; however, virtual presentations and discussions with stakeholders through conference calls and emails were used to disseminate the results during this period. Conference calls and emails were also used to directly engage groups of interest including veterinarians affiliated to the (KVMA) and veterinary students at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to provide continuing education and assistance to veterinary practices in rural areas of unmet veterinary need in Kentucky at the same time that we continue tooffer learning/training opportunities to veterinary students through externships and preceptorships in these practices and areas. To accomplish these goals we will travel to veterinary practices located in areas of umet need in Kentucky and provide direct assessment and assitance on practice management focusing on improving service capacity and profitability. Additionally, we will promote and locate Auburn University veterinary students in these practices throgh offering opportunities of externships and preceptorships with them.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Since program inception, this grant has provided funding for multiple veterinary students to learn from a business consultant (the practice management director) through the process of completing in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species during the practice management rotation. During the 2020-2021 period, practice management assessments were performed in veterinary clinics located in Logan, Todd, Butler, Grayson, Harding, Jefferson, Henry, Carroll, Hart, Taylor, Franklin, and Harrison counties in Kentucky. These assessments involved careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each on-site practice assessment culminated with a debriefing with the clinic owner where students confidentially discussed the results of the assessment. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices were also discussed and included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Additionally, the practice management director visited practices in Logan, Simpson, and Barren counties in Kentucky to discuss opportunities for future on-site practice assessments.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Since September 2019 thru September 2020, the VPMG visited twelve veterinary practices in Madison, Todd, Hart, Lincoln, Fayette, Harrison, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Logan and Butler counties in Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant. Two of the twelve clinics visited were assessed and provided feedback. Feedback focused on key areas for improvement and have not changed since the beginning of the program. In fact, data collected has supported focus in these areas. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), workflow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Auburn University preceptor/extern programs have placed 9 preceptor and 8 externship students within veterinary practices in Kentucky with funding provided by the USDA-NIFA grant. In 2020, two preceptor students spent eight-weeks training in Butler and Harrison counties while four externship students spent two weeks training in Clay, Lincoln, Harrison and Logan counties in Kentucky. Clinic Owner's last name City County Waco Animal Hospital Martin Waco Maddison Todd County Animal Laster/Goodlett Elkton Todd Logan Bethel Veterinary Woodall Russellville Logan Cornerstone Vet Clinic Tabor Russellville Logan Heritage Animal Hospital Hampton Morgantown Butler Hartland Animal Hospital Vance Horse Cave Hart MultiGen Repro Carnes Stanford Lincoln Central KY Vet Service Weakley/Tritsch Lexington Fayette Harrison Vet Clinic Rice/Wornall/Grinstead Cynthiana Harrison Advanced Animal Care Martin Richmond Madison Mt. Vernon Animal Hosp. Rogers Mt. Vernon Rockcastle Vet Center of Somerset VanDerPloeg Somerset Pulaski Academic period Year Program Student's name Clinic Owner's last name City County Spring 2020 Preceptor Emily Scott Heritage Animal Hospital Hampton Morgantown Butler Spring 2020 Preceptor Hillary Seals Harrison Vet Clinic Rice/Wornall/Grinstead Cynthiana Harrison Summer 2020 Externship Ollie Hensley Noah's Ark Animal Hospital Massey Manchester Clay Summer 2020 Externship Grace Higgs MuliGen Repro Solutions Carnes Stanford Lincoln Summer 2020 Externship Luke Trapp Harrison Vet Clinic Rice/Wornall/Grinstead Cynthiana Harrison Summer 2020 Externship Ian Woodall Logan Bethel Vet. Serv. Woodall Russellville Logan Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandeminc represented a major challenge to accomplish our goals during 2020. Travel restrictions in addition to social/physical distance prevented reaching our goals with respect to veterinary students traveling to practices in Kentucky and in-person interaction between veterinary students and practice owners. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2019-2020, this project supported the preceptorships of two AU CVM students in mixed-animal practices in Butler and Harrison counties in Kentucky. Additionally in the same period the project supported four, two-week externships for second-year AU CVM students at practices in rural Kentucky. The four extern students spent two-weeks training at mixed animal practices in Clay, Lincoln, Harrison, and Logan counties in Kentucky. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through presentations at the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) annual conference and direct emails to groups of interest including veterinarians affiliated to the (KVMA) and veterinary students at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to provide continuing education and assistance to veterinary practices in areas of veterinary service need in Kentucky at the same time that we offer learning/training opportunities to veterinary students through externships and preceptorships in these practices and areas. To accomplish these goals we will travel to veterinary practices located in areas of umet need in Kentucky and provide direct assessment and assitance on practice management focusing on improving service capacity and profitability. Additionally, we will promote and locate Auburn University veterinary students in these practices throgh offering opportunities of externships and preceptorships with them.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Since program inception, this grant has provided for multiple veterinary students to learn from a business consultant, the director of practice management activities, through the process of completing in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species. These practices are located in Madison, Todd, Hart, Lincoln, Fayette, Harrison, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Logan and Butler counties in Kentucky. These assessments involve careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each experience culminated in an owner debriefing where students confidentially discussed assessments with the practice owner. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Additionally, the director of practice management activities and involved students visited practices in Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties in Kentucky to discuss opportunities for future on-site practice assessments.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of efforts of this project consists of veterinary students, veterinarians in designated rural, underserved areas of Kentucky, and the clients that benefit from those services of veterinarians focused on food animal practice in designated rural areas of Kentucky. Changes/Problems:Challenges have been identified to matching potential externship students with veterinary mentors in designated rural underserved areas. Efforts will be made in December 2019 and January 2020 to match students to available externship opportunities for summer 2020. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?· Since program inception, this grant has provided for 54 veterinary students to learn from a business consultant, the director of practice management activities, through the process of completing nine, in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species. These practices are located in Butler, Carroll, Grayson, Harrison, Hart, Henry, Pulaski, Taylor and Warren counties in Kentucky. These assessments involve careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each experience culminated in an owner debriefing where students confidentially discussed assessments with the practice owner. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Additionally, the director of practice management activities and involved students visited practices in Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties in Kentucky to discuss opportunities for future on-site practice assessments. · In March 2019, this project supported three AU CVM students in mixed animal practices in Barren, Taylor, and Warren counties in Kentucky. After completion of preceptorships and subsequent graduation, one student accepted a position in a mixed animal practice in Warren County. This practice was within the previous year's area of unmet need and provides mixed animal service within the boundaries of the current year's designated area. The other two students accepted positions in Kentucky serving small animal or small animal and equine clients. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?· In May 2019, a progress report regarding actions and impacts of the program was sent to the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association for dissemination to interested Kentucky veterinarians. · On June 4, 2019, grant activities were described in a report presented by the AU CVM Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the Kentucky Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations & Revenue at the state capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Described activities of the program will continue for the coming year. Interested rural practitioners will be connected with fourth-year students during the college's annual conference during October. Changes: Effort will be made during the conference (October 17 to 20, 2019) to connect interested students with mixed animal practice owners from designated underserved areas in Kentucky.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
· In September 2018, the project supported attendance at the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) Mid-America Conference of veterinarians that provide veterinary services to cattle, sheep, goats, and swine in rural areas of designated need. A meeting on September 28, 2018, involved three recent graduate veterinarians as well as supporting veterinarians from rural areas, the current KVMA president, the current KVMA vice president, the Kentucky State Veterinarian, the executive director of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, the Dean of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AU CVM), and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of AU CVM. The meeting focused on the recruitment and support of veterinarians in underserved rural areas of Kentucky. · In October 2018, the AU CVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the director of practice management activities met with interested students to facilitate placement of preceptorship students in practices in designated rural areas that are serving the target species. The preceptorship is a capstone educational experience during the final eight weeks of formal veterinary medical education that allows students to focus on application of knowledge and skills in a rigorous clinical environment. · In mid-March 2019, this project supported career development meetings in rural Kentucky involving the Kentucky State Veterinarian, the KVMA president, local cattle producers, student preceptors, local veterinarians providing supervision and mentorship of preceptors, and the AU CVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. These meetings focused on a discussion of the challenges to initiating and sustaining a veterinary career that meets the demands for food animal veterinary care in rural Kentucky. Additional discussion focused on practical measures to overcome the current challenges and consideration of emerging opportunities for rural practitioners.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of efforts of this project consists of veterinary students, veterinarians in designated rural, underserved areas of Kentucky, and the clients that benefit from those services of veterinarians focused on food animal practice in designated rural areas of Kentucky. Changes/Problems:The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Conference moved from spring to fall of each year. Effort will be made during the conference (October 18 to 21, 2018) to connect interested students with mixed animal practice owners from designated underserved areas in Kentucky. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Since program inception, this grant has provided for 36 veterinary students to learn from a business consultant, the director of practice management activities, through the process of completing six, in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species. These practices are located in Butler, Carroll, Harrison, Hart, Henry and Taylor counties in Kentucky. These assessments involve careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each experience culminated in an owner debriefing where students confidentially discussed assessments with the practice owner. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Additionally, the director of practice management activities and involved students visited practices in Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties in Kentucky to discuss opportunities for future on-site practice assessments. In March 2018, this project supported the preceptorships of four AU CVM students in mixed-animal practices in Estill, Harrison, Logan and Scott counties in Kentucky. After completion of preceptorships and subsequent graduation, three of these four students accepted positions in mixed animal practices in rural areas of designated need in Kentucky serving the target species. One student accepted a position in a mixed animal practice in Macon County, Georgia. In summer 2018, the project supported four, two-week externships for second-year AU CVM students at practices in rural Kentucky. The four extern students spent two-weeks training at mixed animal practices in Hart, Taylor, Todd and Warren counties in Kentucky. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In May 2018, a progress report regarding actions and impacts of the program was sent to the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association for dissemination to interested Kentucky veterinarians. In June 2018, details of the program were presented to interested legislators at the USDA-funded Research Exhibit on the Hill in the Rayburn House Office Building. In August 2018, actions and impacts of the program were communicated to interested citizens through the Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Described activities of the program will continue for the coming year. Rural practitioners will be connected with fourth-year students during the college's annual conference during October.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In September 2017, the project supported attendance at the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) Mid-America Conference of veterinarians from seven practices that provide veterinary services to cattle, sheep, goats, and swine in rural areas of designated need. A meeting on September 27, 2017, involved these seven veterinarians as well as supporting individuals from their clinic, the current KVMA president, the current KVMA vice president, the Kentucky State Veterinarian, the Dean of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AU CVM), the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of AU CVM, and the director of practice management activities of AU CVM. The meeting focused on the recruitment and support of veterinarians in underserved rural areas of Kentucky. In October 2017, the AU CVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Rural Veterinary Program Director, and the director of practice management activities met with interested students to facilitate placement of preceptorship students in practices in designated rural areas that are serving the target species. The preceptorship is a capstone educational experience during the final eight weeks of formal veterinary medical education that allows students to focus on application of knowledge and skills in a rigorous clinical environment. Since program inception, this grant has provided for 36 veterinary students to learn from a business consultant, the director of practice management activities, through the process of completing six, in-depth, on-site practice assessments of clinics in rural areas serving the target species. These practices are located in Butler, Carroll, Harrison, Hart, Henry and Taylor counties in Kentucky. These assessments involve careful on-site consideration of (1) observations of grounds and facilities, (2) case observations, (3) financial analysis, (4) identification of major themes, and (5) assessment of area demographics. Each experience culminated in an owner debriefing where students confidentially discussed assessments with the practice owner. Key areas noted as potential opportunities for increased revenue and enhanced profitability within these practices included: cost of goods, accounts receivables, inventory control, dropped/lost charges, communication (client and staff), work flow efficiency and pricing pressures/structures (specifically in professional service areas). Additionally, the director of practice management activities and involved students visited practices in Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties in Kentucky to discuss opportunities for future on-site practice assessments. In March 2018, this project supported the preceptorships of four AU CVM students in mixed-animal practices in Estill, Harrison, Logan and Scott counties in Kentucky. After completion of preceptorships and subsequent graduation, three of these four students accepted positions in mixed animal practices in rural areas of designated need in Kentucky serving the target species. One student accepted a position in a mixed animal practice in Macon County, Georgia. In late March 2018, this project supported career development meetings in rural Kentucky involving the Kentucky State Veterinarian, the KVMA president, local cattle producers, student preceptors, local veterinarians providing supervision and mentorship of preceptors, and the AU CVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. These meetings focused on a discussion of the challenges to initiating and sustaining a veterinary career that meets the demands for food animal veterinary care in rural Kentucky. Additional discussion focused on practical measures to overcome the current challenges and consideration of emerging opportunities for rural practitioners. In summer 2018, the project supported four, two-week externships for second-year AU CVM students at practices in rural Kentucky. The four extern students spent two-weeks training at mixed animal practices in Hart, Taylor, Todd and Warren counties in Kentucky. In August 2018, actions and impacts of the program to date were communicated to the Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association.
Publications
|
|