44th TVMA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference

Welcome The Executive Council of the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (TVMAA) welcomes each of you to the 44th Annual Scientific Conference.

Conference Objectives • To present scientific information on the expanding knowledge and trends in the Veterinary profession and the advancement of informational technology.

• To maintain dialogue to address the changes in the Veterinary Profession through an open forum setting.

• To serve as continuing education for alumni of the TVMAA. • To present current information on the status of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM).

• To develop programs that will enhance awareness and continued interest by alumni and friends of Tuskegee in maintaining excellence in education of TUCVM.

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon • Conference Destination

Altis Grand Hotel • Lisbon, Portugal November 11–17, 2026

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

Conference Schedule WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 11, 2026 Arrival

Lisbon Portugal

6:00 pm

Welcome Reception and Registration: S Jorge Bar

7:00 pm

Dinner on your own

THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 12, 2026 SCIENTIFIC SESSION 1 • PARIS 1 ROOM 8:00 am

Greetings and Housekeeping — Dr. Linda Bostick; Dr. Derrick Medley

9:00 am

Dr. David Richardson — A Primer on Biostatistics and Reading the Medical Literature (Part 1)

10:00 am

Dr. Derrick Medley — Let’s Talk Lepto

11:00 am

Dr. Chandra Williams — Beyond Resilience: Building Sustainable Well Being and Collegial Support in Veterinary Medicine

12:00 pm

LUNCH ON OWN

1:00–6:30 pm

Arrabida Wine Tour Dinner on your own

FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 13, 2026 SCIENTIFIC SESSION 2 • PARIS 1 ROOM 8:00 am

Dr. Pamelar Hale — The Importance of Veterinary Leadership by Veterinarians

9:00 am

Dr. Tracey King — Ophthalmic Emergencies in Veterinary Medicine

10:00 am

Dr. Dave Richardson — A Primer on Biostatistics and Reading the Medical Literature (Part 2)

11:00 am

Dr. William Watson — From the Cottonfields of Georgia to Veterinary Medicine History

12:00 pm

FREE AFTERNOON — Lunch and Dinner on your own

SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 14, 2026 1:00–6:30 pm

Lisbon City Sights Tour — Belem Quarter (walking tour); Jeronimos Monastery; Tower of Belem; Short walking tour of Alfama 44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 15, 2026 8:30 am–6:00 pm

Excursion to Queluz and Cascais — Full day, guided tour to some of Portugal’s most popular locations Dinner: On Your Own

MONDAY • NOVEMBER 16, 2026 SCIENTIFIC SESSION 3 • PARIS 1 ROOM 8:00 am

Dr. Sylvia Singletary — The Strategic Uses of AI in Veterinary Medicine

9:00 am

Dr. Brianna Skinner — Beyond the Animal Facility: The Broader One Health Impact of Laboratory Animal Medicine

10:00 am

Dr. Rodney Oakley — Canine Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment

11:00 am

Dr. Willie Reed — Tuskegee College Of Veterinary Medicine Accreditation update Lunch and Leisure

6:00–8:00 pm

Panoramic Lisbon by Night

8:00 pm

Authentic Restaurant Dinner with Fado Performance

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

ABSTRACTS

The Strategic Use of AI in Veterinary Medicine Dr. Sylvia Singletary DVM, DCLAM (Veterinary Consultant) This lecture will provide a brief overview of artificial intelligence inroads in veterinary medicine. A review of some key developments in various AI models will be provided. The participants will learn basic skills and strategies for using AI tools to achieve business objectives that support key aspects of veterinary medicine in small-animal practice and biomedical research.

Title: Canine Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment Rodney Oakley, DVM, DACVS (Private Specialty Practice) Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain, lameness, and reduced quality of life in dogs. Over the past decade, there have been significant advancements in pharmaceutical treatments for dogs with osteoarthritis.

This lecture will provide a brief overview of pathophysiology, primary causes, and diagnostic methods for osteoarthritis, and discuss recent developments in its medical treatment. The ultimate goal of the lecture is to outline a roadmap for developing various strategies to treat canine osteoarthritis.

Beyond the Animal Facility: The Broader One Health Impact of Laboratory Animal Medicine Dr. Brianna Skinner DVM, MPH, DCLAM Dipl. AVOHS (Sr. Regulatory Veterinarian and Captain US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps) Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility, equipped with practical strategies to leverage their expertise beyond the vivarium, and inspired to champion One Health, strengthen public trust in science, and enrich the lives of both people and animals.

Participants will be inspired to see how skills in comparative medicine, pathology, animal welfare, biosafety, systems thinking, and cross-disciplinary teamwork empower veterinarians to make bold decisions that impact entire populations. The presentation will spotlight how veterinarians can expand their influence, forging transformative partnerships with government, academia, industry, and local communities.

With experience spanning military service, infectious disease research, humanitarian missions, and leadership in One Health, this presentation illuminates the profound impact of laboratory animal medicine beyond the lab. Through powerful stories of emergency response, infectious disease preparedness, policy innovation,

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

Interagency collaboration, workforce development, and community engagement celebrate laboratory animal veterinarians as trailblazers lighting the path for public health and scientific advancement.

Laboratory animal veterinarians stand as visionary leaders, not only providing essential animal care and research support within the vivarium but rising to meet the world’s most pressing challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. Their unique expertise, forged in the demanding field of laboratory animal medicine, empowers them to drive meaningful change that extends far beyond the dimensions of laboratory work in a research facility.

Ophthalmic Emergencies in Veterinary Medicine Dr. Trace King-Hill, DVM, DACVO (Private Specialty Practice) Ophthalmic emergencies are time-sensitive conditions in which delayed recognition or treatment may result in irreversible vision loss, chronic pain, or loss of the globe. The clinician’s immediate priorities are to assess both eyes and the whole patient and to begin the treatment, which may include referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist. We will discuss the most common conditions encountered: ulcerations, glaucoma, uveitis, trauma, lens disorders, and sudden blindness.

FROM THE COTTONFIELDS OF GEORGIA TO VETERINARY MEDICINE HISTORY WILLIAM WATSON DVM, DACLAM (Author, Consultant) Dr. William Watson will review his book “From the Cottonfields of Georgia to Veterinary Medicine History” as it serves as a part of his legacy. The book is composed of Sixteen Chapters that chronicles his story from pre-school to his retirement from an eventful and historical journey point of view. His story should serve as a beacon of hope when he outlines some of the obstacles he overcomes during his journey. The book ends with a pictorial journey of a life filled with challenges, joy, and disappointment. His story depicting his career in laboratory animal medicine should inspire others facing similar challenges to not give up but to keep working until the goal is achieved. This presentation will conclude with a discussion of how one’s legacy and giving back should be documented for future generations!

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

The Importance of Veterinary Leadership by Veterinarians Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, JM (Consulting Chief Veterinary Officer) This presentation aims to empower veterinarians to become leaders in the face of this trend that threatens to sideline them within veterinary medicine. By possessing essential clinical insight, emotional proximity, and contextual understanding, veterinarians are uniquely qualified to lead veterinary organizations. To preserve professional autonomy as well as ensure high-quality care, we must strengthen leadership pipelines, cultivate business acumen, and expand mentorship opportunities. By renewing our commitment to veterinarian-focused leadership and ownership, we can better protect the identity of our profession as well as preserve our capacity to advocate effectively for our patients, teams and communities.

The veterinary profession is experiencing rapid demographic and structural changes; however, the leadership representation within the profession still has room for improvement. Although women now constitute 63% of U.S. veterinarians, and racial and ethnic diversity is slowly increasing, very few are in positions of tangible leadership within the industry, particularly minority women. Concurrently, declining veterinarian ownership, along with the rise of private‑equity consolidation, has shifted operational authority toward non‑veterinary business leaders.

Beyond Resilience: Building Sustainable Well-Being and Collegial Support in Veterinary Medicine Chandra Williams DVM, DACLAM, CPIA (Private Consulting) Veterinary professionals continue to face significant challenges that affect personal well-being, team dynamics, and long-term career satisfaction, including workforce shortages, increasing client expectations, compassion fatigue, moral distress, financial pressures, and rising mental health concerns across the profession. While individual resilience remains important, current evidence suggests that sustainable wellness requires a broader focus on workplace culture, psychological safety, peer support, and organizational practices.

This session will explore practical strategies for fostering colleague wellness in veterinary settings of all sizes.

Participants will examine common contributors to stress and burnout, recognize early signs of distress among team members, and learn approaches for creating supportive, connected workplaces. Topics will include effective peer-to-peer support, communication practices that strengthen team cohesion, reducing stigma around mental health conversations, promoting work-life integration, and developing systems that support professional fulfillment and retention.

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

Through real-world examples and actionable tools, attendees will gain insights into how veterinary professionals can contribute to healthier work environments while maintaining high standards of patient care.

Participants will leave with strategies to strengthen collegial relationships, support team well-being, and help cultivate a culture where veterinary professionals can thrive personally and professionally

Let’s Talk Lepto!

Derrick Medley DVM (Director VTS, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria that poses significant health risks to both animals and humans. In dogs, the disease can result in severe morbidity and mortality, while also representing an important zoonotic threat. The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of the etiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of leptospirosis to enhance understanding of its transmission and clinical impact. Globally, the Centers for Disease Control and other health authorities estimate approximately 1 million cases annually, leading to nearly 60,000 deaths, making leptospirosis one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases worldwide. Despite its severity, leptospirosis is a preventable disease, highlighting the importance of awareness, vaccination, and early intervention to reduce its impact on animal and public health.

A Primer on Biostatistics and Reading the Medical Literature David W. Richardson, M.D. (Boarded Neurologist, Owner, Richardson MD Consulting Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance) This two-part presentation will provide a high-level overview of the field of biostatistics. Several key topics in descriptive statistics, population sampling, and statistical inference will be both presented and explained. An additional goal of this talk will be to demonstrate to attendees how a better understanding of several statistical concepts (such as sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and P-values) will allow them to more critically evaluate the quality and veracity of published studies from the medical literature .

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

TVMAA OFFICERS President: Dana Fuller, DVM Vice President: San Yvette Foy, DVM Secretary: Quinton Wilson, DVM Treasurer: Willie Reed, DVM Historian: Adam McKee, DVM Immediate Past President: Irving McConnell, DVM

Fall 2026 Scientific Conference Planning Committee Irving McConnell • Patricia Lowrie • Willie Reed • Bonnie Barclay • Gina Wilkerson • Derrick Medley • Linda Bostick

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal

Thank you for joining us in Lisbon.

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference November 11–17, 2026 • Altis Grand Hotel • Lisbon, Portugal

44th TVMAA Fall Veterinary Scientific Conference • Lisbon, Portugal