Wildcat Veterinarian Spring 2021

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EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING | IMPACTFUL RESEARCH | OUTSTANDING SERVICE | EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATES

ESSENTIAL Veterinary medicine takes on essential role amidst a global pandemic. Story by Audrey Hambright When COVID-19 came knocking on the doors of business around the world in March 2020, finding a way to stay in business and provide services safely became the ultimate goal. For the Veterinary Health Center (VHC) at K-State, and veterinary clinics everywhere, this was no exception. As veterinary clinics were declared essential businesses early in the pandemic, the VHC made quick moves to adapt to new safety precautions to protect its faculty, staff, students and community. According to Dr. Beth Davis, interim director for the VHC, initial changes involved reducing the contact of students with the general public. Additional changes included mask wearing, limitations on room capacity, a drop-off concierge service for clients and modified discharge protocol. To make matters even more challenging, on April 3, 2020, the difficult decision was made to remove all fourth-year students from in-person clinical rotations, which moved to remote delivery in an effort to maintain student safety. This change resulted in the need for VHC faculty and house officers (interns and residents) to manage all hospital operations and provide educational sessions remotely. Due 40 | wildcatveterinarian

to an abrupt shortage of personnel, the VHC received only emergency/urgent care services for a period of seven weeks. “Although remote communication is remarkable, it is not a complete replacement of in-person communication,” Dr. Davis says. “Under normal circumstances, students are involved with every aspect of patient intake, communication, patient care and discharge, a process which was substantially modified in 2020.”

Suit up Time after time as guidelines and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continued to change, the team at the VHC continued to step up efforts to keep the doors open and services available to animals in need and their owners. Dr. Chris Duvendack, VHC administrator, was impressed each time the VHC needed to adapt. Above: Dr. Christen Skaer (right) presents Dr. Danielle Estivo, 2020 graduate of the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine with her diploma. Skaer Veterinary Clinic celebrated Dr. Estivo’s graduation at their clinic after she was hired. Her in-person commencement was cancelled due to the pandemic. Courtesy photo.


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