Honor Roll Bouganim receives Bayer Excellence in Communications award Dr. Odeliah Bouganim, a recent 2014 DVM graduate from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), is the recipient of the Bayer Excellence in Communications Award (BECA) from Texas A&M University for her display of compelling communication capabilities. “Winning this award is an honor,” said Bouganim. “Not only am I practicing with the medical knowledge and clinical experience brought to me by the CVM and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, but I am practicing with the communication skills necessary to build a relationship with my clients and furry patients.” Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study created the BECA to bridge the perceived gap in client-doctor communications. They realized that by further
“The ability for a veterinarian to communicate effectively is such an important attribute in service to our clients and care of their animals and allows us to show our clients that we are passionate and compassionate about our profession.” ~ Dr. Dan Posey, Director of Special Programs advancing veterinary student’s communication skills, they can improve the future of animal health care and client relations. “Discovering the history of the problem and clinical signs revealed by the owner will clue a doctor into the big picture and greatly help lead to the solution,” said Bouganim. “Just as im-
Dr. Odeliah Bouganim
portant, effective communication skills will offer me increased opportunities to one day own a successful veterinary practice.” Competitors submitted a 20-minute video of themselves in a clinical setting with a patient to an independent panel of nationally-renowned Bayer Communication Project-trained faculty members, who then used a standardized score sheet to carefully evaluate the submissions. In this setting, the students communicated with the owner according to the Calgary-Cambridge Guide, while leaving the client both confident in the veterinarian and educated on the disease process. “In order to competitively win this award, I emphasized key skills of communication such as asking general open-ended questions, building a close rapport between myself and the owner, and making sure the owner felt heard and understood,” said Bouganim. Of the 27 colleges to select a BECA winner from their student applicants, 16 videos were submitted to compete for the BECA scholarship. The powerful communication displayed by Bouganim’s video granted her the collegiate award as well as the additional $2,500 scholarship. “The ability for a veterinarian to communicate effectively is such an important attribute in service to our clients and care of their animals and allows us to show our clients that we are passionate and compassionate about our profession,” said Dr. Dan Posey, director of special programs at the CVM. “Bayer Excellence in Communication Award focuses on the aspect that communication is the cornerstone of rewarding client relationships.” Summer 2014 •
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