WesternU SAVMA
Everything you need to know from SoCal's only SAVMA Chapter
This Week
Upcoming SAVMA Events
Wellness Committee's Pumpkin Painting
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What: Paint and sip event hosted by the Wellness Committee with Ike's Sandwiches sponsored by Banfield! :)
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Date: October 24th, 2024 @ 5:30-7:30 pm
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Location: VCC Commons
Mandatory SAVMA Meeting with AVMA's Dr. Juarez!
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Speaker: Dr. Jessie Juarez from AVMA
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Date: October 29th, 2024 @ 12-1 pm
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Location: HEC Lecture Hall 1
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Here's to sign up for food! 🍽️ 😋 Please sign up by OCTOBER 25TH @ 12PM
One Health Symposium!
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What: Every year, SAVMA DART and Public Health Committees join forces to lead a symposium on the importance of One Health. This year, we've decided to join forces with the faculty led event and research department to make one single event in light of the values of cooperation and teamwork so important to the nature of interdisciplinary studies. We have attached a flyer with some QR codes, but here's the main info:
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When: Friday November 1, 2025, 4-8pm (after Grand Rounds)
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Location: HEC LH 2002
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Food: Vegan/vegetarian options will be available during the reception (in honor of the environmental sustainability values we hold dear. ❤️)
GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS:
TRAVEL GRANT SUPPORTING DIVERSITY
INTEGRATIVE COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
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We are awarding up to five $200 grants to deserving individuals who have attended or wish to attend a meeting or event that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (ex: workshops, networking brunches, speaking opportunities) within the veterinary profession. This grant can also be awarded to cover the travel expenses for minority veterinary students to attend externships. You can also apply for online events with admission fees! We require proof of attendance and financial burden.
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If you are attending a meeting that is not specifically DEI-themed but features some DEI events (SAVMA Symposium, AVMA Convention, etc.), we would like to hear about the specific DEI events you attended at this meeting. Other examples of conventions, symposiums, or other approved meetings include: VOICE National Conference, MCVMA Annual Conference, Iverson Bell Regional Conference/Diversity Summit.
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The event/externship must occur between April 1st, 2024 to September 15th, 2024 to be eligible. We cannot provide funds for future travel, RETROACTIVE ONLY. We have a competitive application process, so please try to be as thorough as possible in your responses.
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Goal: To provide financial resources to encourage students to attend conventions, symposiums, or other approved professional development events which promote diversity and/or communication within the veterinary profession.
Amount: 5 grants of $200
Deadline: September 15th, 2024
Link to apply: Here.
Questions: ivec.icdc@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ WELLBEING GRANT
WELLBEING COMMITTEE
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The SAVMA Wellbeing Committee would like to acknowledge and assist individuals or clubs involved with support of the LGBTQ+ community. This grant provides funds to individuals or groups who are hosting events, disseminating information, or otherwise supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This is to foster positivity and communication among LGBTQ+ community members and allies.
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The LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Grant offers two $500 grants to awarded applicants in two different cycles (spring and summer/fall). That's $2000 total awarded each fiscal year!
Amount: Two grants of $500
Deadline: October 15th, 2024.
Link to apply: Here.
Questions: savmawellbeing@gmail.com
CHAMPION OF STUDENT WELLBEING AWARD
WELLBEING COMMITTEE
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The SAVMA Wellbeing Committee would like to recognize and acknowledge an individual faculty or staff member that goes above and beyond to promote student wellbeing at their institutions. This may include, but is not limited to, promoting mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional intelligence amongst their students, creation or support of wellness initiatives and programming at their institutions, or serving as a role model that demonstrates the importance of self-care.
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The awarded faculty or staff will receive compensation for up to $500 for events at their school!
The nominating student will receive a $300 stipend for their submission efforts.
Deadline: October 15th, 2024.
Link to apply: Here.
Questions: savmawellbeing@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIP(CYCLE 2)
INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
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SAVMA's International Veterinary Experience Committee is providing scholarships to deserving SAVMA members who demonstrate a strong desire to participate in a veterinary-related international experience from July 1st - December 31st, 2024. This scholarship will uphold the mission of IVEC which is to promote the advancement of veterinary education and animal welfare throughout the world.
Amount: 8 grants of $1000 USD each
Deadline: October 31st, 2024
Link to apply: Here
Questions: ivec.chair@gmail.com
RETROSPECTIVE CONFERENCE TRAVEL GRANT
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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Attending a veterinary conference in a respective field of interest is a great opportunity for students to network and learn about the activities of professional veterinary organizations. Conferences also offer a variety of wet labs and CE sessions for students to expand their knowledge in their field. However, traveling to conferences can be a large financial burden to veterinary students. This is why the Education and Professional Development Committee is offering a Retrospective Travel Grant to offset costs to students who have attended a veterinary conference between August 1st, 2023 to July 31st, 2024! Six awards will be given at $300 each and are available to any SAVMA member. We look forward to your applications!
Amount: 6 grants of $300
Deadline: October 31st, 2024
Link to apply: Here.
Questions: ivec.epdc@gmail.com
EXTERNSHIP GRANT FALL 2024
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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SAVMA's Education and Professional Development Committee is offering a retrospective externship grant open to SAVMA members partaking in off-campus externships completed between the dates of May 1st, 2024 - November 1st, 2024.
Externships are an extremely important aspect of a veterinary student's learning experience. In addition to providing opportunities for students to see medicine at work outside of their veterinary schools, externships also help students build their skill sets from clinician's in different areas across the country. -
If selected, you will be required to provide DETAILED expenses and receipts that include travel, housing, food, etc.
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**Note: If you have previously been awarded the externship grant, you cannot be considered again. Please keep in mind that this is a need-based grant.
Amount: 16 grants of $300
Deadline: November 10th, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
Link to apply: Here.
Questions: ivec.epdc@gmail.com
ONE HEALTH GRAND CHALLENGE
GLOBAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER
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What is the One Health Grand Challenge?
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The One Health Grand Challenge is an opportunity for students to develop a meaningful and sustainable One Health project at their university, in their community, or elsewhere. This competition is meant to challenge students to incorporate education about as many domains of One Health as possible to reach a large audience. We also encourage working with other fields outside of veterinary medicine, as collaboration across fields is core of One Health. This grant is NOT to fund individuals or travel expenses.
Two $1700 grants will be awarded and Winners' events will be highlighted in The Vet Gazette, SAVMA News, and SAVMA socials
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What projects are eligible?
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The project must be organized in part by a SAVMA student in good standing. Projects will be judged based on originality, quality, depth, concept clarity, and justification of how the work advances the mission of One Health. We will also be considering the reproducibility of the project in the future.
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Click here to view a copy of the grading rubric
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Click here for some project theme ideas
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TO APPLY: CLICK HERE
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The One Health Grand Challenge application is due December 1st, 2024.
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Applications can be for events that are retrospective (have already taken place in 2024) or prospective (will occur in the 2024-2025 academic year).
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Supporting materials (pictures, brochures, pamphlets, presentations, etc.) are due to savmagpho@gmail.com with the subject line "OH Grand Challenge Supporting Material." Please indicate your name, school, and event/project title within the email.
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All applications will also need to include an itemized budget. We highly encourage applicants to seek out and apply for all the funding they can, as we hope projects will be on a large scale and reach a wide audience!
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We look forward to your applications!
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For more information, please contact Hannah Burrows and Alexa Wing via email at savmagpho@gmail.com
TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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The SAVMA Education and Professional Development Committee is offering an award to recognize outstanding teachers in our profession who deserve to be recognized for their impact on veterinary students. The SAVMA chapter that is associated with the submission will receive a stipend to host an awards ceremony to honor the teacher that is chosen. To encourage well written nominations, a $300 award will be given to the student author of the winning entry. You will receive notice of the grant in the spring of 2025 from savma.epdc@gmail.com
Deadline: All nominations must be received by 5:00 PM on December 1st, 2024.
Link to apply: Apply here starting September 1st!
Questions: ivec.epdc@gmail.com
QUIZZES AND COMPETITIONS
SEPTEMBER 2024 LEGISLATIVE QUIZ AND UPDATE: READ ABOUT MINNESOTA CREATING TITLE PROTECTION, LICENSURE PATHWAY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS. THEN, ANSWER FOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN $50!
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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Quiz: Read a short summary and answer four questions to be placed in a drawing for $25!
Click here for the quiz!
RESOURCES
Public Health Rotations
Global Public Health Officer
Below is a current list of veterinary schools that offer public health rotations to their students. If public health interests you and you want to learn more, please contact the listed schools.
VetLit: A Free Academic Resource for Veterinary Education
Education and Professional Development Committee
VetLit.org is a free resource that keeps all recent veterinary literature in one place. It automatically updates with recent publications from over 50 journals (for example the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP), the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM), the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (JVECC)...) and is organized by specialty including ECC, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dentistry, Pathology etc...Checking in every few weeks is a great way of seeing what is new and relevant.
Questions: savma.epdc@gmail.com or kfrett0717@tuskegee.edu
Spanish for VetMed
Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
Please join us as SAVMA hosts our second Spanish for VetMed event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! This interactive event will take place via Zoom. We will learn common terms and phrases in Spanish, which will also include terms specific to veterinary medicine.
What: Spanish for VetMed
When: Thursday, October 3rd at 7:00 pm EST
Where: Zoom Link
Why: To develop basic Spanish communication skills and practice cultural sensitivity
Miscellaneous Business
Vet school is tough- don’t forget to take care of yourself! Check out AVMA Axon which offers free courses designed to help students build good habits around work/life balance and other topics!
American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) provides disaster relief in times of need.
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Learn more (here)!
Externship Locator, Wellbeing assessment survey, financial planning webinars, and MORE can be found here!
Click the bird for details to apply...
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE IS REQUIRED 3RD AND 4TH YEAR!!!
Did you know that your SAVMA membership allows you to register for professional liability coverage provided complementary by the AVMA Trust? This coverage can help to protect you in the event of a medical error or an allegation of malpractice. It is easy to sign up and once you have signed up, coverage will continue beyond graduation until you get your veterinary license or December 31 of your graduation year (whichever comes first) as long as you are a SAVMA member!
Maintain SAVMA membership by...
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Paying dues (already covered in your student fees! So, pay your tuition!)
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Staying in "good standing." How do you be in good standing?...
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Go to at least 75% of "MANDATORY SAVMA MEETINGS"
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Complete your committee points every year!
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Step 1: Find your committee and chair person
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Step 2: Know the tasks that are available for your committee
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Step 3: Get points for completing your committee tasks!
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Click on the cat cactus to see if you are in good standing
You may not know where you'll be for 3rd and 4th years, but you know you will be covered if you stay in good standing!
3rd and 4th years!
Professional Liability Insurance through AVMA Trust Apply (here)
The Chapter Bylaws
The Chapter bylaws are our rules and guidelines for how we function as an organization. Just like the US Constitution, it should be a "living document" that changes and improves from time to time and should reflects the needs of the people-- in our case, it is our students. If there is something that doesn't work or can be done better, reach out to the legislative committee and submit a proposal!
Any proposal to change (amend) the bylaws will have to be voted on by all members of our chapters-- that includes you! Your voice is important in shaping our chapter and our profession.