Lab News by DHZ

Dr. Brodersen Retires from the University of Nebraska 

MSU VDL welcomes inaugural Diagnostic and Client Services Veterinarian (DCSV) 

On January 17, 2023, Dr. Rachel Whitesell, DVM joined the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as the Lab’s inaugural diagnostic and client services veterinarian.

 Change of the Methods used for Endocrine Essays

President Shuping Zhang is pleased to announce that at the June AAVLD Executive Board meeting, the Directors approved the transition of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force to an AAVLD Special Committee of the same name.  The DEI Task Force was appointed by then President Deep Tewari in 2020.  The task force successfully launched efforts to ensure AAVLD fosters a diverse and inclusive environment.  Led by Cochairs Cat Barr and Amar Patil, the Task Force crafted an AAVLD DEI policy (see below), following a survey and input from the general membership.  Members may have noticed announcements drawing their attention to thought-provoking programs including PBS NOVA’s ‘Picture a Scientist’ and the Davis & Thompson Foundation’s Voices in Pathology series discussion, ‘Asian Voices’. In addition, the business pages of the JVDI will soon contain statements regarding DEI related policies.  Ongoing efforts continue and the transition from Task Force to Special Committee ensures these efforts will continue from year to year. 

Aggie Veterinary Labs Distributing 2,000 COVID-19 Sampling Kits

The FDA-compliant swab kits will be donated to hospitals across the state.

By Texas A&M University System APRIL 2, 2020

Cornell veterinarians donate equipment in COVID-19 relief effort

ITHACA -With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increasing throughout the state, Cornell veterinarians have been donating equipment in the COVID-19 relief effort.

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine donated the following equipment in Ithaca:

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene works with campus partners to test for COVID-19

April 9, 2020 By Eric Hamilton For news media 

Oregon State University offers big helping hand for COVID-19 testing

by Kelsey Christensen and KVAL.com Staff 

Tuesday, April 7th 2020

USDA Statement on the Confirmation of COVID-19 in a Tiger in New York

Last Modified: Apr 6, 2020

Contact:
[email protected]

AAVLD Labs Engaged with Coronavirus Pandemic Response

By DH Zeman

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its march across the USA, several AAVLD animal health laboratories have been engaged in a variety of ways in the battle to manage this outbreak. These are unprecedented times, and therefore unprecedented opportunities to serve have been presented to the diagnostic scientists and leaders in our animal health laboratories.  The stories we are hearing include supplying diagnostic supplies, equipment and viral transport media to public health laboratories, performing tests on animals in high risk situations such as companion pets in nursing homes, and performing testing on human specimens via special authorization by state and federal officials.  AAVLD leaders are not surprised by the capabilities, commitment and dedication to these efforts by our members… we have seen it before applied to devastating animal health outbreaks.  Thank you veterinary laboratory diagnosticians for stepping up and serving in such an outstanding fashion!  Some stories below tell more…excerpted with permission from a variety of original sources: 

WSU laboratory begins limited testing for COVID‑19 virus

April 1, 2020 

HEALTH & MEDICINE

ISU-UI collaboration accelerates testing of COVID-19 samples

Posted Mar 26, 2020 2:15 pm