News

University of Viriginia Students Visit RUSVM

01/20/11

Faculty and students from the University of Virginia met with Dr. DeYoung and Dr. Krecek as part of their "Disaster preparedness in the West Indies" study abroad program and visited the RUSVM campus. (Photograph courtesy of UVa)

Students from the University of Virginia (UVa) visited the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s campus on January 8th as a part of the UVa’s student study abroad program, “Disaster Preparedness in the West Indies.” Twenty-four students and four faculty members toured the campus. This is the third time the group has visited RUSVM.

David J. DeYoung, DVM, dean of RUSVM, and Tammi Krecek, PhD, associate dean of Research for RUSVM provided an overview of the campus and the University’s programs. DeYoung shared information about the veterinary school and emergency preparedness as it relates to the veterinary profession. Krecek discussed the current research program at RUSVM and the program’s contribution to understanding public health and epidemiology issues within the Caribbean region and St. Kitts.

While visiting St. Kitts the UVa team worked with EMTs, nurses and physicians at JNF Hospital in training for disaster preparedness. The training included a mass casualty incident drill. The drill involved hospital-wide personnel and pre-hospital response to the old Fort Thomas Hotel where there was a mock building collapse. The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), fire, police and the Ministry of Health also participated. Overall the mock-drill was a positive learning experience for the team.