5/9/02

AU VETERINARY STUDENTS CAPTURE AWARDS ON HEALTH ISSUES

AUBURN -- Two Auburn University veterinary students have captured national honors for projects that promote public health issues and awareness.

Sarah Stefaniak of Lexington, Ky., won first place, while Amanda Graveen of Water Valley, Ky., took third place in the 2001-02 Hill's Public Health Award competition sponsored by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Stefaniak, a second-year student in Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and Matthew Musulin of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine received first-place honors for their joint proposal entitled "Healthy Veterinarian 2010: A Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Veterinary Professionals."

The proposal promotes the health and safety of people at work through prevention and early intervention. It describes a continuing education program addressing occupational biological hazards, specifically zoonotic diseases, in the veterinary profession.

Graveen, a senior AU veterinary student, received third place for her proposal entitled "The Matchmaker." Its objective is to reduce hospital emergency visits by preventing dog bite injuries and includes educating the public about the impracticality of banning specific dog breeds. She suggests alternative methods, including proper pet selection and owner responsibility.

Dr. Charles Hendrix of the AU Department of Pathobiology served as the advisor on both projects.

The Hill's Public Health Award is aimed at stimulating interest in the public health aspects of veterinary medicine, encouraging creative thinking about preventive health care and developing the writing skills of veterinary students.

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may02:AU-vetstudents