Veterinarian Frederick Douglass Patterson and the Tuskegee Airmen

Posted Veterans Day, November 11, 2011

by Dr. Donald F. Smith, Cornell University

This historical blog is in recognition of the 150th anniversary 
of the American Veterinary Medical Association (1863-2013).

Did you know that the Tuskegee Airmen program was established by a veterinarian? 

I didn’t until last May, when I interviewed Dr. Charles Robinson, the only African-American veterinary student to attend Cornell during the 1940s.

Charles R. Robinson, DVM (Cornell 1944)
and his wife, Yolanda. Picture by author, 2010

Robinson imbued me with a sense of wonder of the great accomplishments of his former boss, Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson, who served as the third president of Tuskegee Institute (now University).

Frederick Douglass Patterson, DVM, MS, PhD
founder of the Tuskegee Airmen
President of Tuskegee Institute (now University)

Frederick Douglass Patterson (1901-1988) was raised an orphan by his sister who inspired him to get an education. And he did: a DVM and MS from Iowa State University, and a PhD from Cornell. Appointed president of Tuskegee in 1934, he founded the veterinary college (1945) and was the driving force in establishing the United Negro College Fund (1944).

Earlier in his presidency, however, he learned to fly. So committed was he to also providing that opportunity to other young African-Americans, he overcame the political and social impediments of the day―the military was strictly segregated at the time―and won a federal grant to establish a training site to teach young Black men to fly military planes. This gave birth to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of the World War II U.S. Army Corps.

Nearly half of the Tuskegee Airmen served overseas as combat pilots during World War II. Historical records boast that they were so accomplished pilots that their 1,500 missions were completed with a single lost to enemy planes. The success of the Tuskegee Airmen program is also credited with hastening the eventual desegregation of the U.S. armed forces.

Congressional Medal of Honor

The next time you think about the Tuskegee Airmen, give credit to the Iowa State- and Cornell-educated veterinarian, Frederick Douglass Patterson, who had the fortitude and foresight to defy enormous odds and establish one of the most decorated group of pilots of WWII.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.

War Horse: Veterinarians Supporting Animal Health in Wartime

Blog by Donald F. Smith, DVM, Cornell University

Posted November 8, 2011, in honor of Veterans Day

Animal lovers are captivated by the elegant puppetry of the Tony award-winning play, War Horse. The turning of the horses’ ears, the movements of their heads and muzzles, the expressiveness of their eyes all lend pure magic to an otherwise serious drama.

Albert is a young British boy who becomes separated from his horse, Joey, when British troops need horses on the fighting fields of France during World War I. Joey is caught in German fire and becomes entangled in barbed wire deliberately set to ensnare the horses. Captured by the enemy, Joey then serves for the German army until he finally ends up in no-man’s land where Albert (now a youthful soldier) is reunited with his injured friend.

Up to six million horses were used in World War I. They carried munitions and pulled heavy artillery and wagons, and conveyed men and supplies. The loss of life from combat injuries was horrendous, but millions more succumbed to disease and starvation. As in the American Civil War, where it is estimated that one million horses and mules died, the tactical value of a horse was sometime considered greater than that of a soldier.

Just as physicians were critical to the health of soldiers, veterinarians were deployed in the war effort to care for horses and other animals. Also like their human medical counterparts, there were veterinarians on both sides of the conflict. This becomes evident in War Horse when the injured Joey is attended to by both English and German veterinarians.

World War I was the last major international conflict in which horses were considered essential to all aspects of the war effort. By the Second World War, horses had been largely replaced by armored vehicles, airplanes and other motorized equipment.

There was at least one major exception, however, and that was the China-Burma-India campaign where both Allied and Japanese forces used mules (U.S.) and horses (Japan) to traverse the almost impenetrable jungles and mountains of Burma.

U.S. veterinarian Dr. Kenneth Gumaer attends to a pack mule
on the trail in Burma, 1944. Photo provided by Dr. Gumaer.
Dr. Gumaer died in 2008 at age 88.

The commitment of both American and Japanese army veterinarians to the health of horses and mules who served in the Burma theater (1941-44) became evident in my interviews with veterinarians from both sides. American veterinarian Kenneth Gumaer spoke of his role in transporting 267 mules in the hold of a ship that left New Orleans in December 1943, was torpedoed off the coast of Florida and endured such heavy seas in the transatlantic crossing that many mules developed massive hematomas. “We only lost one mule in the entire 87-day crossing”, he proudly reported.

Japanese veterinarian Dr. Takehiko Takahashi describes his role in
transporting horses from China to Burma during WWII.
Dr. Takahashi died in 2011 at age 94.
Photo by author, 2010.

Japanese veterinarian, Dr. Takehiko Takahashi, encountered different challenges with his load of horses that left China in 1941. Despite his protests, the ship left port before the horses could be vaccinated, and he recalls another boat chasing them down and hoisting the life-saving anti-Strangles serum onto the deck where he vaccinated the horses in transit. To prevent the animals from succumbing to the sweltering heat and humidity of the ship’s hold as they coursed through the South China Sea, Dr. Takahashi fashioned a series of hoists to periodically raise the horses onto the deck for ventilation and exercise.

Both Drs. Gumaer and Takahashi related the unimaginable horror on the mountainous trails and jungle passages in Burma. Starvation and parasites took huge tolls on the lives of both man and beast. Animals carrying heavy packs sometimes lost their footing on the narrow mountain trails and fell to their death. Many Japanese horses were killed by low level strafing of British aircraft.

By the time the victorious American forces captured the key airfield of Myitkyina from the Japanese in spring 1944, only one-third of the thousands of mules had survived. All of the Japanese horses died.

War Horse is a cogent reminder that the military exploits of warring nations exact an enormous toll on animal life and that the veterinary care for all military animals―it is more likely to be dogs now than horses―is as essential today as it was during conflicts of previous decades.

On Veterans Day, pause to remember the animals that are casualties of mankind's wars. And as the Holiday season approaches, consider seeing the spectacular show, War Horse. It plays at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu

Dr. Elaine Watson named dean of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Posted October 26, 2011 by Donald F. Smith, Cornell University

Ross University’s veterinary school on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean is having a banner year. In March, they became accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and yesterday they announced the hiring of Dr. Elaine Watson as their next dean.

An internationally-recognized scholar in veterinary reproduction and seasoned administrator―she has served as dean of the veterinary school at the University of Edinburgh since 2003― Dr. Watson will bring experience in international veterinary medicine to a program that has until now been largely U.S. focused. She succeeds Dean David DeYoung.

The veterinary program at Ross University is one of three medical schools in the region owned by DeVry, Inc., the other two being Ross University School of Medicine and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.

Ross admits three classes of veterinary students each year and graduates approximately 420 students per year (most veterinary colleges on the mainland graduate 80-140 students per year). Because they do not have a comprehensive teaching hospital, Ross students complete their clinical training in an accredited veterinary college in the U.S.

Most Ross students are American citizens, and return to the United States to practice clinical medicine. Over 60% locate in just eight states, either in the northeast (11% of their graduates are in New York State), or in Florida, California, Illinois and Ohio.

Ross University rides the crest of a “back to the future” wave in veterinary education. During the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, a substantial proportion of veterinarians graduated from private, for-profit veterinary programs. These schools all disappeared by the late 1920s but a similar model for professional education has again emerged with Ross being the largest and best known.

Historically, the most successful of the early proprietary veterinary schools was the Ontario Veterinary College, founded in 1862. American students flocked to Toronto to receive a veterinary degree from the Edinburgh-educated Andrew Smith. Over a century later, another Edinburgh icon, Elaine Watson, has assumed leadership of the largest and most successful private veterinary school serving U.S. students.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu

Dr. Mitch Kornet and A Tradition of Mentoring

Guest Blog by Michelle Pesce, Cornell DVM Class of 2012
Posted October 21, 2011

Careers for Veterinarians Series

When Mitchell Kornet took his 89-cent hamster for a six-dollar veterinary appointment in 1968, he was making an investment in a good deal more than the rodent’s well-being. Dr. Albert Drolesky’s kind attention that evening was what first led 13-year-old Mitch to direct his aptitude for science towards veterinary medicine.

The 1979 graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine considers himself fortunate to have had a series of mentors throughout his education and early career. Their guidance helped him establish a successful small animal practice with loyal clientele, as well as a deep-rooted sense of benevolence towards students pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Mitch Kornet CVM (Cornell '79) examining
his own dog, Ferrous, at the Mid Island Animal Hospital.

As the first of his family to attend college, Mitch was apprehensive about attending Cornell as an undergraduate. After finding his footing academically in his freshman year, he sought experience in the large animal clinic as a sophomore. Dr. Lawrence Kramer, who had recently been appointed as head of the clinic, offered Mitch a job in the pharmacy dispensary and took a special interest in his development as a prospective veterinary student.

Following his first year of veterinary college, Mitch returned to the practice he had visited years before with his hamster. The new practice owner, Dr. Richard Lange, helped Mitch understand the workup on cases and also shared with him how much fun one can have being a veterinarian.

Dr. Kornet had been among the youngest students in his graduating class, and his youth was recognized by clients when he took ownership of Mid Island Animal Hospital in Hicksville, NY in 1983 at age 28.

“I received a hostile call from a client one afternoon… she proceeded to give me a list of demands that included which employees to retain and hours that I should be open. I listened carefully and was very polite. Then Mrs. Weber said, ‘and one more thing young man…..’ That didn’t sound right to me and I had to take control of the conversation – quickly. So without thinking, I said, ‘That’s enough Mrs. Weber, from now on when you address me, you will call me Dr. Young Man.’”

Mrs. Weber hung up on “Dr. Young Man” that day, but did eventually return to the practice. Mid Island Animal Hospital evolved into a busy American Animal Hospital Association-accredited small animal practice as hours were extended, emergency appointments were invited, and the employee base expanded.

In 1998, Dr. Kornet began volunteering as a member of the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association’s Disaster Preparedness Plan. A far cry from anyone's expectations, the plan was put into action following September 11th, 2001.

Mid Island Animal Hospital, Hicksville, N.Y.

In the ensuing two months, Dr. Kornet assembled teams of veterinarians and technicians who worked 12-hour shifts around the clock at veterinary triage site for search and rescue dogs. For his efforts, Dr. Kornet was honored as Long Island’s Veterinarian of the Year.

As a student in Dean Smith‘s “Versatile Profession” course in February 2010, I took great interest in his reference to Dr. Mitch Kornet, and wondered if his practice would merit a visit. I mailed him a letter and a copy of my résumé, and what followed was one of the most worthwhile summer jobs I’ve ever had, redefining my concept of a model small animal practice.

At Mid Island Animal Hospital, the greatest care and attention is provided to every patient, whether routine or unusual, and the legacy of mentorship that had  begun many years earlier was passed onto my generation of veterinary students, as well as aspiring animal health technicians.  

As Dr. Kornet reminded me: “What’s remarkable to me is that no matter what generation we are in, we are all the same. Veterinarians want to learn, do well, and be good doctors for the sake of our patients. We love animals, and we have unending energy to make the lives of our patients better. And because of the broad scope of our training we are capable of doing some extraordinary things.”

Author Michelle Pesce, Cornell's DVM Class of 2012, and Dr. Mitch Kornet '79

Michelle grew up in Massapequa, N.Y. on the southern shore of Long Island.

The First Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in the U.S.

By Donald F. Smith, Cornell University
Posted October 7, 2011.

Everyone has to start at the beginning, even if that person is destined to become one of the most famous veterinarians in history. On this date, October 7, 143 years ago, Daniel Salmon began his veterinary studies when Cornell University opened its doors for the first time. He would become the nation's first D.V.M. graduate.(1)

Celebrating what came to be known as the university's Inauguration Day, founder Ezra Cornell said, “I hope we have laid the foundation of an institution which shall combine practical with liberal education …. [and] which shall prove beneficial to the poor young men and poor young women of our country.” Wisely, Ezra Cornell also insisted that veterinary medicine be among the subjects to be taught from the very beginning of his new university.

Daniel Elmer Salmon
(Photo by Cornell University)

James Law, an eminent Scottish veterinarian had arrived in Ithaca only weeks earlier to become the nation’s first university professor of veterinary medicine. Though Professor Law had several students who became leaders in veterinary medicine and animal health research in the late 19^th century, none was more famous than Daniel Salmon.

When the Bureau of Animal Industry was established in 1894 to promote the health of livestock, and to establish a national standard for meat inspection, Daniel Salmon was chosen as its first director. He is also attributed with the discovery of the bacterial organism that bears his name, Salmonella.

The students who started their veterinary education at Cornell in August of this year have a special kinship with every new veterinary student who has entered this university since Daniel Salmon. Though they are now immersed in the challenging studies that are necessary in the making of a veterinarian, they can also look with pride at the man who started on a similar journey 143 years ago today.

(1) Salmon actually received his veterinary degree in 1872.  At that time, the degree was called the B.V.M. and he was the the second Cornell student to be so recognized.  Salmon then did postgraduate work in Europe and Cornell to qualify for the DVM degree in 1876.  In the modern era, that additional work would roughly quality for what we now designate as the PhD. So, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Salmon received his equivalent of the DVM in 1872, and the modern equivalent of the PhD in 1876.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu

A Veterinary Student's Summer Experience with Mountain Gorillas in Africa

Guest Blog by Matt Marinkovich, Cornell Class of 2014

Posted September 27, 2011

I sometimes tell veterinary students that the most important course they will take in their first year is not at their college, but what they decide to do during the summer. Especially in today's competitive job  environment, students have an invaluable opportunity to experience the real world and learn from people whose life stories may open up new prospects for career opportunities. Matt Marinkovich spent summer 2011 pursuing his career goal in conservation medicine in Africa. This is his story.        
Donald F. Smith

With a desire to see what role veterinary medicine plays in modern-day conservation, I traveled to East Africa and spent seven weeks with the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP). For 25 years, this program has sought to protect the world’s remaining 750 mountain gorillas that live in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mountain gorillas are currently the only great ape with increasing population numbers, and their success is owed in large part to the work of the MGVP. Veterinarians with the MGVP understand that sustainable conservation will only be effective if they work closely with people in the communities that surround the gorilla habitat. Monitoring disease outbreaks, caring for orphan gorillas, and removing poachers’ snares require the support of the indigenous populations because the efforts of the MGVP do not end at the boundaries of the national parks where the apes live. By adopting a “One Health” approach, they have also launched programs that address human health and livestock herds as well as protection for the great apes.

I learned many lessons this summer, but one stands out: conservation is about communities.  Conservation in the developing world has often failed in the past because it did not incorporate members of the local community in efforts that can only be sustainable by their commitment and long term practices. The people in the local communities surrounding the national parks now realize that the only mountain gorillas alive today are in their own backyard. They recognize that their national parks have a resource that is unique in the world and they now stand with the MGVP to counter poaching, and to support the disease surveillance and treatment work of the veterinary staff.

During the summer, I witnessed the bravery of the conservationists and rangers working in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over 140 rangers have lost their lives since 1996, protecting the broad biodiversity and pristine habitats of Virungas. When one Congolese conservationist was asked how he is able to work in these conflict-ridden areas, he replied simply, “When I am in rebel territory, I am a rebel, and when I am on government lands, I stand with them.”  Being around these men and women, who are nothing short of heroes, was humbling and a true inspiration.

In early June, I attended the “Gorillas Across Africa” inaugural conference in Uganda that brought together 40 researchers, conservationists, and veterinarians who work to protect the various gorilla species and subspecies throughout Africa.  I was struck by the incredible diversity of nations represented.  These passionate conservationists from all over Africa came together for the collective purpose of protecting vital gorilla habitats in their countries and beyond.



Some of attendees at the "Gorillas Across Africa" conference in Uganda.
Matt Marinkovich is second from left in back row.  (Photo @ Martha Robbins)

Though there were representatives from many of the large international conservation organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society, Max Planck Institute, and San Diego Zoological Society, 75% of the attendees were Africans. This testifies to the critical role that indigenous communities play in effective conservation. The phrase “capacity building” is popular in conservation literature, and the idea encourages organizations to develop skills within the local communities so that the work can be handed over to them when the time is right.  It was amazing to see the theory of “capacity building” not only in action, but bearing incredible fruit in conservation across Africa. For example, of the 13 veterinarians in the MGVP, only one expatriate is on the ground full time -- the other veterinarians are all African.

Dr. Jan Ramer is MGVP’s Regional Veterinary Manager and is ultimately in charge of the health of all mountain gorillas alive today. She works tirelessly with a group of highly skilled great ape veterinarians in each of the three countries where the mountain gorillas live, ensuring that this species has the optimal opportunity to flourish.  

Matt Marinkovich examining an anesthetized gorilla.

The summer experience left me optimistic about the state of conservation for the mountain gorillas, and for African wildlife in general. Continuing challenges remain, but having witnessed the passionate work of sustainable organizations on the ground, especially MGVP, I am very hopeful for the future of conservation in the developing world.

The experience has helped to show me what it is like to be a veterinarian on the front lines of species conservation, and it has fueled my passion for the field of conservation medicine even more.  My dream to pursue a career in this field is now reinforced by a realistic and practical understanding of the challenges in modern-day conservation.  I hope someday to have the chance to work face-to-face with these incredible gorillas once again.

I acknowledge and extend my gratitude to the Expanding Horizons Program at the Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine for the generous financial grant that made this trip possible.  (Photos above by author, except group picture provided by Martha Robbins).  Matt Marinkovich.

Applying to Veterinary College: Your Essay or Personal Statement

By Donald F. Smith, DVM, Cornell University

Posted September 11, 2011

The deadline for veterinary college applications for the Class of 2016 is fast approaching. In a previous blog, I addressed some key features of recommendation letters from veterinarians and others whom you have asked to support your application. 

http://veterinarylegacy.blogspot.com/2011/04/letters-of-recommendation-for.html 

I now turn to your essay, that important personal statement that becomes the central point for evaluators as they ascertain your understanding of the breadth and scope of veterinary medicine, and your ability and commitment to become a contributing member of the profession.

As you review the various drafts of your essay and make final changes before the VMCAS deadline, consider the following

• How well have you convinced the faculty reviewing your folder that you have a broad perspective on contemporary veterinary medicine?
• If you have a specific interest in one species or group of species (like cats, horses, wildlife), or in one professional field (like public health, surgery, biomedical research), have you provided a compelling argument that you are flexible to learn about other academic or clinical interests?
• Did you provide an overview of your life experiences leading to your current interest in becoming a veterinarian? Did you articulate an interest in, and aptitude for, science as well as a love and respect for animals?
• Have you described your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and with varying personalities both within and outside the profession?
• Avoid using the current buzz words or phrases such as zoonotic disease, human-animal bond, environmental sustainability, or one health unless you can provide a compelling reason why these are important to you as you pursue veterinary medicine.

Your essay should describe you accurately, without hyperbole. Make sure it is clear, concise, and free of errors.

Best wishes as you submit your final application and as you await those calls, letters and e-mails in a few months.

Dr. Smith welcomes comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.

Strategies for Success for New Veterinary Students

Donald F. Smith and Jennifer K. Morrissey '13 (Cornell University)

Posted August 9, 2011.

When the members of the Veterinary Classes of 2015 arrive on campus during August, they should be aware that they could be facing a challenging market climate for jobs when they graduate in four years. Because of the continuing national economic slowdown, some veterinary practices have been reticent to take on new graduates to replace retiring veterinarians, and are even more hesitant to expand their staff.

But that is only part of the picture. The number of DVMs entering the market is also increasing as most colleges are expanding their class size and more veterinarians from newly-accredited foreign schools compete for slots traditionally held by graduates of the U.S. colleges. Based upon projected enrollment estimates for fall 2011, the number of students starting their DVM education this year is about 2,950, almost 25% higher than a decade ago. More than 300 additional students are enrolling in the Caribbean schools, and most will return to the U.S. to practice.

What advice do we have for veterinary students in this challenging climate?

Keep an eye on the profession as you learn how to become a veterinarian. Don’t become so immersed in your classes that you lose track of the major market forces affecting the veterinary profession. Have two sets of mentors: the faculty who teach you AND those mentors outside academia who piqued your interest in becoming a veterinarian. It is always best to be aware of both the academic and the clinical sides of the issue, and the differing opinions you hear may help you plan your future.

One of the best web sites on the latest issues affecting the profession is http://www.dvm360.com/. The AVMA’s website is also a great source of information at http://www.avma.org/. If you have a particular species of interest, joining the correlating club at your veterinary college can be very informative—often your membership includes subscriptions to helpful industry-related magazines and websites.

Use your summers wisely. The most important learning experience for first- and second-year students is often what they do during the summers. Start now to plan your summer of 2012. Use it to establish contacts, learn new skills including business management, discern the emerging trends in the profession, and if possible, earn money. Avoid the easy and comfortable job, venture into new territories to expand your vision of the profession. Instead of taking a routine job at your college, start looking this fall into the possibility for jobs in good private practices, in corporate veterinary medicine, in public health agencies, or at other veterinary colleges. Peruse your state Veterinary Medical Association’s web site, and also the AVMA’s veterinary career center.

Establish connections. Being successful requires not only professional competence but also making connections and marketing yourself in a proactive, sincere and honest manner. Take advantage of student trips to industry-related conferences and be sure to make your presence known when you attend—scout out different lecturers, introduce yourself to private practitioners, and visit the info booths where clinics may present information about externships or internships.

Help at your college’s reunions or tours so that you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to alumni and visitors. Subscribe and check websites that allow you to network with veterinarians from different areas of the country. These individuals can act as mentors and advise you during your academic career. If a guest practitioner or resident teaches a class or lab in which you have a particular interest, introduce yourself and ask them how they got to where they are today. And if you create a bond with a practitioner or mentor, be sure to send them a thank you note and stay in touch with them.

Be frugal and don’t put off thinking about your accruing educational debt. For the 90% of students who take out loans to finance their veterinary education, the tendency is often to put off thinking about the realities of pay back until closer to graduation:  the number can be so large that it begins to feel ‘unreal’. However, the better you understand the specifics of your debt as you proceed through your four years of education, the more likely you will be frugal because you know the future compounding impact of a dollar saved today on specialty coffee, or a dollar earned through a part-time job.

Enjoy the ride. Despite the realities described above, keep things in perspective. You are embarking on an educational dream of your lifetime and you are on track to fulfill these dreams. Just keep your eyes open to the greater world of veterinary medicine, as you work hard to master the academic courses and professional skills needed to earn your DVM. 

Dr. Smith and Ms. Morrissey invite comments at dfs6@cornell.edu and jkmorrissey@gmail.com, respectively.