RESIDENCY IN SMALL ANIMAL CLINICAL NUTRITION
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
There will be no residency program for 2010-2013
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
The Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency Program is a 2-year program designed to provide advanced clinical training in nutrition leading to ACVN board-certification and involves training in all aspects of small animal nutrition including nutritional management of healthy animals and patients with various medical and surgical conditions, diet formulation, and nutritional support of hospitalized patients. Training will occur at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital off the University of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, PA.
The residency focus is on dogs and cats although there are opportunities to interact with the hospital’s busy Special Species service. Residents will participate in the M. J. Ryan VHUP Nutrition Support Service which provides nutrition consultation for inpatients and outpatients. Referral nutrition appointments and consultations for referring veterinarians also are provided. Residents will manage their own patients in consultation with faculty, including many board certified specialists, and assist with supervision and teaching of interns and veterinary students. Residents are given approximately 30% of the time for independent academic pursuits and specialty board preparation.
First and second year residents spend a minimum of 7 and 6 months respectively on the nutrition support service. The residents can choose to spend up to 2 months in the first year and 1 month in the second year rotating amongst specialties such as internal medicine, critical care, and interventional radiology. Specialty rotations may be expanded to include other areas, depending on the resident’s interest. There are 2 months each year devoted to research and manuscript preparation. In addition, residents have 1.5 months allotted for preparation of credentials and in the second year, 1.5 months to study in preparation for the ACVN examination. Residents interact with one ACVN diplomate and have access to two other diplomates who are based at the New Bolton Center campus. The program is also supported by an experienced nutrition support CVT.
Residents participate in Nutrition Support Service rounds (daily), rounds with other clinical services as appropriate, grand rounds, resident seminars, journal club, board review sessions, and, occasionally, rounds and lectures at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Funds are provided for travel to the ACVIM forum or another appropriate conference both years.
Residents will be expected to actively participate in clinical training of 4th year veterinary students. Residents also will be encouraged to prepare at least one didactic lecture for one of the veterinary nutrition courses. Residents will be expected to develop and conduct a research project, with the assistance of their mentor, and to analyze and publish the results. A departmental grand rounds presentation will be required in the second year of the program.
Application for a residency should include an academic record from veterinary school, a letter of intent stating specific academic interests and goals, a curriculum vitae/resume, and three letters of recommendation completed by faculty members or clinical specialists who are acquainted with the applicant’s clinical skills during internship training. One year’s clinical experience or a rotating internship is required for this residency and an internship is strongly recommended. While an interview is not required, it is encouraged in order to familiarize applicants with the program. Alternatively, applicants may arrange a telephone interview.
There is no licensure requirement. Health and professional liability insurance and two weeks of vacation per year are provided. The University of Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
For additional information on the Section of Nutrition
All applicants must also register and complete all application materials from the Internship & Residency Match Program web site: www.virmp.org
For further information about this specific program or to arrange an interview, please contact Ms. Maureen Hermsen at 215-898-2239 or hermson@vet.upenn.edu