"Veterinary programs are need-driven continuing education programs. Georgia state law requires 30 education contact hours every two years, which opens the door for a lot of opportunity and a lot of competition," said R. Bruce Hollett, a joint staff member of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and the College of Veterinary Medicine and an associate professor and large animal clinician who directs the college's continuing education program. "No veterinarian can be an expert in every field, because of the wealth of information available," Hollett said. "We serve all veterinarians from the general practitioner who cares for many types of animals to specialists in exotics or orthopedic surgeons or dermatologists. We try to offer a variety of topics and in-depth seminars."
The veterinary programs draw on the resources of the Georgia Center in planning conferences and workshops in many ways. Currently, they work with the Department for Program and Conference Development to plan and facilitate programs. More and more, however, the Georgia Center will be a valuable resource in distance education, offering more immediate continuing education opportunities to practicing veterinarians in or close to their hometowns.
The college and the Georgia Center have the capability to conduct workshops and seminars by satellite, which offer working veterinarians convenience and immediacy.
"It's hard for practitioners to miss work. Also it's hard for them to make time for reading. We try to update the general practitioner's education--we want them to leave our programs with practical answers," said Hollett. "In addition, the field changes so fast. Universities should be on the cutting edge. Practitioners count on us to provide them with the latest information on equipment, techniques, and drug usage."
Hollett said that Veterinary Medicine also uses the services of the Georgia Center for food service, graphic design and production, and registration. "Few campuses have access to a facility like the Georgia Center," Hollett said, adding that other veterinary colleges may go off campus for lodging and conference needs.
"Our alumni prefer Masters Hall (one of the Center's auditoriums)," said Hollett, because the room is arranged in such a way that it reminds them of their college's lecture halls, and it is a comfortable learning environment. The on-site programs at the Center and at the college also offer the alumni a chance to be back in Athens. "They come here on weekends for programs, and I think they really enjoy being here--talking to former professors, seeing the new equipment, and being on campus."
The annual alumni weekend attracts 350-400 veterinary specialists each year. "Our goal is to let the alumni know that we appreciate them. We want them to like coming back home," Hollett said, adding that the college prides itself on offering excellence and quality in customer service, by taking "the personal approach with our alumni."
Hollett himself graduated from UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972, and returned in 1989 after several years in a private horse practice. "I wanted more interaction with colleagues. I like to be of service. 'Quality service with a personal touch,' I guess that's my motto."
"Our students spend a lot of time in front of the computer because cds and laser discs allow them to look at anatomy, pathology, and surgery at their own time, at their own pace. The seminars featured ways to present students vast amounts of information in a user-friendly format. There are continuing education programs and reference books on cd/disc available to practicing veterinarians."
For more information about the continuing education program of the College of Veterinary Medicine, contact R. Bruce Hollett, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7371, 706-542-1451, FAX: 706-542-8254, e-mail: hollett.b@calc.vet.uga.edu