A successful critical care symposium

Our first Directions in Veterinary Medicine (DIVM) symposium—held April 19 and 20, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia—featured 2 full days of educational content that focused on critical care and emergency medicine and surgery. Session topics included postoperative and pain management for visceral pain, surgical approaches to the hemoabdomen, diagnostic work-up of the refractory vomiting patient, and more.

A tortoise at the DIVM reptile reception.

Each day of the conference began with a mock emergency case followed by a workshop session in which attendees answered questions about the skit they just watched. The first day featured a case in which the patient was unable to rise. The second day featured a case of a refractory vomiting patient. On the first day, after the “patient”—a stuffed animal—was rushed to the hospital, initial vitals were taken by the DIVM faculty. Continuing with the evaluation of the patient, moderator Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), asked attendees what kinds of shock they thought the patient could be suffering from. From then on, the faculty members and attendees worked together to diagnosis and treat this emergency case.

“I think it’s just a great group of people. I always meet new people and I learn things just from talking to people and hearing other ways of doing things. It’s really fun. Feels like a little family. It’s just nice to get away from work and it’s just a great group,” said Justin Ganjei, DVM, DACVS-SA, faculty member at DIVM.

Our chief veterinary officier, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA holding a snake at the DIVM reptile reception.

On the first day, there was also an exhibitor welcome reception in which attendees were able to network with old friends and classmates and visit with exhibitors offering services and products that support clinicians. The reception, sponsored by Vets Choice Radiology and Veterinary Emergency Group, also featured a reptile petting experience operated by Jason Levinson & Co. Attendees were able to see and touch various types of reptiles including a bearded dragon, a tortoise, an alligator, and a snake.

If you missed the DIVM stop in Arlington, our next location in Miami, Florida, is just around the corner, May 19 and 20, 2023. This symposium will focus on veterinary pain management with session speakers from various backgrounds with specializations in surgery, rehabilitation, anesthesia, and more. Daily case studies are also part of this symposium’s agenda.

Additional coverage from the DIVM Arlington symposium and other dvm360 conferences and meetings can be viewed under our Conference tab. Interested in attending DIVM Miami or one of our other conferences? Be sure to register now.