Texas Tech names new professor of veterinary communications

Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo announced that Elpida Artemiou, BSc, MSc, PhD, AFAMEE, will serve as a professor of veterinary communications. In this role, she will expand the veterinary clinical communication program into a center of excellence.

Dr Elpida Artemiou, new professor of veterinary communications (Photo courtesy of Texas Tech).

“I am humbled, honored, and super thrilled to join Texas Tech and meet all students and colleagues and, of course, the Masked Rider,” Artemiou expressed, in a university release.¹ “Learning with passion and compassion are key attributes in engaging our students in experiential, student-centered, evidenced-based approaches that will meet required competencies and community needs,” she added. “I also am passionate about human-animal interactions and improving quality of life for both animals and humans.”

Artemiou stresses active teaching and will help students enhance their communication skills by working with actors to mimic client interactions. What’s more, she aims to develop and incorporate outcome assessments to evaluate students’ communication competence so they can progressively improve their skills.

“From the get-go, we were told by the veterinary profession to make sure we graduated veterinarians who can communicate with clients,” said Guy Loneragan, BVSc, PhD, dean of the school of veterinary medicine, in the release. “Elpida brings so much expertise in developing communication skills. She has a great team here at the school with which to work, and she will build on the solid foundation that our faculty has established. Our communication program will be second to none, and it will serve as a center of excellence benefiting our students and the state of Texas.”

Artemiou is also looking forward to engaging graduate students in clinical communication and veterinary education by growing Texas Tech’s outreach to the local community.

“I deeply care and value community service and giving back is close to my heart,” she said. “Joining the school of veterinary medicine offers an incredible opportunity to support both the people and animals of Amarillo, the Panhandle, Texas, and beyond.”

Artemiou earned her Bachelor of Science in 1995 and Master of Science in 1998 from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Sixteen years later, she achieved her doctorate in medical education with an emphasis on clinical communication from the Università Ambrosiana in Italy.¹

Before working at Texas Tech, Artemiou was the director of research and innovation in veterinary medical education and an associate professor of clinical communication at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies.

“Artemiou brings vast experience and a worldwide reputation in teaching veterinary communication and professionalism,” said John Dascanio, VMD, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. “She has conducted research, spoken at international conferences, and published in this area. She will elevate our graduates and our research program to new heights, all the while bringing a beautiful style of her own to supplement our community. I am extremely pleased she has joined our school and look forward to her many contributions.”

Reference

Brooks W. Communication and community: keywords for new vet school professor. News release. Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. April 13, 2023. Accessed April 13, 2023. https://today.ttu.edu/posts/2023/04/Stories/Communication-and-Community-Keywords-for-New-Vet-School-Professor