We DO talk about Bruno (and Clifford and Wininger)

The Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference® (ACVC) is headed to Atlantic City, New Jersey, October 10 to October 12, 2022. Keynote speakers include Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology); Niccole Bruno, DVM; and Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology). Here is a preview of what is to come at each of their keynote sessions, plus more about the speakers themselves.

Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

Clifford kicks off the conference Monday, October 10, 2022, with his keynote presentation, “Recent Advancements in Oncology in 2022.” Clifford is a graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received an MS in animal science/virology from the University of Delaware. After completing an internship and a medical oncology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology) in 2003. He is a medical oncologist and director of clinical studies at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

In his presentation, Clifford will update attendees on the latest in oncology and the strides that have been made in treatments and therapies for patients. He will examine ImpriMed’s novel chemotherapy sensitivity assay and its use of artificial intelligence to aid in assessing a patient’s response to CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxo-rubicin, vincristine, prednisone). He also will discuss a new conditionally approved drug for canine lymphoma, and touch upon the use of liquid biopsy to help diagnose cancer early to improve survival for patients with cancer.

Niccole Bruno, DVM

Bruno, CEO and founder of BLEND, a veterinary hospital certification program in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), became interested in veterinary medicine at age 12. Despite growing up in the melting pot of Queens, New York, the inability to obtain mentorship from a minority veterinarian within her population was a daunting reality for this Afro-Latina. Bruno earned her BS in animal science from Tuskegee University, graduating magna cum laude in 2002.

In her keynote address, Bruno will discuss...Bruno! The title of her session, “We Do Talk About Bruno! The Encanto of Veterinary Medicine,” refers to the 2021 Disney animated film Encanto, which tells the story of a family with ancestral magic and is set in Colombia. The Encanto character mentioned in the title of her address, Bruno, is estranged from his family and never spoken about after he prophesied an impending danger to the family’s magic. Niccole Bruno uses the play on words of her own name to discuss the magic of veterinary medicine and how to cultivate environments of inclusion and belonging in practice.

“This lecture means a lot to me. Adam Christman [DVM, MBA] believed enough in me and in BLEND to have me put together a track at [2021] Fetch San Diego, which opened doors for BLEND. I am honored to have an opportunity to share my story... as it really embodies the diversity and inclusion we need in veterinary medicine,” Bruno told dvm360®.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

Wininger is a New Jersey native who earned his VMD from the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Two years later, he completed a small-animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, and in 2009 he completed his neurology/neurosurgery residency at Washington State University. Wininger works at the Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency in North Carolina and is the owner of 3D Veterinary Printing.

For his keynote address, Wininger will help attendees get over their neurophobia and take them through a neurolocalization based on the gait of the patient. He will discuss principles of both upper and lower neuron dysfunction, including how patients’ gaits can sometimes mimic orthopedic gaits.

“I think that gait is the most valuable part of an examination. Our technicians often say that 95% of my exam is not even touching the animal. Most of the neurological diseases that we are interested in will present themselves as a gait abnormality before other things,” Wininger explained in a previous interview with dvm360®.