Display offers interactive learning,
opportunity to support scholarship

 

The new digital display case created through the support of friends and former colleagues of the late Dr. Norm Ackerman/

The new digital display case created through the support of friends and former colleagues of the late Dr. Norm Ackerman. (Photo by Sarah Carey)

By Sarah Carey

Thanks to alumni from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues of the late Dr. Norm Ackerman, a new digital radiology display case located between UF’s  small and large animal hospitals will benefit both current students and future radiology trainees.

Veterinary students will receive an interactive, educational experience that allows them to practice a case diagnosis, while funds raised through sponsorships of the display will support a radiology resident scholarship fund established in Ackerman’s name.

The scholarship was established soon after Ackerman died in 2008 at the age of 65. Ackerman served on UF’s veterinary faculty as a radiologist from 1979 to 1994. He returned to the college as a locum in the radiology service in 2006. Over the years, he served as as a mentor to many students, residents and clinicians.

Dr. Crispin Spencer, who served with Ackerman on the faculty, and Dr. Elizabeth Watson, a CVM alumna, assisted in the development of the case challenge, which is similar to the original view box display where students viewed an X-ray film and submitted a suggested diagnosis.

“Funds to cover the initial costs of equipment for the new digital radiology case challenge display were donated by friends of Dr. Ackerman, and any remaining funds will go toward the Ackerman residency scholarship endowment effort,” said Patricia Wlasuk, assistant director of development for the college.

The new display case is located in a heavily-trafficked hallway that connects both the small and large animal hospitals, with the touch-screen monitor facing the pharmacy — a daily destination for students and clinicians.

The  display was installed just in time for the recent college Open House, where hundreds of alumni, clinicians, students and members of the public enjoyed trying their hand at image interpretation.

The Dr. Norman Ackerman Residency Scholarship is very close to reaching the $30,000 endowment level, Wlasuk added.

“Through this touch-screen digital case challenge, we anticipate reaching that level and beyond,” Wlasuk said. “Annual logo sponsorship opportunities are available for practitioners and industry with display of a business logo as a part of the sponsorship package.”

Wlasuk added that the college was in the process of creating online access to the display, so that alumni and others can visit the site and hone their radiology reading skills.

Anyone interested in supporting the Dr. Norman Ackerman radiology case challenge project and residency scholarship may contact Wlasuk at pwlasuk@ufl.edu or at 352-294-4212.

Share this article with others:
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Twitter

May 2012

The new digital display case created through the support of friends and former colleagues of the late Dr. Norm Ackerman/

Display will benefit students, radiology scholarship

A new digital radiology display case, created as a tribute to the late Dr. Norm Ackerman, will provide educational benefits to students and others.

UF computer science students work with Shelter program to create game

It’s all in the game… of Shelter Med, thanks to a a collaboration between the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program and students from UF’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering department.

Dr. Michael Schaer

Dr. Michael Schaer, longtime hospital clinician, retires

Dr. Michael Schaer, longtime professor of internal medicine at the UF CVM, retires but plans to remain involved with the college.

...also in this issue

People

News

Around the College