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New college/FVMA partnership offers unique training opportunities

By Sarah Carey

The late Dr. Wyland Cripe, the college’s first dean of student and public services, is shown with two former Charlie Bild program participants, Dr. Anne Lannon and Dr. Cynda Crawford, in this file photo from the late 1980s.

Through the Charlie Bild Visiting Practitioner Program, a unique collaboration between the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association Foundation, members of the FVMA will now have the opportunity to enhance their own clinical knowledge and professional network while sharing their practice perspective with faculty, staff and students.

Based on a new operating model, participating Charlie Bild practitioners will fully engage as learners for periods of two to four weeks, side-by-side with veterinary medical students, in one of several specialty services available at the UF Veterinary Hospitals.

“We are thrilled to continue this innovative program, which has been a unique part of our college’s history,” said James W. Lloyd, D.V.M., Ph.D., the college’s dean. “The new operating model will allow us to continue to build relationships with practitioners within the veterinary medical community while providing a vital external perspective to students and faculty.”

To offset educational costs, a $500 fee will be charged for each two-week experience, but time spent in the program will qualify for continuing education credits through Florida’s Board of Veterinary Medicine. Lodging will be provided by the FVMA Foundation at no cost to visiting practitioners in a two-bedroom condominium adjacent to the college.

Criteria for Bild candidates include membership in the FVMA and at least five years of practice experience.  Prospective candidates are required to submit a CV/resume and a letter of interest. Upon completion of the program, participants must prepare a brief program review that will detail their experience and offer suggestions for improvement. Applications should be submitted at least three months prior to the expected visit date.

The program was originally created to honor the late Charles Bild, D.V.M., a Miami veterinarian and a past president of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. The FVMA named Bild Florida’s most outstanding veterinarian in 1964 and in 1972 the association gave him its first Lifetime Award for Distinguished Service.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program, including specifics about the selection process and responsibilities, should contact Jo Ann Winn at winnj@ufl.edu.