Saturday, February 6, 2016

Veterinary Nomad in Denver

This Google Photos creation makes a fairly good sense of the short turn around travels I make for WesternU.  I was an Denver then Los Angeles, San Diego, the Pacific Northwest and back to Los Angeles.  Then we'll do Denver again.
Veterinary Nomad Life

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Crossing Trails Again

Robertos Taco Shop - N Las Vegas, NV, United States. Rolled taco
Roberto's Rolled Tacos

I enjoy traveling to the many site visits that are part of my job.  Meeting with students and with the preceptors are the primary function at each, but I try to add on other opportunities when traveling.  This week I was visiting WesternU students at The Scripps Research Institute.  After the official site visit I enjoyed reconnecting with my fellow alums from The Ohio State University over Robert's rolled tacos.  Deb works at Scripps now.  Rich is a retired cardio-vascular physiologist who is active developing a simulator to help surgeons learn about cardio-pulmonary by-pass, etc.  Three ex-Ohioan's enjoying the bright California su

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

What to Read?


When I travel I often listen to or read books that are set in the location I am visiting.  This can often shed insider insights to my visit.  While traveling to Denver recently I selected Diane Mott Davidson's Dark Tort.  OK, it isn't set in Denver, but Aspen.   It's close.  Goldie solves a murder mystery while being a nosy caterer.  Being a caterer gives her opportunities to get into many homes and other venues, but it also is a great opportunity to spent time thinking about and preparing food.  I enjoyed Dark Tort as an audio book.  .is harder to listen to the recipes on audio.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Hyatt Regency Denver

Bedside Outlet and Bluetooth iHome
     I enjoy this hotel because there are improvements and even innovations every time I stay here.  During this January stay, I took advantage of the AAA special which was more that a discounted rate.  It included breakfast in the Altitude Restaurant which has a fabulous breakfast buffet and excellent rich strong coffee.  The hotel is certainly marketing savvy and following consumer demand digitally.  I appreciated the additional outlets at the headboard/night stand.  We all like to have out phone near at hand while charging overnight.  Even the clock radio is a Bluetooth speaker.
     There were so many things you can do with a smart key card, tape your smart room key card to the panel in the elevator and you clear security and the elevator knows which floor you need.  Use your room key card for in and out parking lot privileges.   There's no need to validate your parking ticket! You use the same card on your final exit and just drop it into the convenient drop box right next to the parking lot exit kiosk. 
      Every staff member is super friendly.  The make you feel at home.  They are all, well, Disneyfied.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Because Twitter is Faster

While traveling you may not be in a location where you can stop and watch the State of the Union address (#SOTU) or the NFL Team owners and the decision to approve the Rams return to LA.  Twitter is the faster news service and it has launched curated feeds called MOMENTS to help you keep on top of the latest.  Select the lightning bolt and you get the trending news or sports, etc.
Twitter Moments View

You Can't Prepare Yourself for the Arrival of Sad News


Lawrence D. Longo
There was a time when you could be more prepared for sad news.  You had the expectation that you could find a familiar name when you read the Obituary section of the newspaper.  You aren't prepared when you strike up a conversation with a fellow passenger on an airplane.  Anymore, I don't strike up much of a conversation when I travel by air, but I had noticed that my seat mate was carrying a brief case with a trauma surgeon meeting logo on it.  Since I have spent a good portion of my career working with and training human surgeons, I was curious to know more.  I introduced myself as a professor at Western University of Health Sciences.  He told me he was a surgeon at Loma Linda University Medical Center.  I shared that I had started my career at Loma Linda.  I said, "Do you know Larry Longo?"  The surgeon's face looked stricken, "I am am so sorry to tell you...you probably haven't heard, it just happened...I am sorry to tell you that Larry has...has passed.  It was just this week."  He was so distressed.  I was saddened to be sure, but I was so glad to hear this news from someone who also knew Larry and not via an e-mail.  We shared Larry stories.  He told me that only two weeks ago Larry was encouraging this to convince this surgeon to think about a research project idea and that Larry would there to help develop the research and to collaborate.  That was totally the Larry Longo that I knew.   I feel so blessed to have had this very special moment of connection.

Veterinary Nomad  January 14, 2016

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Because I am an Urban Nomad

       A walk down the 16th Street Mall still has that festive vibe in January  because I've never been downtown Denver during the Christmas season.  Holiday lights and evergreen garlands are still around while Christmas decorations were fast to disappear in California.  In fact, I don't think I have ever hit the ground running so hard before.  Happy New Year 2016 is a greeting that has been left in the dust. 
     Traveling in January has great rates from hotels since most folks are recovering from holidays and are not interested in tourism. This leaves us urban nomads with some extra options.  For example, the upgrade to a room with a mountain view could be $40 at other times, but now it's only $5.00.   Check out the pics.  Worth $5.00?  I think do, but I thought it was worth  $40 in July.
Morning View
Night View
Mountainview

Sunset While Leaving Denver

Monday, January 11, 2016

Congratulations to DVM 2016!

 

The News is OUT!  The National Veterinary Licensing Exam - NAVLE Passing 

Results:

Congratulations! 

DVM 2016!

 

Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Hollywood Award Season Begins

While I miss living in Santa Barbara I am thoroughly enjoying living in close proximity Hollywood. I've always enjoyed the Golden Globes and the Oscars but I have new insight because I have been  spending more time Hollywood.  Becoming a member of Film Independent has been a part of that story, but having my daughter working in Hollywood has as well.  This pic is the Beverly Hilton Ballroom and the cool part is that I've attended functions in this same venue.  It just seems more cool now.  Of course when I was there the red carpet was rolled up and stored in the parking garage (yes, I could see it).
 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Making Teaching Matter...

       Most people have heard "publish or perish."  Professors are expected to publish research as a primary function and time spent on teaching only takes away time from research efforts.  Teaching is something a professor just does.  In one of my previous institutions, teaching is not even considered in promotion and tenure evaluations.   The Regional Teaching Academy which is a consortium of UC Davis, Western University of Health Sciences,  Colorado State University, Oregon State University and Washington State University veterinary educators with the goal of making teaching matter.
        Being a good teacher requires effort effort, skill and knowledge.  Recognizing the scholarly effort involved in developing better keep teaching methods and materials is the first step in matter teaching matter.  This past weekend about 30 faculty members from the five veterinary schools have been working diligently toward this goal.  I'm very proud and inspired to be part of this group of medical educators.  I'm encouraged that teaching may finally get the  recognition that it truly deserves.  

Friday, January 8, 2016

Welcome DVM Class of 2020!

Yes, that is correct.  Invitations for the Class of 2020 were sent to candidates on Dec, 18th.  For me, as Chair of the Admissions Committee, it is like I have been holding my breath while swimming underwater the entire length of the pool.  I didn't know if I would touch the side of the pool before I ran out of air.  We implemented an enormous numbers of changes in process including a new database and software for reviewing the applications and a new mobile app for the reviewers to record interviewer scores and comments.  This week we had the postmortem  of this year's process.  It was a difficult task, but we came through.  I am most proud or the team effort that happened. 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Book Review: Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline

Corrupted is another book in the Rosato and DiNunzio Series which I have thoroughly enjoyed, but I loved this book.  It is a great trial drama!  It has a well plotted tale.  I enjoyed how the understanding of human behavior was woven in the drama with a long story arc.  The theme of justice and what it truly means is explored and a passionate manner.   I put aside chores and more pleasurable offerings in order to finish the book.  It has been a long time since a book has kept me so engaged.  Thank you for another wonderful book, Lisa Scottoline.  What a great way to start the year.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Only Maine, Wisconsin and North Dakota Remain

I have visited 47 states of the 50 United States.  I have yet to visit North Dakota, Wisconsin and Maine.  You can make your own map of states visited here.

I'm thinking Maine looks pretty enticing and am exploring a trip to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.  Any other enticements for North Dakota or Wisconsin?


Create Your Own Visited States Map



Monday, January 4, 2016

Today was Landing Day

 

Today was the first "landing day" for 2017.  Being a professor in a distributed model of clinical education means I don't spend time making up lectures.  I help to create experience for my students through partnerships with practicing veterinarians.  My students are placed "in situ" with these partners for a two week session.  Except for exam week every 8 weeks, I get a new set of students every two weeks all year long.  They are in transit on Sunday for a Monday morning start.  I call the start of each session "Landing Day."  Travel issues, hotel issues, and emergency health issues pop up.  I wait for the students or veterinarians to text or call or e-mail.  I have talked students to the entrance of the site on a cell phone.  I have fielded text questions about wardrobe.  I have had a students who were hit by a car as a pedestrian.  Life happens.  It is a totally different set of tasks than your typical professor requiring a close relationship between faculty and students.  You really get to know each other when you travel together.  Yes, everywhere they go I also go...Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Davis, Berkeley, Duarte, Loma Linda, San Diego and Denver.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

The good life is built with good relationships.

In November 2015 Robert Waldinger presented a Ted Talk revealing the lessons from a 75 year study.  What do we need to know?

Good relationships keep us happier and healthier.  

They learned three big lessons about relationships.
  1. The first is that social connections are really good for us, and that loneliness kills.
  2. The quality of your relationships is the best predictor of a happy and healthy life.
  3. Good relationships don't just protect our bodies, they protect our brains.

So "lean in" to your relationships.  Put your hard work there because:

The good life is built with good relationships.

Veterinary Nomad
January 3, 2016

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Welcome 2016

2015 was an incredibly busy year with lots of travel.  I was concerned about posting too much about my whereabouts due to concerns for security.  I had an attempted break in at my home while traveling.  Now I have upgraded my home security system with ADT alarm system and cameras amongst other improvements.   I hope to be back on track with the Veterinary Nomad blog this year.  More books, more food and more travels planned for 2016.