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.

Welcome to 2013!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

UC Denver Anschultz Medical Campus

DVM 2015 and 2016 have started their first PBL cases for the year.  DVM 2013 have arrived at their 3rd year course sites.  We have two new sites beginning:  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for Zoo & Wildlife Medicine and UC Denver for Lab Animal Medicine & Research.  DVM 2013 on campus are enjoying a 9:00 am start.  DVM 2014 are still on the road, but many have successfully hurdled the National Boards (NAVLE).  Congrats to the DVM 2013 who have this milestone behind them!

  ~Veterinary Nomad journal 1-8-13

DVM 2014 Block 1 of 16 ...

    The first course of the third year for DVM 2014 is winding down.  CVM faculty are reporting back from our many locations: Dr. Dawes from Nebraska, Dr. Kidd from Costa Rica,  Dr. Gordon-Ross from a plane on the tarmack of an airport preparing for take off and myself from Seattle.  Dr. Cole is at home base in Pomona.  We are having challenges with remote reporting software, getting ground transportation arranged, getting hotels accommodations worked out.  We are becoming well seasoned Veterinary Nomads.   

     We start a new course every two weeks all year with quarter (exam) breaks and holidays.  My lab animal medicine and research course students will spend 2 weeks in zoo medicine (eg Los Angeles Zoo), 2 weeks in surgery (Upland Animal Shelter)  and 2 weeks in pathology (Antech Diagnostics).  This is the Misc. block or Quarter and all students return to the Pomona campus for exams at the end of the quarter. Other quarters are Large Animal (Nebraska, etc.), small animal and Population/Public Health/Food Safety.

       This distributive model requires travel and technology.  I am working with the new Microsoft Web Access and SkyDrive for my course.  Being in Seattle, I can get assistance from the Microsoft Store at University Village with support staff who really understand what we need and are EXCITED about what we are doing.  WesternU CVM is truly leading from the edge.

      DVM 2014 is hanging in and doing amazing work.  The local feedback about our student's performance on their debut in the bigger veterinaryprofessional world makes it all worthwhile.  We are off to a great start to the year!   First course down and only 15 to go.

DMcClureDVM
Veterinary Nomad Journal 8-24-12

Last WesternU Site Visit Travel for 2011

My original plan had been to drive, but I admit I decided to fly because I wanted one more ticket that had PREMIER printed on it...and it would cost more to drive!  I am ending the year with a great bunch of enthusiastic students in my course.  The weather is bright and clear!  My fellow travelers have donned there gay apparel and are wearing it to the airport.  You gotta love the lady wearing her polyester synthetic red suit with the festive embroidery.  She resembles Bridget Jones' mother.   Her ensemble is adorned with bells in her ears and a jingle bell necklace.   Its topped off with a red hat with black faux fur trim.  You know this outfit has only left the closet during the holidays.   She has just the right jolliness to carry it off.      Flying in clear weather and daylight provided an amazing view of the foothills ringing the Los Angeles basin.  The enormity of the Station Fire destruction was shockingly evident!  Whoa!  It is impossible to perceive how much land was burned in that historic fire until you see it from the air...even two years later.    Safe Holiday Travels from the Veterinary Nomad    Journal Entry Dec. 8, 2011 at Emporio Ralli Gran Caffe at SFO Terminal 3.  Courtesy of free Wi-Fi from American Express.

6 am flights are harsh

Alaska Horizon Ontario to Portland 6:00am.

Only two women passengers today, what's up with that? Most everyone looks like business travelers.

There are still three direct flights daily from Ontario to Portland. 6:00 am, 11:40 am and too late to think about. Thank you Alaska/SkyWest.

Canadair Regional Jet is a tight fit, but Joy! The seat next to me is empty and I can sleep. Ugh! This seat doesn't recline.

Try Beaches PDX.  Breakfast (~$10) served all day. The servers leave small spiral notebooks with mini personal introductions on the table. Customers have entered great comments like "thanks for the great service," "thanks for the seafood omelet recommendation," "thanks for the smiles," and "keep loving life." Reading this journal makes customers feel happy thoughts too! I particularly liked this one -

 "Breakfast at Beaches - lunch in Paris! Off we go! Thanks!"

I wish.