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

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

Sunset While Landing at Denver International Airport

Fabulous sunset view from the plane.

Congratulations to DVM 2016!

 

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

Results:

Congratulations! 

DVM 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).

 

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.