Developing “Day One Skills”

By Kelly McGowan, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

Taking diagnostic radiographs is a “Day One skill” in the large animal veterinary business — something recent graduates are expected to have experience with and expertise in their first day on the job.

But until recently, Iowa State’s veterinary medicine students relied on equipment owned by the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center hospital — and on hospital cases — to gain that experience. This circumstance meant the opportunity to practice this important skill was not guaranteed during coursework, especially when the equipment was being used at the hospital.

So Jarrod Troy, an equine surgeon and assistant professor for equine veterinary medicine, and his faculty collaborators sought out funds through the Miller Faculty Fellowship program to buy the program its own equipment specifically for teaching. This way, the community could continue to receive radiographs through the hospital while students would gain additional teaching opportunities.

With $15,000 in funding from the program, the department was able to purchase an X-ray generator and all needed personal protective equipment. Additional funding from the ISU Foundation and faculty startup funds supported the effort.

“It’s really helping out with the training and skills for the future veterinary generation,” Troy said.

The equipment allows students to take scans of horse heads and limbs. It is used in equine surgery, equine dentistry, and equine diagnostic skills courses, as well as in additional opportunities to learn from attending physicians on the equipment.

“Students have been saying how much more comfortable and more confident they feel when they graduate after doing the opportunities and taking radiographs,” Troy said, “whereas they didn’t before.”

These expanded opportunities with the equipment, coupled with one-on-one time with instructors, lets students learn radiograph techniques in a lower-stress environment, using Iowa State teaching horses instead of clinical cases at the hospital.

Students are, in turn, more hirable and more prepared for that first day on the job, Troy said. More experience on this equipment can also lead to improved outcomes for the animal: less radiation exposure and potentially fewer trips back to the vet.

It’s exactly the type of innovative approach to enhancing student learning that the Miller Faculty Fellowship program aims to support. From the application on, Troy said the process went smoothly.

“Everybody through CELT was very helpful in getting this accomplished,” Troy said.

And he has already encouraged colleagues to apply for the program.

“I think it’s fantastic that this grant is available,” Troy said. “Honestly, I feel very lucky to have received it. I think it’s made a huge difference.”

Jarrod Troy, Equine Surgeon and Assistant Professor for Equine Veterinary Medicine

Upcoming Miller Events

Miller Faculty Fellowship Consultations
December 12 and December 13
1 – 3 p.m., 2624 Howe Hall
You may sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation with CELT’s Miller Faculty Fellowship Administrator Paul Hengesteg. Bring your questions to the consultation for discussion.

From the event page, click the link to book a time, and navigate on the MS Bookings page to the desired date for the meeting.