Semiannual Review of the USAMRIID Animal Care and Use Program and Inspection of Facilities.

Conducted by: The USAMRIID Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee (LACUC)

Excerpt:

2. Veterinary Care

The level of professional veterinary care available for the animal care and use program was commendable. The Veterinary Medicine Division has the responsibility for providing full-time veterinary care to all Institute animals. COL Nathaniel Powell, Jr., VMD Chief, is an ACLAM Diplomate, and through his staff, is responsible for ensuring that adequate veterinary care was provided to all animal species. LTC Besch, ACLAM Diplomate, serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of Veterinary Medicine. She directs a residency training program for Veterinary Corps Officers in the specialty of Laboratory Animal Medicine. This program is ACLAM approved and provides the experience and training required for eligibility for board certification. The training program is conducted in conjunction with the Laboratory Animal Residency Program at the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences. Currently, two veterinary officers, MAJ Rebecca Holt and MAJ Kenneth Lopez are serving in the experience phase of the residency program. CPT Mallory Tate is serving as a first-year resident in the USAMRIID Residency Program. Each resident is assigned an area of clinical veterinary responsibility. MAJ Pedro Rico serves as the Chief of the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine. MAJ Julie Stephens serves as the Chief, Department of Applied Research and oversees in-house breeding of Strain 13 guinea pigs. MAJ Anne Emshoff serves as the Chief, Veterinary Service Support Section, which includes Surgery, Radiology, Pharmacy, and Supply. The NCOIC, Veterinary Medicine Division, MSG Darryl Thompson, supervises twenty-two Animal Care Specialists (MOS 91T) and one Pharmacy Technician (MOS 91Q) assigned in support of the veterinary care mission. This organizational structure functions well and each veterinary officer rotates through the various areas of responsibility at approximately yearly intervals. The program for veterinary care was outstanding in every aspect.