The C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute aims to deliver medical innovations by harnessing the body’s healing powers to help animals and people suffering from a wide range of diseases. Photo: Chris Toalson/Arthrex

The Translational Medicine Institute at Colorado State University is partnering with Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to host the Veterinary Innovation Summit, which aims to provide attendees with a look at the future of veterinary medicine.

Launched at Texas A&M in 2017, the summit is designed for veterinarians, innovators, entrepreneurs, clinicians and visionaries.

Aaron Massecar, assistant director for continuing education at the Translational Medicine Institute, said the summit will cover new advances in medicine, including outside-of-the-box ideas as well as business model development in veterinary medicine. Experts will also share the latest on advances in education, artificial intelligence and telemedicine.

“This symposium established itself right away as the place to go if you’re interested in the future of veterinary medicine,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to interact with thought leaders and to learn about what people envision in the long term in veterinary medicine. It’s a really fertile ground for thinking about new ideas and interacting with people from the industry.”

Prior to joining CSU, Massecar was an adjunct faculty member at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he helped to establish the office of Veterinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship and launch the first Veterinary Innovation Summit.

Veterinary college, translational medicine leaders among speakers

CSU’s Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr. Eleanor Green, dean of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, will provide opening remarks on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Alan Rudolph, vice president for research at CSU, and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at CSU and founder of the Orthopedic Research Center, will also deliver brief talks on translational medicine.

Translational medicine refers to procedures or medications that work for animals, which can be applied to human health and vice versa. In the realm of orthopedics, veterinarians perform arthroscopic procedures on equine patients in ways that are similar to procedures for human patients. Similarly, veterinary cardiologists are using techniques that were first successful in humans.

The agenda for the summit and registration details are available online. Sessions on Saturday include a look at female veterinarians who work in Startups, followed by a pitch competition.

The summit is sponsored by the North American Veterinary Community, a nonprofit organization that provides continuing professional development and support services for the global veterinary healthcare community.