Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency
The Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency Program is a two year program designed to provide advanced clinical training in nutrition leading to ACVN board-certification. This is an approved standard training program through the ACVN. Residents are required to participate in patient care, daily rounds, consultations, seminars and clinical conferences. The residency also provides the opportunity to attend lectures and rounds at Boston and Worcester's many neighboring human medical and nutrition centers. As part of the training program, the residents will participate in veterinary student training through clinical, laboratory, and didactic teaching.
Training will occur at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, MA, which is approximately 40 miles west of Boston. Nutrition residents will spend approximately 60% of the time on-clinics with an emphasis in clinical nutrition. Some weeks will include students participating on a clinical nutrition elective. However, student teaching is an important goal during all on-clinic weeks. Time will be provided for scholarly activities including self-study and research. Residents will be expected to develop and complete a research project and successful completion of a project will be a requirement for the residency. An opportunity for some elective time in other specialties (medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, and cardiology) also is available. Residents also are encouraged to spend elective time with the Nutrition Support Service at area medical centers.
Responsibilities
- Clinical
- Residents will participate in the Nutrition Support Service at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. This service provides consultations primarily for inpatients and outpatients in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals, with a smaller number of equine consultations from the Hospital for Large Animals. Referral nutrition appointments and consultations for referring veterinarians also are provided. Residents are expected to participate in Nutrition Support Service rounds, as well as rounds with other clinical services.
- Teaching
- Residents will be expected to actively participate in clinical training of fourth year DVM candidates and in first year nutrition laboratories. Residents also will be encouraged to prepare at least one didactic lecture for one of the veterinary nutrition courses. One lecture will be required yearly as part of the hospital's continuing education series. Additional lectures for pet owners will also be required, along with media training.
- Research
- Residents will be expected to develop and conduct a research project, with the assistance of their mentor, and to analyze and publish the results.
- Courses
- Courses are not a required part of the residency. However, training rounds (journal club, academic rounds and board review rounds) are scheduled on a weekly basis and residents are expected to attend regularly.
Appointments will be made for 12 months with annual renewal based on satisfactory completion of the previous year. A certificate of residency is awarded to the candidate upon successful completion of the training program. Residents participate in the University benefits programs, including health, professional disability and life insurance. Annual vacation and professional liability insurance are provided.
Interviews are strongly encouraged. If a visit is not possible, a telephone interview can be arranged.
For further information contact Dr. Lisa Freeman, Director of Nutrition Residency Program. This residency is mentored by two ACVN diplomates, Dr. Freeman and Dr. Cailin Heinze.
Tufts University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.