Cummings School Marks 25th Anniversary of Popular Timely Topics in Internal Medicine Program

Associate Professor Emerita Linda Ross initiated and organized the first Timely Topics in Internal Medicine conference in 1999. “The mission was to bring the most current information on various topics in internal medicine to small animal practitioners in New England states,” she says.

Dr. Ross was one of the original faculty members at Cummings School and is honored in the Cummings School Faculty Hall of Fame. She specialized in small animal internal medicine. Before Timely Topics, most continuing education programs at Cummings School focused on one discipline of veterinary medicine, such as neurology or dermatology, presented by one or two members of the faculty. With the inception of Timely Topics, Ross intended to change up that format, instead dedicating a day of programming to a variety of topics. She structured the conference so that several faculty members would present their individual areas of expertise.

“I cast about for the most current topics and would ask one faculty in each of the different areas to give a talk. It worked out really well and became very successful. The practitioners really liked it,” recalls Ross.

Timely Topics was so popular among veterinarians across Massachusetts and New England that it was instituted as an annual program at Cummings School, usually held the first Sunday in December so that it would not interfere with clinic hours. While the conference continues to draw local practitioners, it’s now offered in a hybrid format, so that veterinarians can log in from across the country.

Ross was the director of the Timely Topics program until 2019—three years after her retirement. “It was fun. I got to meet practitioners in the area, and many Cummings School graduates would come back for the meetings, too. I have to give credit to all the faculty for putting in their time and expertise, it made my job much simpler.” 

The baton was passed to Dr. Cynthia Leveille-Webster, professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School, who has taught and practiced veterinary medicine for 30 years on the Internal Medicine Team at FHSA. She has presented at the conference many times over the years.

“I handle the talent,” says Webster, now in her fifth year as director of Timely Topics. “Everyone in Internal Medicine is given a turn to rotate in and speak in their area of expertise. We also bring in other specialists with implications for internal medicine—ophthalmology, neurology, anesthesiology—for that flair. They’re all specialists in their fields and all educators teaching students on the clinic floor, influencing the next generation of veterinarians.”

This year, faculty speakers at Timely Topics from the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School include Webster, Dr. Adrienne Haley, Dr. Mary Labato, Dr. Deborah Linder, and Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski. These professors are part of the Internal Medicine Team of specialists at FHSA and will present on nutrition, pain medication, and renal and urinary, respiratory, liver, and gastrointestinal issues.

The mission of the program continues to follow its original mandate to offer continuing education for general practitioners in New England and beyond, in line with the overall mission of Cummings School to educate and broaden expertise among students, clinicians, staff, and the greater veterinary community.

“The program also helps practitioners gain familiarity with the clinicians at Foster Hospital, so they know who they’re referring patients to and can put a face to a name,” says Webster.

The presenters each speak for an hour and a half on a timely internal medicine topic and leave the last half hour of the presentations open for questions.

“We’re trying to promote interaction as much as possible,” says Webster. “The aim is to tell general practitioners new things we’re doing and make it practical, what they can incorporate into their practice. The more you know about a condition, the better you can make a clinical decision based on the current state of knowledge about that disease. That’s what CE is all about, for practitioners to make sure they’re up on the latest advances and to find tips that can be easily incorporated into their practice.”

For example, over the last few years, the value of dietary elimination trials has been shown to be very important for treating gastrointestinal issues, a topic Webster and Linder will address at the Timely Topics conference. In their presentation, they will discuss the benefits of conducting one or even two dietary trials before referring patients to FHSA. “We like to deliver what’s new and exciting, especially when it is something that veterinarians can do in their own practice—and at the same time give information on when is the appropriate time to send the patients to us.”

Webster describes the conference as an informal social event, where practitioners can reconnect with old classmates and colleagues from private practice, and Cummings School faculty can meet with area veterinarians who refer patients to FHSA.

Reaching the 25-year milestone attests to the continued success of the Timely Topics Internal Medicine program.

“I’m glad it has such legs and remained a viable program over all these years,” says Ross. “It shows the value it brings to the veterinary community.”

Cummings School is approved to provide continuing education programs to veterinary professionals by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA). The day-long Timely Topics event provides six CE credits. Cummings School faculty and staff may attend for free.