Recent Graduate Program*
Open to 2022, 2023, 2024 DVM graduates.
*Recent graduates are DVMs who graduated from veterinary college in 2022, 2023 or 2024. Recent Graduate registration is only for the Recent Graduate Tracks. If you’d like to attend the other tracks, you must register at the member/nonmember conference rate.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Exclusive Program
Thursday, May 30th
9:20am - 11:00am
How to Network as an Associate
Integrating as a New Associate
with Tannetje Crocker, DVM
Dr. Tannetje Crocker is a speaker and social media personality. She works as an ER Veterinarian for Veterinary Emergency Group in Dallas, TX. She also owns Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. She plans to continue her support of fellow veterinary professionals, both virtually and in person through her various endeavors.
Follow her veterinary journey @dr.tannetje.crocker or www.drcrockerpetvet.com.
11:20am-1:00pm
Now THAT'S A Nutrition Case!
with Catherine Ruggiero, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
Dr. Catherine Ruggiero is a board certified veterinary nutritionist® and manager of Scientific Communications at Hill’s US. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training at the University of Missouri in 2014. Prior to that, she received a Bachelor of Science at St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Fordham University. She was an associate veterinarian at a small animal veterinary practice in Upstate New York for just over three years before returning to the University of Missouri to pursue residency training in small animal clinical nutrition. Upon completion of an ACVN residency program in 2019, Dr. Ruggiero joined Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She currently lives in Kansas City with two perfect dogs, a black cat, and a wonderful human partner.
Friday, May 31st
7:00am-8:40am
The Art of Euthanasia
with Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, DACAW resident
Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, has been practicing advanced end-of-life care since 2006. Dr. Cooney is Senior Director of Medical Education for the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). She is well-known for her work in companion animal euthanasia and has authored two books on the subject along with numerous articles and book chapters. Dr. Cooney has collaborated in end-of-life training for the AVMA, AAHA, NAVC, IAAHPC, the Fear Free Program, and many more. She is a strong advocate for best practices in all aspects of end-of-life care and speaks nationally and internationally on such topics. Dr. Cooney is currently working towards board certification in animal welfare, expected in 2024 and is Affiliate Faculty at Colorado State University where she teaches end-of-life topics and animal welfare. She loves all things old and gray.
10:10am - 11:50am
Financial Planning Do's and Don'ts for DVMs
with Josh Powell
12:10pm-1:00pm
Urolith Wet Lab: The Life of a Stone
with Jeb Cade, DVM
Dr. Cade is a 2006 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation Dr. Cade spent 7.5 years in private practice seeing small animal and exotics in a busy 4 doctor practice in Jackson, MS. Dr. Cade joined the faculty at Mississippi State in 2013 as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Community Veterinary Services. At the MSU-CVM Dr. Cade worked his way to Associate Clinical Professor and became Service Chief for CVS. After 9 years in academia Dr. Cade joined Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s newly formed Academic Affairs Managers team where he works with 7 veterinary schools and several veterinary technician programs providing nutritional education and tools for veterinary and veterinary technician students, house officers, and faculty.
Saturday, June 1st
7:00am-8:40am
10:10am-11:50am
Assisted Feeding of Critical Care Patients & Tube Feeding Wet Lab
with Catherine Ruggiero, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
12:10pm-1:00pm
Building Our Brand: From Rural Georgia to National Geographic
Terrance Ferguson, DVM & Vernard Hodges, DVM
Sunday, June 2nd
7:00am-8:40am
Facing Challenging Situations and Protecting Your License in Practice
with Kara Escutia, DVM
9:00am-10:40am
Pro Management of Healthy & Sick Visits
5 EPIC Fails We Didn't Expect as New Vets (and How to Avoid Them)
with Monica Tarantino, DVM
Monica Tarantino is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with ten years of experience as a general practitioner of small animal medicine. Dr. Tarantino has co-authored two books focusing on helping New Veterinarians succeed in practice, New Vet Jumpstart Guide GP Edition and New Vet Jumpstart ER Edition. She is co-founder of Vets on the Rise and Senior and Geriatric Dog Society and has worked as Chief of Staff at a 5 doctor general practice in Charlotte, NC.
She also writes for various online publications and has an online course to teach new veterinarians how to succeed in practice. Dr. Tarantino’s interests include geriatric health, internal medicine and veterinary leadership. She frequently rescues in-need pets and owns four rescue dogs and two rescue cats with the occasional foster animal for good measure.
10:50am-11:40am
Navigating Your Patient's Diabetic Journey: Nutrition, Communication & More!
with Catherine Ruggiero, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
Dr. Catherine Ruggiero is a board certified veterinary nutritionist® and manager of Scientific Communications at Hill’s US. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training at the University of Missouri in 2014. Prior to that, she received a Bachelor of Science at St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Fordham University. She was an associate veterinarian at a small animal veterinary practice in Upstate New York for just over three years before returning to the University of Missouri to pursue residency training in small animal clinical nutrition. Upon completion of an ACVN residency program in 2019, Dr. Ruggiero joined Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She currently lives in Kansas City with two perfect dogs, a black cat, and a wonderful human partner.
Events
Thursday 5/30
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Recent Grad Social on the Grand Lawn
Friday 5/31
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Recent Grad Social at the Baytowne Marina
Pricing
Rates increase after April 23rd!
Recent graduates are DVMs who graduated from veterinary college in 2022, 2023 or 2024. Recent Graduate registration is only for the Recent Graduate Tracks. If you’d like to attend the other tracks, you must register at the member/nonmember conference rate.
Early Bird
On or before April 23
Recent DVM Graduates
2022-2023 graduates
200
2024 DVM Grads
Exclusively available to 4th year students graduating in 2024.
50
Late Rate
After April 23
Recent DVM Graduates
2022-2023 graduates
250
2024 DVM Grads
Exclusively available to 4th year students graduating in 2024.
100
