VIN Foundation Announces 4th Annual Solutions for the Profession Competition Winners
Fourth annual essay competition provides veterinary students an opportunity to offer insight into veterinary school education efficiency.
The VIN Foundation is excited to announce the results of its fourth annual Solutions for the Profession Competition. For the first time, four winners were awarded cash prizes to help with educational expenses, with a tie for third place.
This year’s competition offered veterinary students an opportunity to reflect on the efficiency of their veterinary school education. They were encouraged to consider the following questions: Do you think your time and money are being used wisely? Do you wish for a broader or more focused education? What is your school doing right? Over eighty entries were submitted from around the world.
VIN Foundation’s Board Chairman, Dr. Richard Headley, stated “This essay competition provided an opportunity for veterinary students to offer first-hand insight into ways for veterinary schools so improve efficiency, which will help future colleagues, and therefore the veterinary profession as a whole.”
Judges found it difficult to select only three winners from the entries, and decided a tie was necessary for third place. The VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Committee selected the top thirty entries in the first round of judging. These essays were assessed by experts in the topic areas, who passed the top seven to three well-known leaders in the veterinary profession. The final judges, after much discussion, selected the winners:
First place was awarded to Ilene Ellis (North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine ‘2023) for the essay titled, Retiring James Herriot; A proposal for modern veterinary education.
Second place was awarded to Ava Abuchaei (University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine ‘2021) for the essay titled, From Student to Doctor: Evaluating my Veterinary Education.
Third place tie was awarded to Allison Hale (Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine ‘2020) for the essay titled, A Perfect Education.
Third place tie was awarded to McKenzie Beals Weber (Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine ‘2021) for the essay titled, Value and Opportunity: The Perfect Match at Iowa State University.
Runner up was acknowledged to Imani Williams (Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine ‘2022) for the essay titled, The Great Divide; Is the veterinary school education you are receiving effective, efficient, and relevant to your career goals?
Runner up was acknowledged to Amanda Chase (University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine ‘2021) for the essay titled, Is My Veterinary Education Up to Me?
VIN Foundation
The VIN Foundation was founded by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) in 2005. VIN is an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 100,000 members worldwide. The VIN Foundation’s charitable efforts are centered around the belief that a healthy veterinary profession is essential for healthy animal and human communities.
