The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics WALTHAM Student Essay Award
2009 Theme
Alternative and Complementary Veterinary Medicine and the Role of Veterinary Regulatory Boards
The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME) is dedicated to increasing dialogue and understanding of ethical values and issues facing the veterinary profession. In order to foster and encourage future veterinarians to develop their interest and understanding of veterinary ethics, the SVME sponsors an annual essay contest.
The annual SVME WALTHAM student essay contest has generated increasing student interest and an increase in submissions every year since its inception. Through a generous donation from the WALTHAM Center for Pet Nutrition the winning essay writer will receive $1000 and up to $1000 for travel and expenses to attend the 2009 AVMA conference and SVME plenary session.
The theme of the 2009 Essay Award is about Alternative and Complementary Veterinary Medicine and the Role of Veterinary Regulatory Boards. There has been a tremendous increase in interest by the public and veterinarians in what is referred to as alternative or complementary veterinary medicine. What role should state and provincial veterinary regulatory boards play in monitoring the use of such treatment modalities? In your response, consider and discuss the following issues:
* What is the veterinary regulatory body's role in setting practice standards
and codes of conduct?
* What is the nature and the extent of its responsibility for protection of the
public and their animals?
* In many jurisdictions, there is a reported increase in malpractice and
negligence lawsuits against veterinarians; what if any impact will the increased
use of alternative and complementary therapies have on this trend?
* Does the composition of the Board have an impact on its judgments?
Students are encouraged to develop their own topic and may contact the Award Committee Chair with any questions regarding a proposed topic.
The winning essay will be published in the SVME Newsletter and selected essays of significant merit may be posted on the SVME web site.
Award Candidates
· Students must be currently enrolled in a veterinary school
Instructions for Essay Submission
· Essays must be written in English.
· Essays must be no longer than 3000 words excluding name, title, and references.
· Essays must be formatted as follows:
o Times New Roman 12 pt font
o Justify left, page margins set at 1 inch
o Number references consecutively in the order that they appear in the text
· Essays must be submitted to the Awards Committee Chair electronically as an email attachment (Word document preferred).
· Essay submission must include the author’s name, address, veterinary school affiliation, year level, telephone number, and email address in the title page of the essay document.
· Submission by multiple authors are not permitted
· Submissions must include in the email subject line ‘SVME Essay Award”
· Submissions must be received no later than March 30, 2009
Criteria for Selection
Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria*:
· Students are encouraged to develop their own perspective on the topic through sound and compelling arguments towards a certain position (pro or con). However, students must identify and address notable opposing views clearly and explicitly.
· Style and clarity
· Formatting, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
· Inclusion of relevant research including but not limited to: relevant ethical codes, principles, and legislation; empirical ethical research; and seminal normative articles.
Award
The recipient of the award will receive a certificate of recognition, a cash prize of $ 500.00, and publication of his/her essay in the Summer edition of the SVME Newsletter.
The successful candidate will be notified via email or in writing no later than May 10, 2007.
Awards Committee Chair
Dr. Gary Block
Email:
gbylc@aol.com
* An award may not be offered annually if the Awards Committee does not receive any entries of sufficient merit.
2008 Winner
Ms. Danielle Irving a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University was awarded the 2008 SVME Student Essay Award for her essay "The Choice to Clone". Ms. Irving will receive a certificate of recognition and a $ 1000.00 cash prize and up to $1000 for travel and expenses to attend the 2008 AVMA conference and SVME plenary session. The SVME received over 30 essay submissions from students in North America.
Previous Winners
2007
Ms. Christine Ehlers a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University was awarded the 2007 SVME Student Essay Award. Ms. Ehlers received a certificate of recognition and a $ 500.00 cash prize. The SVME received over 30 essay submissions from students in North America.
2006
Ms. Gwendolen Reyes-Illg a sophomore attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida was awarded the first SVME Student Essay Award for her outstanding essay entitled 'Animals in Veterinary Medical Education: Increasing Coherence between Principles and Practice’.
She also earned a B.S. in Zoology in 2002 from the same school. In addition to publication of her essay in the May issue of the SVME Newsletter, Ms. Reyes-Illg received a certificate of recognition and a $ 500.00 cash prize. The SVME received over 100 essay submissions from students in North America and the United Kingdom.