Teaching surgery, saving lives, and serving Appalachia at Lincoln Memorial University.

Early and continuous surgical training, coupled with community service, enhances veterinary education and regional health.

The article "Teaching surgery, saving lives, and serving Appalachia at Lincoln Memorial University" by LeRoy, Pulliam, and Hunt, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, discusses the integration of surgical education within the veterinary curriculum at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU). The authors highlight the importance of early and continuous surgical training to ensure that veterinary students develop proficiency in essential surgical skills. They describe a structured approach where students begin with basic procedures, such as surgical ligation, in the first semester, progressing to more complex techniques like instrument ties and excisions in subsequent semesters. This progressive training is complemented by hands-on practice in the clinical skills laboratory, allowing students to refine their abilities under faculty supervision. The article also emphasizes the significance of community service, noting that LMU's veterinary program is dedicated to improving animal and human healthcare in the Appalachian region. Through initiatives like the Center for Animal Health in Appalachia, the university aims to address regional health challenges by hosting conferences, workshops, and training programs that raise awareness and advance knowledge of animal health issues specific to the area. By combining rigorous surgical education with a commitment to community service, LMU prepares its students to become competent veterinarians who can make meaningful contributions to both the profession and the communities they serve.

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