Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine events to focus on osteoarthritis, drug-resistant infections

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease in both humans and animals, will be the focus of an inaugural conference hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine on Nov. 9-10. Additionally, a free public lecture Nov. 1 will provide insight into the problem of infectious diseases that are resistant to drugs.

David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days is a conference named after the late David Van Sickle, professor emeritus of veterinary anatomy. The conference will be split into two days: A research day on Nov. 9 and an educational day on Nov. 10 that is open to the public.

The portion of the conference that is open to the public on Nov. 10 – titled “Orthopedic Health: Focus on Arthritis” – will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lynn Hall and will focus on orthopedic health and how people, horses and pets with osteoarthritis can have a good quality of life. Experts will show the anatomy and function of joints, compare osteoarthritis in humans and animals, and talk about the role of stem cells, nutrition and physical therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The afternoon agenda will feature three tracks with presentations by canine/feline, equine, and human orthopedists on the management of the early, middle and late stages of osteoarthritis.

Online registration for the conference closes on Nov. 7. Students may register for free.

Another upcoming event at the College of Veterinary Medicine is the 5th annual Coppoc One Health Lecture, which will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 in Lynn Hall. The lecture will feature a presentation on “Antimicrobial Stewardship and One Health,” by Dr. Jeff Bender from the University of Minnesota. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will address the public health challenges posed by antibiotic resistant infections.

This is one of many events celebrating Purdue’s Sesquicentennial, 150 Years of Giant Leaps. This yearlong celebration is highlighting Purdue’s remarkable history of giant leaps, while focusing on what new giant leaps Purdue can take to address the world’s problems. The campaign launched Homecoming 2018 and there will be numerous events through Homecoming 2019, as well as the various Ideas Festival events, which are the centerpiece of the Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign. 

Writer: Kevin Doerr, pvmnews@purdue.edu

Media contact: Abbey Nickel, 765-496-1325, nickela@purdue.edu