PRECEPTOR PROFILEAT ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, students from <strong>Western</strong>U’s College <strong>of</strong> VeterinaryMedicine receive a good deal <strong>of</strong> hands-on training – literally – under Dr. Alan Schulman, DVM,Diplomate <strong>of</strong> the American College <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Surgeons.“I want them to get used to doing a full exam on every animal,” he explains. “In addition, when wehave a normal dog, I want the students to feel the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees – I wantthem to get used to seeing and feeling what a normal dog feels like.”It is through these procedures that Dr. Schulman hopes to help instill confidence in the studentswho rotate through his practice. “We end up saying to the students that we know they haveexcellent didactic training, now I really want them to get the experiences that will make themfeel that much better about their abilities. I want them to feel good about handling animals anddoing surgical procedures.”At Animal Medical Center, located in Los Angeles, students in rotations may see a variety <strong>of</strong> cases.“The practice is a full-service, 24/7 emergency referral center and general practice,” Dr. Schulmanexplains. “We see a phenomenal cross section <strong>of</strong> cases – anything from the normal to all <strong>of</strong> the exoticspecialties that come in the door.”One to two students at a time spend four weeks in rotation with Dr. Schulman and his staff. “Myexpectations have been met by each and every student who passes through here,” he says.“<strong>Western</strong>U students really do measure up. They seem well rounded, have a great attitude andgood surgical and tissue handling abilities.” And, he stresses, “they want to learn. They askbrilliant questions and are very receptive. They have received excellent trainingcomparable to some <strong>of</strong> the more established veterinary training facilities inthe U.S.”Dr. Schulman says serving as a preceptor has been beneficial tohim “because sometimes I forget the breadth <strong>of</strong> knowledge after27 years and take some things for granted. It’s great to be able toshare that knowledge.”His own interest in veterinary medicine developed when he wasa child, growing up in New York City. “I knew I wanted to be aveterinarian from the time I was a munchkin,” he relates. Hisparents were extremely supportive, and he reveled in summersin the Catskill Mountains <strong>of</strong> upstate New York where he learnedabout critters such as frogs, salamanders and snakes.He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from The College<strong>of</strong> Agriculture and Life <strong>Sciences</strong> at Cornell <strong>University</strong>, followed bya DVM from The New York State College <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Medicine,also at Cornell. He completed an internship and surgicalresidency at California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles and set uphis own practice in 1989.In addition to his work as a veterinarian, Dr. Schulman also is afrequent, well-known guest expert on local and national newsand information programs. In his spare time, he likes to ride hishorse, ski, and work out, train and play with the New YorkYankees during the <strong>of</strong>f season as well as many National HockeyLeague players.Dr. Schulman hopes that students who rotate through hispractice will “get the experience that will make them the bestdoctors.” In addition, he <strong>of</strong>fers this advice: “Be patient and be ableto communicate with people. Never really forget thatcommunication is one <strong>of</strong> the important things to do as a vet.And, never be complacent, because when you’re complacent,you’re standing still, but you’re not really standing still, you’refalling behind. Keep up with new advancements anddevelopments.”6
<strong>University</strong> DedicatesNew BuildingsWESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES dedicated its twonewest buildings – the <strong>Health</strong> Education Center and thePatient Care Center – in late August during a ceremonyattended by university, state and U.S. dignitaries. California State<strong>University</strong> Chancellor Charles B. Reed, EdD, served as thekeynote speaker, noting that <strong>Western</strong>U is addressing California'sdire need for more health care workers thanks to visionaryleadership.“The role <strong>of</strong> all universities, public and private, is to preparestudents to meet the future needs <strong>of</strong> our businesses andcommunities and families, and in doing so, universities need tobe fully integrated in their communities,” Chancellor Reed said.At <strong>Western</strong>U, “community service has been a cornerstone <strong>of</strong>this university’s philosophy since it was first established morethan 30 years ago. Today’s dedication represents another newchapter in the expansion<strong>of</strong> <strong>Western</strong>U’s efforts tomeet the needs <strong>of</strong> somany Californians.”He praised <strong>Western</strong>UFounding President PhilipPumerantz for his longtermvision and forcontinuing to propel the<strong>University</strong> to new andgreater heights.“He also deserves credit for developing a real sense <strong>of</strong> familyand community” at <strong>Western</strong>U, the chancellor said during theAug. 25 event. “The personal experience that students havehere translates into the kind <strong>of</strong> experience that they can givetheir patients. And that is an incredibly important contributionto our society and to our state.”He also acknowledged thecontributions <strong>of</strong> <strong>Western</strong>UProvost and COO BenjaminCohen, Assistant Provost forStrategic Operations andClinical Services Joan Sandell,Executive Director <strong>of</strong>Facilities and Physical PlantTodd Clark and <strong>Western</strong>Uboard member Vince Naimoli.In addition, Dr. Pumerantzthanked the Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees for its support and Senior VicePresident for Advancement Thomas Fox for organizing thededication ceremony.Representatives from the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> Assemblywoman NormaTorres, U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano and state Sen. Gloria NegreteMcLeod presented Dr. Pumerantz with proclamations. PomonaChamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce Executive Director Frank Garcia andmembers <strong>of</strong> the Pomona City Council presided over a ribboncuttingceremony.7