Purdue University, IN Dept. of Comparative Pathobiology

Description of Elective Experience: 

An externship at Purdue involves daily interaction in the consulting office on clinical cases with the clinicians of the case, clinical pathologists and clinical pathology residents. Externs will learn to critically evaluate cytologic and hematologic specimens as well as laboratory data. Activities that the student will engage in include the residents' weekly journal club, weekly clinical pathology rounds, large animal clinical pathology rounds and other small group sessions with the residents and pathologists. In addition, frequent seminars related to veterinary medicine are often available to attend. Multiple resources will be available for independent development including cataloged study sets and the veterinary medicine library. Depending on timing of the externship, participation in the required senior clinical pathology rotation may also be an option.  The goal for the externship is to begin building a broad base of experience to continue building upon in the future.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

Veterinary teaching hospital that sees over 10,000 cases a year. 3 clinical pathologists, 3 residents and variable number of other externs, senior students and visiting veterinarians from around the world.

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Roughly 40 hours a week during normal business hours. Externs are expected to participate in the activities described above. 

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

No official housing is available; however, senior students and local residents have always accomodated visitors. 

Supervisor: 
Dr. Craig Thompson, DACVP
Contact email: 
Address: 
Department of Comparative Pathobiology
725 Harrison St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
United States
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
All - Generally around 40