In connection with the launch of a new Veterinary Assistant program at Indian River Community College, Dr. Dennis McCurnin will address the impact of assistants and technicians on supporting professional improvements in the veterinary field. Dr. McCurnin is the editor for the Textbook of Veterinary Practice Management, published by J.B. Lippincott, and will speak on Organized Technicians in the 21 st Century at a free presentation on Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m., room H-106 in the Mary L. Fields Health Science Center located on the IRCC Main Campus in Fort Pierce.

IRCC is now accepting applications for an Associate in Science degree program in Veterinary Technology which will begin in the Fall 2007 Semester. Applications will be available at the June 5 presentation.

Dr. Dennis McCurnin received his D.V.M. and M.S. (surgery) from Iowa State University. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1973. In 1976 he returned to Iowa State University as an Associate Professor of Surgery and Assistant Dean. From 1979 to 1990 Dr. McCurnin was Professor of Surgery and Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University and from October, 1990 to July, 2006 he served as Professor of Management and Hospital Director, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In July, 2006 he returned full time to teaching. He has given more than 550 papers and presentations at professional meetings and seminars throughout the United States and 30 foreign countries; he has published over 150 scientific articles and contributed to eleven textbooks. Dr. McCurnin is the immediate Past President of the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Dallas, Texas and Chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee 2000-2007.

Registration is free and includes a boxed dinner and raffle prizes sponsored by Purina Veterinary Diets. Seating for the presentation is limited, so call today.

The presentation is on Tuesday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m., room H-106 in the Mary L. Fields Health Science Center located on the IRCC Main Campus at 3209 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce. For more information on IRCC's Veterinary Technology program, call 1-866-866-4722. To register for Dr. McCurnin's presentation on June 5, contact Shauna Davis by phone at 561-262-4204 or by e-mail at Shauna.Davis@Purina.Nestle.com