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| K. S. Latimer |
W.L. Steffens |
WELCOME
Dear Presenters, Registrants, Colleagues, and Guests,
It is our distinct pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural International Virtual Conference in Veterinary Medicine: Diseases of Psittacine Birds. The theme of this initial conference was inspired by our mutual research and clinical interests in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of pet and exotic birds. As members of the Psittacine Disease Research Group at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, we have been engaged in promoting the health of companion and exotic birds for over a decade.
We envisioned this virtual conference as a cost effective, rapid, and contemporary method to share knowledge on diseases of psittacine birds via the World Wide Web. Too often, participation in conventional international conferences is impeded by economic factors, time constraints, and the logistics of travel to a predetermined meeting site. Furthermore, the proceedings of a scientific meeting often are only available in printed form to those individuals who registered for and attended a given conference. Therefore, we felt that the information contained in this international conference should be readily available to a wide audience of interested participants and individuals throughout the world. With a computer, modem, and Internet connection, you are only seconds away from our virtual conference site and the electronically published conference proceedings!
We would like to thank the Honorable Zell Miller (Governor of the State of Georgia), Dr. Michael F. Adams (President of The University of Georgia), Dr. Keith W. Prasse (Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine), and Dr. Corrie C. Brown (Head, Department of Pathology) for their support and encouragement in this endeavor. Funding for this virtual conference was provided by The University of Georgia Office of Instructional Support and Development (Dr. William K. Jackson, Director) through the 1997-1998 International Fellows Program under the direction of Dr. David L. Coker (Executive Director, Office of International Education, The University of Georgia).
Assembling an international virtual conference has been an interesting, challenging, and professionally rewarding experience. This conference is the culmination of a team effort to improve our knowledge of avian diseases and to promote heath care of companion and exotic birds. In closing, we would like to acknowledge the "behind the scene" team members that contributed in significant ways to this conference: Dr. L. Harlan Davis (Associate Vice President for Public Service and Outreach), Dr. Kathleen B. Smith (Programs Coordinator, Office of Instructional Support and Development), Lois K. Morrison (web design), Mary B. Ard (graphics assistance), Raymond P. Campagnoli (proofreading), Kenneth L. Payne (computer services specialist), Stuart R. Ivy (computer services specialist), Elizabeth Bloemer (computer services specialist), Joey L. Rodgers (digital photography), and Vivian L. Dixon (digital photography). We hope your visit to the International Virtual Conference in Veterinary Medicine: Diseases of Psittacine Birds is both interesting and educational!
Sincerely,
Kenneth S. Latimer, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP
Professor of Pathology
W. L. Steffens, PhD
Associate Research Scientist
This Page Last Updated May 15, 1998 |