Introducing your SAVMA International Exchange Officer Rayne Johnson

Name, Position on EB: Rayne Johnson, International Exchange Office

School and Year: Purdue University, 4^th year, expected graduation May 2012

Hometown: Raleigh, NC and Silverthorne, CO

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Infectious disease, environmental sustainability, public health, wildlife conservation

Description of office entails: The IEO serves as a link between veterinary students from US schools and veterinary students from international faculties. Additional duties include attendance at both the IVSA Summer Congress and the IVSA Winter Symposium as the official SAVMA representative, serving as a voting member of the SAVMA Executive Board and a non-voting member of the HOD, facilitation of international individual and group exchanges, and assist coordination of the silent auction for the IVSA Development Fund that occurs during SAVMA Symposium.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: Gaining a better understanding of and appreciation for veterinary medicine on a global level and enabling other veterinary students to broaden their horizons.

 Something exciting that your office has done/is doing for veterinary students this past year:  The IEO works closely with IVEC, a committee of the HOD, which supplies monetary support for SAVMA members to travel abroad in order to participate in veterinary related activities. Assist students from international veterinary faculties to find veterinary related opportunities within the US and students from the US to find the same abroad.

Your favorite  SCAVMA related experience (EB or not): SAVMA Symposium. It’s such a unique and invigorating experience to be among so many veterinary students and I’m very proud that Purdue University will serve as the host for SAVMA Symposium 2012.

 Something fun about yourself: Any break from school that’s longer than a weekend will usually find me in my car with the windows rolled down or on a plane crossing over some ocean looking for a little adventure. I love the road and have a passion for visiting US National Parks. But when I’m not traveling, I nurture my collection of plants (all non-toxic!) and knit. My dog and cat (Clover and Riboflavin) are part of my daily life and all three of us enjoy taking walks outside.