The Voice of a Mother

By: Matthew L. Inniss

Louisiana State University, Class of 2014

Each story starts with a chuckle, to which we reply " Here we go again."

The characters, family members, whose names leave the tongue in a stream of remembrance. 

Distinct stories to each one belongs, as she does the family tree shuffle.

The stories undocumented, but saved for all time.

In her head for safe keeping, each family member on a shelf.

We love our Dear more than anyone could understand.

For we know her story book has opened when she starts with her line of laughter.

My summer in the lab: the swift death of my research career

By: Christine Zewe

Louisiana State University, Class of 2013

My summer started off much like most of my veterinary school experiences:  I, eager student, full of enthusiasm, entered unknown territory with a determination to succeed!  I was convinced that my well-researched, expertly designed project was going to make an indelible mark on science and possibly propel me down the path of “super-important science researcher/disease curer.”  Alas, as vet school is wont to do (and with expert precision, I might add), I was humbled.  And when I say humbled, I don’t just mean “knocked down a peg,” or “slightly ego-bruised,” I mean pure, abject failure.  Okay, I hyperbolize, but it felt like it at the time.

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Interrupted

By: Lindsey Thomas

Louisiana State University, Class of 2012

He ambles toward the door

A picture of lazy confidence

Until you see his troubled eyes—

Kaleidascope images fenced.

I can’t seem to speak,

To swallow that selfish pride,

To tell him to STOP! WAIT!

We both bottle our hurt inside

Then: A phone call, a gasp,

Everything blurs,

Can’t move fast enough,

At only myself I curse.

Wringing hands, fervent prayers,

I shouldn’t have let him go!

Curves and bridges and curves,

Ice, sleet and snow…

Smell of sterile, of fear,

I can’t seem to stop the cold;

A muted television,

Stare blindly at magazines old

Why are they smiling?!

Don’t they know??

Why will the world not stop

Or even slow?

Minutes are years,

Every footstep is a drumbeat

Then the white coat enters—

We all rise from our seats.

There’s no need to speak

His red-rimmed eyes tell

Please, please wake me!

If it’s not a dream, it’s hell

Send me away, I won’t even breathe

Until he smiles again

Beauty is sarcasm, all colors gray

Without my love, my best friend

Every song, every scene

Memories crumple my soul

Maybe (just maybe) if I lay still long enough,

I will fade out, wake in his arms,

And again be whole.

2010

Dreams Vs. Memories

By: Matthew Inniss

Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2014

Your thoughts have drifted into a state of blankness

The thought of yesterdays seem to have slipped into an unknown past.

But, every so often one of those thoughts appears for a short time,

As if to start us on an unbeaten path;

These constellations of the mind heart, and spirit

Creations of heaven, memories of a life of living,

What will I do, years from now?

What do I inspire within hearts, to reach for higher ground to find true destiny of which truth is spoken?

These words come to me as visions of rainbows and sunshine filled days, where children of perfection play amongst the clouds.

You gawk at these words only because you have yet to believe in yourself.

You think it not possible for man to be eternal, but I pray, tell that it is true that he is

Those of you who believe and dream, continue to run the race life will course.

Hold thy friends steady at thy side and no Tundra or Mountain will blind your sight of the true being within us all.

Save yourself pain, and let yourself be free.

Dreams have provided you with hope, and memories the ammunition to fight the battles that may come your way.

Arm thyself properly, and life will be yours.

The NAVMEC, is it an acronym worth remembering?

By: Matthew Inniss

Louisiana State University, Class of 2014

We all know the day to day trials of being a veterinary student. Sometimes we think to ourselves that it would be nice if someone could identify with the “old wooden roller coaster ride,” known as veterinary school, in an effort to make it a little less “bumpy.” Lucky, for all the students with this thought on their mind, instead of what’s on the next neurology test, their wish has been granted.

The North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium was formed for just this purpose. Of course, the purpose is more properly outlined beyond the point of vision of an “old wooden roller coaster ride,” but the intent is the same. The NAVMEC was formed in 2009 under the umbrella organization known as the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). The goal of the NAVMEC is to review current methods of veterinary education in order to identify points of improvement, for the future education of veterinarians.  The group was formed by invitation. Members of the not only the veterinary profession but the medical and dental profession were asked to participate in the consortium. There are two types of membership or participation that recognized by the NAVMEC. Co-Sponsors are designated by their financial contribution to the efforts of the consortium. There are also those members that are not financial contributors, but still have desires to aid in the efforts of the consortium.

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