With an endowment created in 2007 by a gift from Ernest Smith DVM '66 and his wife, Abby, of Tequesta, Florida, the Robert W. Kirk DVM '46 Practitioner-in-Residence Endowment was established to fund private-practice veterinarians who wish to visit Cornell University Hospital for Animals for 3-5 days per week, for periods ranging from two weeks to three months.

The purpose of the Practitioner-in-Residence program is

• to enhance student and faculty understanding of the world of private practice, and correspondingly,
• to enable the practitioner to learn the latest medical techniques, technologies, and information from the faculty.

Dr. and Mrs. Smith named the fund in honor of Robert L. Kirk DVM '46, professor emeritus of veterinary clinical science at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine and one of Dr. Smith's teachers. Dr. Kirk is internationally recognized and perhaps best known for his text, Current Veterinary Therapy, currently in its 13th edition. A renowned teacher, he was on faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine from 1952 to 1985 and served as director of Cornell University Hospital for Animals in the late 1970s and 1980s. Dr. Smith is a highly regarded veterinarian who has retired from practice in the Palm Beach area of Florida. He is especially well regarded for his expertise in practice management and dermatology and allergy medicine.

The program is open to both large-animal and small-animal veterinarians. Large-animal practitioners apply to a particular service. Small-animal practitioners will spend at least 50 percent of their time with students in the primary care Community Practice Service, under the direction of the CPS section chief, Dr. Bill Hornbuckle. The practitioner-in-residence will function as a consultant to the students and will participate in CPS rounds and programs. The practitioner may also rotate through other outpatient specialties as an observer for the remaining 50 percent of the program, as approved by the hosting service(s).

Participating practitioners will be invited to practice at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, attend service rounds with students and house officers, and attend the weekly Senior Seminar. The practitioner also will present a seminar on a topic related to private practice management, which will be open to all students.

Housing and parking for the Robert W. Kirk DVM '46 Practitioner-in-Residence will be arranged and paid by the endowment. The practitioner will receive a small weekly stipend to help defray living expenses while in Ithaca. CE credit can be provided for the experience. Participation is entirely voluntary. Participating veterinarians must have a current license (any state) and must provide proof of active rabies vaccination.

To apply: To be considered for the program, veterinarians may send a letter of application to the address below. The letter should describe what you hope to gain from the program, the length of time and dates you wish to be in residence, and the service(s) you wish to rotate through. Also include a one-page outline of the seminar you propose to offer. You are welcome to describe other educational experiences you may wish to provide for our students. Send the application electronically to William H. Miller, VMD, program coordinator, to vet-hosp@cornell.edu or by mail to:
      Robert W. Kirk Practitioner-in-Residence Application Committee
      c/o William H. Miller VMD, Program Coordinator
      Cornell University Hospital for Animals
      CVM Box 20
      Ithaca NY 14853-6401