https://www.facebook.com/109769251296772/

MSU CVM in Uganda - Summer 2021, Kampala (2024)

01/07/2021

On Monday, we had the privilege of being invited to Dr. Rwotomara Andrew ‘s village! They gave us the biggest welcome, and we are so grateful for their hospitality. They shared “water” with us (aka they provided a feast!) and we brought some toys for the children. Dr. Andrew is a recent graduate of Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine and has spent the last 3 weeks with us. We are so thankful for Dr. Andrew for all of his time spent with us!

21/06/2021

Posting a little late on this one, but... we spent two fun filled days at UWEC Zoo in Entebbe. We collected f***l samples from felids (big cats!) for Kiera’s research project, did annual health checks on chimpanzees, and got a behind the scenes tour of the zoo! For the safety of the animals, their keepers, and veterinarians, they have cages behind their exhibits so that they can easily, and safely, be separated if needed. This is why you see the felids in cages. They were a little grumpy with us for delaying their release into the exhibits those mornings, but all in all good sports 😊

18/06/2021

Rodent captures, bird captures, bush bucks, red colobus monkies, baboons, elephant p**p, and butterflies... oh my 😱

18/06/2021

We are alive, we promise! Currently at Kibale National Park with no service 😎

14/06/2021

On Saturday we also visited the Business Incubation and Skilling Center - a collaboration between the Government of Uganda and Makerere University. Afterwards we enjoyed some fried chicken at Mr. Tasty!

14/06/2021

We’ve been busy, but we have some catching up to do!

On Saturday morning we had the opportunity to visit one of the Women in Action for Community Empowerment (WACE) groups in Kampala. It is a grass-root, voluntary membership community based organization working to improve the livelihood of women, their households and henceforth the entire community. The founder, Maria K. Nakanwagi realized the cycle of vulnerability and poverty that the women were going through and decided that it was time to act and come up with a body that would empower women to become the drivers of development in their own communities. Each group of women are taught about economic empowerment, sustainable agriculture, improved nutrition, education, community health, and women’s rights.

We were able to tour their Demonstration Garden and see their new composting project. They’re biggest crop is mushrooms, which are being grown in the cotton bags (first pic). When harvested, the women take them to the market, sell them, and keep the profit for themselves.

You can learn more at www.waceuganda.org !

11/06/2021

Today we visited the Uganda National Health Laboratories Services facility and learned about how they process samples and provide lab services for all of Uganda. They even use boda bodas (but this is a government funded motorcycle transport system) as a means of transporting their samples.

10/06/2021

Our cacophony of sound from the Uganda Museum yesterday. Our global tour kicks off in August!

10/06/2021

On the boat in Lake Victoria!

10/06/2021

Today we swam with the fishes! Our first stop was the Ggaba fish landing in Entebbe. We learned about how they process the Nile Perch and how the surrounding market worked. Byproducts of the fish are smoked and exported to surrounding countries.

Our second stop was the Victoria Treasure fishery where they let us take a look at their new facilities and even go out on the boats! They hope to begin exporting Nile Perch and Tilapia to the EU and USA soon. We really appreciate them letting us tour their facilities and for their hospitality!

Videos of the market and boat ride soon!

09/06/2021

Today, after our lectures, we rode boda bodas (a popular form of transport) to the Uganda Museum in Kampala. We learned more about the history and culture of this beautiful place. We even got to play some traditional instruments with our museum tour guides (videos posted soon).

09/06/2021

And they're off!

09/06/2021

😎😳

09/06/2021

Cruising around town like the locals!

"Boda bodas" are bicycles and motorcycle taxis commonly found in East Africa. They can be much faster than using a car as they weave in and out of traffic jams in the city of Kampala.

Thanks to our friend, Andrew, for arranging this exhilarating experience!

09/06/2021

We experienced our first power outage, right in the middle of class. But that didn't stop the learning!

09/06/2021

We started our Wednesday by learning about zoonosis, or diseases passed from animals to humans. Another great session!

08/06/2021

Good morning! We started today learning about tick borne diseases.

06/06/2021

More photos from the basilica.

It is important to visit cultural and religious sites when abroad to learn more about the history that surrounds us and how that history changes from place to place. These sites remember significant people and events that are still relevant around the world. We learned a lot about this part of Ugandan history today, and are excited to learn about more the history, culture, and people of Uganda. What many people don't understand about veterinary medicine, is that we do, in fact, deal with lots of people. It is imperative we understand what is important to others so that we can better help them, their pets, and even their livelihoods. Veterinarians are pivotal when it comes to discussions and implementation of One Health.

To put it like Animal Planet: "Veterinarian; surprisingly human"

06/06/2021

Inside the Namugongo martyrs’ shrine where more than 22 Catholic and Anglican martyrs were killed. A relic in the center altar contains a piece of backbone from St. Charles Lwanga, a martyr that was burned alive in this very spot. The wood is made of mahogany and 22 pillars support the structure to represent each death. Statues depicting the gruesome deaths of these martyrs surround the grounds in grottos that are still being constructed. A man made lake with a pavilion in the shape of a giant cross lies just adjacent on the grounds to the basilica where outdoor mass and large events can be held. Three Popes have blessed the water of that pond on visits to Uganda. June 3 is the day of pilgrimage and remembrance of this sacred ground.

More pictures of the basilica to come in a later post (waiting for them to download from cameras). If you’d like to learn more, they recommended reading “The African Holocaust” as the most accurate telling of the events that happened here.

05/06/2021

Today we did a bus tour of Kampala! We went to the Acacia Mall and also toured Makerere University.

05/06/2021

We’ve made it to Kampala! We had a nice slow morning to rest after over 24 hours of traveling. Getting ready to explore the city!

05/06/2021

Our first sunrise in Africa!

03/06/2021

We are on our way!!

03/06/2021

The students leave tomorrow afternoon for Uganda! Can you tell they’re excited?!

02/06/2021

~Meet the Team!~

Dr. Khaitsa is a Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology with an international focus in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, at the College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU with duties focused on international veterinary medicine and One Health. She has led a study abroad course (Tropical Veterinary Medicine & One Health) offered jointly with Makerere University for the past 15 years, with continuous enrollment except for 2020.

A graduate of Makerere University, Uganda, (University of Edinburgh and The Ohio State University), Dr. Khaitsa is passionate about advancing the quality of veterinary medicine worldwide by promoting collaboration and sharing best practices in teaching and learning in veterinary medical education. This will ensure that the benefits of modern veterinary medicine are shared with as many people and animals as possible around the world.

Dr. Khaitsa is most excited to be able to see extended her family, especially her 93 year-old mother!

01/06/2021

~Meet the Team!~

Hey everyone. My name is Walker Hyche and I am a third year veterinary student from Meridian, MS.
I graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelors in biology and minors in chemistry and business administration. Here I thought I would pursue human medicine, but my lifetime of working with animals brought me to my dream of being a veterinarian. I completed a honors college thesis investigating the prevalence of a disease in wild turkeys of Mississippi. This project got me very interested in research.

Last year, I participated in the summer research experience that my fellow trip mates are a part of now. I worked on a project concerning chronic wasting disease and I look forward to giving assistance in my trip mates projects this year. I have now completed the didactic portion of the CVM curriculum and have recently started clinical rotations. I hope to start out in mixed animal practice and then possibly pursue a residency later on.

I have to say I’m a little nervous being out of the country this long, but I am also very excited. It is a blessing that we will possibly get the opportunity to work with animals most people only get to see on tv. I am also extremely excited to go with my trip mates on the gorilla trek.

I am very grateful for this incredible opportunity that Mississippi State has given us. Hope you guys enjoy living vicariously through us lol. We’ll keep y’all updated as much as possible!

31/05/2021

~Meet the team~
Hello hello, Facebook friends, for those who don’t know me my name is Jaimarie Frontera another member of this extraordinary study abroad experience in Uganda.

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, I’m 21 years old and I started my undergrad at the University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo. This year I transfer to Mississippi State University to continue my major undergrad in Wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture with a concentration in wildlife veterinary medicine. Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. One of my greatest desires in life is being able to help wildlife animals by maintaining the only thing that guarantees not only a good life but a good lifestyle; health. This is one of the reasons why I have always felt deep in my heart that my vocation is veterinary. I completely relay in my capacities and that MSU CVM in Uganda 2021 will provide me the skills needed to serve and create a positive impact on our society. Another reason for pursuing this career is thanks to my grandmother, who may rest in peace. She had a farm where she took care of 17 dogs (all of them adopted), cats, chickens, etc. During 21 years she showed me her unconditional love towards nature and the most important part, she showed me to value every single living thing in our world. For this reasons when I complete my major I’m going to apply to veterinary school.

This is the first of many experiences I’m going to have in a study abroad. This opportunity will help me to gain experience and knowledge for my future as a professional. My biggest goal is to work with wildlife animals, for that reason I’m so excited to see what nature has to offer and see all the animals in their natural environment. This is something that fills me with joy and excitement.

I’ve been dreaming for this since I knew that I wanted to become a veterinarian and nothing better than being able to experience this opportunity in Uganda with MSU CVM. I invite you to follow this page so you can be part of this amazing journey. 🐘🐒

31/05/2021

Drs. Khaitsa and Reichley just arrived in Uganda! They are having meetings over the next couple of days and will be at the airport for the students to see familiar faces when they arrive. Students - be looking for an email with some helpful tips and tricks to navigate your travel with the COVID checks at each leg of your journey.

31/05/2021

Two and a half days until the students fly out to Uganda! We are so excited!

28/05/2021

~Meet the team~

Hello everyone, my name is Braiam Rosado-Ramos and I am also a second year vet student!!

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico where I graduated with a bachelor degree in biology with a minor in environmental and evolutionary sciences and an associate degree in veterinary technology. During my time in college, I had the opportunity to both do some shadowing in different small animal clinics and volunteer my time in a PhD bird conservation research in my home school. Those experiences opened some doors for me to be able to work as a summer student researcher in different universities in the US where I gained invaluable experience and networking. After finishing school I moved to Florida where I worked as veterinary technician before starting school at MSU and just because it's the closest and home-like place here in the states even though I still miss the warm water and the palm tree shade at the beach.

My goal is to practice as small animal and exotics veterinarian after graduation. I am really excited to participate in this trip because as few of my other classmates I also have the opportunity to combine this experience with the SRE program at Msstate which allows me to do research while I'm in Uganda. My research is focused in the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle at slaughterhouses in the country hoping to bring some help on the fight of this disease.

I have really high expectations for this trip because it's my first time traveling abroad and also I will get to see all this amazing animals, specially the giraffes which is my favorite animal, that here we just see at the zoo. Hope everyone get to see a bit of all we have planned to do and enjoy as well the adventure in the wild continent 🐯🦁🦓🦒

27/05/2021

~Meet the team~

Hello my name is Katie Wright and I am a second year vet student! Here’s a little about me:

I was born and raised in Olive Branch, MS. I attended Mississippi State for my undergrad, where I majored in Animal and Dairy Sciences. I’ve known that I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until my time at MS State that I realized how much I love working with large animals in livestock production.

In 2018, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Guatemala, helping to teach local communities about rabbit meat production. Because of my incredible experience studying abroad in Guatemala, I am so excited to get to experience Uganda this summer! Not only will I have the chance to explore a vibrant new culture, but I will have such a great opportunity to broaden my veterinary education.

I’m probably most looking forward to the safari rides and tbh I might not come home if I don’t see a lion, elephant, and giraffe. But as much as I’ll love getting to experience the wildlife of Africa, I’ll still definitely be missing my own babies—Rue, Leo, and Mora (and I guess my husband too). I’m so excited for this trip and can’t wait to share it with y’all!

25/05/2021

~Meet the Team~

Hey everyone! I’m Dr. Stephen Reichley, an Assistant Clinical Professor here at MSU CVM. I have the pleasure of co-leading the Uganda Study Abroad trip this year.

I am originally from NE Ohio. I graduated from Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. After that, I started a PhD program and joined the faculty at Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, working on the Aquatic Teaching and Diagnostic Service. In 2017, I moved to Idaho to serve as the Director of R&D and Fish Health for the largest producer of rainbow trout in the US. In August 2020, I returned to Mississippi State and work in our Global Center for Aquatic Food Security and the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine. I help support our USAID-funded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish; Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation, Recovery, and Monitoring programs; and collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. You can also find me around the college working in our Aquatic Diagnostic Lab, teaching, and doing aquatic animal health research. One of my research projects is in collaboration with the University of Zambia. I also have the privilege to serve as the President of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

As a vet student, I was fortunate to travel internationally working in aquatic animal health. My travels took me to France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, and Switzerland. Those experiences helped me grow personally and professionally – I am excited to participate in the study abroad trip this year and share the experience with our wonderful students!

24/05/2021

~Meet the Team~

Hey guys! I’m Madison Rawdon, another second year vet student going on the trip!

So, a little about me: I was born and raised in Tennessee, just south of Nashville. So, needless to say, I have pretty killer music taste (this is my official self appointment as trip DJ, and I will be taking requests). I went to Mississippi State for undergrad where I got my Bachelors of Biological Sciences. While in undergrad I was lucky enough to take part in another study abroad trip to Peru with some other prevet students. We got to work in a local animal shelter, hold clinics at a local village, and work with some really incredible animals in wildlife sanctuaries (I’ll never shut up about hand feeding a Sun bear or sitting with an Andean Condor). I’m so excited to get to go to Uganda and have some more stories to tell, hopefully some about crocodiles and lions this time. While in Uganda I will be taking part in the Student Research Experience, like Kiera. My mentor Dr. Graham Rosser, co-mentor Dr. Stephen Reichley, and I will be working with the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity and Makerere University in Uganda to look at various fish parasites in local aquaculture systems. So to wrap this up, Ashley said to tell you two things I’m excited about so, first: crocodile wrangling (obviously) and second: food (also obviously).

24/05/2021

Here is our trip schedule:

What are you most excited to hear about? Let us know in the comments below!

23/05/2021

~Meet the Team!~

My name is Kiera Reardon! Listen to me ramble below 😅

Question: What are you excited to learn about from following our trip?

Some video edits
*we've made it through the first year of vet school, not first semester. I promise it was really fun, I just didn't like all the tests and, you know, COVID restrictions. But we made it *insert yay here*
*Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
*Summer Research Experience
*Early Entry (I did say that right, but I am including it here for those that are interested!)

Hopefully, I will get better at speaking via video to you all! Catch ya next time 😄

20/05/2021

~Meet the Team!~

Hi y’all! I’m Ashley Beyer, and I am a second year vet student. I’m originally from Marion, Arkansas, but you’ll never hear “Woo Pig” from me (although my younger sister is attending there in the fall BOO). I’m a third generation MSU alumnus, and I bleed maroon through and through. I studied Animal and Dairy Science in undergrad to better understand the world of food animal production since I don’t come from a farming family. I quickly found an interest in animal reproduction (theriogenology). Not only do I find the reproductive science aspect interesting, but also how big of a role it plays in the industry to provide sustainable practices and food security. With that, I’d say I’m the most excited to see Uganda’s food animal production systems and their methods of food safety and security. This trip has really gotten me interested in the concept of One Health, and I’m excited to learn more about the transdisciplinary approaches to achieve the One Health goal. This past first year of vet school has taught me so much, and I’m excited to be able to put some things to practice and get out into the field.
Of course, I’m also excited to bring out my Steve Irwin costume and wrangle some crocodiles. Don’t worry, Steve; I’ll make you proud!!!
To add to the excitement, 4 of us also have the opportunity to go Gorilla Trekking during one of our free weekends. Hopefully Tarzan put in a good word for us!!!!
I’m the most sad about having to leave the love of my life - my cat Penny - for an entire month. But distance makes the heart grow fonder, which means she won’t forget about me, right??? Penny, I love you.

Xoxo Uganda girl

^just kidding. Yeet Haw.

18/05/2021

There are only two weeks until we are off to Uganda for the month of June!

We made this page so that you can keep up with how the team is, where we are, and what we are doing! We have been on the edge of our seats since last fall when we started meeting about potentially being able to go. We have been super restless (just ask our professors) this Spring semester as we kept getting closer to the summer and awaiting the school’s approval for us to go!

Some of us have never even dreamed of traveling to Uganda, especially not with the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine! In case you didn’t know, our focus is on One Health, which is the collaborative approach to attain optimal health for people, animals, plants, and the environment. We will have opportunities to learn about international disease surveillance, animal production, food safety, public health, and biosecurity. We are also super excited to team up with Makerere Univeristy in Kampala!

Stay tuned for updates and meeting the team!

-Ash