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CVM Visitor Program

Contact: (919) 513-6786 | janice_cofield@ncsu.edu

The CVM Visitor Program has resumed on a limited basis with these guidelines:

The Office of Continuing Education and Outreach offers a Visitor Program for veterinary practitioners, house officers, volunteers and students from other organizations to visit the Veterinary Hospital or other areas of the College as a way to share information and promote the growth of the veterinary profession. However, NC State Veterinary Medicine is not able to accommodate all requests due to factors such as clinical case load, student clinical rotations, externships, prior faculty commitments and University calendar. If you are a current DVM student in your clinical year of study please visit our DVM Student Visitor page.

There is no charge for participation. Visitors are responsible for the cost of lodging and associated travel expenses. To apply:

  • Obtain an agreement of sponsorship from a faculty or staff member and confirm dates. Please review the available hospital services list below Students are not permitted to be visitor sponsors.
  • Fill out the online application. Include sponsor name, visit dates, service you plan to visit and a short description of what you wish to accomplish while you are here at NC State.
  • All visitors will be required to sign a waiver of liability and complete a background check prior to the visit

Click on the red link below to apply.

Visitor applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Priority will be given to DVM students from other AAVMC member colleges and universities followed by interns, residents and graduate students from other universities.

All authorized visitors are expected to adhere NC State community standards https://www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus/
Face coverings – while optional in most campus indoor locations – remain mandatory in clinical and health care settings, identified research laboratories and public transportation, as required by state or federal law or regulations. Learn more here. Hospital visitors are required to wear KN95 masks. If you bring a face covering you MAY NOT wear a face covering with an exhalation valve. The intent of the face covering is to protect others from respiratory droplets released by the wearer when they talk, cough or sneeze. Exhalation valves allow respiratory droplets to be expelled through the valve.

All individuals interested in visiting the College of Veterinary Medicine must confirm sponsorship and dates of visit with CVM faculty or staff prior to submitting application. For visitors requesting more than one clinical or diagnostic service area, all services must approve the proposed visit for their area, including the date and duration.

  • All visitors, which includes international, graduate and undergraduate students, domestic and international practitioners, residents, faculty members from other institutions and veterinary technicians, will be granted Observer Status only. Individuals granted Observer Status are not permitted to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or patient care, including taking of a medical history, performing a physical exam or animal restraint, administering medications, performing or assisting in surgical procedures, performing diagnostic techniques, or administration/ monitoring of anesthesia, performing other treatment procedures, or providing diagnostic interpretations based on gross or histological pathology or other testing procedures. Observers must be accompanied by a member of the CVM team when observing patient care, treatment or diagnostic activities.
  • Visitors are not permitted to photograph or record video while on the Centennial Biomedical Campus, with the exception of the exterior of buildings

VISITOR APPLICATION FORM 

Undergraduate and High School Student Visitors

In order to accept a visitor request, a faculty or staff sponsor must be arranged prior to submitting an application.

• High school students and undergraduate students from other Universities may not participate in the Veterinary Hospital Visitor Program unless they are part of a formal written program that has been submitted and approved by the Associate Dean and Director of Veterinary Medical Services.

Domestic Veterinarians

Daily activities include participation in rounds, reception of cases, and intimate involvement in the work-up and treatment of a wide variety of cases. You may request a visit with any service or program listed below in the Veterinary Hospital. Visiting Clinicians may elect to participate in the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, if desired. A certificate recognized by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board will be issued upon request stating the period of time you participated in the program. This certificate may not be recognized in other states or countries. The program is observational only

A minimum of 3 weeks’ notice is required prior to the requested dates.

***Note***If you are a current DVM student in your clinical year of study seeking to complete a for-credit externship, please visit our DVM Student Visitor page for an application. Please submit requests at least 3 weeks prior to your requested visit dates.

International Veterinarians

International visitor applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis

Visitor will be granted Observer Status only. According to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, guest DVMs present in the United States in visitor status are not allowed to work or perform any productive activities at the College of Veterinary Medicine, but may engage in supervised observation at the College. Daily activities include participation in rounds, observation of the work-up and treatment of a wide variety of cases. Individuals granted Observer Status are not permitted to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or patient care, including taking of a medical history, performing a physical exam, administering medications, performing or assisting in surgical procedures, performing diagnostic techniques, or administration/ monitoring of anesthesia, performing other treatment procedures, or providing diagnostic interpretations based on gross or histological pathology or other testing procedures. Observers must be accompanied by a member of the CVM team when observing patient care, treatment or diagnostic activities

The maximum duration of each visit is 4 consecutive weeks, with no more than 2 services visited. Longer visits may be considered by sponsoring faculty.

Please follow the steps below so that we can assist you with your visit to NC State. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate that will recognize your participation. Visitors must have sufficient English language ability to communicate effectively. Individuals interested in visiting the College of Veterinary Medicine must obtain an agreement of sponsorship from a faculty or staff member and confirm dates of visit PRIOR to submission of visitor application . Students are not permitted to be visitor sponsors.

  1. Obtain an agreement of sponsorship and dates of visit from a faculty or staff member. See the table below for Veterinary Hospital services accepting visitors. Students are not permitted to be visitor sponsors.
  2. Fill out the online application. Include sponsor name, visit dates, service you plan to visit and a short essay describing what you wish to accomplish while you are here at NC State.
  3. Once we  confirm your request you will be notified by e-mail.
  4. All visitors will be required to sign a waiver of liability and complete a background check prior to the visit
  5. You are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa. If you need a visa, check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you don’t see your country listed, you will need a nonimmigrant visa to visit the U.S. and will apply for a B1 Visa.
  6. Here are housing options that may be helpful to you. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements.

Please allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed.

Available Services

You may request a visit to the Veterinary Hospital services listed below

ServiceAccepts visitorsSponsor contact nameSponsor contact email
NutritionyesDr. Korinn Sakerkesaker@ncsu.edu
DermatologyAccepts visitors already working as specialists or training to be specialists in dermatologyDr. Petra Bizikovapbiziko@ncsu.edu
Diagnostic ImagingyesDr. Nathan Nelsonncnelso2@ncsu.edu
DentistryyesJeannie Losey, RVT, VTSbjlosey@ncsu.edu
Pharmacy accept 1 day student "shadow" visits for interested pre-pharmacy studentsDr. Shelby Williams and Dr. Erica Earnhardtsrdenney@ncsu.edu ecearnha@ncsu.edu
Sports Medicine and RehabilitationYesDr Carmella Brittcnugent@ncsu.edu
Small Animal OrthopaedicsyesDr. David Knazovickydknazov@ncsu.edu
Emergency and Critical CareyesKatie Bennett ktbennet@ncsu.edu
NeurologyyesDr. Natasha Olbynjolby@ncsu.edu
Cardiologyyes - 2 weeks maximumDr. Teresa DeFrancescotdefranc@ncsu.edu
Radiation Oncologyyes - 2 weeks maximumDr. Tracy Giegertlgieger@ncsu.edu
Clinical PathologyyesDr. Devorah Marks Stowedamarks@ncsu.edu
Medical RecordsyesValerie Ballveball@ncsu.edu
Ophthalmology yes - 2 weeks maximumDr. Hans Westermeyerhdwester@ncsu.edu
Anesthesiayes - DVM students and potential internship/residency candidatesDr. Julie Balkojabalko@ncsu.edu
Medical Oncologyyes - 2 weeks maximumDr. Steven Sutersesuter@ncsu.edu
Internal MedicinePotential internship or residency applicants onlyDr. Karyn Harrell (general rotating internship)
Dr. Karen Tefft (medicine emphasis rotating internship)
Dr. Adan Birkenheuer (Internal medicine residency or clinician investigator)
kaharrel@ncsu.edu ktefft@ncsu.edu ajbirken@ncsu.edu
BehaviorCurrently not accepting visitors
ExoticsUndergraduate and DVM student onlyDr Tara Harrisontmharri7@ncsu.edu
Soft Tissue and Oncologic Surgery YesDr. Kyle Mathewskmathews@ncsu.edu
Equine MedicineyesKarie Tuckerkltucke2@ncsu.edu
Equine SurgeryyesKobi Derkskobi_berger@ncsu.edu
Equine Orthopedicsyes - 2 weeks maximumCatherine McDonaldcmmcdona@ncsu.edu

If you have a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in the activity, please contact Janice Cofield to discuss your needs at least 30 days prior to your visit.

The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program is accepted by all state veterinary regulatory boards and the federal government as meeting, either in part or full, the educational prerequisite for licensure or certain types of employment, respectively.

Internships and Residencies are available in our Veterinary Hospital. Additional information is provided by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians’ MATCH Program.

Items of Importance

  • $25 deposit for the issuance of a security badge to access the buildings on campus
  • We encourage all visitors to carry proof of health insurance in the event of an emergency. North Carolina State University including its faculty, staff, students, agents and representatives are not responsible for illness or injuries encountered during participation in visitor programs and do not provide payment for any care received.
  • Urgent Care

Accommodations

Housing

Visitors are responsible for making arrangements for accommodations. Effective August 1, 2017, University Housing no longer offers academic year guest housing on campus.

Parking

Parking is by permit only. Visitors not affiliated with NC State University may request a parking permit by providing your email and dates required. Permits are $10 per day

Free parking is available across from our campus on Blue Ridge Rd. in the North Carolina State Fairgrounds lot highlighted in blue on the campus map. Please note that this is not an approved university parking lot so you park there at your own risk. There is a trail from Blue Ridge Road that follows next to the parking deck and leads to William Moore Drive. Follow to the main CVM entrance.

Transportation

The Wolfline shuttle bus service is a great way to get around campus and from university guest housing to the Veterinary Hospital.

The city of Raleigh offers many modes of transportation for your convenience such as a city-wide bus system, taxi service and buses to the greater Triangle Area, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Additionally, Triangle Transit offers day passes which can be purchased in advance of your travel to Raleigh.

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Amtrak serve this area.

NC State Police Safety Escort

Visitors who have overnight shifts or find themselves on-campus late at night are welcome to contact NC State’s Police Department for a Safety Escort by calling the department dispatch at 919-515-3000.

Officers will make an effort to arrive quickly and escort visitors: from on-campus guest housing to the CVM; from the CVM to on-campus guest housing; from a building to their car. However, please be aware that if an emergency call comes in, officers may be asked to prioritize that call until it is resolved.