Editor’s Note: In their fourth and final year of veterinary school, students are required to complete a series of two-week clinical rotations in the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. This article is one in a series that highlights those rotations.
When a patient arrives at the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital they are bought into an exam room where a veterinary technician outlines the expectations for the visit to the owner.
That’s when the fourth-year veterinary medicine student assigned to the case steps in.
“We had the opportunity to discuss the diagnostic plan with the technician before obtaining the patient history and performing a physical exam,” said fourth-year student Rachel Jonas who recently completed a cardiology rotation in the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital.
After gathering the necessary information, students like Jonas practice their verbal communication by presenting their findings to the attending board-certified clinician and cardiology resident.
Jonas said the Cardiology Service presented a clear example of how case presentations should be structured.
“This not only enhanced my learning during this rotation but the experience also set me up for success when presenting cases to clinicians on other services,” Jonas said. “I was encouraged to actively engage with cases beyond the ones I was assigned to.
“I was able to ask questions about conditions I was less familiar with and was able to observe how the patient’s cardiac structure was progressing.”
During her rotation, Jonas, under the guidance and supervision of clinicians and residents, performed an abdominocentesis to collect a sample of peritoneal fluid. She also observed a surgery for a complex congenital cardiac condition.
“Observing and participating in case presentations reinforced the importance of clear, concise communication,” Jonas said. “This approach not only enhanced my understanding of cardiovascular pathology but also strengthened my confidence in presenting and discussing cases – skills that will be invaluable in my future clinical practice.”
November 2025
