STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine student has won an award for his communication skills.

Steven Hutter from Hot Springs, Arkansas has been selected as the 2015 Bayer Excellence in Communication Award winner for MSU.

Steven Hutter

“Bayer’s viewpoint that effective communication is a key to success in the veterinary profession is a sentiment shared by the faculty of MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Dr. Kent Hoblet, dean of the college. “We are proud that Steven’s submission proved how instrumental good communication is to veterinary medicine. We believe Steven and our other students will continue to develop this skill, ultimately benefiting animal health.”

Hoblet said communication in veterinary medicine is crucial, as it helps clinicians establish good client relationships, helps pet owners understand how to administer medications and comply with treatment plans, and demonstrates the true value of veterinary care visits.

Hutter, who will graduate with his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 2016 and will continue at the college to earn his doctorate, demonstrated competence in all of these areas to win the 2015 award.

The competition challenged students to submit a filmed interview between the veterinary student and a client in a clinical setting. Twenty-seven veterinary schools participated in the 2015 competition, which awarded a total of $70,000 in scholarships.

A panel of faculty judges at each veterinary school evaluated entries and selected one winner using a scorecard developed by nationally-renowned veterinary faculty who specialize in communication. The winners each received a $2,500 scholarship.

Hutter and his classmates learn appropriate client communication skills in MSU-CVM’s Community Veterinary Services rotation that provides third- and fourth-year DVM students private practice experience. This rotation equips students with the skills required to excel within a high-quality small animal private practice.

Sponsored by Bayer HealthCare LLC Animal Health for the third consecutive year, the award program was established to recognize effective communication in the veterinary profession and to reward veterinary students who are mastering this critical core skill.

The Bayer Excellence in Communication Award is one facet of a larger initiative aimed at advancing the communication skills of the next generation of veterinarians. In 2002, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health partnered with the Institute for Healthcare Communication to establish the Bayer Communication Project.

The partnership offers communication skills training modules to colleges of veterinary medicine for incorporation into their curriculum. Selected faculty from all U.S. veterinary colleges have been trained in the Bayer Communication Project “Train the Trainer” program.

Writer: Karen Templeton
Contact: Karen Templeton, 662-325-1100