Clinical Communication Workshop for Specialists and Candidates

Etienne Côté DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology, SAIM), FACC

Dr. Côté is a Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College/Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. His interests include feline cardiology, the intersection between human and veterinary medicine, and interpersonal communication in the clinical setting. He is coeditor of two textbooks: Clinical Veterinary Advisor textbook and Ettinger’s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is a 3M National Teaching Fellow, Canada’s highest recognition for postsecondary educators. His hobbies include languages, travel, and as a proud Newfoundland dog owner, cleaning up hair and drool.

Ruthanne Chun DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Dr. Chun earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1991 from UW-Madison. She completed an internship at Cornell University and then went on to complete a residency in comparative oncology at Purdue. She has served as a leader in multiple veterinary medical organizations and has been involved in interprofessional education on the UW-Madison campus for the past decade.

Laura Garrett DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Dr. Garrett is a Clinical Professor in oncology at the University of Illinois. She is a 1991 University of Illinois graduate. Topics of publications include lymphoma, mast cell tumors, mediastinal cysts, communication, and cytology; these mirror her main interests of clinical oncology and teaching communication skills in the veterinary curriculum.

Shauna Blois, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (SAIM)

Dr. Blois graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2004. After graduation, she completed a rotating internship followed by a small animal internal medicine residency at the Ontario Veterinary College. She is currently an associate professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, service chief of the companion animal internal medicine service, co-director of the OVC Comparative Hemostasis Laboratory. Primary research interests include the intersection between the hemostasis and immune systems. 

Ben Stoughton, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM)

Dr. W. Ben Stoughton is from Merritt Island, Florida and is currently an Assistant Professor in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Prior to moving to Prince Edward Island (PEI) in December 2017, he was a Lecturer in Veterinary Parasitology at Texas A&M University. He completed his undergraduate and DVM degrees at the University of Florida, followed by a rotating equine internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala. After his internship, he completed a Large Animal Internal Medicine (LAIM) residency at Texas A&M University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) in LAIM in 2013. Upon finishing his residency, he entered the Merit Scholars Fellowship Program at Texas A&M University for completion of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences studying the pathogenesis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His current professional interests include large animal internal medicine, veterinary education, communication, Christian Veterinary Mission, ultrasonography, and equine parasitology. Dr. Stoughton currently has 4 children, 8 chickens, 4 cats, 3 horses, and 2 dogs and is greatly helped by his lovely wife of over 17 years. His hobbies include photography, vegetable farming and creating and eating spicy salsa. He seeks to live Coram Deo.

Darcy H. Shaw DVM, MVSc, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM)

Dr. Shaw is professor emeritus of small animal internal medicine in the Dept. of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Over his 30 plus years as a veterinarian, Darcy has served as a clinician, educator and administrator, and held leadership positions such as Teaching Hospital Director, Department Chair, and Associate Dean of Professional Services. He is a Past President (2000-2001) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and was a board member of the Veterinary Leadership Institute from 2014 to 2022. Darcy helped establish the communication skills teaching program at the AVC and continues to contribute to multiple courses. Since 2008, he has been a regular trainer for the Institute for Healthcare Communication in their veterinary faculty development train-the-trainer program. Darcy has participated in innovative leadership development programs that included Leading Organizations to Health (Relationship Centered Healthcare) and Courage to Lead.  He is a certified facilitator for the Center for Courage and Renewal and co-led the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Leadership Academy from 2016-20.  Over his career, Darcy has developed a deep appreciation for the dedication and passion of people within the veterinary community and the compelling need to support each other, communicate effectively and lead with integrity and authenticity. Darcy and his wife, Shelley Burton, a clinical pathologist at AVC, live in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Darcy’s personal passions include cooking, cycling, cats and travel.