InVeST Will Be Held on February 3-5, 2023

Updated Announcement – InVeST Conference

April 8, 2022

Dear Colleagues, InVeST2023 Participants, Speakers, and Sponsors,

We are pleased to announce that the InVeST Conference has been rescheduled to February 3-5, 2023. We are looking forward to seeing you in-person on the spice island of Grenada.

The world of simulation in teaching has exploded during the pandemic and we know this has driven innovation in veterinary education and simulation significantly and as such, we hope it will generate even more abstracts. We trust that InVeST2023 will be a worldwide gathering of experts on the cutting edge of a new way of teaching and learning.

We are excited to host interactive sessions where you can learn new trends and practices in veterinary simulation, and meet, interact and collaborate with peers while obtaining CE credits.

If you have queries regarding your registration or need more information, please contact invest2020@sgu.edu. Our sponsors have agreed to continue to support us as we move forward.

Please note the following:

  • All participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted to visit the campus
  • Updates to travel and the Government of Grenada guidelines can be accessed here

Grenada’s Ministry of Health website

– The InVeST2023 Team

Updated Announcement – InVeST Conference

April 8, 2022

Dear Colleagues, InVeST2023 Participants, Speakers, and Sponsors,

We are pleased to announce that the InVeST Conference has been rescheduled to February 3-5, 2023. We are looking forward to seeing you in-person on the spice island of Grenada.

The world of simulation in teaching has exploded during the pandemic and we know this has driven innovation in veterinary education and simulation significantly and as such, we hope it will generate even more abstracts. We trust that InVeST2023 will be a worldwide gathering of experts on the cutting edge of a new way of teaching and learning.

We are excited to host interactive sessions where you can learn new trends and practices in veterinary simulation, and meet, interact and collaborate with peers while obtaining CE credits.

If you have queries regarding your registration or need more information, please contact invest2020@sgu.edu. Our sponsors have agreed to continue to support us as we move forward.

Please note the following:

  • All participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted to visit the campus
  • Updates to travel and the Government of Grenada guidelines can be accessed here

Grenada’s Ministry of Health website

– The InVeST2023 Team

Welcome from InVeST and SGU

Chair’s Welcome, InVeST

Welcome to the InVeST Conference at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine! We are excited for the seventh InVeST meeting, and the eighth time that the veterinary simulation consortium has gathered together. It was clear from the very first meeting that there was a group of educators using simulation that could benefit from this regular gathering. We have had the opportunity to visit several wonderful programs since the first simulation strategy meeting at Colorado State University in 2011, and I’m happy to report that veterinary simulation industry is quickly catching up to the human simulation marketplace.

The use of simulation in teaching continues to grow and improve, thanks to innovative educators throughout the world. Many more companies that have entered the simulation space since 2011, and there are more programs with skills labs and simulation centers than ever before.

The simulation world is a collaborative space, with programs sharing their insights and physical designs for the benefit of all learners. I’m excited to see the growing body of research validating the use of simulation in veterinary education. All-in-all, it is a very exciting time to be a veterinary educator and a veterinary student. Virtual and augmented reality, along with models that combine computer programs and mannikins, will take us into the next decade and beyond. I hope that you’ll join us in Grenada for a close look at the advancements in veterinary simulation.

Dr. Dean Hendrickson
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University

Dean’s Welcome, SGU

We are happy that St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine has been selected as the venue for the 7th International Veterinary Simulation in Teaching (InVeST) Conference. This conference is offered every 18 months as an “international forum for learning and networking between researchers, developers and educational institutions on the rapidly growing use of simulation in veterinary education”. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this conference had to be postponed from 2020 to 2023. In addition to the US, previous InVeST conferences were held in South Africa, Germany, St. Kitts and Canada.

With SGU designated as the 2023 host, this provides an opportunity to highlight our ability to display animal and human simulation. Furthermore, this provides an outstanding opportunity to showcase SGU worldwide. We are outfitted with the facilities and personnel to educate conference participants. Our scenic university also provides and atmosphere of relaxation while earning continuing education credits.

Ultimately, InVeST 2023 will provide an avenue for veterinary medical personnel to thrive and build on their professional knowledge while networking with peers. SGU is truly an institution of higher learning and advancement!

Neil Olson, DVM
Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine
St. George’s University

Featured Speakers

Daniel Fletcher, DVM, PhD

Dr. Daniel Fletcher has been on the faculty of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine since 2006. After receiving a BS in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of California Berkeley/San Francisco, he obtained his DVM from the University of California at Davis. He then completed a rotating internship and emergency and critical care residency at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Fletcher has received multiple teaching awards, and is co-chair of the RECOVER Initiative, which published the first evidence-based veterinary CPR guidelines. He is past-president of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and is the Associate Chair for Teaching and Clinical Service of the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cornell.

Dr. Fletcher’s research interests include disorders of fibrinolysis, epilepsy, and the use of immersive simulation in teaching. He has been building simulators for veterinary education since 2009 and is the primary developer of Open VetSim, an open source veterinary simulation platform. He opened the Tetlow and Roy Park Innovation Lab, an immersive simulation center at Cornell in the fall of 2015.

David Killpack, BA-BPMI

David Killpack is an artist, author, educator, inventor, and entrepreneur. He received his BA in biological/preclinical illustration at Iowa State University and later founded Illumination Studios; a company specializing in enlightening visualization for scientific communication.

David’s work has appeared in a variety of media including books, periodicals, websites, software and exhibit graphics and has been recognized by the National Science Foundation, Association of Medical Illustrators and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators among others.

Growing up on a farm in southwest Iowa at the intersection of nature and technology, his unbridled curiosity for seemingly incongruous subjects has been the theme of his life. Much of his work over the last decade involves 3D modeling and animation of veterinary subjects such as award-winning visualizations of equine anatomy. As a continuation of the blend of technology and nature, he co-founded Acumen Agronomics, a company focused on data visualization for agriculture. He continues to develop new methods for visual communication across the life sciences.

Jenny Moffett, BVetMed, MSc

Jenny Moffett is a graduate of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and has held academic roles such as Director of Communication Skills at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, and BVSci Programme Director at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Surrey, UK.

Currently, she is an educationalist and faculty developer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Health Professions’ Education Centre (HPEC). Jenny also owns and operates SkillsTree, an online personal and professional development provider. In her spare time, Jenny either runs after her two boys, or runs with her triathlon club – she’s not sure which consumes more energy.

Submit Your Abstract

We are pleased to announce that we have reopened the Call for Abstracts for the InVeST international conference. We invite the submission of abstracts to be presented as a poster, short communication/presentation, or conference workshop.

The deadline for the abstract submission is November 15, 2022.

All abstracts will be reviewed, accepted submissions will be presented during the conference.

Registration for presenting author(s) will be confirmed soon.


The InVeST 2020 Committee invites the submission of abstracts to be presented as a poster presentation, short communication, or conference workshop. Abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific committee and accepted submissions will be invited to be presented during the conference. Presenters (posters and short communications) and workshop leaders need to register before the early bird registration deadline to ensure their abstract is included in the final program.

Poster

Focus on sharing best practices in simulation teaching. Abstract maximum of 250 words.

Short Communication/Presentation

Focus on sharing results of original research. Abstract maximum of 250 words

Conference Workshop (90 Minutes)

Focus on active participation. Abstract maximum of 250 words.

Please read all instructions carefully before completing the online submission. Failure to comply may eliminate your paper from the evaluation process. Please complete all requested fields and tick the relevant boxes. The abstract must not exceed a maximum of 250 words (excluding Title, Authors & References). Tables, figures and charts are accepted. The abstract must be submitted online and the text typed in the respective form provided.

The name of the Word document should be constructed as follows: “presenter’s first name-family name-title of the abstract.docx”.

Format
Use US Letter (21.6cm x 27.9cm) size with standard margins. The abstracts must be typed in Arial Western type font size 10. Use single spaced type and uniform spacing between the lines. Do not squeeze lines together. The use of standard abbreviations without definition is acceptable. Other abbreviations should be defined by placing them in parentheses after the full word is used in the text for the first time. Use numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3) to indicate numbers except when beginning sentences, which must commence with the written number (e.g. One, Two, Three). Use special font for Greek / mathematical symbols.

Abstracts must be written in English and must be checked for grammatical and spelling errors BEFORE submission. The editors reserve the right to refuse abstracts that have not been properly checked and which require extensive editing.

Title
The title of the abstract should be brief and accurately reflect the content of the abstract. Abbreviations should not be used.

List last name and initials of each author. Authors should be listed in the order preferred for publication, should your abstract be accepted. It will not be possible to change this order following submission.

Line one: Title of Abstract
Line two: Name of the authors (first name, middle initial, last name of each author, qualifications)
Line three: Affiliation (name and address of Department of author responsible for correspondence only)
Line four: Country
Line five: E-mail address

Abstract Body: Poster
Must include the subtitles: Background (stating the aim of the study), Summary of work, Results and Take Home Message.

Abstract Body: Short Communication
Must include the subtitles: Introduction (stating the aim of the study), Material and Methods, Results and Discussion/Conclusion.

Abstract Body: Workshop
Must include the subtitles: Background (stating the aim of the study), Structure of the workshop, Intended outcomes, Who Should Attend and Level.

Vancouver reference style (max 3 references). Identify references in text, tables and legends by Arabic numerals (in parentheses). List references according to appearance in the text.

  1. Standard journal article:
    Yousoupov CH, Lee KYL, Chey W, Menguy R. Study of patients with unexplained nausea and vomiting. Br Med J 1981;283:628-9
  2. Books and other monographs:
    Weinstein L, Scwartz MN. Pathogenic properties of microorganisms. In: Sodaman WA, Janssen W. eds. Pathologic physiology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1975; 457-89.

Conference Registration and Venue Information



Conference registration is not yet open!

  • Early Bird Special: USD $275
  • Standard Registration: USD $300

Early Bird and Standard registration includes welcome package, conference materials, coffee and lunch breaks, dinner for delegates, and a sunset barbecue.

InVeST welcomes SGU educators and SGU students with discounted rates. Discounted registration includes welcome package, conference materials, coffee and lunch breaks. SGU participants will need to present their SGU IDs when retrieving their registration credentials.

SGU Students SGU Faculty
Registration US $50 US $100
BBQ US $45 US $45
Dinner US $50 US $50

Additional Activities

Arts & Craft Shopping Trip: US$25
Explore the town of St. George and enjoy a guided shopping tour and light lunch.
Heritage Tour: US$25
Visit Grenada’s historical sites and highlights of the island’s natural beauty. Minimum 10 participants, maximum 25.

Venue Information

This year’s conference will be hosted on the beautiful True Blue Campus of St. George’s University in Grenada. Take a virtual tour!

Founded as an independent School of Medicine in 1976, St. George’s University opened its doors to students beginning in January 1977. It has evolved into a top center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the Caribbean island of Grenada, in the West Indies. Students attending SGU enjoy the benefits of a thriving multicultural environment, offering all the amenities and technologically advanced facilities of a world-class institution.

The University’s more than 20,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world.

Accommodation and Travel

Accommodations

Conference guests have several high-quality lodging options to choose from during their visit. When booking your reservation at any of these highlighted hotels, be sure to use the discount code mentioned under each accommodation. Hotels shown here are within a short, 10-minute drive of the conference venue and accessible by regular university bus routes.

Conference guests are welcome to use university buses at no cost.

As a reminder, a valid passport is required for entry to the island nation of Grenada.

Located on Spice Island, the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort offers the complete Caribbean experience with beachfront rooms, a rejuvenating spa, a dive shop and four island-themed restaurants on site.

Radisson Grenada Beach Resort - Caribbean Resort

Radisson Grenada Beach Resort

Grand Anse,
St. George’s, Grenada
+1 473-444-4371
www.radissonhotels.com

Discount Code: INVEST

Welcome to True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, a family owned and operated hotel on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Located on the South Coast, this unique and colorful resort is set among tropical gardens and overlooks the spectacular waters of True Blue Bay.

True Blue Bay Resort

True Blue Bay Resort

Old Mill Road, True Blue,
St. George’s, Grenada
(473) 443-8783
truebluebay.com
mail@truebluebay.com

Discount Code: CON0520

Blue Horizons Garden Resort is an eco-friendly haven tucked away on a sloping hillside just 300 yards from Grand Anse Beach. Stay in the midst of nature on 6 1/4 acres of lush gardens at our family owned and operated resort.


Blue Horizon Garden Resort

Grand Anse
St. George’s, Grenada
+1 473 444 4316
http://www.grenadabluehorizons.com

Discount Code: Fully Booked

The world famous Grand Anse Beach is only a few steps away from your room at Coyaba Beach Resort.


Coyaba Beach Resort

Grand Anse
St. George’s, Grenada
+1 473 444 4129
http://www.coyaba.com
reservations@coyaba.com

Travel

Several international airlines provide regular service to Grenada. Use airport code GND when searching for flights on your preferred booking service.

Airlines

American Airlines provides daily direct service from Miami.

Jet Blue provides direct service from New York JFK to Grenada five days per week.

Delta provides seasonal service departing from New York JFK and Atlanta ATL.

Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA) flies from the US to Barbados and Trinidad with connecting flights to Grenada. There are also seasonal direct flights with Caribbean Airlines from Toronto.

Air Canada also provides seasonal direct service to Grenada from Toronto. Flights to Barbados are available year round via Toronto and Montreal, with connections to Grenada via regional carriers.

British Airways service is twice-weekly from London to Grenada, and more frequent schedules to Barbados. Further connection via LIAT from Bridgetown, Barbados is available in a single booking.

Virgin Atlantic also offers twice-weekly service from London to Grenada, and more frequent schedules to Barbados.

Several airlines fly to airports near Grenada, where connecting flights to Grenada can be arranged. Leeward Islands Air Transportation (LIAT) is a regional airline offering connecting services to Grenada from Barbados, Trinidad and other Caribbean islands.

About Grenada

Stay an extra day and explore Pure Grenada! In addition to traditional Caribbean activities like snorkeling, hiking the rain forest, and fishing, there are many must see attractions on the island of Grenada, including the Grenada National Museum, Fort George, Fort Frederick, Seven Sisters Falls, Grenada Chocolate Company, Rhum Runner, River Antoine Rum Distillery, and Annandale Falls. Visit puregrenada.com for details on these and other attractions.

FAQs

The conference is open to scholars, educators, students and business leaders to come together to share research and novel ideas involving simulation in veterinary medicine to advance training future generations of veterinarian.

Yes, a valid passport is required of all visitors when entering the independent island-nation of Grenada.

Yes, click here to view the campus map or visit SGU’s virtual tour.

Despite our tropical location, most of our attendees will be comfortable in business casual attire. All of the conference venues are fully air conditioned. Presenters will likely choose traditional professional attire.

SGU’s True Blue Campus is a 10-minute taxi ride from Grenada’s international airport and the scenic hotel belt of Grand Anse. Area hotels will be able to provide you with reliable taxi service recommendations.

In addition to taxis, conference attendees are welcome to use ordinary university bus routes. Departure times and bus routes are available at the main campus bus terminal in True Blue.

SGU will provide buses to and from, Radisson Grenada Resort, True Blue Bay Resort and Blue Horizon Garden Resort. Buses will also be available to and from the dinner locations.

Your registration confirmation is immediate, following completion of the online registration form and payment. Bring a printed or electronic copy of your confirmation to the registration desk. Have further questions? Send us an email – invest2020@sgu.edu.

St. George’s University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend an event at, please contact us in advance of the event.

Yes! There are 3 ATMs on campus: one at Charter Hall (lower campus, adjacent to the Welcome Centre) and two at David Brown Hall (upper campus, near to the clock tower).

Drop us an email! The conference organizers monitor and respond to conference mailbox all year long: invest2020@sgu.edu.

Sponsors