Program

Kris Gommeren 

Kris Gommeren graduated from Ghent University in 2002, where he completed an internship and residency in internal medicine. In 2009, he became a diplomate of the European College of Internal Medicine and worked briefly in a referral practice before moving to the University of Liège, where he developed the ECC service. Read more

Kris Gommeren graduated from Ghent University in 2002, where he completed an internship and residency in internal medicine. In 2009, he became a diplomate of the European College of Internal Medicine and worked briefly in a referral practice before moving to the University of Liège, where he developed the ECC service. This emergency and intensive care service of the University of Liège has grown into a service with a team of 14 veterinarians, including specialists, residents in training, ECC-dedicated veterinarians, assisted by 6 ECC veterinary nurses and rotating interns. Together they see more than 3,500 emergency cases every year, offering the best possible care including mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal therapies and transfusions to an average of 8 intensive care patients per day; whilst teaching students the necessary day one competencies about this field. In 2017, Kris became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and in the meantime completed a PhD on the effects of systemic inflammation on the cardiovascular system. He is a recover certified instructor and completed the hemodialysis academy. His research focus is on clinical medicine, and he is the author of peer reviewed papers, book chapters and a book that all aim to help all veterinary practitioners. Kris is former president of the European Society of Emergency and Critical Care (EVECCS), founding member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care UltraSound (VECCUS) interest group, and co-founder of the Animal Blood Bank Benelux. He is passionate about teaching, especially on point-of-care ultrasound, assessment of the cardiovascular system in critically ill patients, fluid therapy, and the assessment of volume status and fluid responsiveness.

Favorite song in the 90’s

• Bro Hymn Pennywise
• Rhythm is a dancer
• Better off alone
• I’ll fly with you Gigi d’Agostino
• Around the world Daft Punk
• Tubthumping

Bogdan Alexandru Viţălaru

Professor Bogdan Alexandru Viţălaru is a distinguished veterinary professional with extensive experience in nephrology, urology, and emergency medicine. He graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest in 2004, obtained his PhD in 2009, and became a professor at the same institution in 2023. Dr. Viţălaru has made significant contributions to veterinary medicine, particularly in the field of renal care for small animals.Read more

Professor Bogdan Alexandru Viţălaru is a distinguished veterinary professional with extensive experience in nephrology, urology, and emergency medicine. He graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest in 2004, obtained his PhD in 2009, and became a professor at the same institution in 2023. Dr. Viţălaru has made significant contributions to veterinary medicine, particularly in the field of renal care for small animals.

In 2014, he established Romania’s first Veterinary Hemodialysis Clinic, one of the few in Eastern Europe. He has authored over 150 scientific papers and several books, including a widely-recognized work on peritoneal dialysis in small animals that received the Romanian Academy Award in 2019. Dr. Viţălaru’s expertise has led to his appointment as an Associate Professor at multiple European universities.

Throughout his career, Dr. Viţălaru has received numerous accolades, including the Continuing Medical Education Prize, Speaker of the Year award, and the Didier-Noël Carlotti Award from FECAVA. He currently serves as the President of AMVAC, FECAVA Director for Romania, and FECAVA Ambassador. In September 2023, Dr. Vițălaru has been elected by the FECAVA Council as General Secretary of FECAVA for 2023-2025.

In 2022, he was recognized with the Man of the Year Award for establishing Eastern Europe’s first veterinary hemodialysis clinic.

The greatest achievements of his life are Silvia his wife and his two beautiful daughters: Natalia and Sofia.

Brutus, his amazing and brave dog, is waiting for him every night, after long clinical days…

Favorite 90’s songs

• AC DC – Thunderstruck
• Ace of Base – All that she wants
• Bertie Higgings – Casablanca

Xavier Lévy

Xavier Lévy is a veterinary surgeon specializing in animal reproduction, currently managing the Portes du Gers veterinary clinic and the Centre de Reproduction des Carnivores du Sud-ouest. He earned his veterinary diploma in 2003 and completed an internship at ENVA in 2004. Lévy has held significant roles in various veterinary organizations, including serving on the board of the European Society of Animal Reproduction and as vice-president of European and international affairs for AFVAC. Read more

Xavier Lévy is a veterinary surgeon specializing in animal reproduction, currently managing the Portes du Gers veterinary clinic and the Centre de Reproduction des Carnivores du Sud-ouest. He earned his veterinary diploma in 2003 and completed an internship at ENVA in 2004. Lévy has held significant roles in various veterinary organizations, including serving on the board of the European Society of Animal Reproduction and as vice-president of European and international affairs for AFVAC.

Since 2004, he has contributed to CRESAM’s scientific program, notably developing a non-invasive intrauterine insemination technique for wild felines. In 2008, he entered private practice and joined the FOVEA group in 2023, where he is focused on enhancing reproduction services within the network.

Xavier Lévy is also an independent expert for veterinary laboratories and has organised numerous veterinary congresses. He contributed mainly to the development of:

– New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for canine prostate disorders
– Caesarean section planning in the bitch,
– New Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for female infertility
– Implementation of assisted reproduction protocols for wild carnivores

His research interests also include, newborn care, urogenital surgery, and conservation efforts for endangered species. He has published extensively in national and international veterinary journals.

Stephan Neumann

After studying veterinary medicine at the Vet School Hannover and a short period in a private practice, Stephan Neumann started his career at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Goettingen, in 1992. Read more

After studying veterinary medicine at the Vet School Hannover and a short period in a private practice, Stephan Neumann started his career at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Goettingen, in 1992.

He received the diploma as a national specialist for companion animals in 1996 and for veterinary clinical pathology in 1998.

In 2004 Stephan Neumann became a Diplomate of the ECVCP.  Since 2010 he has been a Professor at the University of Goettingen.

His paraclinical fields of interest are Clinical Pathology, Biomarker Research and Disease Mechanisms. The clinical fields are Orthopaedics and Gastroenterology, especially Hepatology.

He is a Board member of FECAVA, ESVCP, GSAVA, InnLab, CT-User Society, GSAVA Working Group “Gastroenterology”

Favorite song in the 90’s

• Hallelujah
• Morning has broken
• Moon river

Federico Fracassi

Dr Fracassi graduated in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) “cum laude”  at the University of Bologna, Italy. In 2005 he defended his PhD thesis and then completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich, Switzerland and became ECVIM-CA (internal medicine) diplomate in 2012. He is now an Associate Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the University of Bologna. His main research focus is the field of small animal endocrinology. Read more

Dr Fracassi graduated in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) “cum laude”  at the University of Bologna, Italy. In 2005 he defended his PhD thesis and then completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich, Switzerland and became ECVIM-CA (internal medicine) diplomate in 2012. He is now an Associate Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the University of Bologna. His main research focus is the field of small animal endocrinology. He is the director of the master “Canine and Feline Endocrinology”. His publication list consists of more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 14 book chapters. He is the editor of “Veterinaria”, a peer-reviewed journal and associate editor of the Journal of Small Animal Practice. He has been president of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology and the Italian Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is currently vice-president of the ECVIM-CA congress board.  In 2017 he co-edited “Feline Endocrinology” (a book translated into 6 languages) with Dr Feldman and Dr Peterson. In 2022, edited “Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in Internal Medicine for dogs and cats” (book translated into seven languages).  In 2024 , he co-edited “Canine Endocrinology” with Dr Sara Galac. Dr Fracassi has lectured in 22 countries.

Favorite song in the 90’s

• We Will Rock Yoy –  Queen
• Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
• Thunderstruck – AC/DC

Dr. Jennifer von Luckner

EBVS specialist and diplomate of ECVIM-CA (Internal Medicine). She has worked in a university as well as in a private referral clinic setting in Germany, UK and Australia and is looking back on many years of experience with continuing education for practitioners.  Currently working at Laboklin laboratories as well as Anicura Ahlen, Germany (private referral hospital).

Sam Taylor

Ana Nemec