National Zoo veterinarians recognized for expertise

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Dr. James Steeil and Dr. Copper Aitken-Palmer exiamine onw of two giant panda cubs born at the National Zoo Aug. 22, 2015.

Dr. James Steeil and Dr. Copper Aitken-Palmer of the National Zoo, have successfully passed the board exam for the American College of Zoological Medicine. They are now qualified as diplomates of the ACZM, a recognized veterinary specialty. There are fewer than 200 ACZM diplomates in the world.

In order to be eligible to sit for the two-day exam, a veterinarian must publish five articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as have extensive post-veterinary training and experience. The first day of the examination is comprised of five parts encompassing all aspects of zoo, wildlife and aquatic medicine. Candidates must pass all five sections in order to be allowed to move on to Day Two, which focuses on one of four sub-specialties. Both Steeil and Aitken-Palmer were examined on their specialty of general zoo-based medicine.

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