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Message from the Dean | April 2017
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A Busy Winter Becomes a Busy Spring
Spring has officially arrived, and it comes in the wake of a busy winter. We put the finishing touches on the soon-to-be-opened Renk Learning Center and hosted a number of receptions highlighting the school's future expansion. The Board of Regents and other leaders from the University of Wisconsin System, as well as members of the state Legislature, visited the school. During their stays, we outlined our vision for what we hope to achieve in the coming decades and the resources we will need to make it a reality. We also hosted the invitees for the Class of 2021 on March 3.
Our flurry of activity continues into the spring. This month we will hold our biennial public Open House for UW Veterinary Care and the School of Veterinary Medicine. We will also present our spring SVM-Phi Zeta Research Day, which highlights many of the scientific accomplishments of our faculty and graduate students.
I'd also like to mention some of our recent fundraising success. I am happy to announce that we have increased our comprehensive campaign goal for the second time. When UW-Madison launched the comprehensive campaign in 2013, we set a $40 million goal and reached it within a year. We subsequently increased our goal to $70 million, which was surpassed last month with Morrie Waud's $5 million matching gift commitment. Our new comprehensive campaign goal is $100 million, to be reached by the conclusion of the campaign in 2020.
For our building expansion campaign, we have raised $17 million so far. We plan to raise a total of $40 million through gifts and to fund $75 million through bonding by the state of Wisconsin. Our sights are set on beginning construction in 2020, with completion of the project slated for 2022.
We have also secured a gift from Jean-Pierre and Nancy Boespflug, via their Foundation for Myopathic Research, that will fund an additional faculty member in the Department of Comparative Biosciences focused on myelin biology research. The Boespflug's have provided support for Ian Duncan's research for more than a decade. His strong relationship with them and effective stewardship of their previous gifts were critical to this latest donation.
Finally, you have likely seen or heard about the President's recently released budget blueprint, which includes proposed cuts to federal agencies that are vital to our work here at the SVM. I would like to assure you that UW-Madison's leadership and the campus Office of Federal Relations are working with our state Congressional delegation and several influential organizations to highlight the potential impact of these proposed cuts and to represent the interests of Wisconsin and its flagship university.
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UW Veterinary Care Updates from the Director
Lisa Korth, our neurology and neurosurgery coordinator, has decided to retire. A fond farewell and best wishes to you, Lisa!
Welcome to
Chris Baars, our new senior financial specialist in the Purchasing Office. Chris comes to us from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and brings many years of customer service and financial experience.
I am happy to announce that, following a visit from surveyors from the
American Animal Hospital Association to our small animal hospital last month, they have determined that we surpass all standards and have granted us another full, three-year accreditation. My thanks to everyone who helped make this visit go so smoothly.
Congratulations to
Ana Moreira for passing her American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Large Animal) board certifying examination.
We had another great month of making a difference in the lives of our clients and their animal companions. Here are some enthusiastic words from one of them:
"Every time we come to UW, EVERY single staff person has been OUTSTANDING!!!!! I live 80 miles away in Rockford, and I chose to drive there rather than stay here locally because I believe in your services that much!!! I don't know about the 'value' since I didn't get the bill yet - I thought I was going to come back today but a MIRACLE occurred and my dog was able to walk today after NOT being able to yesterday or when she went to bed. She was prescribed a new Rx, and I think that made a difference. I have already told MANY people about you in person and on Facebook -- can't say enough GREAT stuff about you guys -- even when I was having a crisis, people were incredible!!!!...from helping me get my dog out of the car, or the front desk guy who walked a box of Kleenex over to me and the doctor who explained everything to me on the white board. UW ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!"
--Christine, Rockford, Ill.
Ruthanne Chun DVM'91
Director,
UW Veterinary Care
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
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School News
The spring 2017 issue of
On Call has been mailed out and is also available to be
viewed or downloaded online. This issue, the second in the publication's new magazine format, includes feature articles about discounted services for police dogs at UW Veterinary Care, the use of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery, and a new technology that improves the production of influenza B vaccines. Other topics include tracking and preventing insect-borne diseases in the Midwest, saving shelter cats in New York City, uncovering the causes behind a major birth defect, and more. You'll also find profiles of an alumna and a current DVM student, as well as the recurring column, "Ask a UW Veterinarian." Enjoy!
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Student News
Rachel McMahon DVMx'19 has been named a recipient of the highly competitive
Second Opportunity Summer Research Scholarship from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Only five students from throughout the United States and Canada are selected each year. Well done, Rachel!
Congratulations to our students who have received
Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarships.They include, from the Class of 2018,
Sarah Appleby,
Lucas Budden,
Holly Hovanec, and
Abaigeal Mleziva, and, from the Class of 2019,
Nicole Nietlisbach,
Jessica Gaska,
Taylor Opgennorth, and
Deanna Scheller.
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Faculty and Staff News
Congratulations to
Matthew Aliota PhD'10, who has been named one of this year's recipients of the
Forward Under 40 Award by the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Welcome to
Denise Garlow who has joined our Office of Advancement as a half-time development communications specialist to assist us with our fundraising efforts.
Best wishes to
Marla Ostby, who is moving from the Pathobiological Sciences Department to a new position at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
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Upcoming Events
Open House
April 2, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building
More
Global Health Symposium
April 4, 2017
4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Health Sciences Learning Center
More
SVM-Phi Zeta Research Day
April 12, 2017
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building
More
Celebration of Excellence Awards Banquet
April 29, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Union South, Varsity Hall
More
For more SVM-related events, visit the school's
online calendar.
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