Message from the Dean | July 2018
Summer Is Upon Us

The heat of summer is upon us and our fourth-year veterinary medical students are actively working in their clinical rotations to acquire the clinical skills they'll need before becoming veterinarians in a little less than 10 months.
 
I want to congratulate the interns who completed their programs this past month as well as welcome our new intern class. We also have a cohort of residents completing their work in the next couple of weeks and I wish each of you well in your coming careers, wherever they take you.
 
Last week we held our Alumni Reunion with well over 100 alumni and families in attendance, with fun had by all.
 
For those who haven't heard, Karen Mier has decided to retire, with her last day at the end of this month. Fortunately, we have completed a successful search for her replacement and welcome Jessie Waters to the school as of today.
 
The school will hold its alumni reception at the AVMA Convention in Denver on July 13 from 7-9 p.m. at Earl's Kitchen and Bar. I hope to see you there if you plan on attending the convention.
 
I wish everyone a great summer.
UW Veterinary Care Updates from the Director

Welcome to Kayla Phelps, a new medical technician in the clinical pathology laboratory. And congratulations to our residents who are completing their training programs this month: Molly Allen and Denise Radkey (Anesthesiology), Kayla Grint (Cardiology), Ellen Scherer (Dentistry/Oral Surgery), Lauren Blume and Jessica Malberg (Diagnostic Imaging), Marcella Granfone and Jennifer Loewen (Emergency and Critical Care), Chelsea Holschbach (Large Animal Medicine), Jennifer Whyard (Large Animal Surgery), Laura Barnard (Neurology/Neurosurgery), Katelyn Marlowe, Kathleen Tsimbas and Nathaniel Vos (Oncology), Andrew Lewin (Ophthalmology), Caitlin Barry-Heffernan and Ryan Bray (Small Animal Internal Medicine), Benjamin Yarnall (Small Animal Surgery), and Lily Parkinson (Special Species). Thank you for the many hours you've dedicated to teaching our students and taking compassionate care of our patients. We are so proud of all that you've achieved while working toward your respective specialty certifications.
 
As part of the Madison Metropolitan School District's Personalized Pathways program in healthcare for high school students, UW Veterinary Care is hosting eight high school students throughout the hospital this summer, helping them gain skills in working as part of a veterinary medical team.
 
Ferguson back on his feet with UW_s help
Thanks to a donation from Emily Duane DVM'18, ThunderShirts are now available for canine hospitalized patients who are anxious. The shirts, labeled Property of UWVC, will be laundered between patients and are available through the hospital business office
.

Ferguson, a miniature donkey who received amputation surgery and a prosthetic limb at UW Veterinary Care, enjoyed a moment in the spotlight during his recovery here, being featured by the university, Wisconsin State Journal and NBC 15.

To close, here are some kind words from a recent client:

" We had a wonderful experience. The doctor and resident took time to explain everything to me. And I was beyond thankful and impressed when they spoke to my daughter and incorporated her into the exam and care plan of her pet. Our experience today far exceeded my expectations. Your compassion and dedication to animals and their families is evident. Thank you to everyone involved in our visit."

- Katherine, Plover, Wisconsin

Ruthanne Chun DVM'91
Director, UW Veterinary Care
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
School News

Following preference balloting, department chairs for 2018-19 will be Nigel Cook (Department of Medical Sciences), Jon McAnulty (Department of Surgical Sciences), Ted Golos (Department of Comparative Biosciences) and Chuck Czuprynski (Department of Pathobiological Sciences).
 
DVM alumni from across the country gathered last weekend for the 2018 Alumni Reunion at the Veterinary Medicine Building as we celebrated graduates from the classes of 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013. Attendees enjoyed a picnic amidst beautiful weather and tours of UW Veterinary Care. See class photos.
 
Welcome back to Simon Lygo-Baker from the Department of Higher Education at the University of Surrey. Through mid-September he'll be working with SVM faculty and staff on several aspects of teaching and learning, including continued development of a program to support teaching by technicians/technologists, residents and interns; curricular integration; and peer support of teaching. You can reach Simon by email or in office 3270A.
 
The Dane County Humane Society has partnered with the UW SVM Shelter Medicine Program and Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services (WisCARES) to implement the Pets for Life program in Madison's 53713 ZIP code, providing free veterinary resources and supplies in this underserved community through door-to-door outreach.
Student News

UW SVM students lead a veterinary medical training program for Wisconsin police officer-K-9 teams
SVM student teams, together with Emergency and Critical Care clinician Corinne Lawson, led a veterinary medical training program for Wisconsin police officer-K-9 teams last month as part of a larger technical training program at Camp Randall Stadium. The session provided officers with training on canine first aid, CPR, taking vitals, and recognizing emergency situations such as heat stroke in their K-9 partners
.

Shannon Gildersleeve DVM'18 received a 2018 Veterinary Student Innovation Award from Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. This new awards program recognizes the innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity of graduating seniors at veterinary schools in the U.S. and Canada.

Alyssa Karklus DVMx'20 earned first place for her poster presentation at the Morris Animal Foundation Scientific Advisory Board meeting in June in Denver, Colorado. Karklus presented foundation-supported research, conducted as part of the SVM Summer Scholars program with clinical assistant professor Graham Banes, studying mitochondrial DNA lineages in Bornean and Sumatran orangutans in North American zoos.
Faculty and Staff News

Later this month we bid farewell to SVM facilities manager Karen Mier, whose last day before retirement will be July 27. Congratulations to Karen on her many years of exceptional service to the school; we wish her well in her much-deserved retirement. We also welcome to the SVM Jesse Waters, who begins today as our new facilities manager and will work closely with Karen during the month of July. Jesse previously served as a construction manager with UW-Madison Facilities Planning & Management, so she has numerous projects in the main SVM and Hanson buildings under her belt.
Research News

A new study by virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka and his team, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, documents active influenza infection in the lungs of living mice for the first time. The team developed a tool, FluVision, that allows scientists to observe and better understand what happens when a virus infects the lungs and the body responds.
Upcoming Events

Alumni Reception at AVMA Convention
July 13
7-9 p.m.
Earl's Kitchen & Bar, Denver, Colo.

Ice Cream Social
July 20
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Front lawn at Hanson Labs
More

Save the Date
SVM Education Day
August 8
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building


For more SVM-related events, visit the school's online calendar.
SVM in the News
For more media coverage of the SVM, visit the school's In the News page.
University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
Compassionate Care



STAY CONNECTED:
© 2018 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System