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Introductory Message
From the Hospital Administrative Officer
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As I prepare for my return to the VMTH, I am exceptionally grateful for the unique perspective that has allowed me to compare my previous experience as the small animal specialty manager with the observations and engaging discussions I shared with various VMTH teams throughout the hospital administrative officer selection process. Witnessing the ongoing positive changes and efforts within the VMTH has been exciting, and I feel honored to have been chosen to rejoin the team to help support these ongoing collaborations and initiatives.
However, what I find most exciting is the opportunity to return to the VMTH and work alongside a group of professionals who inspire and challenge me, as well as demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our profession. I cannot wait to hear your ideas on how best to partner on existing projects and new initiatives. Together, we will continue to advance the positive progress already occurring at the VMTH.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Cheryl Primas and Soli Redfield for their tireless efforts to support our teams during this time of transition. I know first-hand that their dedication and experience is invaluable to the VMTH. Their demonstrated commitment to the VMTH staff during times of change is a testament to our incredible management team.
I must also acknowledge the phenomenal amount of resilience the entire VMTH team has demonstrated over the past few years. You overcame tremendous adversity and continued to successfully advance education, research, and veterinary care no matter the obstacle. You continue to support each other, our students, our clients, and our patients with outstanding care, compassion, and tenacity. I am incredibly proud to be welcomed back among a team as exceptional as the VMTH.
— Harmony Lindberg
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Large Animal Clinic Opens New Equine Stalls
LAC celebrated the grand opening of new clinical space in its equine barns. LAC Director Dr. Bret McNabb and several faculty and staff members recently cut the ceremonial ribbon into new hospitalization space of three large-capacity equine stalls and an adjacent treatment area. The new space repurposes an area of the hospital that had not been utilized in more than a decade and paves the way for future renovation projects to move forward, including the All Species Imaging Center, a central hub of imaging modalities which will be located between the main hospital building and the barns.
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Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service Opens Stomatitis Clinic
DOSS is opening a monthly Stomatitis Clinic to better serve patients suffering from this oral disease and provide them with cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic options. This expansion of oral medicine opportunities will greatly improve UC Davis’ ability to treat one of the most devastating oral diseases in pets. Following a successful soft launch in July and August, the clinic will officially open on September 8, with a 2-day “stomatitis only” receiving and treatment schedule. The Stomatitis Clinic will be the first of its kind anywhere in veterinary medicine. Going forward, DOSS will continue to dedicate two days each month exclusively to stomatitis patients.
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Staff Update:
- Sarah Blasczynski, an animal health technician with the Livestock Medicine Service, was awarded the UC Davis Campus Safety Star Award for the second quarter of 2022. The Safety Star Program was implemented to recognize campus employees who are making contributions to improve the safety culture at UC Davis.
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- Please Welcome Harmony Lindberg back to the VMTH as the new hospital administrative officer overseeing staff operations, effective September 12, 2022. (See Harmony’s introductory letter in this issue of VMTH Voice.) Harmony will be making her rounds and getting reacquainted with the VMTH and our teams upon her arrival. She is a registered veterinary technician and certified veterinary practice manager with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. Her experience includes various roles in both private and corporate practices spanning from one-DVM clinics to multi-location facilities. Harmony previously served as the small animal specialty services manager at the VMTH and is excited to return after spending the past year as a manager with UC Davis Health. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her husband and two teenage kids, riding horses, and generally being bossed around by a multitude of felines, a chubby Chihuahua, and a slightly sketchy German shepherd mix. Harmony will work closely with the new hospital administrator.
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- Drs. Nicole Mikoni & Paula Rodriguez, residents with the UC Davis veterinary hospital’s Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service, were recently named the inaugural recipients of the Outstanding American Journal of Veterinary Research Resident Manuscript Awards. Nominated manuscripts were reviewed by the AJVR’s Associate Editor Board’s Awards Committee and were ranked based on potential impact and clinical relevance.
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Faculty Update:
- Dr. Stanley Marks was named the recipient of the 2022 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award. This award honors an AVMA member's long-term contribution to the field of canine research. The AVMA Council on Research selects the recipient.
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- Dr. Stephen White was named the recipient of the 2022 AVMA Clinical Research Award. The award is given annually to an AVMA member who has made significant contributions to the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diseases in animals, including the study of mechanisms of disease, therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, development of new technologies and epidemiological studies.
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- Please welcome Dr. Stephanie Goldschmidt who joined the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service as an assistant professor, effective August 8, 2022. Dr. Goldschmidt earned her BS with Honors (2009) from the University of Wisconsin and her BVM&S (2013) from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She completed a one-year rotating internship (2014) in medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island and a residency program (2017) in dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Goldschmidt is board certified (2018) by the American Veterinary Dental College. Prior to coming to UC Davis, she was an assistant professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Goldschmidt’s research interests and expertise are in oral and maxillofacial surgical oncology.
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- Please Welcome Dr. Soohyun Kim who joined the Ophthalmology Service as an assistant professor, effective August 1, 2022. Dr. Kim received her B.S. in Biology (2001) from the Kyung-Hee University, South Korea and a DVM (2011) from the Chunbuk National University, South Korea. She completed residency training in ophthalmology (2016) and a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine (2016) at the Seoul National University, South Korea. Dr. Kim was a postdoctoral scholar (2016-2019) at UC Davis and has completed a residency in veterinary comparative ophthalmology at the VMTH. Dr. Kim’s research interests and expertise are in ocular imaging techniques.
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Recognitions
NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES TODAY
Recognize the hard work
your team performs every day.
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Please utilize the PerfectForm icon link available on every VMTH desktop (or through VIPER>VMTH>Forms>VPETT) to nominate your colleagues for recognition of an outstanding example of one of our five Cultural Pillars: Realize Our Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, Trusted Dialogue.
The Cultural Pillars Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the VPETT Recognition Award for the month of August.
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August Recipients:
Steve Vang, a senior storekeeper in Central Services, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Realize Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue, which contributed to the key result of Excellence in Employee Engagement.
“Steve has worked in Receiving/Central Services for just a short 4 months and has taken charge of his duties. He always exceeds expectations in his tasks. Steve is a joy to work with and always has a ‘can do’ attitude. The VMTH is very lucky to have such an exceptional worker.”
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Danielle Randall, an animal care supervisor 2 for the Community Practice, Behavior, CAPE, Nutrition, and Oncology Services, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Realize Vision, Value People, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue, which contributed to the key results of Client/DVM Satisfaction and Excellence in Employee Engagement.
“Danielle has really gone above and beyond helping cover short services, moving many ‘chess pieces’ and even offering to cover lunches herself if needed. I couldn’t do my job without her unwavering support – she is appreciated.”
Thank you, Steve and Danielle, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH.
In addition, Sandy Morgan and Megan Loscar also received awards for recognizing their colleagues’ hard work.
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Key Cultural Pillar
“One Team”
Faculty and staff from the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Service, Soft Tissue Surgery Service, and Anesthesia Service came together to save Calvin, a 6-week-old golden retriever. When Calvin arrived at the VMTH, he was in respiratory distress and found to have decreased heart and lung sounds on the left side of his chest and moderate amounts of discharge from his left nostril. An ultrasound showed an abnormal tissue structure on the left side of his chest. X-rays gave a more definitive view – a defect of his diaphragm (suspected to be a diaphragmatic hernia) with his stomach and spleen having migrated into his chest cavity, causing pressure on his heart and lungs. Aspiration pneumonia was also suspected. In surgery, his spleen and stomach were retracted back below his diaphragm without any complications, and he also received a gastropexy. Calvin recovered well, and his owner reports that he continues to do well a few months after the surgery. “I always recommend the VMTH whenever anyone I know needs veterinary care,” she said. “I could not have asked for a better team to take care of Calvin. Everything was wonderful. They made me very comfortable, with regular updates, and plenty of love for Calvin from all the students.”
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Wellness Tip of the Month
Florence Soares-Dabalos, MS, LMFT, the VMTH’s client support and wellness professional, offers a brief tip on managing stress through the current crisis. Please see full website of services that Florence offers, including a section on House Officer Wellness.
- Last month, I shared a video on the 5 Factors of Resiliency. Starting this month, we'll review each factor. This month, we'll discuss Meaning (aka purpose). Meaning or purpose is something you’re passionate about and is aligned with your values. This 5-minute video can help you identify the three areas that can help you find your meaning within the VMTH. Once you have identified your area of meaning or purpose, stay connected (or reconnect) to it and see if it can help build resiliency, especially if you feel burn-out approaching.
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