Introductory Message
From the desk of the
Associate Dean for Veterinary Medical Center Operations
|
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we are well into 2022. These past few weeks, I’ve been enveloped in teaching the didactic cardiology sub-block of VET433C. Watching our instructors go from mentoring in the clinic to teaching in the Zoom session or providing laboratory instruction really highlights the strength of our team. The pivot back to in-classroom teaching brought many members of our VMTH team back in touch with year 1-3 students and saw the familiar path of movement between the VMTH and Valley Hall warming up.
Teaching is one of our primary missions at the VMTH. The teaching team isn’t limited to faculty clinicians. Our technicians, house officers, and students all play such a huge role in shaping the future of veterinary medicine. This month is always a time of pride for UC Davis. We saw our senior veterinary students receive the NAVLE results and move closer to achieving their goals. Many are interviewing for their first jobs and considering where the journey of veterinary medicine will take them next. Students and house officers alike are planning for that next step in their exciting careers. The VIRMP match results are rapidly approaching, and I’m so excited to see where some of our students and interns will go next. On behalf of all our students and trainees, I want to say a huge thank you to our VMTH team members that have shaped their journey and created memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.
This exciting news and anticipation of change can also bring uncertainty and stress. I hope that as we move into March, we make a renewed effort to support our friends and colleagues. This month, the VMTH hosted our first of many small group training sessions on suicide prevention. VMTH staff and clinicians came together to learn how to ask the tough questions and provide support for members of our community that need help. While I hope that I don’t need to utilize this training, I was moved to see the members of our community that showed up to be sure they are ready to provide support whenever they are needed.
Check in on your friends and team members. Celebrate their successes and support them in times of challenge. As fans of The Jungle Book may recall, “the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
As always, thanks for all you do in support of the VMTH and our people!
--Dr. Joshua Stern
|
|
"Dr. Richard Pereira, my faculty mentor, has supported my clinical development immensely, through encouragement and invaluable guidance. And Teresa Greenhut, our Livestock and Herd Health Service technician, has been an invaluable addition to the service, where she always helps me provide the best client service and teaching opportunities while lifting up the team with humor and always sharing her vast knowledge of animal husbandry."
--Dr. Zachary Turner, Chief House Officer
|
Staff Update:
- Welcome Tracey Bell, the new Small Animal specialty services manager. She oversees the Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Dermatology Services. Originally from Southern California, her background is diverse, having managed in both a specialty and emergency practice and a general practice, where she oversaw multiple locations on the West Coast. Prior to that, she served as a supervisor for a high-volume emergency and surgical hospital. Tracy started off her career in Colorado where she attended the Bel-Rea Institute, earning her AAS in Animal Technology in 2005. She came back to California, where she tested for and earned her RVT license. She worked as a veterinary technician and supervisor continuously while earning her BA and MS from California State University, Long Beach. On weekends, Tracy enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is an avid naturalist and loves to hike, swim, and be in nature. She considers herself a foodie and is always looking for amazing restaurants and fun locations to enjoy.
|
-
On Valentine’s Day, the VPETT committee handed out cookies and cupcakes to staff arriving for their shifts and made treats available throughout the day. Thank you to our dedicated staff members who go above and beyond every day to treat our patients, teach our students, and care for our clients. Remember to nominate your colleagues for a VPETT Recognition Award. It just takes a few minutes but could make a lasting impression!
|
-
Former ER/ICU staff manager Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (Emergency Critical Care) (Anesthesia and Analgesia), became President of the Board of Directors for the North American Veterinary Community. Mr. Davis, who recently retired from the VMTH after 35 years, previously served as a member of the NAVC Board for six years. He is only the third RVT to lead the NAVC Board as its president. Throughout his career, Mr. Davis has served in leadership roles of many leading veterinary organizations and been a driving force to elevate and transform the roles of veterinary technicians.
|
School Update:
-
Recently, the school was pleased to be an initial signatory of the Gender Identity Bill of Rights published by the Pride Veterinary Medical Community. The bill has now been signed by many prominent veterinary organizations, individuals, and schools. You can add your voice to this bill created in June 2021 to address inequality and inequity throughout the veterinary industry.
|
Faculty Update:
-
Thank you to Drs. Liz Stelow and Melissa Bain of the Behavior Service for going above and beyond with media relations. They have responded to several media inquiries over the past few months, resulting in appearances in Consumer Reports, Inverse, CBS13, Discover, CNET, Great Pet Care, as well as several national TV appearances following Dr. Stelow’s extensive interviews with a large media outlet that owns dozens of TV stations. Those included pieces on Winter Safety Tips for Pets, Pet Dental Health Tips, and How to Make Routine Checkups for Cats Easier. These placements in the media help reinforce our faculty’s position as experts in the veterinary profession and hold true to our mission as a veterinary leader. If you're a faculty member wanting to learn more about media relations, please contact VMTH Communications & Marketing Officer Rob Warren.
|
COVID-19 Update:
- While the state’s indoor mask mandate expired on February 15, Chancellor May has indicated that our indoor mask requirement will stay in place on the UC Davis campus at least through the winter quarter. This decision is in line with guidance from Yolo County Public Health – guidance that campus have been following since the beginning of the pandemic. Although Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County public health officer, has lifted the county’s requirement for masks indoors, she still recommends them, and UC Davis will follow that recommendation. Feel free to reach out to vmthcovidqns@ucdavis.edu if you have questions.
|
Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service resident Dr. Cileah Kretsch instructs 4th year DVM student Maia Laabs.
|
Internal Medicine Service resident Dr. Jennifer Chan with faculty member Dr. Lynelle Johnson.
|
Recognitions
NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES TODAY
Recognize the hard work
your team performs every day.
|
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 February.
|
February Recipients:
Michelle Borchardt, an animal health technician in the Behavior Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Realize Our Vision, Value People, and Pursue Excellence, which contributed to the key results of Excellent Patient Care, Client/rDVM Satisfaction, and Employee Engagement.
“I was able to sit in on a Behavior Service appointment, and I was completely astonished. Despite being limited to Zoom appointments, Michelle and the rest of the Behavior team was able to provide excellent patient care by demonstrating patience, empathy, and knowledge to the client and their pet. Their appointment and PowerPoint was very engaging and entertaining for the client. Way to go!”
|
Nikki Saunders, an animal health technician in the Internal Medicine Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Realize Vision, Value People, and One Team, which contributed to the key results of Excellent Patient Care, Employee Engagement, and Fiscal Health of the VMTH.
“Nikki is always willing to help anyone who needs it. Much of the time, she even recognizes when someone needs help before they even ask for it. She has a great attitude and no matter how busy she may be, she will always take the time to help faculty, residents, students, and her fellow staff members no matter the task, which ultimately makes for excellent patient care.”
Thank you, Michelle and Nikki, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH.
In addition, Debbie Davis and Robert Collins also received awards for recognizing their colleagues’ hard work.
|
Medical Oncology Service faculty member Dr. Amandine Lejeune teaches a procedure to 4th year DVM students.
|
Key Cultural Pillar
“Realize Our Vision”
Congratulations to our farrier Shane Westman on earning a Graduate Diploma in Equine Locomotor Research through London’s Royal Veterinary College. The knowledge that Westman gained through this program will provide UC Davis veterinary students, residents, faculty, and patients with access to advanced approaches to clinical care. The program, which Westman completed in three years while navigating complications caused by the pandemic that interrupted class schedules and limited travel, provides participants with scientific and academic skills to produce original research to the highest professional standard. Westman is one of only two farriers in the western United States to boast this credential.
|
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.
- People often share with me their frustration in finding a therapist. How do I find a good one? What do all those initials after their name mean? Can I change therapists if I don’t feel comfortable? A good fit with a therapist is a must! You’re going to be sharing thoughts and feelings with your therapist that you might not share with anyone else. The therapeutic alliance creates change. Therefore, it must be a good fit! This article covers how you can find a therapist that meets your needs. You can also reach out to me any time if you need help with finding a therapist.
|
|