Spring is Here...April Fools |
It’s been a tough last week or two weather-wise, but sometime in the next month, spring will actually arrive. I hope all of our students had an outstanding spring break knowing that when you returned the semester would be wrapping up in the next six weeks. Good luck with the rest of your spring semester and, in particular, good luck to the Class of 2023 in whatever this amazing profession brings to you after graduation.
The School of Veterinary Medicine has much to celebrate. We took second place in the Increase in Percent Participation award for the 2022 Partners In Giving Campaign. I want to thank Rob Lipinski and Kristi Thorson for their leadership on behalf of the school and for all of you who contributed to this important effort.
Many of us attended the AAVMC Annual Conference and Iverson Bell symposium in March. One of the highlights of the meeting was presented to one of our very own, Dr. Liddy Alvarez, who received the Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, presented by Zoetis. Liddy is an excellent example of what a teacher should be, highlighting the importance the SVM places on the education we deliver to our veterinary medical students. Congratulations Liddy!
Another highlight this past month was the announcement of the winners of the Vilas Associates competition from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. John Svaren was one of 23 winners of this prestigious award. Congratulations, John!
Last, but certainly not least, Ruthanne Chun was one of the honorees of the UW Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards, presented at a reception in early March. This award recognizes honorees whose advocacy, activism, and scholarship have positively transformed their organization and community, and whose efforts advanced equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for people of color. Ruthanne has dedicated her career to the efforts described above, with her leadership of our WisCARES program a preeminent example. Congratulations!
I wish everyone a good rest of the spring semester and look forward to our end of semester events, including the 2023 SVM Celebration of Excellence banquet on April 29, 2023, at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club.
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UW Veterinary Care Updates from the Director |
Welcome to Amanda Meeker, a new technician joining our anesthesia service, and Erica Palacios, who joined the hospital's reception team earlier this month. I would also like to congratulate two staff members who transitioned to new positions: Morgan Kelley is now a veterinary technician in small animal internal medicine and Haley Pooler is our new Veterinary Staff Training Specialist. Morgan was previously with our dermatology service and Hayley was a veterinary technician in emergency and critical care.
The below client comment highlights the excellent care and customer service delivered by all members of our team. From the reception staff to technicians to clinicians and everyone behind the scenes, we all play an important role in delivering compassionate care to our patients. Thank you for all that you do.
"I was expecting UW Veterinary Care to feel like a very large clinic with not a lot of bedside manner. However, I was pleasantly surprised and felt very comfortable leaving my pet in their hands!"
Christopher Snyder, DVM, DAVDC
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
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This archival photo from 1986 shows two veterinary science researchers examining horse x-rays in a UWVC
radiology room.
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The spring issue of On Call has been published and is available throughout the SVM, Hanson, and Charmany. In this issue of the magazine we:
- Asked the Class of 2026 what drew them to the profession and to describe the experience of a veterinary medical student;
- Explore our new mural, depicting the diverse range of identities and experiences of our students, faculty, and staff;
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Shine the spotlight on the positive change enacted by Ruthanne Chun, and more.
The school won the Second Place Increase in Percent Participation award from the 2022 Partners in Giving campaign. In 2022, state, university, and UW-Health employees raised nearly $2 million for over 500 organizations.
Nominations are open for the 2023 UW School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Awards. The awards recognize graduates who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the school. Three award categories allow DVM and graduate degree program alumni to be recognized. The nomination deadline has been extended and is now May 1.
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Teaching and Learning News
An update from Peggy Schmidt, associate dean for professional programs
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The curriculum revision Nimble Working Group has begun work finalizing unit-level learning outcomes across body systems in Phases 1 and 2 (with Phase 3 outcomes in mind) of the revised curriculum. The structure created by the Nimble group will be shared with the full faculty to provide opportunities to review, provide feedback, and further contribute to the revision process. The Professional and Clinical Skills Groups are also working through similar processes. Once the learning outcome structure has been formed, the next steps will include the integration of assessments, guided learning activities, and the student experience in the new curriculum. The Nimble Working Group is excited about the work being done and enthusiastic for future steps.
The Curriculum and Educational Support Team (CEST) is in the process of developing new opportunities for faculty and professional development, complementing some of the excellent programming SVM and Campus already provide. While those start to take shape, we'd encourage you to attend the Teaching and Learning Community of Practice virtual sessions on Fridays at noon. Earlier this winter the sessions focused on a 6-part series on 'Guided Instruction', featuring practical tips you can implement now and moving forward in your teaching. Starting on March 31, the sessions will focus on 'Growth Mindset,' a well-researched, evidence-based approach that can help foster persistence, resilience, and curiosity. People with UW access permissions can view these short presentations on the Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at Vet Med Media Space Channel.
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John Svaren, professor in the Department of Comparative Biosciences, was named a 2023-24 Vilas Associate. His project will be funded for two years and seeks to identify the cellular source of Acetyl CoA, which is critical to the production of myelin in Schwann cells.
Associate professor Rob Lipinski co-edited and created the cover art for Current Topics in Developmental Biology, a book on gene-environment interactions in birth defects. Chapter 8 was co-authored by assistant professor Kim Keil-Stietz. The book is now published and can be read at the link above or purchased here.
Clinical assistant professor Liddy Alvarez was honored with the 2022 AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award, recognizing her passion for teaching, clinical care, community service, and scholarship. Liddy received the award at AAVMC's annual Catalyze conference in Washington D.C. on March 11.
Two faculty members from the Department of Surgical Sciences with a focus on special species will be promoted effective July 1. Grayson Doss and Christoph Mans are being promoted to clinical associate professor and clinical professor, respectively.
Clinical assistant professor Starr Cameron will be contributing to a TEDx talk in partnership with the Morris Animal Foundation, speaking on feline cognitive dysfunction. Register to attend this free, virtual event at 7 p.m. on April 24.
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Last month, 24 of our DVM students attended the SAVMA symposium in Illinois. Students listened to lectures, engaged in wet labs, and enjoyed day trips, including a visit to the Brookfield Zoo. The symposium was an excellent opportunity for students to engage in professional development opportunities and appreciate the impact of organized veterinary medicine. |
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On March 3, the school hosted an Invited Applicant Open House for newly invited members of the Class of 2027. Prospective students had a chance to learn more about the first-year experience at the SVM, hear from current DVM students, tour the school, and more. Above, lecturer McLean Gunderson showcases several of their instructional models, which are used to teach clinical skills including venipuncture and spay and neuter techniques.
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April 12
SVM Phi Zeta Research Day
12-6 p.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine
April 21
Dean's Get Together
4:30-6 p.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine
April 29
Celebration of Excellence Awards Banquet
6 p.m.
Madison Concourse Hotel
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May 11
Dean's Get Together: All School Picnic
11:30-1 p.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine
May 13
SVM Investiture Ceremony
7 a.m. breakfast/9 a.m. program
School of Veterinary Medicine
June 24
Alumni Reunion
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building
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WTMJ-TV Milwaukee
Wisconsin Public Radio
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“As [egg demand] changes, effects ripple out into the community and we often have unforeseen effects or collateral damage that we need to keep in mind." |
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-Keith Poulson, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, speaks with Wisconsin Public Radio about the widespread impacts of avian influenza outbreaks.
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