Reflecting on the challenging year behind us, there are many takeaways of which we can be proud. Beginning in March, the hospital community rose together to address the COVID-19 challenge. All our jobs changed overnight as we quickly accepted new protocols, new roles, and new environments in which to help our clients and patients. These changes have remained fluid for nearly a year, and I commend your ability to adapt and maintain a standard of care that is second to none. There is not a single facet of the hospital that was immune to these changes—from administration and support services to faculty and staff in primary patient care roles—and then in the fall, we faced the additional challenge and trauma of the fires, of which members of our community were directly affected. We can all be proud of our response to these challenges and of a collective job well done.
We can now focus on the task in front of us. I encourage everyone to pursue vaccination as soon as you can so that we can move back toward normal hospital operations with improved safety. If you have questions about vaccination, please email us at vmthcovidqns@ucdavis.edu. We will be keeping you informed as opportunities for vaccination become available.
I know that as we move forward, we can continue on our mission of delivering outstanding patient care while upholding our five cultural beliefs.
With all our work and home responsibilities, I know how difficult it is to focus on our own well-being. But we cannot help others if we are not well ourselves. I encourage all of you to keep your mental and physical health as a paramount in your lives. Take time to exercise, eat well, and take comfort in your immediate family and community (even if it is virtually). If you are struggling with any aspect of your wellness, please take advantage of the campus Academic and Staff Assistance Program, which offers confidential, cost-free assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services to all UC Davis faculty, staff and their immediate families. There are many resources there that will help in your pursuit of a balanced lifestyle. Let’s all help each other complete this journey through the pandemic. I am confident we are now on the downside of that venture. |
Dr. Jane Sykes
Chief Veterinary Medical Officer
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Photo by Sarah Blasczynski, C-barn technician |
Recognitions
The hospital’s Focused Recognition Award Program provides an opportunity to highlight our ongoing cultural journey and recognize those who have provided remarkable progress within our five cultural beliefs: One Team, Trusted Dialogue, Pursue Excellence, Realize Our Vision, and Value People.
December recipients:
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Suzi Browning was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of One Team, Pursue Excellence, and Realize Our Vision, which contributed to the key result of Exceptional Customer Service.
“Suzi has been indispensable supporting Central Receiving. Aside from great teamwork, Suzi provides awesome service to our clients and most of all the patients of the VMTH. We very much appreciate her and her positive “can do” attitude. Thank you, Suzi!”
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Brenda Sissom was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of One Team and Pursue Excellence, which contributed to the key result of Exceptional Customer Service.
“Ecotime was not recognizing CTO and wasn’t calculating holiday pay correctly. Without Brenda’s expertise of the system, pay for a lot of employees would have been incorrect. She is always helpful when I call and have questions timecards and always finds the solution.”
Thank you, Suzi and Brenda, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH.
Thank you to everyone for submitting the Focused Recognition Award cards and demonstrating your support of each other that demonstrate excellence in support of our cultural journey. The drop boxes are located: Reception A, second floor in Pritchard waiting room 2198; Large Animal Reception, first floor in Pritchard next to water fountain/restrooms; Reception B, first floor in CCAH next to the recycle bins.
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Key Cultural Pillar
"Pursue Excellence"
Kudos to the entire faculty and staff on the strides we have made toward fulfilling our goal of providing the best in customer service. Enjoy these recent notes from clients.
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Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction Service:
“Dear Dr. Rowe,
As I’m sitting here waiting for Dr. Celeste Morris to call me back regarding a uterine infection in one of my goats, I’m reflecting on how all of your current (Drs. Rose Digianantonio and Zachary Turner) and past (Drs. Yehonatan Berkowic, Tara Urbano, and many others) residents have really stood out to me over the years. Unfortunately, I’m there frequently, but I’m always relieved to have one of your protégés treating my goats. It is obvious they truly care about the animals, are extremely knowledgeable, give useful and practical advice, and are also exceptionally good at listening to the clients, as well as being humble and eager to learn. My compliments to you for your excellent ability to discern these qualities in young vets and for the training and guidance you provide. And my compliments to all of them for standing out year after year. It is such a pleasure to work with each one of them!”
-Tracy H.
Neurology/Neurosurgery Service:
“I cannot say enough amazing things about the care that our dog Griffin has received from Drs. Wojciech Panek and Bev Sturges and all the staff in neurology. Although Griffin still has a long road of recovery ahead, they have given our boy an opportunity to have a second chance at life. The communication, care, and attention we received is second to none, and we are forever grateful to them. Drs. Panek and Sturges are not only extraordinary veterinarians, but also amazing people. ‘Thank you’ is simply not enough! From the constant communications with us, answering our many emails, calls, and texts promptly, to giving Griffin the highest attention of care – we have never received this standard of care from any veterinarian or even our own personal doctor. So, although it will never be enough, THANK YOU.”
-Samantha A.
Orthopedic Surgery Service:
“We want to thank Drs. Barbro Filliquist, Denis Marcellin-Little, and Karen Park and the entire staff for the extraordinary work you’ve done and the loving care you’ve given our boy Ludwig. It is truly astounding both in the level of expertise and clear passion you have for your practice. In addition to his medical needs, you and the entire staff involved have provided for his emotional needs as well. Please let everyone know how happy we are.”
-Jupp S.
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Support Service Recognition |
Congratulations to the Pharmaceutical Service for their exceptional ability to keep the pharmacy at peak efficiency during the pandemic. This vital service’s day staff of technicians and pharmacists, as well as the after-hours student staff have continued to provide exceptional patient care as one of the hospital services that has remained open throughout the entirety of the pandemic. Even with hospital staff shortages, the pharmacy has seen an increase in demand in client prescriptions, refills, shipping requests, and phone calls. The team has pursued excellence by modifying its workflow to ensure a more safe and convenient service for clients and staff by increasing cleaning protocols, installing plastic window screens, assisting clients with registering for the Client Portal, delivering medication directly to clients at hospital doors or their vehicles, and providing overnight FedEx shipping at a discounted rate for those who wish to remain home. With so much uncertainty during this time, the pharmacy has become a source of knowledge and comfort for clients with questions about drug supply shortages, and they are able to procure medications as clients struggle with referring veterinarian office closures. The pharmacy is one team that has truly embraced the many changes over the past year and created innovative ways to continue to serve the hospital community during this pandemic. |
Phone Update:
- The hospital is making a significant change to the phone system, with the goal of providing the most efficient service for clients and referring veterinarians. The elevated call volume experienced over the last year, combined with altered receiving and discharge procedures, has pushed the limits of the current phone system. The Large Animal Clinic is returning to its original phone number, 530-752-0290, which will cater to large animal clients and their separate receiving/discharge process. The Large Animal Clinic can still be reached via 530-752-1393 as an option on the main Small Animal Clinic menu.
VMTH phone numbers are now:
530-752-1393 – Small Animal Clinic
530-752-0290 – Large Animal Clinic
530-752-4050 – rDVM Line (both SA and LA)
Please encourage the use of these numbers with
clients and referring veterinarians. We will begin
advertising these numbers publicly this week.
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COVID-19 Update:
- On January 20, the Office of the Dean held a town hall with leaders from the UC Davis Safety Services and Genome Center to discuss the latest developments in the campus’s COVID-19 response. The Safety Services has led the campus’s overall COVID-19 response and Genome Center has led the campus effort to develop and administer the saliva test. The event was an opportunity for School of Veterinary Medicine community members to learn, ask questions, and make suggestions to help improve the university’s response to the pandemic. The meeting was recorded for those who missed it.
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Facility Update:
- In order to provide more clinical service space, the VMTH is currently working to relocate the Cardiology Service to the empty laboratory space on the ground floor of VM2, opposite the clinical trials office. Cardiology’s rounds room also will be moving downstairs to VM2 182A. The Dermatology Service will then move into the former cardiology area space to relieve overcrowding and accommodate more people for their case receiving. Once cardiology has moved, their former rounds room upstairs in VM2 will be made available to the Emergency and Critical Care Service. Dermatology's current service area will become a shared meeting room.
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Wellness Update:
- An innovative nonprofit mental health care initiative has just launched for veterinarians in 2021. The Veterinary Mental Health, Support, and Resiliency Group provides a confidential, empathetic, and supportive space to understand how fellow veterinarians are persisting through challenges. It emphasizes processing stress and grief, learning effective coping skills, implementing a healthier work-life balance, and renewing a love for veterinary medicine. Small virtual groups address participants’ individual concerns in the context of a shared experience that helps to foster well-being and resilience in this career. This is the first group of its kind in the United States. It recently received a $100,000 gift from an anonymous mental health advocate to start the program in honor of the veterinarians who have cared for her companion animals. These services are entirely free for veterinarians, and the program is part of the nonprofit Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS). More details can be found here.
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VMC Update:
- We are excited that the beginning of construction on the All Species Imaging Center is just around the corner. In the near future, we will be bringing you monthly updates right here in VMTH Voice. This major part of Phase I of the Veterinary Medical Center campaign will also include an expansion of the small animal ER/ICU on the second floor of the VMTH.
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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. -
We all know what a rough year 2020 was. Fatigue and burn-out has set in for so many at the VMTH. Our self-care has been challenged due to lack of time and the need to care for others in intense ways. That’s why this year, for 2021, I'm encouraging everyone to keep a Warm Fuzzies Folder. What is a Warm Fuzzies Folder? Check out this link and scroll down to: Take Some Practical Steps to Make a Warm Fuzzies Folder. And then send someone a warm fuzzy to keep in their folder.
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