March 2022
Spring Is Around the Corner
Although spring is slowly approaching, I know it’s been a long, challenging winter for many. Between the impact of COVID-19 variants to changing mask mandates to balancing virtual versus in-person instruction and challenges unique to the hospital, each of us has faced difficulties likely resulting in additional stress during these trying times.

As highlighted below, the school is again providing mental health first aid training. Also, this month we invite you to participate in a training module and related discussions about the newly updated Recognize, Respond, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training. I encourage you to take advantage of these and other resources in support of your peers and your own wellbeing.

As I’m certain you have heard, the mask mandate for Dane County ended today, and the mask mandate for UW-Madison will end on March 12. As Chris Snyder and the hospital have pointed out, a separate set of guidelines is allowed for health care workers, including UW Veterinary Care. Please pay attention to communication from the hospital regarding mask mandates and clients’ presence in our facilities.

I hope you have a wonderful spring and I wish all our students well during their spring break.
UW Veterinary Care Updates from the Director
Welcome to new employees Timothy Huber, a pharmacy technician; Rhonda Nichols, who will begin as UW Veterinary Care’s social worker on March 14, available to clinicians, house officers, students, staff and clients; Joan Priebe, a client care liaison for the ER service; and Sarah Turner, a greeter/cashier in reception.

To everyone in the hospital as you continue to persevere through our space constraints, pandemic changes and many other challenges, thank you. Your individual and collective efforts mean the world to colleagues, patients and clients like Cheryl, who shared the following note of appreciation.

"A BiG thank you to all after I learned Henry had swallowed my dog walker’s hair scrunchy!! UW Madison Vet School graciously accepted Henry’s special complex megaesophagus case and greeted us with open arms when we arrived at 4:30 p.m. Within minutes, he had stolen their hearts. ... He cleared all his lab work and at 9 p.m., the anesthesia and internal medicine teams were called in from home to do their thing. I am relieved to share that they retrieved an intact scrunchy without complication and we all had tears of joy. After a 2-hour anesthesia team recovery, Henry greeted me with wagging tail and puppy kisses! ... Every single person Henry encountered during his stay made a difference in his very best outcome. I will never forget this experience. We are forever grateful.❤️" -Cheryl

Christopher Snyder, DVM, DAVDC
Director, UW Veterinary Care
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
From the Archives
pink tulips in bloom at UW School of Veterinary Medicine
The first day of spring is officially 19 days away, soon after bringing long-awaited pops of color – like these pleasing pink tulips outside of the school – to our currently frozen tundra. Almost there!
School News
COVID-19 updates:
  • Effective March 12, masks will no longer be required in indoor campus settings. The university will continue to make high-quality masks available to the campus community free of charge. Those who want to wear masks are encouraged to do so. Please respect individual choices about masking. Important note: While this change will apply to the school, as a health care facility UW Veterinary Care can have a separate policy. The UWVC COVID-19 Guidance Team and hospital administration will continue to evaluate options and share an update on policies prior to the campus mask mandate expiring.
  • If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and get tested. At-home antigen tests remain available for pickup at no cost on campus. PCR tests are available by appointment on weekdays at the University Club.
  • If you’re eligible for a booster and have not yet received one, make an appointment.
  • Visit covidresponse.wisc.edu for more information and FAQs.

Mental health support and suicide prevention: UW School of Veterinary Medicine leadership is committed to expanding the number of faculty and staff trained in Mental Health First Aid. The SVM is again offering training to those interested and will pay for enrollment. The next training will take place virtually on April 14. For more information and to register (deadline: March 31), see a Feb. 10 email to the SVM-all list from Brooke Buske. Related: University Health Services has announced that Recognize, Respond, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty and Staff is now available to all UW-Madison employees in Canvas. (Suicide Prevention Training for UW-Madison Students remains available through Canvas.) The SVM will host several related in-person discussions in March to support this training for house officers (March 4), students (March 15), and faculty and staff (March 15). Details have been shared through individual emails and to the SVM-all list. Completion of the Canvas training (approximately 30-60 minutes) is a prerequisite for discussion attendance.
 
Generosity recognized: The School of Veterinary Medicine has received two awards for units or agencies of our size through Partners in Giving, the annual combined campaign for state, UW and UW Health employees to benefit more than 500 charities. The SVM received first place in percent increase in contributions and second place in increase in percent participation for 2021. Thank you to all who contributed. In total the campaign raised almost $2.1 million.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion News
An update from Richard Barajas, director of diversity, equity and inclusion
Registration is now open for the 2022 Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit, which will be hosted at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine from May 20-22. As a reminder, the primary goal of this summit is to promote diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine, with special attention to academia. The theme for this year’s summit is From Talk to Action: Becoming a Change Agent on your Campus. A preliminary event schedule is now also available online. We hope you will join us in this critical collaboration.
Faculty and Staff News
Linda Sullivan DVM’87, professor emerita with the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, passed away in February following a long battle with ovarian cancer. Through decades of service, leadership and philanthropy, she had a tremendous impact on the school, students, peers and the profession of veterinary medicine. View Linda’s obituary.
 
Becky Johnson, clinical professor of anesthesia and pain management, joined the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association executive board in January, elected as the District 5 representative.
 
Gillian McLellan, associate professor, Surgical Sciences, and the Tim and Nancy Speaker Chair in Canine Health, recently received the title of fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (FARVO) in recognition of her contributions to vision research. ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. 
Research News
Nominations are now being sought for two UW School of Veterinary Medicine research awards that recognize accomplishment in basic, clinical or translational research by current DVM students: the SVM Student Research Award and Comparative Biosciences Research Award. Both awards consist of a $500 check and plaque. Nominations from SVM faculty members should be submitted to research@vetmed.wisc.edu no later than March 18. For more information, see a Feb. 14 email sent to the SVM-faculty list. 
A Day in the Life
Certified veterinary technicians Emma Doubleday, left, and Hayley Pooler, center, collect a blood donation from greyhound Carlos while a videographer with local NBC affiliate WMTV films the process. UW Veterinary Care’s Blood Bank program, which Doubleday coordinates, was highlighted in a recent NBC 15 story drawing attention to the lifesaving impact of donor dogs and cats for area pets in need. Carlos, a member of the family of Amanda Brooks, CVT with the Small Animal Internal Medicine service, is one of 29 dogs and 14 cats who donate blood regularly at UW Veterinary Care. Last year, the blood bank collected about 300 donations.
Upcoming Events
Any in-person events must follow campus policy for schools/colleges/divisions and student organizations.
March 18
Dean’s Get Together (breakfast)
7:30-9 a.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine

March 23
Career Exploration Day
1:30-5:30 p.m.
Second floor, School of Veterinary Medicine
For more information contact Cecilia Grinis.

March 26
2022 Canine Practitioner’s Seminar
7:50 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Madison Sheraton East

April 8
Dean’s Get Together
4:30-6:30 p.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine
April 23
Celebration of Excellence Awards Ceremony
6 p.m. social/8 p.m. program
Union South

May 6
SVM Picnic
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
School of Veterinary Medicine

May 14
SVM Investiture
7 a.m. breakfast/9 a.m. program
Memorial Union

May 20-22
2022 Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit
School of Veterinary Medicine
SVM in the News
“Feed colostrum, prevent disease, identify and treat sick calves promptly and you’ll wean healthy calves.”
-Chelsea Holschbach DVM'14, assistant teaching professor in Large Animal Internal Medicine, discussing keys to calf health and survival. Holschbach recently spoke to more than 150 dairy producers and other ag industry professionals about how early intervention helps ensure dairy calves reach their genetic potential. Wisconsin State Farmer reported on the presentation and shared a summary.