Introductory Message
From the Director of the Large Animal Clinic
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It has now been two years since COVID began changing our lives. In March 2020, we rapidly adapted to a new and unforeseen challenge, not knowing how much our lives would really change. We postponed non-essential appointments, shifted our approach to client interaction, and transitioned our senior students to virtual clinical instruction. Over two weeks, we completely reimagined how to stay safe while providing veterinary care to all species, reaffirming our role as essential healthcare providers.
Throughout this time of uncertainty, all members of the VMTH team stepped up to provide excellent patient care and keep our hospital functioning. With ever-changing protocols and guidelines, creativity and ingenuity thrived in response to the challenges around us. The dedication to our patients and the support of our colleagues epitomized the character of everyone working at the VMTH. While we are, of course, anxious for many things to normalize, we will no doubt continue to embrace the changes and adaptations that have helped us in more ways than we know.
We now have the opportunity to look toward the future. The new clinical space under construction within the VMTH complex will be well worth the short-term inconveniences we have been experiencing. While pre-construction for the All Species Imaging Center has recently been the main focus, there are two other exciting projects underway in the Large Animal Clinic that will be completed this year. First, new mare/foal stalls will be ready for use in May, providing a valuable resource for equine theriogenology and neonatology. Second, the existing hay barn will be remodeled into a lameness pavilion this summer, supporting equine lameness, surgery, and sports medicine.
These new facilities are important but would be wasted without the talented clinicians and staff who will use them daily to advance patient care while training the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary specialists. I am reminded every day why I am proud to be a member of the VMTH team.
Bret McNabb
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Congratulations to 2022 VIRRS Winners
Jeeves House Officer Award
- Dr. Zach Turner (resident), Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction: “Cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle: diagnostic accuracy when using B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound”
Gerald V. Ling Award
- Dr. Angela Gorney (resident), Diagnostic Imaging: “Prediction of pathologic fracture may be possible using computed tomography rigidity metrics in canine antebrachial osteosarcoma”
Outstanding Small Animal Research Study and Presentation Award #1
- Dr. Jennifer Chan (resident), Internal Medicine: “Incidence of acute kidney injury in dogs with systemic infections treated with amphotericin B”
Outstanding Small Animal Research Study and Presentation Award #2
- Dr. Marcela Machado (resident), Anesthesia and Analgesia: “Cardiovascular, gas exchange and arterial oxygenation effects of positive end-expiratory pressure in cats anesthetized with isoflurane”
Chris Smith Award for Outstanding Equine Research Study and Presentation
- Dr. Tom Bergstrom (resident), Equine Surgery: “Increasing tourniquet number has no effect on amikacin concentration within the radiocarpal joint in horses undergoing intravenous regional limb perfusion”
Outstanding Large Animal Research Study and Presentation Award
- Dr. Cileah Kretsch (resident), Internal Medicine (livestock emphasis): “Agglutination and hemolytic crossmatches to determine transfusion reaction differences between large and small breed goats”
Outstanding Avian, Exotics, Lab Animal or Poultry Research Study and Presentation Award
- Dr. Hali Jungers (fellow), Aquatic Animal Health: “Pharmacokinetics of Ceftazidime in signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) following intra-muscular and intra-venous administration”
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Staff Update:
- Please welcome Amanda Dang as the new supervisor of Small Animal Operating Services. Amanda has been in the veterinary field since 2008 and has worked at the VMTH since 2016. She started in the Small Animal ER/ICU and later joined the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service. Before UC Davis, Amanda worked locally in mixed small animal/avian/exotic private practices as both a veterinary technician and a supervisor. When not working, Amanda enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with Walter, her black Labrador retriever, and traveling/exploring new places. Her favorite destination that she has visited so far is Italy – two words: “pasta” and “wine.” Amanda is excited to step into her new role as a supervisor and looks forward to learning and working with all of the departments in the operating rooms.
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- Please welcome Krystal Scott as the new supervisor of Client Services in Reception A. Krystal started her career in veterinary medicine in 2011 at Banfield Pet Hospital. After a couple of years as a lead at Banfield, Krystal became the practice manager at another private practice. While managing Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, she developed efficient and productive teams while creatively solving problems and achieving collective goals. Krystal spent the past five years at Sutter Davis Hospital motivating colleagues and encouraging collaboration. When not at work, you will find Krystal spending time outdoors with her sons, Mason and Jakai, and their French bulldog Biggie. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and discovering new foods. Krystal is excited to start her career as a supervisor at the VMTH and looks forward to learning and working with all the departments.
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- Please welcome Vanessa Carcelen as the new supervisor of client services in our Call Center. Vanessa earned her BS (honors) in Social Work at California State University, Sacramento. She brings 20 years of experience in both direct and indirect service and has worked with Sacramento County and Placer County residents, acknowledging every person’s differences and treating everyone with compassion and empathy. Vanessa has extensive experience in staff supervision, as well as providing administrative, clinical, and reflective leadership. During her time off, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, enjoying celebrations and dinner gatherings. Vanessa also enjoys setting life goals as she strives for continued higher education and making life changes for the benefit of one’s health.
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- On March 28, all UC Davis staff members received an email invitation to complete the Staff Experience Survey,where you can provide feedback on workplace flexibility, belonging, career opportunities, leadership, and other important areas. The survey consists of 27 questions that can be completed in less than five minutes, and your confidentiality is protected so you can feel comfortable providing honest feedback. Your feedback matters. Plus, every time someone completes a survey before April 11, a $2 contribution will be made to the Staff Emergency Fund, to help staff in financial need. Please open the email survey invitation from UC Davis and Glint and let UC Davis know what it can do to become a better place to work. If we achieve 70% participation, Dean Stetter is committed to lunch and ice cream for all! Thanks in advance for participating and sharing your experience working at UC Davis.
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Faculty Update:
- Please welcome Dr. Grace VanHoy, new assistant professor with the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service. Dr. VanHoy earned her DVM from The Ohio State University (OSU) in 2015. She then completed an internship and residency at OSU, as well as an MS in Comparative Veterinary Medicine. In 2019, Dr. VanHoy became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Large Animal. Since August 2020, Dr. VanHoy held a dual position as an instructor of practice in Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery (75%) and as an assistant professor in the Preventative Medicine Department (25%) at OSU, where she taught extensively in the veterinary parasitology curriculum, as well as provided parasitology services for OSU clients.
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- Please welcome Dr. Jasmin Nessler, a visiting neurologist who will be joining the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service for six months. Dr. Nessler completed her veterinary degree (2012), internship (2013), and residency (2017) all from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Germany). She is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology, and a senior neurologist at Hannover.
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Construction Update:
- Please be advised there will be major disruption around the VMTH loading dock area the first week of April, as the canopy over the loading dock will be demolished. This demolition is one of the beginning phases of preparing the area for the construction of the All Species Imaging Center as part of the Veterinary Medical Center campaign. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
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Chancellor May at VMTH
- On April 4, Chancellor May will be at the VMTH to film an episode of That May Be The Chancellor. This video series allows the Chancellor to showcase campus in fun ways. We’re honored he has recognized the value the VMTH brings to showcasing the university and excited to show him the best veterinary medicine has to offer. If you have any questions about this video, please contact Rob Warren.
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Picnic Day Activities
- The School of Veterinary Medicine will host an information tent on Hutchison Field for this year’s Picnic Day on April 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (We will not be hosting any activities at the VMTH.) We are seeking volunteers to help for shifts throughout the day. This is a great opportunity for the VMTH to showcase the top-notch care we provide for our patients and clients. Contact Rob Warren to volunteer. And don't miss the always exciting Doxie Derby at the ARC, hosted by SVM students.
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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 March.
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March Recipients:
Patrice Johnson, financial coordinator in Client Services, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Value People, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue, which contributed to the key results of Excellent Patient Care and Fiscal Health.
“Patrice recently accepted the position of the financial coordinator in Client Services, an expansion to the current financial team. Patrice's knowledge gained as a VMTH client service representative easily transferred to finance. She handles each client with calmness and seeks to deliver a clear understanding of their billing. Patrice's contribution helps to reduce the accounts receivable. Thank you, Patrice!”
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Kierstin Riley, an animal health technician in the Community Surgery Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural belief of One Team, which contributed to the key result of Excellent Patient Care.
“Kierstin has worked incredibly hard this week through many staff shortages and has hustled to completed tasks that typically take 2-3 techs. Thank you, Kierstin!”
Thank you, Patrice and Kierstin, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH.
In addition, Dr. Cileah Kretsch and Michelle Bristow also received awards for recognizing their colleagues’ hard work.
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Key Cultural Pillar
“One Team”
Kudos to the Zoological Medicine Service and many faculty and staff throughout the VMTH who helped treat Rose, a 3-year-old lioness from Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary who came to the hospital in February with several gastrointestinal foreign bodies. She needed immediate surgery to remove the material from her stomach and an affected portion of her intestines that required resection. Her diagnosis, surgery, and care required teamwork from several other hospital specialty services including Anesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging, Soft Tissue Surgery, and Internal Medicine. “Without everyone’s hard work to squeeze her into the schedule, I don't think she would have had a chance,” said Dr. Jenessa Gjeltema, chief of Zoological Medicine Service. “But she is making a great recovery thanks to the amazing team effort.”
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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.
- It seems there have been more existential crises these days. Climate change, COVID, and now war. Our mental health continues to be at risk with such stressors. But, if we focus on what we have control over, which is typically our thoughts and behaviors, we can get through it. Take some time for self-reflection by asking yourself these questions: “What’s working?” “Where do I find fulfillment and purpose?” “What brings me joy?” Once you have your answers, focus your attention on those areas where you have control, where you find purpose and meaning, and where you find joy. It might reduce your stress and improve your mood.
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