MAY 2021
Message from the CVMO
At the VMTH, we pride ourselves on being a “one-stop shop” for animal owners, some of whom are in dire need of emergent care for their pets and/or livelihoods when they visit us. As the veterinary hospital with the most specialty services of any in the nation—and possibly the world—the VMTH can handle any illness, disease, or injury that might affect an animal. And for those cases that present unique challenges, we have the knowledge base and research experience to explore all possible treatment options.
 
Our May “Case of the Month” is a great example of the collaborative care available at the VMTH, as members from at least seven specialty services and additional support services came together to save Jam, a severely burned cat from last fall’s North Complex Fire. Jam (or Ash, as many VMTH members might know him, before he was renamed) was the last patient from the fire to be discharged from our care, needing six months to fully heal from his third degree burns, toe amputations, and skin grafts. The case was a true team effort, with countless faculty, staff, and students contributing to its success.
 
I want to especially point out a few of those people who were crucial in Jam’s recovery. Drs. Elizabeth Montgomery and Karen Vernau have volunteered their time to care for many cats during the wildfires over the years. Their dedication to these animals is inspiring and exemplifies what the VMTH is to our community in times of need and crisis. They are assisted by many small animal technicians who go above and beyond their regular duties to see these additional cases through to successful outcomes. Often, treatments for wildfire victims like Jam take place very early in the morning in order for the team to make their regularly scheduled duties. This dedication is what makes the VMTH special.
 
Finally, I want to congratulate the Cultural Pillars Committee on their establishment of the VPETT initiative. This enhancement of our recognition program will shine a brighter light on staff achievements. It will also draw more attention to the program itself in order to encourage broader participation. There are many staff accomplishments that play a large role in successful case outcomes or hospital efficiency, and VPETT is a way for all of us to express and learn about those activities. I encourage everyone to help raise the profile of VPETT by continually recognizing your team members and nominating them for their embodiment of our five Cultural Pillars (Realize Our Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue).
 
As always, keep up the great work. I am thankful for all of you.
Dr. Jane Sykes
Chief Veterinary Medical Officer
Recognitions

The Cultural Pillars Committee has been working to re-energize our cultural journey initiative. The committee is excited to announce that the former Focused Recognition Award Program has been greatly improved and transformed into the VPETT Initiative!
 
VPETT stands for:
V = Realize Our Vision
P = Value People
E = Pursue Excellence
T = One Team
T = Trusted Dialogue
 
As you read in the last issue of the VMTH Voice, the Cultural Pillars Committee was formed to improve staff engagement and morale through recognition of the amazing accomplishments of our employees.
 
The VPETT program will take recognition to a new level by:
  • making the process more convenient to recognize the actions of our teammates and how they align with our five Cultural Pillars (Realize Our Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue)
  • recognizing not only the recipient, but also by rewarding the efforts of the “giver” that provided the feedback
  • encourage participation and engagement for recognizing excellence and the amazing accomplishments of our team
 
The VPETT program will be used in various forms of recognition in order to emphasize the importance and alignment with our five Cultural Pillars (Realize Our Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, and Trusted Dialogue).
 
Please look for the “Recognitions” section of the next VMTH Voice for continued information of the VPETT Initiative.
Support Service Recognition:
Laboratory Services
Thank you to our various laboratory staffs for their hard work demonstrated throughout the pandemic, which has been especially trying for frontline healthcare workers. We recognize the skillset and professionalism you bring to the workplace every day. The 43 staff and student employees in the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory process nearly 50,000 tests per year. The 31 staff and student employees in the Anatomic Pathology Service annually handle more than 800 necropsies, 1,500 biopsies and 500 outside lab submittals, processing a total of more than 25,000 paraffin blocks and nearly 40,000 glass slides. This level of efficiency is astonishing, and the perseverance you have all shown in the face of adversity has been an inspiration to everyone at the hospital. In maintaining a dedication to safety standards and protocols all year, you have allowed the hospital to continually provide the best care for our community and to further research and the understanding of animal illnesses, injuries, and diseases.
Key Cultural Pillar
“Trusted Dialogue”
The following is an excerpt from a letter received from a grateful client. They wrote to praise neurology resident Dr. Wojciech Panek for his knowledge, patience, and compassion during a difficult time at the end of their dog’s life. Thank you, Dr. Panek, for being understanding during their time of need and for showing them the true spirit of the VMTH. Although a sad outcome, it is heartwarming to receive this feedback from a client.
Our absolutely beloved golden retriever, Teddy, was admitted to the VMTH in late February and then again in early March for brain surgery to remove a mass that had been causing him neurological problems. Teddy ended up ended going to heaven on March 26th, just after we brought him home from UC Davis. During the entire process, Dr. Panek was incredible. When we first learned Teddy had a brain tumor, we were crushed. Dr. Panek' s ability to concisely and compassionately inform us about the tumor and the various treatment options was invaluable. Before and after surgery, his patience with our endless questions and consistent communications about Teddy’s status were comforting. The compassion he showed to Teddy gave our family real peace while Teddy was at the VMTH. It is important to us that we let you know how highly we regard Dr. Panek and the care and compassion he provided to Teddy. Teddy would have turned 8 this Spring. We miss him terribly but feel blessed and grateful to Dr. Panek and the entire staff at the VMTH for everything you did for our Teddy. – The Odne Family
Hospital / VMC Updates
COVID-19 Update:
Staff Update:
  • The week of May 17-21 marks Thank Goodness for Staff (TGFS): Staff Appreciation Week. Campus has created a weeklong series of virtual events for staff to connect with each other, learn something new, and have fun. Events feature professional development, social networking, family-friendly activities, and much more. The week concludes with a drive-in movie on Friday night, featuring “The Goonies” and “The Lego Movie.” Staff are granted two hours of release time during their work week to participate in TGFS events.

  • We recognize and thank a few long-term VMTH staff members, as we bid them a fond farewell into their much-deserved retirements. Marlon Covell, Becky Griffey (retiring in late 2021), Jan Harlan, Debbie Hill, Marika Pappagianis, and Valerie Walker all served the VMTH tirelessly for many years, and we will miss their dedication to the hospital and its care teams.
Hospital Update:
  • Congratulations to the school’s Development team who secured corporate and private funding to increase the size of our House Officer program, maintaining it as the largest in the nation. The additional funding will add two four-year residencies in radiology and two one-year gastroenterology fellowships. This fall, the House Officer program will consist of 127 positions in 39 advanced training disciplines (116 residents in 32 programs; seven interns in four programs; and four fellows in three programs).
Facilities Update:
  • The east elevator in the VMTH has been updated and is now operational. The elevator crew began work on the north elevator (lobby). The west elevator will follow the completion of the north elevator. All the floors in the elevators will be replaced after all three elevator renovations are completed. Thank you for your patience during this time of construction. 
VMC Update:
  • The construction bidding process for the Veterinary Medical Center’s All Species Imaging Center (ASIC) is well underway. Pre-qualified contractors will be working on their bids throughout May, with all bids to be received in early June. Contractors were able to complete a site visit to walk through areas of construction and renovation earlier this month. All of the pre-qualified bidders that attended the walk through expressed their continued interest in the project. Once a contractor is selected, construction staging for the ASIC project will begin in early summer and work will begin mid-summer.
VMTH Committee Update:
  • Staff Awards Committee – The Staff Awards Committee was established to review nominations for VMTH staff awards, select the recipients, and help organize and format the awards ceremony. Members of the committee include: faculty members Drs. Emily Berryhill, Catherine Outerbridge, Matthew Prator, and Jane Sykes, as well as staff members Julie Burges, Rich Larson, Marika Pappagianis, Debbie Thompson, and Dr. Valerie Wiebe. Nominations for VMTH Staff Awards are due to Debbie Thompson by Friday, May 21. All career staff employees of the VMTH are eligible for: Rachel Smith Employee of the Year Award; Small Animal Clinic Staff Award; Large Animal Clinic Staff Award; Laboratory, Pharmacy, Central Services and Diagnostic Imaging Services Award; and Client Services, Hospital-Wide Administrative Services Award.
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.
  • June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. While veterinary medical professionals may not meet the criteria for a clinical mental health diagnosis of PTSD, veterinary professionals are at risk for compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. The AVMA website offers an article on “Work and Compassion Fatigue” that covers the symptoms of compassion fatigue, as well as how one can address it.