New TikTok Channel

The school has launched a TikTok channel to utilize quick visual appeal to showcase exciting activities at the school. The communications team has already completed its first video – a success story of a Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service patient’s journey back to health, narrated by Dean Mark Stetter, who observed the surgery and recovery process. This will post soon on the new channel – please subscribe to see this and many other upcoming case studies and VMTH happenings.

Remembering Bubbles

Earlier this month, transfusion medicine lost their beloved blood donor horse, Bubbles Brite Lady. Donated to the Center for Equine Health in 2001, Bubbles joined the VMTH blood donor herd in 2013, donating over 100 liters of blood and saving the lives of 11 different horses. In addition to her incredible contributions to veterinary transfusion medicine, Bubbles was a staff favorite and first to the fence to greet arboretum visitors looking for the perfect equine selfie. Bubbles will be greatly missed.

Faculty Update:

• Please welcome Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery as interim director of Professional Student Clinical Education. In this role, she will work with directors of VMTH, VMTRC, and UCVMC-SD to support interactions between students, house officers, faculty clinicians, staff, clients, and patients while maintaining efficient hospital operations, high quality patient care, and a positive and collegial professional working and learning environment.

• Please welcome Dr. Jessica Lawrence as a professor in the Radiation Oncology Service. Dr. Lawrence received her DVM with honors (2003) from Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. She completed an internship (2004) at Florida Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center and residencies in radiation oncology (2006) and medical oncology (2009) at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Lawrence achieved Diplomate status with ACVR (Radiation Oncology) in 2006, ACVIM (Oncology) in 2009, and ECVDI (Radiation Oncology) in 2014. Prior to coming to UC Davis, Dr. Lawrence taught and practiced at the University of Georgia, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Minnesota.

• Congratulations Drs. Kate Hopper (residency ’02, PhD ’07) and Kate Hurley (DVM ’99, MPVM ’03, residency ’03) on winning the school’s Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding contributions by graduates of the school’s DVM, MPVM, MS, or PhD programs, or individuals who have completed a house officer position. Congratulations to Dr. Brian Leonard (DVM ’12, PhD ’12, residency ’17) on winning the Rising Star Alumni Award, which honors a DVM graduate of the school who, within 15 years of graduation, has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement.

Trainer’s Corner with Jody Nugent-Deal

It’s almost Spring, and with March being Poison Prevention Awareness Month, our staff training and CE will focus on toxicology in small, large, and exotic animal species. Have you checked out our new staff training page? This site provides access to our updated CE reimbursement form, staff development policy, as well as multiple in-person and online CE options, including all current and previous monthly VMTH staff training. Please feel free to reach out either in person or via email at jpnugent@ucdavis.edu if you have any questions, comments, or ideas about current and future VMTH staff training and CE. 

Recognitions

February's recipients of the VPETT Recognition Award:

Caleb Bennett, an animal health technician in the Anesthesia Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Realize Our Vision and Value People.

“Caleb is regularly busy handling the coordination of a very busy anesthesia caseload, in his role as Anesthesia Scheduler. Despite all the effort that he needs to invest in that position, he always finds time to assist us in searching VMACS for particular cases for studies that we need to conduct on clinical patients. His skills in this area are excellent, and we greatly appreciate being able to ask him for his assistance.”

Shannon Cox, a Client Services representative, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Value People and One Team.

“Shannon started her graveyard shift realizing the rest of her crew called out. Staying cool, calm, and collected, Shannon diligently worked all night with the help of other staff from the previous shift to complete all the work. Thank you, Shannon, for all you do. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.”

Thank you, Caleb and Shannon, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH. Krystal Scott and Amanda Dang also received awards for recognizing their fellow employees.

Please utilize the PerfectForm icon link available on every VMTH desktop (or through VIPER>VMTH>Forms>VPETT) to recognize your colleagues’ hard work.

Key Cultural Pillar



“Realize Our Vision”

Aria Brecheisen was exercising her 4-H goat Captain America (Cap) when she witnessed him drop to the ground and vocalize in pain. Cap, a 6-month-old Boer goat, continued to lay down straining in pain every few steps as she tried to walk him back to the barn. The Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service concluded that he had a urinary obstruction due to bladder stones, and systemic compromise including electrolyte changes and increased kidney values consistent with not being able to urinate. Urinary blockages are common in castrated goats and fatal if left unresolved. Cap was treated urgently to stabilize him and provide a urinary diversion. A multitude of other treatments over the course of three days cleared Cap’s issues, and he was discharged. Aria is in her third year of raising animals through the Brentwood Chapter of 4-H. Cap is expected to be fully healed and ready for competition at the 2024 Contra Costa County Fair in May. Aria hopes Cap has what it takes to be Grand Champion.

Wellness Tip of the Month with Florence Soares-Dabalos

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, including a section on House Officer Wellness.

• Last month, I shared “Creating a Positive, More Energized Veterinary Team” from the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Team Wellbeing Study. This month, I’m sharing “Improving Wellbeing and Mental Health” from that study.