March/April 2025

Seeking Nominations for Our 2025 Alumni Awards

Do you know an outstanding UW School of Veterinary Medicine graduate? We encourage you to submit a nomination for our 2025 SVM Alumni Award! Launched in 2019, the awards recognize fellow alumni who've made significant contributions to society through their veterinary careers, and whose accomplishments and affiliations honor the legacy of excellence at the school. Three award categories provide opportunities for alumni of both the DVM and graduate degree programs to be recognized. Nominations are accepted until May 1, 2025.

Submit a Nomination

SVM Alumni in Action

Our spring 2025 issue of On Call will be in mailboxes and online in early April, and – as usual – SVM alumni play a key role in several features. Take a sneak peek at our profile of the Dairy Doctors in Plymouth, where six of seven veterinarians earned their DVM here – with a member of the Class of 2025 set to join them after graduation. Dairy Doctors is committed to building successful herd health programs through strong partnerships, superior services, and advanced technology.

In addition, several of the UW Veterinary Care team members who assisted in the unique case of Beau the Poodle, included as this issue’s Pet Profile, are SVM alumni who are now UWVC faculty and clinicians. The power of multi-specialty, collaborative veterinary care allowed Beau to experience everyday activities he had not been able to do normally since he was a puppy – eating, drinking, barking, playing – more fully at the end of his life.

Updates from the Office of Dean Levine

We continue to make progress developing our new innovative and integrated DVM curriculum. Module leaders and content development teams are hard at work so we’re ready for launch this August with the start of fall semester. We also are actively advancing our strategic planning process. Our strategy teams held their kick-off meetings in February and started digging into deeper work this month. We encourage you to share your voice and ideas: visit the strategic planning website to stay informed and engaged.

Also, there have been a lot of headlines recently that potentially impact the UW and the SVM. We will continue to work in close partnership with campus and community leaders to monitor and navigate as needed, and encourage you to follow current updates on the UW-Madison Federal Relations page. The SVM community is vital to educating the next generation and addressing some of society's most pressing issues. Together we continue to move forward, advance our mission, and support the Wisconsin community.

Thanks to Alumni Speaker Series Presenter Dr. Margaret McDougall

As part of our Alumni Speaker Series, Margaret McDougall (DVM‘10) spoke to students about her work as a clinician in private practice. Dr. McDougall shared a candid look at the day-to-day realities, challenges, and rewards of the profession. She discussed strategies for navigating setbacks, maintaining career satisfaction, and finding fulfillment in veterinary medicine.

Explore Veterinary Medicine at UW Science Expeditions - April 6

We’re excited to take part in the annual UW Science Expeditions, a campus-wide open house. On Sunday, April 6, the School of Veterinary Medicine and UW Veterinary Care will offer info tables, hands-on activities, and guided tours showcasing the innovative work we do to advance animal and human health. We’d love to see alumni at this fun event! It’s a great opportunity for the community to engage with our experts, explore our facilities, and see firsthand how we make a positive impact – from the urban and rural landscapes of Wisconsin to communities around the globe. All events are free and open to the public. For more details and the full schedule, visit the UW Science Expeditions website.

Alumni Reunion: Watch Your Mail for Registration Info!

New Clinical Study: Health American Quarter Horses Needed

The UW Veterinary Care Clinical Studies department is recruiting healthy adult American Quarter Horses for a study aimed at establishing normal heart measurements on echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds) and ECGs. Horses should be able to tolerate 30-45 minutes of handling for an exam and an ultrasound probe placed on the chest. Participants will receive a free physical exam and echocardiogram and will contribute to advancing science and improving horse health. For more information, contact Angela Molli at molli@wisc.edu or Amy Elbe at clinicalstudies@vetmed.wisc.edu or 608-890-3484. Click here to complete the eligibility questionnaire.

Mark Your Calendar for Pet Week 2025

SVM in the News

Ongoing coverage of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu with Keith Poulsen (’00 DVM’04 PhD’12; Department of Medical Sciences; director, WVDL) and Peter Halfmann (’01 PhD’08; Department of Pathobiological Sciences):

Calico Schmidt (’88 DVM’92); Department of Pathobiological Sciences) was recently featured on Civic Media's Matenaer on Air with Jane Matenaer. Schmidt discussed a lesser-known issue affecting pets: Alzheimer's disease in dogs and cats. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing signs and seeking proper care for pets with cognitive dysfunction. Listen to the interview here.

WisCARES (Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services) is highlighted in On Wisconsin magazine for its critical role in providing veterinary care, housing support, and advocacy to pet owners experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or financial hardship in Dane County. Read the full article here.

Sandra Newbury (DVM’03), director of the UW-Madison Shelter Medicine Program, was featured in a recent USA Today article discussing the growing restrictions on pet adoption applications. The article explores how shelters are implementing stricter criteria for prospective pet owners, raising debates about accessibility and animal welfare. Newbury provides expert insight on the balance between responsible placements and ensuring that pets find loving homes. Read the full article here and read about Shelter Medicine's 10-year milestone here.