Show your school pride: Alumni merchandise store now live!
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Just in time for the holidays, the SVMAA has created an online store to purchase SVM Alumni Association items. Orders must be placed by the end of the day on November 30, when the store will close to ensure delivery prior to Christmas. Proceeds from the sale will go to the SVM to support student and alumni initiatives. SVMAA members received a separate email from Kristi Thorson with a different link that offers discounted pricing. Not a member? Join now and reach out to Kristi Thorson to receive the discounted link.
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The next SVM Alumni Association (SVMAA) virtual meeting is Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.
If you are an alum who has not become an SVMAA member, learn more about membership here. For other questions and meeting access information, please contact Kristi Thorson.
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Take a look behind the scenes of Forward Together
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Forward Together is a crown jewel of our building expansion and renovation project that celebrates the school’s students and alumni, our commitment to compassionate care, and our impact on Wisconsin and the world.
The incredible bronze sculpture celebrates the four-year DVM educational journey as well as other elements unique to UW-Madison. Created by John Hallett (DVM’90), Forward Together showcases reflections and stories from numerous students, alumni, and faculty and staff. Hallett personally gathered these stories during many hours of interviews with his real-life models, a process designed to ensure every detail represented an authentic, personal experience.
The SVM also extends a special thanks to Margo and Jack Edl, whose generous matching gift helped make the sculpture possible and inspired alumni and other friends to cover production and installation costs.
To read more about the sculpture, see video of Dr. Hallett sculpting the piece, and learn more about the Edls, visit the Forward Together page on our website.
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4-H to tarantulas: How UW Vet Med alumna became leader of animal care at Saint Louis Zoo
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In 2022, Musgrave traveled to Madagascar with the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine and the Turtle Survival Alliance to assist with pre-release health evaluations for nearly 2,000 radiated tortoises rescued from smugglers. Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo.
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From raising rabbits in 4-H to leading groundbreaking animal care at the Saint Louis Zoo, Kari Musgrave (DVM’15) in the most recent edition of On Call magazine reflects on her path to becoming a veterinarian — including how her UW School of Veterinary Medicine education and zoo internships shaped her path in zoological medicine. Read more about Dr. Musgrave here.
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The perfect gift for animal lovers
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As the holiday season nears, the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) has a unique gift for the fellow animal lovers on your list.
The SVM presents original artwork for its holiday card fundraiser each year. “Dashing through the Snow,” above, features the work of Wisconsin artist Mallory Stowe. For a $10 donation per card, the SVM will send a holiday card to the recipient of your choice. The greeting on these heart-warming, full-color cards notes a donation was made to the school in the recipient’s name and that proceeds will support projects that advance animal health.
Sets of 10 cards can also be purchased, including mailing envelopes, for $40. Cards in sets feature a “Happy Holidays” message on the inside; they are mailed out to you upon receipt of your order for you to send out to your list of family and friends. Click the button below for full details and ordering information.
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News from the Office of Academic Affairs
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Thank you, Lynn. We are incredibly grateful for your hard work, dedication, positive attitude, and generous spirit. We all wish you health and happiness in your retirement.
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Last week, Lynn Maki announced that she will be retiring from SVM at the end of this semester. As some of you may know, Lynn had a series of small strokes following a medical procedure in July. While her retirement is in part to provide time and space for recovery, true to character, Lynn is focused on the positive: “The emotion I’m choosing to focus on is gratitude. I have been so incredibly lucky to have worked alongside some of the kindest, most thoughtful, and wickedly intelligent persons at the SVM, and I feel so fortunate to have learned so much about veterinary medicine, animals, education, and life from our students, both current and former. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I have had here.”
Adds Dean Jon Levine, “It is hard to capture Lynn's positive impact in words. She has guided, coached, and helped a generation of students, setting their careers and lives on a positive trajectory. She's used her intellect and compassion to address challenges across our school and campus. She's been a mentor to many and a consistent advocate for doing the right thing at every opportunity. We will miss her tremendously!”
Calico Schmidt will begin her role as Interim Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs on Monday, November 24th. “I’m truly grateful to have Calico as part of the SVM's leadership team and know she will continue our tradition of supporting learners and educators,” says Dean Levine. “She will be working closely with Lynn in the coming weeks to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.”
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Seeking Class Notes submissions!
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As we approach the end of 2025, it's a great time to reflect on special moments and milestones and to stay connected with friends and colleagues. Please share your stories and achievements from the past year for the UW School of Veterinary Medicine's annual SVM Alumni Class Notes publication.
Please submit your news by December 17, 2025. The next issue will be mailed during the first part of 2026. We want to hear about your recent personal and professional updates including:
- Career announcements
- Honors and awards
- Births, marriages, or other family events
- Other noteworthy milestones or accomplishments
To see examples, you can read previous issues of Class Notes online. We look forward to reading and sharing your updates. If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Thorson at kristi.thorson@wisc.edu or 608-265-9692.
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Wanted: Dogs with blastomycosis for clinical study
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The UW Veterinary Care Clinical Studies department is seeking participants for a study evaluating the use of PET/CT imaging to monitor treatment response in dogs diagnosed with blastomycosis, a serious fungal infection that affects dogs and commonly impacts the lungs, bones, skin, and eyes.
This study investigates whether PET/CT scans, an advanced imaging technique, can help veterinarians better assess disease activity and guide treatment duration. PET/CT is widely used in human medicine to monitor infections and has shown promise in early veterinary applications.
Dogs eligible for this study must have a confirmed diagnosis of blastomycosis and not yet started antifungal treatment. Participants will receive a PET/CT at the beginning of treatment and another at the end of therapy. Dogs will be followed for 12 months to monitor for relapses.
Study-related imaging and anesthesia costs are covered.
To learn more about this study, contact Amy Elbe (clinicalstudies@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-890-3484).
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We are pausing the SVM’s annual career fair this year to reassess how it can best serve students and employers in a rapidly changing job market. When the fair launched in 2010, opportunities for new graduates were limited; today, many students secure positions as early as their third year.
With the new OnWard curriculum, students will also spend more time in clinical settings earlier in their training. To support this work, Liddy Alvarez has been named Director of Early Clinical Experiences and will be working directly and proactively with clinics about student placement opportunities. She will co-lead the career fair review with Richard Barajas, Outreach and Community Engagement Manager. Stay tuned here for more information to come.
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- Keith Poulsen (’00 DVM’04 PhD’12; Department of Medical Sciences; director, Wisconsin Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory) continues to be a leading expert nationwide on the spread of H5N1 avian flu. Click here to see a list of recent H5N1-related news stories that include the SVM and WVDL.
- Calico Schmidt (’88 DVM’92; Department of Pathobiological Sciences) spoke with The Farmer’s Dog Digest about how long it takes for objects to pass through a dog’s digestive system. If your dog eats something they shouldn’t Schmidt recommends calling your veterinarian right away.
- Research conducted by MacKenzie Pellin (’06 DVM’11; Department of Medical Sciences) that suggests dogs can be trained to detect cancer biomarkers in other dogs’ saliva was cited in a recent Healthcare Brew story. The piece examines efforts from a UK charity to develop an “e-nose” to help detect cancer.
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Dec. 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
AAEP Alumni Reception
Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, Banquet Room
Denver, Colorado
Please contact Kristi Thorson if you plan to attend
Jan. 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
VMX Reception
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Please contact Kristi Thorson if you plan to attend
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