Greetings!
Welcome to the last full month of our spring semester. April kicks off the season of some of our favorite events and activities. We’re preparing for our public Open House on April 6 (part of the UW Science Expeditions) and our annual Celebration of Excellence Awards Banquet on April 26. Shortly after that, 95 new veterinarians will graduate from the SVM!
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We’re also actively planning to launch the first phase of our curricular revision with the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Module leaders and planning teams continue their hard work to ensure implementation is a success. The Nimble Working Group recently led an effort to give our new curriculum a dedicated name, which will provide a lasting identity and a consistent frame of reference while marking the significant evolution of the DVM program. Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions and to the 174 students, faculty, and staff who voted for their top name.
I’m pleased to announce the official name will be “OnWard,” which highlights the advancement of the program and is also a nod to the “On, Wisconsin” motto. Thanks to Deborah Liu (DVMx’26) for submitting this name!
(Check out this article in Trends, the official publication of the American Animal Hospital Association, for commentary from me and Peggy Schmidt, associate dean for professional programs, that highlights how veterinary medical education is evolving and our place at the forefront.)
Finally, we received our most recent official federal relations update from campus on March 21. During the next few weeks, SVM leadership will be working with partners on campus to review our budget in the event of funding reductions. I appreciate that uncertainty is stressful and recognize we may have to make challenging decisions. You have my personal commitment that all of our decisions are guided with our mission, our wonderful community, and the future success of the SVM in mind.
Until next time…
On, Wisconsin!
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Last week, as we conducted final preparation to launch of our new and expanded PET/CT service, team members conducted comprehensive training and tests of the equipment and processes. Samantha Loeber (Department of Surgical Sciences) has been leading efforts in this area; her pooches Shelby and Sawyer even volunteered to come in and help make sure everything is working seamlessly. An in-house PET/CT will vastly improve patient standard of care by enabling us to better diagnose, stage, prognosticate, and treat cancer in animals. Due to highly sensitive assessment of tissue function, disease is often diagnosed earlier on PET/CT than with traditional imaging modalities. The addition of PET imaging on-site will also allow for cutting-edge research opportunities to investigate earlier disease diagnosis, delivery of targeted therapy, monitoring of treatment response, and identification of disease recurrence.
Each month, we love to celebrate new and advancing team members! Join us in welcoming and/or congratulating:
- Sara Cockroft, CVT in ECC, will be transitioning into the ICW to help get that unit up and running
- Gwen Kochan, Client Services Specialist in Reception, will be moving into a CCL position, primarily supporting Ophthalmology
- Morgan Komma is joining the Diagnostic Imaging team as a radiologic technologist
- Laura Thiessen, CVT, is joining the hospital's ECC team as a veterinary nurse
- Taylor Johnson, CVT, is joining the Radiation Oncology team as a veterinary nurse
- Jessica Minor is joining the hospital's Anesthesia team as a veterinary assistant
- Nicole Schramka, CVT, VTS Anesthesia, has been promoted to a lead tech in the Anesthesia service
If you know someone who would make a great addition to our growing team, we always welcome interested candidates to check out our careers page.
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Spring Phi Zeta Research Day
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Sincere thanks to all who participated in Spring Phi Zeta Research Day! We’re thrilled to acknowledge the recipients of the Zoetis Awards for Research Excellence:
- Zoetis Award for Research Excellence by a House Officer: Kazuya Oikawa
- Mentor: Gillian McLellan (Tim and Nancy Speaker Chair in Canine Health, Department of Surgical Sciences)
- Evaluating a Novel Topical EP2 Receptor Agonist as a Treatment for Feline Glaucoma
- Zoetis Award for Research Excellence by a Graduate Student: Emily Tran
- Mentor: LaTasha Crawford (Department of Pathobiological Sciences)
- Acute Cystitis Increases Sensory Neuron Activation in Intact Dorsal Root Ganglia
- Zoetis Award for Research Excellence by a Graduate Student: Allyssa Fogarty
- Mentor: Fei Zhao (Department of Comparative Biosciences)
- GATA2 is an Essential Transcription Factor for Epididymal Morphogenesis
- Zoetis Award for Research Excellence by a Veterinary Student: Nicola Brown
- Mentor: Peter Muir (Department of Surgical Sciences)
- Condylar Stress Fracture Risk Assessment in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using Finite Element Analysis
We also want to express our gratitude to the Office of Academic Affairs, CBS Graduate School, T32/T35 Training Grant, and Zoetis for their ongoing support. This wonderful annual event showcases our commitment to advancing research and excellence in the SVM community.
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Reminder: Strategic Planning in Progress
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Our strategy teams spent the month of March digging deeper into our strategic planning process. We are making great progress and appreciate all the efforts and engagement so far. We encourage you to share your voice and ideas by visiting the strategic planning website. Watch this space for continued updates.
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Explore Veterinary Medicine at UW Science Expeditions
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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. 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.
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Clinical Study: Health American Quarter Horses Needed
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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.
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The SAVMA fundraising team is excited to announce the annual Wags for Wellness 5K on Saturday, April 19. Make sure you catch early bird registration (through April 4) for a custom Race T-shirt & grab bag. This 5K brings special awareness to the importance of maintaining mental health and wellness within the veterinary medical field. Walk/run on the beautiful Lakeshore Path (dogs welcome!) and enjoy food, raffles, and fun post-race.
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The UW-Madison Office of State Relations and Catalysts for Science Policy selected Justice Merrifield (DVMx’27) to showcase her research at the Wisconsin State Capitol during UW-Madison’s Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 30. The event is an opportunity for students, researchers, and alumni to connect with policymakers about the importance of funding research and higher education. Congratulations, Justice!
Congratulations to Teagan DeForge (Resident, small animal surgery) and Elizabeth Pollack (Resident, anesthesiology) on their manuscripts being selected as the UW nominees for the national Phi Zeta competition. This achievement is a testament to their dedication and outstanding research. A huge thank you to their mentors, Susannah Sample (MS’07 SVM’09 PhD’11; Department of Surgical Sciences) and Adrianna Sage (Department of Surgical Sciences) for invaluable guidance and support. Their impressive work highlights the incredible research happening at SVM, and we’re excited to see their contributions recognized on a national stage.
Annie Mulligan, daughter of Kathy O'Leary in the Schuler Lab and brother of Bill Mulligan, alumnus of the Vezina Lab, was part of the U.S. delegation to the World Winter Games of the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy. In snowshoeing, Annie brought home a gold medal in the 100m race and a silver medal in the 4x100m relay. Way to go, Annie!
Tracy Baker (Department of Comparative Biosciences) has been invited to be a speaker on the topic of “Maternal Diets or Behaviors on Disease Risk in Offspring” at the American Physiological Society Summit this month; while McLean Gunderson (’97; Department of Comparative Biosciences) has been invited to present "Innovations in Veterinary Anatomy Education” at the Great Idea(s) for Teaching Students (GIFTS) at the Anatomy Education Community of Practice meeting on April 25 at the Pyle Center.
Congratulations to Erin Lashnits (Department of Medical Sciences) for her induction into the National Academies of Practice for 2025. Founded in 1981, the National Academies of Practice advances interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy and advocates to improve healthcare and policy for all.
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As of 2024, SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in almost 800 million infections globally, with more than 6 million deaths, and the virus has continued to evolve with over 12,000 distinct strains identified to date. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of CD8 T cells in controlling not just primary infections, but also preventing re-infections and reducing disease severity in breakthrough cases. Read the full report by Brock Kingstad-Bakke, Woojong Lee, Thomas Cleven, Hongtae Park, Jeremy Sullivan, and M. Suresh (all of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences), along with colleagues from University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, in Communications Biology, a Nature portfolio journal.
Did you know that trillions of microorganisms are living inside you, shaping your health in ways you might not expect? Buzz Kemper sits down with Suzana Salcedo (Department of Pathological Sciences) to explore the microscopic world within us. Learn how beneficial commensal bacteria support our health, while harmful pathogens pose a threat. Discover the delicate balance between these unseen microorganisms and how scientists study their impact on our well-being.
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.
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April 6, 10:00am – 3:00pm
Open House at SVM / UWVC
Friday, April 11, 4:30 – 6:30pm
Dean’s Get Together Friday Social
SVM South 2nd Floor Lobby
April 11-13
Alliant Energy Center
Saturday, April 26, 6:00pm
Varsity Hall, Union South
May 4-10
June 21
Classes of 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020
SVM South Overhang
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