Before I get to our monthly news and updates, I want to take a moment to address the uncertainty surrounding recent headlines pertaining to the federal administration transition and impacts on sponsored programs. At this point, it seems we have more questions than answers and I recognize the stress that can create. We want to assure you that campus leadership is proactively monitoring and reviewing what has been a rapidly-evolving situation and they will continue to communicate information as they are able. As Chancellor Mnookin shared in her message to faculty, staff, and researchers last week, you can visit the federal relations website for updates. If you have specific questions about your research grants and sponsored programs, please reach out to Jenny Dahlberg. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this together.
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That said, I hope your new year is off to a great start. Our students started classes a few weeks ago and have brought with them the energy of a new semester. We continue to make progress developing our new integrated DVM curriculum - module leaders and content development teams are hard at work so that we can be ready to roll in August 2025. Along these lines we are in the process of selecting our first faculty to be recognized for our Collaborative Teaching Award and our Excellence in Patient Care and Diagnostic Medicine Awards.
We are continuing ongoing renovations to SVM South as planned, and also are excited that our new 14,000 square foot equine arena is now open.
The SVM has started its search for the first of four RISE-THRIVE faculty positions coming from campus, which will be a clinician-scientist. Additionally, we are in the process of recruiting candidates for the SVM's Artificial Intelligence faculty position, an infectious disease position, and a few other select clinical disciplines.
During this time of extensive activity, the SVM has been actively developing its next 5-year strategic plan. To kick-off the process, we hosted a series of summits open to the entire school community, including students, faculty, staff, and key external partners. These summits utilized an “appreciative inquiry” approach to build on our current successes and chart a positive path forward. More than 150 members of the SVM community came together at the summits and provided tremendous ideas. If you did not attend a summit, it is not too late to provide input. Your ideas will be invaluable in shaping our vision for the future.
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Until next time …
On, Wisconsin!
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Welcome New Team Members to UWVC
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Please join us in extending a warm welcome to:
Hannah Evert is joining the Anesthesia service as a veterinary nurse. Hannah departed UWVC in spring of 2023 for service with the Red Cross, and we are delighted to welcome her back. Liliana Vazquez and Benjamin Freilcher are joining the reception team as new client services specialists. Amanda Hedlund, CVT, is joining Medical Oncology as a veterinary nurse. And, finally, Hannah Shafer is joining the medical records team as a hospital clerical assistant.
We’re excited to have you as part of our growing, dedicated team!
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Starr Cameron Named Assistant Dean for Clinical and Translational Research
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“It has been my honor to work with Lauren Trepanier (Department of Medical Sciences) over many years, and for the last six months here at UW. Lauren has done a remarkable job elevating clinical research at our university, supporting learners and early career faculty, and as a PI in her own right. Lauren, I’m excited for you and at the same time sad that you’ll be retiring from UW this December. Starr Cameron (MS’21; Department of Medical Sciences) will be assuming the role of Assistant Dean for Clinical and Translational Research on September 1, 2025. Starr, congratulations and the SVM looks forward to your leadership in this important area!” – Dean Jon Levine
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Maggie Baum Assumes Role of Communications Director
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Following a search, Maggie Baum accepted the newly created position of Communications Director. Maggie, who has more than 25 years of strategic communications experience, started at the SVM in May of 2024 as the school’s Publications and Media Relations Manager. In her new role, she will continue to serve as a member of the school’s Advancement Team and lead all internal and external communications efforts for the SVM and UW Veterinary Care.
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We’re excited to share that the SVM is one of 10 teams that have been accepted to participate in the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Systemic Wellbeing Course for spring 2025. The course is designed to teach college leaders how to promote wellbeing at their institutions and will cover topics such as systems thinking and using data to inform wellbeing. SVM representatives include Christina Frank (PAWSS counselor), Calico Schmidt (’88 DVM’92; Department of Pathobiological Sciences) and Lynn Maki (associate dean for student academic affairs).
Nate Van Asselt (Department of Surgical Sciences) was awarded a grant from the American Kennel Club to explore a cutting-edge FLASH radiation treatment in dogs diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. The treatment involves high doses of radiaiton delivered in less than a second, and how that may result in tissue sparing.
Congratulations to Leah Owens (DVMx’25) for receiving the Merck Student Innovation Award from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Based on academic accomplishments and commitment to school and community, Leah was selected as the third prize recipient of this prestigious scholarship.
Gillian McLellan (Tim and Nancy Speaker Chair in Canine Health, Department of Surgical Sciences) has been appointed to the Editorial Board of the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science for a three-year term that began at the start of 2025. In addition, for the second consecutive year, McLellan received The McPherson Eye Research Institute’s Grant Summit Program award. The award was created to increase support for UW–Madison vision research by facilitating successful resubmissions of federal grant applications by McPherson ERI investigators.
We are sad to share the news of the passing of Dr. Ray Pawlisch of Brodhead, WI. Pawlish, a good friend of the SVM and past Board of Visitors Member, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science with Dean’s honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1978, he completed his Master of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Microbiology and Virology.
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Large Animal Anatomy Fair February 12 and March 26
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Mark your calendar for the Large Animal Veterinary Anatomy Fair, an open house event where first-year veterinary students showcase large animal anatomy client education topics to attendees from across our veterinary community. Everyone is welcome & encouraged to join! Attendees experience numerous and varied three- to five-minute presentations throughout the afternoon. Tasty treats will be provided.
Dates: February 12th & March 26th
Times: First group: 1:00 - 2:20 pm
Second group: 2:30 –3:50 pm
Locations: MD1 (room 2318) and the Renk Learning Center (room 2201)
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Our 2023-24 Annual Report summarizes, exemplifies, and highlights the SVM’s and UWVC’s reputation for leadership and excellence and also helps lay the groundwork for our priorities and areas of focus as we begin 2025 and our strategic planning process. If you have not seen it yet, take a look! If you’d like extra printed copies, please contact Maggie Baum at mmbaum@wisc.edu or (608) 438-2814 (or stop in SVM South 2160).
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Thomas Friedrich (’97 PhD’03; Department of Pathobiological Sciences) and Peter Halfmann (’00 PhD’08) were recently featured in a Wisconsin Public Radio story discussing the first human death from avian flu in the U.S. In this piece, they discuss the importance of stricter hygiene measures, flu shots, and comprehensive testing to reduce risks and protect public health.
Freya Mowat (Department of Surgical Sciences) was recently featured in a Guardian article examining whether dogs can actually watch TV. An expert in canine eyesight, she shares insights into the science behind how dogs perceive screens, what captures their attention, whether different dog breeds have varying tastes in what they enjoy watching, and more. The article was also shared by New York Post and AOL.com.
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February 21 - Dean’s Get Together
Location: SVM South Building; 2nd Floor Lobby
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
March 3 – WVC Alumni Reception
Location: Border Grill- Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV; South Dining Room
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
March 4 – Spring Research Day
Location: SVM South Building
Time: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
April 4-6
Sunday, April 6
SVM Open House – More info coming soon!
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