Cheers!

It really is a small world out in the realm of veterinary medicine. I hear such nice comments about so many of you (both new grads and old!) from the clients whose animals you take such great care of! A few of you may have heard that I’ve had rather an up-and-down summer.

First off, the bad news. After a fairly quick onset of abdominal pains followed by a three-week battery of tests and procedures, I had the misfortune of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The wonderful oncology/gynecology surgeons at UW Hospital then performed a heroic six-hour surgery and removed just about anything that showed any “bad stuff” lurking—an organ here, an organ there, a few lymph nodes, about a foot of colon and, not to be left behind, my omentum! After a period of healing (not a nosocomial infection to report!), I was ready to start chemotherapy—yikes! I’ve finished my third weekly session and, other than some of the usual side effects, am holding my own pretty well.

I was very pleased to get my hair grown out to the ten inches required for donation to Locks of Love just before the inevitable chemo hair loss set in. Now I am squarely into a “hat phase”— turbans and “do-rags” just don’t seem to be me! I am rather well equipped for anything Badgers, Packers or Brewers plus just about everything in between. All I need is a royal blue SVM hat for Pet Pals evaluations, and I should be all set! Once the chemotherapy schedule settles down a bit, I look forward to getting back into the classroom and helping to finish up our important curriculum work.

Now on to the great news! Just before all of the medical issues began, I had picked out a new schnauzer puppy. Against the wishes of many people who thought it would be very foolish and a bit much to take on a new dog, family and friends who know me best said "Go for it! We'll help whenever you need it!" So I did. His name is Niles Newton, and he is a real sweetie—except for when he turns into piranha dog. (Phase two of teething is in full swing!) He is quite smart, very furry, and a constant source of smiles and laughter—my own private little pet therapy dog!

Thanks to each and every one of you who has been sending supportive thoughts my way—you know how much I care about all of you!

Love,
Linda

Dean Buss Appointed to Advisory Committee

Daryl Buss, Dean of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, was appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. Twenty-two members were appointed from more than 150 nominations. Committee members are charged with examining the long-term impact of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and on the USDA, and providing guidance to the USDA on pressing issues related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture.

Dr. Dale Bjorling to serve as School's Next Research Dean

Following the retirement of Comparative Biosciences Professor Mary Behan, Dale Bjorling, professor of small animal surgery and chair of the Department of Surgical Sciences, was named associate dean for research. He brings a strong background in graduate education research and research funding to his new position. For more information click here.

Dr. Peter Muir Recognized for Work in Canine Research

Peter Muir, a small animal orthopaedic surgeon, was honored at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Annual Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. He received the AVMF/AKC Career Achievement in Canine Research Award, celebrating his long-term contributions to the field of canine research. For more information click here.

2011 WVMA Annual Convention

Remembering the Past. Envisioning the Future. That is the theme of this year’s WVMA Annual Convention at the Monona Terrace in Madison, October 20-23. Due to changes in WVMA programming and the potential for conflicts with other convention events, we will not be hosting a special alumni reception this year. However, we hope you will attend the convention and make a point of connecting with our faculty and staff, who will be at the our booth, or speaking and attending the convention sessions. We look forward to seeing you there.

Alumni Reception at AAEP

Please join us at the AAEP alumni reception on November 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt (Mission Room A) in San Antonio, Texas. More details will be available in the November e-newsletter, but if you are interested in attending, please contact Kristi Thorson at kvthorson@vetmed.wisc.edu or (608) 265-9692.

Dog Jog 2011

If you're in the Madison area on Sunday, September 18, please join us for our 2011 Dog Jog. Stop by Lot 60 (north end of Walnut Street) at 10 a.m. with your dog for this annual event which benefits animal shelters and related programs. In addition to our normal walk/run, Braveheart, our now-famous dog rescued from a Kentucky Dumpster, will be in attendance to meet and greet dogs and owners. Registration forms are available at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, or you can download a form from vetmed.wisc.edu/dogjog. For more information, call (608) 263-1010. If you can’t join us but would still like to support the cause, you can make a gift on our website.

Ken Waller, DVM, MS, has joined the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical instructor of radiology. Dr. Waller earned his DVM at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his residency at Iowa State University and his internship at Kansas State University.

Celina Checura, DVM, MS, PhD, has joined the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical assistant professor in theriogenology. Dr. Checura earned her DVM at National University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina, her MS at Colorado State University and her PhD at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dominique Keller, DVM, PhD, has joined the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical instructor in special species health. Dr. Keller earned her DVM and PhD at Texas A&M University. She completed her residency in Zoological Medicine at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.

Erin Wendt-Hornickle, DVM, CVA, has joined the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical instructor of anesthesiology and pain management and is an acupuncturist. Dr. Wendt-Hornickle earned her DVM at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, completed an internship at Washington State University and did her residency here at Madison. She received her medical acupuncture certification at the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association's Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course.

Colin Nemeth has joined the UW Foundation as the new Director of Development for the School of Veterinary Medicine. He has a background in medical sales and most recently was employed by Synthes Spine as an AO ASIF Sales Consultant. In that position, he worked extensively with orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons. Colin will begin his new position in mid-September.

Karleen Kleemann is the new Development Specialist in the Medical Advancement Group at the UW Foundation serving the SVM.