Message from Dean Buss
to UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine alumni

Welcome to the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s alumni e-newsletter! Periodically, we’ll be in touch to let you know what’s happening at your alma mater. In this issue:

UW-Madison has posted the UW School of Veterinary Medicine Dean position and the search and screen committee has been appointed by the Chancellor and Provost and endorsed by the University Committee.

If you would like to nominate someone for the position, submit applications and nominations electronically to the School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Search and Screen Committee at: Vet-Med-Dean-Search@secfac.wisc.edu. Applications and nominations must be received by 9 March 2012 to ensure consideration.

The Alumni Advisory Board is launching an effort to identify class representatives for each of the SVM's graduating DVM classes. Class reps will help keep their classmates connected to each other and keep the class connected to the school. Be on the lookout for more information soon!

Our students - as well as potential students - often ask for help identifying veterinarians who can serve as mentors or offer career related advice. To respond to their requests we have created a database that allows you to submit the contact information you want to share as well as indicate your career and other issues (e.g., work-life balance) you'd be willing to discuss. The students (and pre-students) don't have access to the actual database - it is used by staff in the Office of Academic Affairs or Advancement (alumni relations) to identify potential mentors. If you would like to sign up to be a mentor, please go to http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/alumni/portal/index.php. (You access the database through our password protected portal.) Thank you for your support!

All alumni and families are welcome as we celebrate DVM graduates from the classes of 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and graduates from the Veterinary Science and Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program! More information will follow.

In addition to the alumni picnic on June 23, graduates from the Veterinary Sciences and Comparative Biomedical Sciences Programs are invited to attend a 101 Year Celebration Thursday, June 21 – Friday, June 22. An invitation will be mailed with more information.

The UW School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a symposium on infectious diseases Saturday, June 23 – Sunday, June 24. Current and former UW-Madison faculty and students will present on bacterial, viral, parasitic and immunologic diseases of man and animals. The event will be open to the public. Look for more information in the coming months.

Dr. Stephanie Salyer, who graduated from UW-Madison’s dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees program, last spring, and Ryan Wallace, a fourth-year veterinary student who will graduate from the DVM program in May, have been chosen for a two-year training program in epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the elite Epidemic Investigation Service (EIS). This is a highly competitive federal program that hones the skills of public health officers in investigating epidemics. More information is available here.

Calling all veterinary educators - wherever you do you teaching (SVM, clinics, community programs). You are invited to the free "Health Sciences Teaching Symposium" on Jan. 18 from 8:00-12:00. The topic is "Using Community Service Learning to Integrate the Wisconsin Idea in Our Teaching and Learning." 2011 is the 100th Anniversary of the Wisconsin Idea and Aaron Brower, UW Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning will give the keynote address, "Does the Wisconsin Experience lead to the Wisconsin Idea?". Invited speakers from the Morgridge Center, Teaching Academy and Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Engineering, Nursing and Physical Therapy will describe Community Service Learning programs - how they are developed and used to improve and invigorate learning for students as well as benefit the community.

Come and learn what "Community Service Learning" is and how it is incorporated into teaching programs. How are students assessed in CSL's and how is the effectiveness of the programs evaluated. How does one develop a CSL with a community organization?

More details and registration can be found here.

A new clinical trial will open in January for dogs with recurrent pyoderma, with three or more episodes of staphlococcal skin infections in the last six months. The infections can be related to known underlying causes such as allergies, or to unknown causes. The Dermatology Section at UW Veterinary Care is investigating the effectiveness of a new staphylococcal vaccine product. The product is intended to prevent recurrent skin infections, helping alleviate the need for repeated courses of antibiotics.

In addition to having at least three episodes of infection in the last 6 months, eligible dogs must have had causes such as hypothyrodism, parasites or food allergies ruled out or under control. Clients will pay for the initial exam, but other charges associated with the trial (including followup visits, diagnostic evaluations, a complete series of allergy tests, and medication costs) will be paid for by the study. The trial for each dog will last approximately 18 weeks, with visits to UW Veterinary Care every six weeks. The clinical trial will be double blinded and placebo controlled.

For more information please call William Oldenhoff, DVM at 608-263-7600 or send an email message to derm@vetmed.wisc.edu. This study is being funded by Delmont Laboratories, which also funded the first year of Dr. Oldenhoff’s dermatology postgraduate training program.

For information on other clinical trials please check the VMTH website.

Please join us at the 1st Annual Veterinary Medical Employment Fair and Continuing Education Conference on Practice Management, Saturday, February 11, sponsored by the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. More information and online registration is currently available through the School of Veterinary Medicine's Continuing Education webpage or by calling 608-265-5206.

The UW School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting its 23rd Annual
Seminar for the Serious Horse Owner on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

The program will expel the myths of “ideal conformation” and demonstrate step by step analysis of conformation for selecting breeding stock and potential athletes for a variety of equine disciplines. Click here for more information on this event and other continuing education classes.

---

If you have specific requests for information, we’d love to hear them. Just hit “reply” and let us know what’s on your mind.

Daryl D. Buss, Dean
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Wisconsin-Madison
alumni@vetmed.wisc.edu