WINTER 2005 VOL. 19 NO. 3
Three new giving levels for supporting the College of Veterinary
Medicine Endowment Fund have been established to recognize
alumni and friends who qualify. Each of these new levels
encourages a commitment to the college through annual gifts
payable as pledges over five years or less. Gifts of cash, stocks
and real estate may be contributed toward pledge commitments.
Donors who prefer to designate their gifts other than to the
Veterinary Medicine Endowment Fund may do so. Gifts and
pledges added to existing funds or designated to establish
a new fund also qualify for recognition in these gifting
levels. The Iowa State University Foundation will work with
benefactors to make sure their wishes are realized.
Just as the foresight and understanding of Dr. John Salsbury
made it possible for the college to begin the first organized
fund drive, you are asked to step forward with your gift to
qualify for one of the new giving levels. In this way, you will
know that you are helping to support future generations of
students, faculty and staff in the College of Veterinary Medicine
at Iowa State. Endowment fund donors will be invited to an
annual dinner hosted by the dean, and be given a special
framed print. Benefactors will also be eligible for membership
in the ISU Foundation’s most prestigious giving club—Order
of the Knoll.
In 1976, through a $500,000 challenge gift from the J.E.
Salsbury Foundation, the Veterinary Medicine Endowment
Fund was created, and the college’s first organized fund
drive was underway. This fund was designed to provide
a margin of excellence through scholarships, equipment,
faculty development and welfare, and enrichment programs.
Now, the college is re-emphasizing efforts to increase the
Veterinary Medicine Endowment Fund, with the continued
understanding that building a strong endowment fund
provides long-lasting benefits for the college.
The Veterinary Medicine Endowment Fund is an important
form of college support, because it allows the dean funding
flexibility for innovative projects and other opportunities that
are often not covered in annual budgets. Only a percentage of
the interest earned on the endowment will be used to assure
an annual resource to enhance the college.
Over the years, many college alumni and friends have joined
the challenge and contributed to the Veterinary Medicine
Endowment Fund. Memberships in the Society of the Gentle
Doctor and the Sustaining Members of the Veterinary Quadrangle
grew in size. Today, over 1,500 alumni and friends are included
in these recognition levels.
• CVM Colleagues – $25,000 gift – $5,000 per year for five years
•
CVM Associates – $50,000 gift – $10,000 per year for five years
• CVM Partners – $100,000 gift – $20,000 per year for five years
Three New Giving Levels
New Giving
Opportunities
Benefits
of Giving
Veterinary Medicine
endowment
a unique form of support
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Contents
Dean’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FEATURES
Distinguished Alumni Recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Expands Emergency
Care Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Veterinary Community Comes to the Aid of
Katrina’s Victims
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Learning without Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
NEWS
College News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Faculty News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Outreach News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
In Memoriam/Correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Development News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Student News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Research News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
WINTER 2005 VOL. 19 NO. 3
Office of the Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office of Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Small Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . . . .
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory . . . . .
General College Infomation . . . . . . . . . .
(515) 294-1250
(515) 294-9088
(515) 294-4900
(515) 294-1500
(515) 294-1950
(515) 294-1242
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Gentle Doctor is published three times a year by the
College of Veterinary Medicine for alumni and friends of
the college.
Tracy Ann Raef
Dani Ausen
We welcome your suggestions, comments,
and contributions to content.
Correspondence should be sent to:
Editor, The Gentle Doctor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University
2526 Veterinary Administration, Ames, IA 50011-1250
Telephone: (515) 294-4602
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.vetmed.iastate.edu
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.
Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity
and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.
On the Cover:
Fritz with Dr. Steve Leshem,
surgical resident, and
Megan Peavey (VM-4) in
the Veterinary Teaching
Hospital’s Intensive Care
Unit. Story on page 8
Photo/ Dani Ausen
19
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K
Knowing and doing, science with practice—this is a
long-established tradition of Iowa State University. The
future of our college rests on maintaining and building
public trust through the quality of our contributions—
locally, nationally, and globally. We must be able to
communicate with those we serve, determine what
they need, and develop strategies for how we are going
to meet their needs. We must constantly be vigilant,
evaluating how well we provide resources and expertise
and how we compare with our contemporaries.
Securing public support:
We are working diligently to secure public funding to ensure
that our college contributions to the state of Iowa will, at
minimum, match the contributions of veterinary
institutions in other states. Iowa represents one of the
largest animal agricultural industries in the country; yet,
comparatively, other states continue to invest more resources
and dollars in their veterinary institutions through state
appropriations. If for no other reason, we call upon you,
our colleagues in the field—the alumni, the practitioners,
the producers, our faculty, and our students—to continue
to build a closely connected community that actively
supports and promotes animal agriculture interests.
Conducting research that promotes human and
animal health:
The college is increasing the rigor and scope of its research
and public engagement programs by investigating
various animal diseases, their diagnosis, treatment,
control, prevention and eradication. It is critical that
our college conducts investigations, especially of
problems of comparative medicine and be an active
contributor for the betterment of public health with a
focus on zoonotic diseases. We must move increasingly
toward improving the protocols on which evidence is
collected and collated in practice. To be successful in
this endeavor, we must establish an effective partnership
to close the gap between the academic/public service
and private sector. This will result in the continuous
improvement and establishment of best practices. We
must assist in continually improving animal health and
well-being through establishment of best practices in disease
management, animal and environmental welfare while
appropriately considering wholesomeness, and profitability.
Leveraging our most important resource—our
academic community:
One of the original founders of the college, Professor
Charles Stange, had the wisdom to make the following
statement: “The most vital part of any educational
institution is its faculty. The faculty is the college.” Therefore,
the character and personality of the members of the staff
determine the kind of a college we have. Our most
significant resource is the community of outstanding faculty,
staff and students. Our goal is to create an engaging
environment where creativity is encouraged and where
we can increase productivity while leveraging resources.
Attracting, retaining, supporting and developing the highest
quality faculty will remain the top priority for our college.
Knowing is not enough, we must apply;
willing is not enough, we must do.
[Goethe]
on our future
4
gentle Doctor
Increasing resources for programs and research:
To successfully enhance the quality of veterinary
contributions to the state of Iowa, we must generate
and solicit additional resources for faculty, staff, facilities
and programs. I am confident that our college can
successfully advance to national pre-eminence by:
• enhancing programming,
• increasing funding through state appropriation
for our diagnostic laboratory,
• generating revenue for salary increases,
• increasing the scope and breadth of clinic and
diagnostic services and thus revenue,
• increasing tuition dollars by increasing the
numbers of students,
• expanding and building upon grant and
contract success by increasing research program
support, modernizing and appropriately
staffing services, and
• building upon our efforts in distance education.
The Nebraska proposal is part of the funding and
college enhancement plan. It provides qualified
students supported by an agriculture-dependent state
that will assist in containing educational debt and
increase the probability of students interested in food-
supply veterinary medicine. We are in the process of
exploring and launching new programs, regionalizing
teaching programs, improving food animal production
facilities for teaching and research, and expanding
disciplines such as a program for board-certified
laboratory animal veterinarians.
Moving forward—building upon our strengths:
All these initiatives rely heavily upon our college’s
ability to maximize the utility of the present and
future facilities expansion and remodeling. The capital
campaign project proposing the modernization of
our facilities for teaching, research, and service is
intimately linked with our capacity to match the
contributions of our peer institutions, to increase our
ranking, to generate future federal and state research
funding, and to achieve accreditation. Many of you
confer with our faculty and staff, and utilize our
services and facilities for the continued success of your
work. We ask now that you join us, not only as clients,
but also as active partners in our work—building a
college that will continue to serve all of us for many
years to come.
Photo/Tracy Raef
John U. Thomson, DVM, MS
Dean
The most vital part of any educational
institution is its faculty. The faculty is
the college.
[Stange]
5
gentle Doctor
a small animal practitioner, received her veterinary degree in 1979
from Iowa State University. Following graduation, she practiced in
Brunswick, Maine. Since 1985, she has owned and operated the
Androscoggin Animal Hospital, a four-veterinarian, full-service,
small animal practice in Topsham, Maine.
A leader in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Chadima distinguished
herself as the first female to be elected president of the Maine Veterinary
Medical Association. She has gone on to serve as a gubernatorial
appointment to the Board of Veterinary Medicine in Maine. On the
national level, Dr. Chadima is the alternate delegate from Maine to
the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates.
Besides her involvement in organized veterinary medicine at the state
level, Dr. Chadima is a member of the New England Association of
Veterinary State Boards. Nationally, she was recently selected to be
one of the founding members of the Program for the Assessment of
Veterinary Educational Equivalence. She is widely recognized for her
intellect, work ethic and commitment to advancing veterinary medicine.
Dr. Chadima is an active community leader, volunteering at a local
elementary school and church, where she served as chair of a $2.5
million restoration project. She is a member of Rotary International,
and currently serves as the Maine liaison for an El Salvadorian rural
health care organization.
In November 2005, Dr. Chadima will lend her expertise in Kabul,
Afghanistan, working with the Kabul University Veterinary Faculty
Teaching Clinic. Currently, the Kabul students do not receive any
clinical training. The clinic has been established to provide small
animal care to the foreign and native population and provide clinical
experience and teaching to the Afghani veterinary students.
The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine honored three of its graduates with
the 2005 Stange Award during ceremonies held at the university and the college on October
21. This year’s recipients are: Drs. Susan Chadima, Jerry Hardisty, and Ron McLaughlin.
“While I was in high school, my father told me that I could attend any college I
wanted, as long as it was Iowa State University,” Dr. Chadima said. “At the time
I did not fully appreciate the wisdom of his words. Receiving the Stange Award
is a great honor and a humbling experience. I am proud of my education and
profession, and the contributions the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine
makes in improving animal health and the quality of peoples’ lives.”
The College of Veterinary Medicine invites
nominations for the 2006 Stange Award for
Meritorious Service. Established in 1970, the
award recognizes outstanding professional
achievements in the areas of education,
government, industry, practice or other
endeavors in veterinary medicine. Conferred
annually, the Stange Award is named for Dr.
Charles Stange, former dean of the college
(1909-1936).
Nominations will be accepted until January 30,
2006. Please mail the names of nominees and
a brief description of their accomplishments
to: CVM Awards Committee, Office of the
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2508
Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011-1250.
Nominations Sought
for Stange Award
Photo/Tracy Raef
Dr. Susan Chadima,
Distinguished
ALUMNI
Recognized
6
gentle Doctor
is the president of Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., the largest independent pathology
contract laboratory in the world. EPL provides hazard identification services to governmental agencies
and pharmaceutical and chemical companies in support of their human risk assessment programs.
Established in 1971, EPL has grown from a small company of six employees to over 120 employees in
2005, with clients based throughout the United States, Europe and Japan.
Dr. Hardisty is considered the expert in the conduct of pathology peer reviews. Most pharmaceutical
companies use these reviews to assure the quality of the histopathology used on their toxicity and
carcinogenicity studies. He routinely advises the scientists in the Environmental Protection Agency and
the Food and Drug Administration and conducts pathology seminars and courses for both government
agencies. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1971 with a degree in veterinary medicine, Dr.
Hardisty entered the U.S. Army’s Veterinary Corps. His first job was as the attending veterinarian for
the army’s BioSensor Research “Super Dog” program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Dr. Hardisty is an adjunct professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University.
He is active in several veterinary and other professional organizations, including a term as president
of the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists in 2000. He is a board-certified diplomate of the American
College of Veterinary Pathologists and Fellow of International Academy of Toxicologic Pathologists.
is a nationally recognized leader in assuring the health and welfare of animals used in biomedical
science. While he was the director of the laboratory animal medicine training program at the
University of Missouri, McLaughlin trained over 80 veterinarians as specialists in laboratory animal
medicine, many of whom are leaders in the field.
Dr. McLaughlin has played a vital leadership role in laboratory animal medicine and science
organizations. In 2001, he was the recipient of the highest award of the American Association for
Laboratory Animal Science. The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care, International, presented McLaughlin with its highest award in 2004.
For almost forty years, his dedication to research has contributed to the current knowledge of
laboratory animal resource management, animal research methods, and veterinary medical ethics. He
currently serves as a private consultant in laboratory animal medicine and science.
Dr. McLaughlin received his veterinary degree and his master’s degree in veterinary physiology from
Iowa State University in 1968. He served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1969 to 1972, and
served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1976 to 1991, retiring with the rank of colonel.
“I am profoundly honored to receive the Stange Award for my efforts in veterinary medicine,” Dr.
McLaughlin said. “I must confess to being slightly embarrassed at accepting an award for work that has
provided so much professional and personal satisfaction, and that has been so much fun.”
“Receiving the Stange Award is the highest professional honor that I have received,” Dr. Hardisty said.
“My nomination was completely unexpected and I only hope that I am deserving of this prestigious honor. The
College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State has one of the leading undergraduate and graduate programs
in the world. Wherever I travel, I continuously meet graduates who are leaders in their fields. I would
like to thank Dr. John U. Thomson, dean of the veterinary college, the university, and all of the ISU
graduates that I have had the opportunity to work with during my career.”
Photo/Tracy Raef
Photo/Tracy Raef
Dr. Jerry Hardisty
Dr. Ron McLaughlin
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T
The 24/7 service offers after-hours blood testing (including
blood gas analysis), emergency surgery and anesthesia,
advanced monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, and
treatments such as endoscopy, cardiac telemetry, radiology
services, mechanical ventilation and blood transfusion and
component therapy.
“The patients we see vary,” said Dr. Beth Streeter, head
of the emergency unit at the hospital. “They range from
local, routine emergencies—such as wounds, lacerations
and vomiting—to patients requiring more advanced
care as a result of severe respiratory distress, acute renal
failure, neurological disorders and multisystem trauma.”
A 1999 graduate of Iowa State’s College of Veterinary
Medicine, Dr. Streeter joined the faculty at Iowa
State in December 2003. She completed a residency
in emergency and critical care medicine at Tufts
University in 2003 and received board certification in
this specialty in September 2004.
“My research interest focuses on trauma,” Dr. Streeter
said. “Prior to attending veterinary school, I was
a technician in an emergency clinic in Miami. I
remember my first shift well. The chaos and panic
suited me well, and I knew that emergency care was
the field for me.”
The Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Iowa State
University has expanded its emergency and critical
care service to provide a veterinarian on premises
at all times to give emergency care for small animal
patients. The emergency unit’s goal is to evaluate,
treat and monitor small animal patients and offer
state-of-the-art care for critically ill small animals.
Veterinarians can refer emergency patients or
owners can bring in their pet emergency cases
without referrals.
Average Number of
Emegency Cases Per Day
Total Capacity
Staff
5 Patients
21 Cages
1 Full-Time DVM
3 DVM Interns
4 Full-Time Technicians
4 Technican Assistants
3 Veterinary Students
Fritz, a four-year-old castrated male miniature schnauzer (cover), was brought to
Iowa State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital as an emergency patient after several days
of weight loss, lethargy and diarrhea. A barium study showed an intestinal foreign
body completely obstructing his intestines. He was taken to emergency surgery when
an acorn was found in his jejunum. A ressection and anastamosis of the jejunum was
done. Fritz recovered and was discharged.
Jenny Belle, a five-month-old pug, was admitted to the VTH after being referred for
a suspected portosystemic shunt. The next day she went to surgery for abdominal
exploratory. A single shunt was isolated and an ameroid constricture placed. She
recovered and returned home.
[Opposite] Jessica Heuss,
veterinary technician assistant,
with patient Jenny Belle
Photo/Tracy Raef
VITAL STATS
EMERGENCY CARE UNIT
ISU’s Veterinary
expands
EMERGENCY CARE SERVICE
Teaching Hospital
9
gentle Doctor
A
Alumnus Travels to Bay St. Louis
Photo/Tracy Raef
After collecting donations for the relief efforts for K-9 police
officers, Dr. Dennis Drager (’85) and Marshalltown police officer
Randy Kessler decided to deliver the items personally. Giving up
his football tickets for the Iowa State vs. Iowa football game, Dr.
Drager and Officer Kessler left the morning of September 10 for
the 18-hour drive to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
“Before we left, we got donations from Bulter Animal Health,
Merial, Schering-Plough, and ISU Veterinary Teaching Hospital,”
Dr. Drager said. The Marshalltown police department loaned
us a vehicle and a local business loaned us a 20-foot trailer. We
received additional donations from local businesses and the
Iowa State Patrol; money for the trip and supplies came from my
clients and the citizens of Marshalltown.
We were able to take uniforms, boots, baby clothes, dog kennels and
crates, dog and cat food, generators, two gas caddies, freezers, and a
supply of veterinary products. We delivered the supplies to the Bay
St. Louis police department, which was also the base of operations
for several K-9 search and rescue teams. Many of the supplies we left
were distributed to other police agencies in the area.”
Besides ferrying all the supplies to the city, Dr. Drager examined
and treated some of the search and rescue dogs for abrasions and
cuts. He also treated several animals that rescuers from Florida
and Maryland had found. “Mostly, I treated skin conditions and
wounds. The strays ended up at the Humane Society where they
were microchipped and sent to shelters 90-120 miles away.
With the help of the rescue volunteers from Florida, we set up a
“veterinary clinic” in a Kmart parking lot. I spent the next three
days treating mostly pets owners brought in once they learned I
was there. I vaccinated animals, treated wounds, skin conditions,
and gastrointestinal problems.
“One dog I treated for an abscess had been left behind
in a house. This 12-year-old Maltese mix was blind and
had CHF. It survived for five days in a house that had
several feet of water in it.
“We slept under a canopy in the Kmart lot for a couple
of nights. There was an 8 p.m. curfew, so by that time
there wasn’t any traffic. By 9 p.m., there were police and
military helicopters flying overhead with search lights on
for most of the night. The lot that we were in also had
a mobile hospital, dental clinic, vaccination clinic, and
was a distribution point for supplies for the public.
“Many people came by because they heard we had
stray animals. They wanted to know if I had seen
their particular pet. I could only refer them to the
local humane society which was collecting strays and
putting them in shelters miles away.
“In retrospect, I would do a similar rescue mission
again. I believe we were able to make a difference for so
many people and their pets. It was well worth the time
and effort,” Dr. Drager said.
It will come as no surprise that veterinarians
and students answered the call to help the
victims of Hurricane Katrina which hit the
Gulf Coast region in August 2005. And, Iowa
State University’s veterinary community was no
different in its willingness to lend a hand.
Comes to the Aid of
Veterinary Community
KATRINA’S VICTIMS
10
gentle Doctor
“Animals dying that we did not find soon enough, the horror stories
of owners, and the hard decisions made were distressing,” said Dr.
Christine Petersen, assistant professor in the Iowa State College of
Veterinary Medicine’s department of pathology. “But, seeing animals
reunited with their owners after a month of separation was a moment
filled with joy on all parts.”
Dr. Petersen went to New Orleans under the auspices of the
American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals. She spent
some of her time at the LSU Parker Coliseum taking care of animals
brought to Baton Rouge by their owners when they evacuated. Some
days were spent at the triage center set up at Delgato Community
College near city park in New Orleans or in the ASPCA mobile
van. She also went out with rescue teams into New Orleans
neighborhoods. The days were long and the nights too short in an
air-conditioned FEMA tent.
“The instincts I learned while I was a small animal practitioner were
invaluable during animal rescues,” Dr. Petersen said. “I was the ‘go
to’ person to determine what were the human health risks posed by
these animals.”
Dr. Petersen used her training from Harvard University’s School of
Public Health where she earned a PhD in immunology and infectious
diseases. Her experience as a small animal veterinarian and volunteer
veterinarian at the Animal Rescue League in Worcester, Mass., were
priceless.
“Shelter medicine is the area of veterinary medicine where public
health and prevention of infectious diseases, particularly those
transmitted from animals to humans, are most important,” Dr.
Petersen said. Affiliated with Iowa State’s Center for Food Security
and Public Health, Dr. Petersen represented the center at a national
CDC conference on pubic health preparedness. “We spent most of
our time determining how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
during multi-hazard situations. Going to New Orleans allowed me to
practice what I preach.”
Her advice to veterinarians who are interested in volunteering
for future disasters is: “Contact the American Veterinary Medical
Association about becoming part of a Veterinary Medical Assistance
Team, or volunteer with the American Humane Association for its
Red Star Emergency Services now, before the next disaster. Those two
teams are very professional and organized.” Above all, she advises
future volunteers to be persistent during a disaster. “Your help is
needed regardless of your background.”
When Dr. Tom Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Veterinary
Medical Association, called for veterinarians to assist in Des
Moines, clinicians and students jumped at the chance to help animal
victims of Katrina who were sent to Des Moines with their owners.
“We performed physical exams and vaccinated the three animals
that came in that day,” said Dr. Kim Langholz, community practice
veterinarian at Iowa State. “We also treated one dog’s paw. It had
chemical irritation, so we tried to rinse it and started the dog on
oral antibiotics. Students bathed the two dogs.”
When Cheryl Zimmerman, president of Iowa State’s Student Chapter of
the American Veterinary Medical Association, got word that her counter-
part at Mississippi State University needed help, she didn’t hesitate.
The college’s student chapter of the AVMA quickly voted to
donate $2,000 from the chapter’s emergency fund. The chapter
then asked the college’s faculty and staff to match the sum.
They did, giving more than $2,100 of personal donations. In
an extraordinary act of giving, the veterinary students wanted
to match the sum raised by faculty and staff. Through personal
donations the students raised an additional $1,700.
“That’s pretty extraordinary,” said Ms. Zimmerman (VM-3) of
the amount raised. “The money for the relief efforts came from
our hearts.”
Support from the Veterinary College at ISU
Rescuing Animals in New Orleans
[Far left] Dr. Dennis Drager takes a break from
loading the trailer to pose by the police vehicle
loaned to him and police officer Randy Kessler by
the Marshalltown Police Department. [Center] The
“veterinary clinic” Dr. Drager set up and worked out
of in a Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Kmart lot. The
canopied tent also served as his sleeping quarters at
night. [Right] Dr. Christine Petersen holds an IV in
place for a rescued dog in New Orleans.
11
gentle Doctor
e
E
Educational technologies have redefined the architecture
of the traditional classroom. Mounted plasma projection
screens replace chalkboards, laptops and tablet computers
replace paper and pen, computer simulations and PowerPoint
presentations complement textbooks and lectures, and
realistic mannequin doggies serve as models that allow
students to practice resuscitating and anesthetizing animals.
Electronic media and technology generate the infrastructure
for extending learning beyond the doors, walls, and
windows of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary
Medicine. Classrooms are geared for wireless access
and cable networks through which faculty and students
can access massive amounts of information through
the internet, internationally renowned experts through
distance learning, and an immense body of case studies
through digitized images and videotape.
Students are strongly encouraged to have a laptop
computer. The college recommends Gateway’s Tablet PC.
The computer works like a traditional laptop computer,
but it also has a writable screen. Students can use a
stylus directly on the screen, take handwritten notes
and convert the notes to typed text that can be stored
in folders and shared with others. Notes can then be
searched by key words. The PC also allows students to
use a “virtual microscope” to review histology slides—
anywhere, anytime. Students are no longer tied to the
laboratory and microscopes to view slides.
By the same token, the additional focus on teaching
technology requires students to be technically literate.
This puts additional responsibilities on students and
teachers alike as they attempt to keep up with the evolution
of new learning tools. Between patients, a fourth-year
student at the College’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital
emphasizes this point. “I recognize the value in saving
time. By saving time, you do more for your patient. The
teaching hospital uses digital radiology, for example.
It’s a great tool. But, when you’re not familiar with new
technology, it can be incredibly frustrating to try to
figure it out as you try to keep up with your work.”
[Above]
Daniel Liebsch (VM-2)
uses his laptop while
studying in the library.
Classmates Katie
Lukas and Kerri
Ritland (left) join him.
Photo/Dani Ausen
by Karen Piconi
Learning
without
BOUNDARIES
12
gentle Doctor
Though technology has been instrumental
in changing the structure of curricula, it has its
pitfalls, Dr. Uemura warns, “I love technology.
But technology is not education.
“Technology sometimes tempts us to give
too much information. And sometimes
machines put up barriers between you and
the student. Personal contact is still the
most important aspect of being a good
teacher. But, if I want to show clinical cases
and use the best tools available to teach,
then I have to use visual technology and
relational models. Chalk and a blackboard are
insufficient. In many cases, a digital image is
worth a thousand—even a million—words.”
The Veterinary Education and Technology
Services unit is working to develop a series
of real-life computer simulation models of
diseases and virtual patients using Clinic
Soft, a computer program first developed at
the University of Iowa Medical School that
has been adapted to veterinary patients. As
they review the case, students learn about
pharmacology, pathology, anatomy and use
that information to solve problems.
College faculty are also developing more
responsive systems for tracking and
monitoring patient care so that clinicians,
students, referring veterinarians, owners,
and producers can access records online to
determine patient status. In the VTH, this
means putting records into computer format
so they can be easily retrieved to avoid
delays, especially in critical care.
Dr. Larry Booth, associate professor and
director of Veterinary Education and
Technology Services, discusses the impact
of technology for teaching students and
providing better service to owners, producers
and referring veterinary practitioners. “Where
are we going? Quality information, anytime,
anywhere, means converting things into
useable form and making information available
quickly.” The use of interactive digital
video has had a profound impact not only on
“My constant struggle: I still don’t know the
best way to teach,” said Dr. Etsuro Uemura,
professor of biomedical sciences. “My
main concern is what do students need to
know and how much information and help
should I give them?” As he talks about the
opportunities and challenges posed by the
use of technology in teaching, Dr. Uemura
demonstrates the computer-simulated “virtual
dog” he developed as a teaching tool.
Dr. Uemura’s combined background in
veterinary medicine and computer
programming helps him to engineer innovative
teaching tools that inspire a new generation
of techno-savvy students. His “virtual dog”
provides students with hands-on experience
examining and diagnosing neurological
disorders. To use the program, students
click on various icons—a hand to lift an
eyelid and examine the eye, a box that
generates specific symptoms of
damage to the nerves or brain.
Other models used in the college
provide an animated stethoscope
that transmits the sounds of a
virtual animal’s healthy or damaged
heart and lungs. These simulated models
provide students the opportunity to practice
their examination skills, create a safe
learning environment, and provide teachers
with good assessment tools as they prepare
students to work with live animals.
Traditionally, student assessment occurs
through tests, quizzes, and direct observation
of specific techniques. The lag time between
delivery of instruction and assessment of
student understanding imposes a great
burden on the learning process. Imagine the
impact on learning if teachers received
immediate feedback about how well students
are understanding materials covered in
lectures and discussions.
There is no need to imagine. The college
recently outfitted targeted classrooms with
Personal Response Systems—infrared systems
where receivers are mounted on the walls
and students are provided transmitters that
are “clicked” in response to multiple choice
questions integrated into lectures. Student
responses are then tabulated and posted so
the lecturer can determine how much time
to spend in review of specific material.
teaching and service but also on reducing
the number of live animals used in courses.
Dr. Booth notes that the use of digital video
and digitized images has revolutionized
teaching. “A lot of the cases we see are
seasonal and fall outside student rotation
schedules. Student often don’t get a chance
to see routine and major cases. For example,
students aren’t always in the clinic during
foaling season. Our goal is to work with
faculty to develop a database of digitized
video cases to provide students with
opportunities to review cases they might
otherwise miss during their rotations.”
Digitized video is incorporated as a teaching
tool in a variety of different applications.
Teachers use video-endoscopes to demonstrate
procedures such as examinations of colons,
ears, and joints. A tiny camera projects
images for a classroom of up to a
hundred students. The images can
then be saved and recorded as a
digital movie for future teaching
purposes. This approach eliminates
the cumbersome process of having
each student look through the scope and
decreases the anxiety of the animal being
examined.
Dr. Booth identifies the next teaching tool
on the horizon. “Our goal is to set up a skills
laboratory where students could use realistic
mannequins using tutorials. It’s an ideal
model for student learning. It allows them to
practice and develop a variety of critical skills:
intubation, IV access, splinting, bandaging,
CPR, inserting urinary catheters, giving
injections. Some students are so worried
about the animal that they have trouble
paying attention to technique. If students
practice on a model, they have much more
confidence when they work with live animals.”
Though students seem engaged by the
technology, they are clear about the real
focus and objectives of their education which
is to care for and promote the health and
welfare of animals. A fourth-year veterinary
student comments: “Being a good doctor
is based on who you are and what you put
into it. I started my training working with
teachers who used chalkboards, lecture, and
discussion. Technology can enhance but not
compensate for natural ability.”
13
gentle Doctor
Dr. Tom Johnson was named recipient
of the 2005 William P. Switzer Award
in Veterinary Medicine. The award
recognizes exemplary individuals who
have made significant contributions to
society and to the Iowa State University
College of Veterinary Medicine. It was
presented at the college’s annual Scholars
Research Day, August 12.
Dr. Tom Johnson is the
executive director of the
Iowa Veterinary Medical
Association, based in
Ankeny, Iowa. He is a
recognized leader in
organized veterinary
medicine in Iowa and the
United States.
“The veterinary profession
respects the work of Dr.
Switzer. His contribution
to veterinary medicine and
society is world renowned. I am humbled
to receive an award named for this well-
respected veterinarian,” said Dr. Johnson.
Throughout his career, Dr. Johnson
has exemplified the highest standards
of clinical practice, having owned and
operated a small animal practice for
24 years in Spencer, Iowa. While a
practitioner in Spencer, Dr. Johnson
hosted a call-in radio program for 10
years, and authored a monthly newspaper
article on working dogs. His dedication to
his clients and patients is well known.
Dr. Johnson’s commitment to education
is presented by his interest in teaching.
Early in his career, he was an instructor
at Washington State University College
of Veterinary Medicine, and an assistant
professor of medicine at Colorado State
University’s veterinary college. In Iowa, he
taught laboratory technique at the Spencer
(Iowa) School of Business. In the mid-
1990s, Dr. Johnson taught pathobiology
and bacteriology at Northwest
Community College in Sheldon, Iowa.
His support of the College of Veterinary
Medicine is demonstrated through his
participation on the college and veterinary
diagnostic laboratory advisory boards. He
continues to establish and enhance
communications between the practitioners
of Iowa and the college’s faculty, students,
and administration.
In 2003, Dr. Johnson was the recipient of
the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association’s
President’s Award. He has served in a
number of leadership roles with the
association prior to his appointment
as executive director in 2002. He is a
member of the American Veterinary
Medical Association, the American
Society of Veterinary Medical Association
Executives, and the American Veterinary
Medical Law Association.
An active community leader, Dr. Johnson
served on the board of directors for the
Spencer Family YMCA Swim Team and
the Spencer Area Association of Business
and Industry. Currently, he is a member
of the advisory board for the Des Moines
Area Community College technician program.
Dr. Johnson and his wife, Debra, have
four children. Since 2002, they have
resided in Ames, Iowa.
Photo/Bob Elbert
The William P. Switzer Award
honors an Iowa State University
researcher who made major
contributions to the understanding
of swine respiratory diseases. Dr.
William Switzer served as a faculty
member and administrator in the
College of Veterinary Medicine
from 1948 until retiring as
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
in 1990.
NEWS
Johnson Receives
Switzer Award
in Veterinary Medicine
14
gentle Doctor
Dr. May suggests that practitioners should
consider referring patients that do not
respond to standard therapies for allergic
disease, resistant pyodermas, and yeast
infections, or patients whose owners want
advanced diagnostics. “We are enthusiastic
about any patient that comes our way!”
“Our service and clinical rotation is functioning
full time and is available to provide telephone
consultations for referring veterinarians year
round,” said Dr. May. “We find that establishing
a relationship with a referring veterinarian for
the case and obtaining a well-summarized
medical history proves extremely helpful
during the initial workup and long-term
management of the patient,” says Dr. May.
“We prefer a team approach with the
referring veterinarian. In the long run, it’s the
best situation for the patient’s care.”
Besides working with clients, patients and
veterinarians, the dermatology faculty are
responsible for teaching veterinary students
throughout the professional curriculum.
“We try to encourage students to approach
each case from the beginning and to look for
the things that occur commonly. Students
should complete the clinical rotation with the
confidence and ability to interpret findings
from basic dermatology diagnostic tests such
as skin scrapings and cytologies.”
The Iowa State University’s veterinary
dermatology service consists of one board-
certified dermatologist (Dr. Elizabeth
May), one board-certified internist with
over 20 years of experience in the field
of dermatology (Dr. James Noxon), and a
veterinary clinician, Dr. Diana Miller, who
has provided diagnostic support and client
contact for the service for the past 5 years.
Wait no more! The dermatology service at
Iowa State University’s Veterinary Teaching
Hospital has increased its number of
available appointment slots, dramatically
reducing the delay in scheduling
appointments for referral patients.
On average, the dermatology service treats
approximately 100 patients per month.
“The most common types of skin problems
that we treat include allergic skin disease,
acute and chronic ear disease, as well as
secondary bacterial and yeast infections,”
Dr. Elizabeth May says.
From March to September, doctors in
dermatology see a large number of allergic
patients exposed to tree, grass, and weed
pollens, and house dust mites and mold
allergens. “We’ve seen some cases of
autoimmune disease and adverse drug
reactions, and some unusual cases of parasitic
skin disease that have caught our interest,”
Dr. May adds.
In the past decade, the field of dermatology
has made significant strides toward
discovering the causes of allergies in dogs
and cats. “New technologies available for
identifying both adverse reactions to food
and environmental allergies in dogs and cats
allows us to more definitively diagnose those
conditions,” Dr. May says.
“New innovations in the development of flea
control products has revolutionized the way
we eliminate or reduce flea exposure in allergic
and non-allergic patients,” Dr. May said. “The
availability of new medications provides us with
multiple options to manage allergic animals.”
Dermatology Section Increases
Availability and Services
15
gentle Doctor
Dr. Greg Phillips received the 2005 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence
during the college’s Veterinary Scholars Research Day on August 12, 2005. The award,
sponsored by Pfizer, recognizes outstanding research that has or is likely to attain
national recognition.
Dr. Phillips, associate professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine
at the College of Veterinary Medicine,
focuses his research on answering
questions about bacterial gene function,
protein localization to the bacterial
membrane, bacterial persistence in the
environment, bacterial resistance to the
action of antimicrobial drugs, and vaccine
development.
“I consider this award to be a significant
honor,” Dr. Phillips said. “It was also a big
surprise—even my wife knew about it
before I did! The award reinforces my belief
that research is never done in isolation
and I am grateful for the colleagues that I
have at the College of Veterinary Medicine.”
He is the author or co-author of 31
scientific papers, two book chapters, and is
the co-editor of Plasmid Biology published by the American Society for Microbiology. Dr.
Phillips holds a patent for Rhodobacter strain for odor remediation of anaerobic livestock
waste lagoons and biomass production.
Prior to joining the faculty at Iowa State University, Dr. Phillips was an assistant professor
in the biology department at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He received his
PhD in genetics from the University of Georgia-Athens in 1987.
He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and American
Society for Microbiology, and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Bacteriology.
Dr. Greg Phillips (center) accepts
the Pfizer Research Award from
Dr. John Thomson (right), dean of
the college, and Dr. John Aslakson,
Pfizer Animal Health.
Photo/Bob Elbert
Phillips Named 2005
Recipient of Pfizer
Research Award
NEWS
16
gentle Doctor
Dr. Holly Bender, associate professor of veterinary
pathology at Iowa State University, received the 2004
National Carl J. Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher
Award from the Association of American Veterinary
Medical Colleges. The award was presented on July 17,
2005, at the AAVMC’s summer meeting in Minneapolis.
The award recognizes outstanding instructors who
contribute significantly to the advancement of veterinary
medicine. The recognition includes a $2,500 cash award.
“Dr. Bender is most deserving of this prestigious honor,
which designates her as the top veterinary medicine
educator of the year. She is nationally recognized for
her work to improve methods for teaching diagnostic
problem-solving skills in veterinary medicine. Most
importantly, she is profoundly impacting the lives of 120
students each year,” said Dr. John Thomson, dean of the
College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University.
Dr. Bender led the development of the Diagnostic
Pathfinder, an innovative clinical instructional software
tool. The software teaches students a methodology for
diagnostic reasoning and instructs them to gather and
analyze laboratory data before arriving at a diagnosis. It
has repeatedly demonstrated improved student learning
using several assessment instruments. The learning tool
has been used at four veterinary colleges in addition to
Iowa State and for continuing education
for practicing veterinarians on the
Veterinary Information Network.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but
I want to credit my accomplishments in
teaching to the brilliant, exceptionally
motivated students who I teach, to the
talented and creative research group who
were essential to the development of
the Pathfinder, and finally to the faculty
colleagues and administrators who believe
the teacher-student relationship is precious
beyond measure,” Dr. Bender said.
Dr. Bender teaches clinical pathology and is the director
of Iowa State’s Biomedical Informatics Research Group.
Since 1983, she has received 21 teaching awards.
She received her veterinary degree from Michigan State
University in 1979 and her doctoral degree in 1987 from
Virginia Tech University. She is a board-certified pathologist.
Dr. Bender joined the faculty at Iowa State in 2002.
Graduates of the Class of 1955 at the College of Veterinary Medicine held their 50-year reunion in Ames, Iowa, July 27-28, 2005. During
the dinner banquet, Dr. John U. Thomson, dean of the veterinary college, presented each class member with a Gold Medal, signifying the
milestone. The event was organized by Drs. Wayne Brown, Duane Strom, and Jim Yoder. Photo/Kim Adams
Veterinary Educator
ISU Associate Professor
Named Nation’s Outstanding
Golden Anniversary
ALUMnI neWs
17
gentle Doctor
At first glance, there are limited similarities between Iowa and Montenegro.
But finding similarities between Iowa and countries or regions outside
the United States is all part of the job for Dr. Eldon Uhlenhopp, associate
professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. Recently,
Dr. Uhlenhopp hosted three veterinarians from the country of Montenegro in
Eastern Europe. The veterinarians visited Iowa in conjunction
with their attendance at the World Veterinary Congress and
American Veterinary Medical Association meeting held in
Minneapolis in July 2005.
“Like Iowa, Montenegro has a significant rural population,
livestock are prevalent, and animal health is important,” said
Dr. Uhlenhopp. “Until a few months ago, veterinary services
in Montenegro were controlled by the government. With the
opportunity for private practice in their countries, Drs. Dejan
Lausevic, Predrag Stojovic, and Branko Zivkovic needed to
learn how to integrate the broad range of veterinary services
into their community.”
During the trip to Iowa, the Montenegro veterinarians
visited agriculture facilities and veterinary practices. The
veterinarians visited Meyer Feedlot in Aplington to see first-
hand the management of a beef feedlot in Iowa. “They were
very interested in the processing of incoming cattle and the
purchasing and marketing practices used by the feedlot,” Dr.
Uhlenhopp said.
The experience would not have been complete without
visiting a couple of veterinary practices. “We visited with Dr. Tom Pollock at
the Highview Animal Hospital, a mixed animal practice in Aplington, and Dr.
Terry Riordan at the Ankeny Veterinary Clinic, a companion animal practice,”
Dr. Uhlenhopp said. “We also spent a lot of time at the Iowa State University
Diagnostic Laboratory discussing its personnel, case load, and capabilities,
leading the way for future collaborative research and training experiences in
infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus,” Dr. Uhlenhopp added.
Leland Meyer and his son, Russ, with Drs. Dejan
Lausevic, Predrag Stojovic, and Branko Zivkovic at
the Meyer Feedlot. Photo/Dr. Eldon Uhlenhopp
Transcends Borders
ISU Veterinarian
NEWS
18
gentle Doctor
The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine wishes to express its
sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the following alumni:
The summer 2005 issue of Gentle
Doctor magazine incorrectly listed
Dr. Robert Freese (’87) as
deceased. We’re pleased to report
that Dr. Freese is alive and well,
and continues to practice in
Indianola. The editor of Gentle
Doctor regrets the error.
Henry G. Voetberg (’31)
Garner, Iowa, died June 1, 1989
Carl F. Stephan (’34)
Manitowish Waters, Wisc., died May 8, 2005
Warren R. Marks (’38)
Emmetsburg, Iowa, died July 25, 2005
Robert K. Fisher (’40)
Mesa, Ariz., died Aug. 20, 2003
A. Rex Puterbaugh (’40)
Los Gatos, Calif., died Aug. 13, 2003
Robert J. Lenz, Sr. (’42)
Strawberry Point, Iowa, died June 25, 2005
Alden O. Droivold (’63)
Faribault, Minn., died July 22, 2005
Conrad W. Laursen (‘65)
Mitchell, S.D., died Apr. 13, 2005
D. W. Rawson (’43)
Cora, Wyo., died Apr. 21, 2005
Milton R. Flickinger (’43)
Washington, Iowa, died Nov. 13, 2004
Edgar P. Alexander (’45)
Omaha, Neb., died Aug. 11, 2005
Dr. Robert Freese with staff
members at the Indianola
Veterinary Clinic.
Photo/Tracy Raef
CorreCtIon
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
in
memoriam
19
gentle Doctor
Over the years, clients of Iowa State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital
have been particularly generous. Among those is a grateful client
who recently made a thoughtful commitment to assist future clients.
In 1999, Vicki Hudachek of West Liberty, Iowa, brought her
German shepherd, Koko, to be treated at Iowa State’s Veterinary
Teaching Hospital. Koko had an ear problem that, if not
corrected, would likely have caused Koko to be put down due to
aggressiveness related to pain. Koko was seen by Dr. Ronald Grier
at the VTH. Koko underwent treatment for the problem and lived
to be nearly 13 years old.
Ms. Hudachek wanted to help owners whose dogs may
be in jeopardy due to pain-related aggressiveness, and
who may not be able to afford the cost of treatment.
Working with her attorney, she made a provision in
her will establishing an endowed fund at the college.
The Koko and Vicki Hudachek Endowment
Fund will partially cover the costs for treatment
(including surgery and drugs) of family dogs less
than 10 years old, when the dog is showing
aggressiveness related to pain associated with
illness or injury and whose owners are on
limited incomes, social security or disability.
According to Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Mary Ann
Nieves, “Veterinary teaching hospitals around the country have
similar endowments. We are pleased that Ms. Hudachek’s gifting
will allow us to have this kind of financial support available for our
clients in the future.”
The endowment will be funded with the gift of a third-generation
farm in Muscatine County, Iowa, including an 1879 vintage Greek
Revival house that Ms. Hudachek has restored on the property. Her
family has lived in the home since 1909. Since 1980, the land has
been rented for soybean and corn production.
An Owner’s Love for her Pet
Leads to Endowed Fund
NEWS
20
gentle Doctor
On November 4, 2005, Monica Porter left her
position as senior director of development
in the College of Veterinary Medicine to
pursue another opportunity with the ISU
Foundation. Monica joined the college in
April 2002. She was instrumental in raising
more than $10,159,000 to support key
funding initiatives in veterinary medicine,
including the $3.5 million lead gift for the
Veterinary Teaching Hospital renovation
from Dr. Gene and Linda Lloyd.
A search is underway to hire her replacement.
Alumni, donors, and potential donors who
have questions about gifting opportunities
at the college, can contact Rich Bundy,
assistant vice president of development, at
[email protected] or (515) 294-9088.
Dr. Stephen Juelsgaard (’72), San Francisco, Calif. Dr. Juelsgaard is the
executive vice president and general counsel for San Francisco-
based Genentech. He realizes the importance of such projects as
he has responsibility for Genentech’s strategic planning. He has
pledged $500,000 to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s efforts to
renovate the veterinary teaching hospital.
Wesley and Irene Mansfield Charitable Foundation, Belle Plaine, Iowa. The
Mansfield Foundation has given $250,000 in support of a bovine
surgery suite. The Mansfield Foundation stepped forward in the
early stages of the project’s planning. Irene and Wesley Mansfield
had business and beef production interests in Iowa and Nebraska.
Dr. Robert Flickinger (’49). In 1998, Dr. Flickinger made a provision
in his will for the imaging area in the veterinary teaching hospital.
When he died, $250,000 was received from his estate for the
project. Dr. Flickinger was chairman of the board of Midwest
Veterinary Supply in Burnsville, Minn.
Tammy and Dr. James Stein (’74), Muscatine, Iowa. A member of the
board of the Iowa State University Foundation, an ISU Foundation
Governor, and member of the College of Veterinary Medicine
Endowment Committee, Dr. Stein, has been interested in the
project since its inception. He and his wife have committed
$125,000 to the project.
Louise and Dr. J. Kenneth Roach (’61), Sioux City, Iowa. “The subject of
veterinary medicine is a very near and dear topic for my family
because it has impacted all of us in so many positive ways for the
past forty-four years. Nothing gives me a greater sense of pride
or accomplishment than to review all of the great times we have
known in this wonderful profession,” said Dr. Roach. The Roach’s
have committed $100,000 to the project.
Isabel and Joseph H. Krichel, Jr. (’57), Naples, Fla. In 2004, Dr. and
Mrs. Krichel planned a charitable gift to the College of Veterinary
Medicine. From among the many projects they support in the
college, the couple chose to designate their 2004 gift of appreciated
securities to the renovation project.
We thank each donor for their strategic investments which will enable
the college to move toward completion of fundraising for the project. If
you would like to talk about what you can invest in the project, please
contact Rich Bundy at rbundy@iastate.edu or (515) 294-9088.
College of Veterinary Medicine alumni and friends have a
long history of giving generously to the college. For the first
time, the college is raising private gift support for a significant
capital project. The project is the $51,800,000 first phase of
veterinary teaching hospital construction/renovation project.
The project is the highest priority for fundraising in the college.
Previous issues of the Gentle Doctor magazine have recognized
Dr. and Mrs. W. Eugene Lloyd (’49), for making the $3.5
million lead gift to the project. Recently other alumni and
friends have joined Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd in support of the
project. Each of these donors has thoughtfully and generously
made commitments to the veterinary teaching hospital project.
Farewell
Monica Porter!
by Monica Porter
VTH
Renovation Project
21
gentle Doctor
“The ceremony was a wonderful way
to commemorate our entry into the
veterinary profession,” said Tiffany
McAllister (VM-1) from Granger, Iowa. “I
spoke to my coater, Dr. Donna Rizzo (’89),
backstage before the ceremony and she
told me how honored she was that I asked
her to present my coat. It was definitely a
special time for all involved.”
During the ceremony, Dean John U.
Thomson gave the welcoming remarks.
Dr. James Kenyon, president of the Iowa
Veterinary Medical Association, introduced
the students to the Veterinarian’s Oath.
One hundred and twenty veterinary students
started their veterinary education with the
traditional “coating” ceremony on Aug.
19, 2005, at C. Y. Stephens Auditorium.
The presentation of the white coat marks
a first-year student’s introduction into the
professional veterinary curriculum.
“This year is the second year the college
has held the special ceremony,” said Dr.
Amanda Fales-Williams, assistant professor
of veterinary pathology and chair of the
event’s planning committee. “Over half of the
incoming class brought a family member or
mentor to participate in the ceremony, a big
increase over last year.”
“A large number of second-year veterinary
students helped with the event planning,”
Dr. Fales-Williams said. “Jamie Clark and
Amanda Chamberlain, VM-2s, took the
lead in organizing the ceremony and Erica
Peterman, VM-3, kept things running
smoothly on stage during the event.”
Recitation of the oath is reserved for
graduation. Cheryl Zimmerman (VM-3),
president of the student chapter of the
American Veterinary Medical Association
also addressed the incoming class.
“We didn’t have a coating ceremony when
I graduated from veterinary college,” said
Dr. John Waddell, who “coated” first-year
student Rik Smith. “I was honored that Rik
choose me to present his coat, and it was
a privilege to be part of the ceremony.”
Following the ceremony, a reception was held
for the students and their family and friends.
Dr. Donna Rizzo (’89) and Tiffany
McAllister (right) backstage at C. Y.
Stephens Auditorium before the
White Coat Ceremony
Photo/Walden Photo
It was definitely a special
time for all involved.
Welcome
Class of
2009!
NEWS
reFLeCtIons
22
gentle Doctor
My second assignment was a one-year tour in the Middle East. I was
stationed in Bahrain, a small island country off the coast of Saudi
Arabia, in support of the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. This
was truly an amazing experience because I traveled to ten different
Middle Eastern countries to check on the health and welfare of
military working dogs and to inspect food-producing facilities that
wanted to sell to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The highlights of my tour in Bahrain are so numerous. Every day
was truly something new and amazing. I interacted with business
owners from almost every country in the Middle East and was able
to soak up culture and scenery from all those countries. I visited
many of the tourist spots in those countries during my time off.
It was a chance of a lifetime. In Egypt I gazed upon the pyramids
and the sphinx. In Jordan I was awed by Mt. Nebo, the Dead Sea,
the River Jordan and the spot where John baptized Jesus. The great
stone city of Petra, where the movie Indiana Jones Three was filmed,
was a site to behold.
In Oman I wandered through the local city market known as the “souq.”
In the United Arab Emirates I was fascinated by the world’s only seven-star
hotel! I also had to coordinate a “Flying Noah’s Ark” to repatriate over
200 pets back to the United States following a Secretary of Defense
warning to evacuate all military families and pets from Bahrain. I escorted
60 pets and pet owners on a 17-hour, C-130 flight over the Atlantic
Ocean that included an emergency landing in New Hampshire and
a last-minute landing diversion at Langley, Virginia. I also escorted
a sick military working dog from the desert of UAE to a treatment
facility in Germany on a trip that covered six countries in six days.
All these experiences proved to be action-packed and fun-filled.
I am currently assigned as the veterinarian for the 10
th
Special
Forces Group; otherwise known as the Green Berets, at Fort Carson,
Colo. As a veterinarian, I am an advisor on veterinary, medical, and
preventive medicine issues. I also participate in a lot of fun activities
that I would not otherwise be able to do, like jump out of airplanes.
The military has been a great career choice for me, and I can only
hope I have helped the military half as much as it has helped me.
I look forward to future adventures, and I will proudly continue to
serve my country as a humble veterinarian with roots in Iowa.
Immediately following graduation in 2002 from the
stellar institution known as Iowa State University’s
College of Veterinary Medicine, I began my career in the
U.S. Army as a captain in the Veterinary Corps. To say
it has been a fulfilling, exciting and challenging three
years would be an understatement!
I began my career as the branch chief at Andrews Air Force
Base just outside of Washington D.C. While there I
was given responsibility for three veterinary clinics, two
installation food missions, and responsibility for the care of
over 60 military working dogs and 40 military horses.
For four months, I was also the acting chief at the Fort
Myer Branch in Washington, D.C., where the Caisson
Horses are housed. Those horses have the distinct honor
of escorting our fallen comrades to their final burial place
in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Some of the highlights of my time in Washington included
working with the Secret Service, the Capital Police,
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the
Transportation Security Administration with their dogs,
in an effort to promote national security. I received a VIP
tour of Air Force One while at Andrews AFB. The Secret
Service even let me sit in the president’s limousine. I
thought that was pretty amazing for a farm boy from Iowa.
I will proudly continue to serve my
country as a humble veterinarian
with roots in Iowa.
Experiences in the U.S. Army
Veterinary Corps
by Captain
Todd Bell
reFLeCtIons
23
gentle Doctor
If you are interested in discussing
the Voluntary Iowa BVDV
Screening Project or obtaining
materials for your clients to
enroll, please contact Drs. Annette
O’Connor or Steve Sorden.
Dr. Steve Sorden
Department of Veterinary Pathology
2724 Veterinary Medicine
Ames, IA 50011-1250
Phone : 515-294-1128
Fax: 515-294-5423
Email: [email protected]
Dr Annette O’Connor
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and
Production Animal Medicine
1715 Veterinary Medicine
Ames, IA 50011-1250
Phone : 515-294-5012
Fax: 515-294-1072
Email: [email protected]
Researchers at the College of Veterinary
Medicine are conducting an IVMA-
sponsored research project, The Voluntary
Iowa BVDV Screening Project, which will
be of interest to veterinarians with cow-calf
clients. For the first 400 herds enrolling in
VIBSP, the laboratory fees for testing of the
2006 calf crop will be waived and paid by
the project. The project is evaluating RT-PCR
technology to test for the presence of the
BVDV in pooled samples. If the RT-PCR
detects the virus in the pooled sample, the
individual animal tubes are then tested to
identify the positive sample. Once identified,
the animal is then traced back to the farm
and re-tested to ensure it is positive.
The goals of the Voluntary Iowa BVDV
Screening Project are to:
1. Evaluate the efficacy of RT-PCR testing
as a screening tool for BVDV
2. Determine the scale of BVDV infection
across Iowa
Season’s
Greetings
From the
ISU College
of Veterinary
Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
Ames, IA 50011-1250
Return Service Requested
BVDV Screening
Project Underway
