UC DAVIS VETERINARY MEDICINE | 1 Strategic Plan: Progress Actions January - March 2021 The School of Veterinary Medicine Strategic Plan was developed to evolve and refine the direction of the school to meet its stated mission, vision and goals. The plan supports the university’s Strategic Plan, To Boldly Go, and the Principles of Community, which articulate the values and principles by which the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine conducts its mission. The school’s plan can be found at https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/strategic-plan. This report summarizes the progress actions across the school from January through March 2021. GOAL 1: EDUCATE WORLD LEADERS Strategy 1.1. Promote Faculty and Staff Engagement in Career Development Programs and Best Practices for Educators Vet Med Teaching Hospital: • Maintained operations through the pandemic • Designed clinic operations and infrastructure to optimally support patients, clients and DVMs • Major IT projects supporting patient care: improvements in the VHIS, client portal, and PACS. Molecular Biosciences: Pamela J. Lein, professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine — Nominated by Alex Azar, former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to serve on the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/ board-service-may-ide-don-washington-lein Strategy 1.2 Promote Dynamic, Up-to-Date Curriculum and Training Programs to Foster Educational Goals and Career Opportunities Executive Committee: The EC discussed and approved items proposed by the Curriculum Committee, Clinical Education and Student Affairs Committees to enhance educational programs and provide support to faculty teaching in Leading Veterinary Medicine, Addressing Societal Needs
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UC DAVIS VETERINARY MEDICINE | 1
Strategic Plan: Progress Actions January - March 2021The School of Veterinary Medicine Strategic Plan was developed to evolve and refine the direction of the school to meet its stated mission, vision and goals. The plan supports the university’s Strategic Plan, To Boldly Go, and the Principles of Community, which articulate the values and principles by which the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine conducts its mission. The school’s plan can be found at https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/strategic-plan.
This report summarizes the progress actions across the school from January through March 2021.
GOAL 1: EDUCATE WORLD LEADERS
Strategy 1.1. Promote Faculty and Staff Engagement in Career Development Programs and Best Practices for Educators
Vet Med Teaching Hospital:
• Maintained operations through the pandemic
• Designed clinic operations and infrastructure to optimally support patients, clients and DVMs
• Major IT projects supporting patient care: improvements in the VHIS, client portal, and PACS.
Molecular Biosciences:
Pamela J. Lein, professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine — Nominated by Alex Azar, former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to serve on the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/board-service-may-ide-don-washington-lein
Strategy 1.2 Promote Dynamic, Up-to-Date Curriculum and Training Programs to Foster Educational Goals and Career Opportunities
Executive Committee:
The EC discussed and approved items proposed by the Curriculum Committee, Clinical Education and Student Affairs Committees to enhance educational programs and provide support to faculty teaching in
Leading Veterinary Medicine, Addressing Societal Needs
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the professional curriculum
• Approval of new core 4th Year clinical rotation for senior student hospital operations orientation - to prepare them with advanced clinical skills and common/essential techniques needed in the clinic
• Approved changes to the SVM Block Leader Recognition Document
• Approved distribution to faculty of the Review of Hybrid Small Animal Clinical Rotations report
• Approved updates to the Student Performance Standards: Academic and Professional Difficulty and Academic and Social Misconduct
Vet Med Teaching Hospital:
• Develop state-of-the-art animal hospitalization and treatment facilities
• Planning of new orthopedic satellite surgical facility, expansion of cardiology, dermatology and ER/ICU
• Identification and purchase of advanced imaging equipment for ASI.
Admissions and Student Programs:
• Held Vet Med Exploration Academy (VMEA) virtually over two Saturdays in March, enabling 25 URM high school students from across the state to participate
• The Admissions Team held two virtual events for pre-vet students and advisors attending HBCUs
Professional Education:
Rapid Reviews of Hybrid Rotations. This was undertaken by the Clinical Education Committee to assess how well our hybrid approach was addressing the student clinical learning, and to share creative ideas across all services.
Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH):
In February 2021, 8 first and second year DVM students were accepted into the 2021 Early Veterinary Student Bovine Externship Program (EVSBEP). This program will provide students with experiences in bovine and food animal veterinary practice by placing them on cattle production operations or with bovine veterinarians for 4 weeks during summer 2021. Students receive a $2,000 award for participating in the program.
2021 EVSBEP students:
Bridget Connolly, DVM ‘23
Wesley Pezzini, DVM ‘23
Hannah Jasperse, DVM ‘23
Megan Canel, DVM ‘23
Emily Bingham, DVM ‘23
Julia Hills, DVM ‘23
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Jenica Emerson, DVM ‘23
Sarina Baker, DVM ‘23
UCGHI Center of Expertise in Planetary Health:
The 2021 cohort of 29 UCGHI Planetary Health Student Ambassadors have engaged with each other, with UCGHI mentors, and with guest speakers to learn, share, and promote planetary health related topics, especially those relevant to 21st century living.
Strategy 1.3. Establish and Maintain Programs and Strategies that Promote a Diversified Professional Community
Admissions and Student Programs:
• Over 50 DVM Student Leaders participated in a bias training held by Eric Sanchez from the Office of DEI
• Secured a $1,000 grant to cover the cost of Me and White Supremacy books and journals for staff and faculty book circles. 30 faculty and staff are currently participating in the book circle.
Vet Med Financial and Administration :
The VM Administration received approval for the professional fees proposal for the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine program for the next five years from the UC Office of the President.
Strategy 1.4. Implement Multiple Strategies to Reduce Educational Debt for Professional Degree and Graduate Students
Office of Advancement:
The Office of Advancement booked a $929,773 estate gift to establish an endowment to provide student scholarships.
GOAL 2: LEAD IN INNOVATION AND HIGH IMPACT TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF ANIMALS, PEOPLE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC):
UC Davis 42nd Annual Veterinary Intern & Resident Research Symposium:
Large Animal Award $100
Dr. David Sheedy Resident III, Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Dairy Production Medicine: Effect of Antimicrobial Treatment on Rates of Gain and Loss of Ceftiofur Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae from Adult California Dairy Cows
Dr. Martin Breen awarded VMTH $1500 grant for his research project: Effects of group housing on the phenotype and dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in commensal fecal (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) populations isolated from California pre-weaned dairy calves.
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RESEARCH AWARD TOTALS 180 actions for 89 faculty (broken down below). Of these actions, 62 were new awards; the remainder were non-competing renewals, no-cost extensions and amendments.
Actions Faculty New
January 73 37 29
February 64 29 21
March 43 23 12
180 89 62
There were no projects over $1M in Q1.
GOAL 2: LEAD IN INNOVATION
Goal 2 - Lead in Innovation and High-Impact Transdisciplinary Research to Advance the Health of Animals, People, and the Environment
Strategy 2.1. Promote Innovative Multi-Disciplinary Collaborations to Address Societal NeedsOffice of Advancement:
The Office of Advancement booked a $300,000 estate gift to support the Gorilla Doctors program and emergency preparedness.
Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases (PacVec):
PacVec utilizes weekly newsletters and social media (Twitter and Facebook), led by PacVec Coordinator Celia Chen, to foster regional collaborations that improve the capacity of the Pacific Southwest region of the U.S. to respond to threats from vector-borne diseases. PacVec also hosted its annual meeting as a virtual conference on February 17-18, 2021. This meeting brought together 212 trainees, staff, and faculty from academic institutions, public health, and vector control agencies to present and discuss research and surveillance and to find more ways to continue to strengthen the ties between researchers and public-health professionals.
Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials (VCCT):
Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials initiated enrollment for two new canine clinical trials. The first, led by Dr. Krystle Reagan, is seeking to determine if a commercial activity and health tracker can be used as a remote monitoring tool to aid in the recognition of disease remission for dogs diagnosed immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA). The second, led by Dr. Jennifer Willcox, aims to evaluate whether metronidazole, an antibiotic commonly used in dogs with diarrhea, is effective for preventing or treating doxorubicin-induced diarrhea.
EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics:
• Hosted Bay Area EEID 2021 Virtual Conference, providing students, postdocs, researchers, and
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faculty an opportunity to present and gather feedback on their latest research, propose new research directions, and build connections with local collaborators.
• Organized the NSF Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention (PIPP) Workshop on Pandemic Readiness for Emerging Pathogens (PREP) in Feb 2021, in partnership with Dr. Nian Sun (Northeastern University), Dr. Urbashi Mitra (USC), and Dr. Brian Wood (UCLA).
Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH):
In February 2021, the Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH) held its annual CFAH Stakeholder Workgroup Advisory Meeting which brought together CFAH faculty including those with Ag Experiment Station (AES) assignments, Veterinary Medicine Extension faculty, and individuals representing various agriculture and agency commodity groups. Faculty presented brief updates on ‘18-‘19 and ‘19-‘20 CFAH funded research. The list of CFAH Priority Issues were revised at this meeting to reflect 2021-2022 stakeholder needs and concerns (see: https://cfah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/resources/priority-issues).
During Spring 2021, 22 research projects involving California’s animal agricultural commodities were funded through the Center for Food Animal Health. Funded projects were in the following areas: antimicrobial use and resistance, aquaculture and aquatic animals, avian/poultry, beef, dairy, food safety, and small ruminants. A listing of PIs/projects in these commodity areas is provided below:
PI and research team Project Title Commodity/Subject AreaEmmanuel Okello, Sharif Aly, Terry Lehenbauer, Pramod Pandey
Recycled flush and lagoon water as a reservoir for antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria on dairies
Antimicrobial Use & Resistance
Richard Pereira, Bart Weimer; Fabio Lima; Noelia Silva-del-Rio
Comprehensive virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling of intrauterine E. coli associated with metritis in dairy cows in California.
Esteban Soto Martinez, Alvin Camus
Evaluation of inactive vaccines against Lactococcus garviae infection in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal
Esteban Soto Martinez, Mark Fast and Matt Griffin
Role of Acipenserid Herpesvirus 2 during co-infections with Veronaea botryosa and Streptococcus iniae in White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanum)
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PI and research team Project Title Commodity/Subject AreaMaurice Pitesky, David Coil, Mark Driscoll, Katie Lee, Xunde Li, Alec Michael, Karen Woodward
New Approaches to the Holy Grail of Poultry Food Safety: Strain Level Identification and Quantification of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Retail Poultry
Avian/Poultry
Rodrigo Gallardo, Ana Da Silva, Simone Stoute
Infectious Coryza: bacterial persistence in poultry manure, bedding and water
Rodrigo A. Gallardo, Bart C. Weimer
IBV vaccine development platform using machine learning and population genomics
Asli Mete, Rodrigo Gallardo, Beate Crossley
Infectious bronchitis virus prevalence, characterization and strain identification in California backyard chickens
Jeffrey Stott, B McNabb, M Anderson, M Teglas (UNR)
Vaccination of cattle in late-term pregnancy for Epizootic Bovine Abortion: Is it safe and will it confer long-term immunity to the resulting offspring?
Beef
Jeffrey Stott In vitro cultivation of Pajaroellobacter abortibovis, the etiologic agent of epizootic bovine abortion
Gabriele Maier, Josh Davy, Larry Forero
Monensin supplementation for increased productivity in stocker cattle on California grazeland - year 2
Laurel Gershwin An lntegrated Approach to Control Bovine Respirotory Diseases (NC1027)
Gabriele Maier, Michele Jay-Russell, Robert Atwill
Reducing fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 through vaccination in a cow-calf operation
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PI and research team Project Title Commodity/Subject AreaAmir Kol Elucidating innate immunity bovine
host response during C. parvum infection in intestinal organoid model
Dairy
Terry Lehenbauer, Cassandra Tucker; Blanca Camacho; Sharif Aly; Fernanda Ferreira
Pain Management for Calf Disbudding: Educational Outreach of a Validated Cornual Nerve Block Technique in Young Dairy Calves
Sharif S. Aly, Terry W. Lehenbauer, Betsy M. Karle
Climatic conditions as a predictor for BRD in Pre-weaned dairy calves
Terry Lehenbauer, Sharif Aly, Deniece Williams, Betsy Karle
Effects of group housing on the phenotype and dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in commensal fecal (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) populations isolated from California pre-weaned dairy calves.
Munashe Chigerwe, Ailbhe King
Investigating the minimum individual cow colostral immunoglobulin G concentration required for pooling to achieve adequate passive immunity in dairy calves.
Noelia Silva Del Rio, Ainhoa Valldecabres Inchaustegui, Rubia Branco Lopes
Feeding Smectite to Preweaned Dairy Calves: Antibiotic Treatments, Morbidity, Mortality, and Growth Performance.
Alda Pires, Elizabeth Maga (Animal Science), Michele T. Jay-Russell (WCFS), Roselle C. Busch (PHR), Viktoria Haghani (PHR)
Whole genome sequencing of STEC isolates from sheep fecal samples and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of sheep fecal samples to identify microbiome changes and potential food safety risks in grazing sheep
Impact of coccidia species and burden on severity of disease in small ruminants
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California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC):
California National Primate Research Center SVM faculty Chris Miller (PMI) and Smita Iyer (PMI) recently reported on adaptive immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaque monkeys. SARS-CoV-2 elicits mild respiratory inflammation in rhesus monkeys but Drs. Miller and Iyer show that infected animals have the ability to generate a robust T lymphocyte response. Their findings in the rhesus monkey will inform human studies on SARS-CoV-2 immunity.
• SARS-CoV-2 induces robust germinal center CD4 T follicular helper cell responses in rhesus macaques.
Shaan Lakshmanappa Y, Elizaldi SR, Roh JW, Schmidt BA, Carroll TD, Weaver KD, Smith JC, Verma A, Deere JD, Dutra J, Stone M, Franz S, Sammak RL, Olstad KJ, Rachel Reader J, Ma ZM, Nguyen NK, Watanabe J, Usachenko J, Immareddy R, Yee JL, Weiskopf D, Sette A, Hartigan-O’Connor D, McSorley SJ, Morrison JH, Tran NK, Simmons G, Busch MP, Kozlowski PA, Van Rompay KKA, Miller CJ, Iyer SS.
Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 22;12(1):541. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20642-x.PMID: 33483492
The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection model in macaque monkeys is the most prevalent animal model of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Publications from California National Primate Research Center SVM faculty Chris Miller (PMI) and Marcelo Kuroda (APC) report on SIV susceptibility and predictive factors for disease progression. Continued research in nonhuman primate models is essential for diagnostics and improved treatment modalities for HIV patients.
• SIV susceptibility, immunology and microbiome in the female genital tract of adolescent versus adult pigtail macaques.
Berard AR, Miller C, Araínga M, Broedlow CA, Noël-Romas L, Schifanella L, Hensley-McBain T, Roederer A, Driscoll C, Coronado E, Manuzak J, McKinnon LR, Villinger FJ, Hope TJ, Burgener AD, Klatt NR.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2021 Jan 15. doi: 10.1089/AID.2020.0271. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33446027
• Comparison of predictors for terminal disease progression in SIV/SHIV-infected rhesus macaques.
Takahashi N, Ardeshir A, Holder GE, Cai Y, Sugimoto C, Mori K, Arainga M, He Z, Fukuyo Y, Kim WK, Didier ES, Kuroda MJ.
AIDS. 2021 Mar 11. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002874. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33710021
Strategy 2.2. Enhance Research Training and Experiential Opportunities for Clinician-Scientists, Residents, Veterinary Students, and Graduate Students
Executive Committee:
The EC provided feedback to the Office of the President about the proposed presidential policy on UC Research Data and Tangible Research Materials.
VMTH Highlights:
Thanks to a university-wide collaboration between veterinarians, physicians, researchers, and biomedical engineers, a groundbreaking clinical trial has been approved in human medicine to treat spina bifida with stem cells.
Thanks to its unique partnership with the country’s top-ranked UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the few institutions to study what the National Cancer Institute (NCI) calls comparative oncology. Now, UC Davis has received the first NCI grant in the country to fund a comparative oncology training program, which was launched on August 1, 2020.
The UC Davis veterinary hospital virtually hosted its annual Gerald V. Ling Veterinary Intern and Resident Research Day. The day-long event featured short presentations of research findings from house officers to fellow house officers, faculty, staff, students, and guests.
• The Office of Advancement closed a $1,000,000 estate gift to support research, student scholarships, and the clinical skills lab.
• The Office of Advancement closed a $500,000 estate gift to support soft-tissue research.
Office for Global Programs:
The Office for Global Programs coordinated the submission and review of a total of 18 proposals from 1st and 2nd year DVM professional and graduate students seeking to obtain funding for summer research and/or professional experience. There were 10 applications for International Externships, 6 for Global Fellowships and two (2) for Cheetah Conservation Fund Internships. The International Programs Committee awarded 9 International Externships and a separate faculty review committee awarded four (4) Global Fellowships, two (2) focused on feline health and two (2) for work with underserved communities and feline health. Students who are unable to travel due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions will be allowed to undertake their alternative projects either domestically or remotely.
Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH):
Released call for resident proposals by May 10, 2021
Provided support to SVM residents and veterinary students with funding ten resident research grants and 2 STAR program projects - $60,389:
• Evaluation of desmoglein-2 autoantibodies in canine arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
• Biaxial and Uniaxial Thread Screws in a Juvenile Canine Humeral Fracture Mode
• Pharmacokinetic evaluation of intrapatient variability in doxorubicin exposure in dogs with cancer
• Prospective evaluation of the efficacy of inhaled steroids in non-infectious canine cough
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• Evaluation of an acute inflammatory carrageenan-induced model in cocktails (Nymphicus hollandicus)
• Treatment of idiopathic chronic hepatitis (ICH) and copper associated hepatopathy (CAH) in dog.
• Feline erythropoietin gene therapy in mice: Achieving sustainability and safety for feline therapy
• Validation of an indexed thermoplastic immobilization device for trunk irradiation in dog
• Validating the 1st veterinary radiotherapy positioning device and comparing 2 six DOF couches
• Current trends in antibiotic use: a survey of veterinary oncologist
Center for Equine Health (CEH):
Residents presented CEH-supported research during the Veterinary Intern and Resident Research Symposium (VIRRS).
Strategy 2.3. Enhance Shared Resources that Support Clinical, Basic, and Translational Science
Office of Advancement:
The Office of Advancement closed a $1,500,000 estate gift to support research and compassionate care funds.
Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH):
Released the following calls for faculty proposals:
• Faculty research call with a deadline of May 17, 2021
• Faculty research equipment call (review in process)
Provided research, equipment and publication support to faculty as follows:
• Four faculty match research grants - $30,000
• Two faculty research grants - $96,350
• One faculty research equipment - $9,916
• One faculty publication cost - $1,000
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Center for Equine Health (CEH):
CEH and the Stronach group provided the funding for the newest standing equine PET scanner, which is now in clinical use at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.
Strategy 2.4. Promote Impact of School’s Research to Enhance Recognition and Influence Policy and Stakeholder Engagement
Center for Equine Health (CEH):
CEH successfully sold three Quarter Horse yearlings via online auction. The CEH breeding program is a collaborative effort with the Equine Reproduction Service and offers residents and students opportunities to be involved in all aspects, from breeding to neonatal care. Sale proceeds provide operational and programmatic support for CEH.
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology
Esteban Soto (Department of Medicine and Epidemiology):
PhD student Taylor Heckman received the Don Kahn Award at the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD) meeting for a presentation titled “We’ve got a live one! Generation of a live-attenuated vaccine to piscine streptococcosis”. This award is one is one of the highest honors in the field of veterinary microbiology.
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Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center:
1. Participated in highly engaging and enjoyable Spring Showcase Walk on the Wild Side, with the work of SeaDoc Society, California Raptor Center, Gorilla Doctors, Latin American Program, California Mountain Lion project all featured prominently for donors and the public. (Goal 2)
2. California Mountain Lion project has received over 1 million views of its documentary film California Mountain Lions: The Legends of California https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvRuSjSYgo
3. Published ground-breaking research on lead intoxication in people and pets in Argentina who consume hunter-killed waterfowl shot with lead ammunition.
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Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases (PacVec):
As part of our PacVec efforts, the SVM’s Davis Arbovirus Research and Training (DART) laboratory hosts the Vectorborne Disease Surveillance (VectorSurv) data system, which houses surveillance data on vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Developed at UC Davis in partnership with the California Department of Public Health and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, the system has grown in recent years and now serves around 160 agencies in 14 U.S. states. The system provides tools for data management and analysis that allow public-health decision-makers to utilize their data more effectively. The system’s public-facing maps are at https://maps.vectorsurv.org, here are a few of the highlights:
• Turns data into evidence for public-health decision-makers. Vector control districts and state public-health agencies can compare past and present results of arbovirus surveillance, including West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus, and track the spread of invasive mosquitoes which are capable of transmitting Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The VectorSurv system puts the data and the analysis tools in one place, making data immediately useful to decision-makers.
• Enables state and national reporting and risk assessment. State health departments rely on VectorSurv data on mosquito abundance, mosquito infection rates, dead birds, sentinel chickens, and weather to provide statewide reports and assess transmission risk for vector-borne diseases. VectorSurv also enables rapid transmission of data from local and state agencies to CDC’s national ArboNet database.
• Supports cutting-edge research. VectorSurv’s rich data sets provide a wealth of information that can be harnessed for research to improve surveillance and control strategies and predict vector distributions or disease outbreaks. VectorSurv’s data have supported CDC’s national prediction challenges, and over thirty- five data requests from researchers at various academic institutions and public-health agencies have been served to date. A planned open-data portal promises to further accelerate research.
• Enhances health equity. The U.S. has a wide range of vector control programs that serve our nation’s diverse population, and these local programs vary greatly in funding and operational capacity. VectorSurv’s websites provide a powerful and complete software solution for surveillance data in smaller rural communities that often have proportionally higher risk of arbovirus transmission but few vector control resources.
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GOAL 3: PROVIDE CUTTING-EDGE CLINICAL PROGRAMS
Strategy 3.1. Enhance the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) Services to Promote an Unmatched, Compassionate Patient Care and Client Experience
VMTH Highlights:
When Lucy, a female tabby kitten (at right in photo), was not progressing as much as her littermate, her foster group, the Orphan Kitten Club in San Diego, was at a loss as to the problem. So, OKC’s founder, Hannah “Kitten Lady” Shaw reached out to Dr. Karen Vernau at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. Dr. Vernau’s experience with hundreds of kittens as a faculty mentor of a similar group, UC Davis’ Orphan Kitten Project, led her to believe that Lucy may have hypothyroidism.
When Bella, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred maiden mare, went into labor last month, her owners Tom and Nicole Bachman were excited and sprang into action. But they soon realized something was terribly wrong. So, the long-time UC Davis clients, who have brought dozens of horses to the school’s Large Animal Clinic over the past four decades, knew exactly where they needed to go – and quickly!
Starlit Sky, 7-year-old female golden retriever, has not had it easy over the past three years since an initial injury to her front left carpus (wrist). Suspected of slipping on a tile floor, she hyperextended the carpal joint which caused her paw to collapse under her leg. The injury was so severe that one veterinarian suggested amputation. Several failed surgeries and a similar injury to her right leg for overcompensation left Starlit Sky in a constant state of pain, so her owner sought help from the UC Davis veterinary.
The Office of Advancement closed a $1,500,000 estate gift to
support research and compassionate care funds.
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Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL):
• The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) Forensic section participated in annual assessment review for their ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation with no findings identified and accretional continued. Continued accreditation illustrates the quality of this service we provide to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in veterinary forensic cases.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/forensics
• With continued expansion of our portfolio of tests to assist in animal health, the UC Davis VGL has had substantial growth in dog testing (25% increase).
Strategy 3.2. Support Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) Programs that Promote a Culture of Collaboration, Excellent Educational Experiences, and Innovative and Effective Clinical Care
VMTH Highlights:
Dr. Mary Thurber, DVM, DACZM, a former UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine resident in zoological medicine, was named a recipient of the 2020 Society of Phi Zeta Research Manuscript Award. Phi Zeta, the international honor society of veterinary medicine, annually recognizes two research awards in the Basic Science category and the Clinical Science category.
Bella, a 20-year-old miniature donkey jenny, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital for severe lameness and abnormally shaped hooves on all four feet. Radiographs showed abnormalities indicative of chronic laminitis, an inflammation of the sensitive tissue underneath the hard outer wall of the hoof. Lameness experts and the farrier shop collaborated to treat the donkey.
Strategy 3.3. Advance Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) Facility Plan, Operations and Infrastructure
Vet Med Financial and Administration:
The VMDO and VMTH administration received approval from the campus for a $1,060,000 loan from campus for the ASI equipment (3T MRI and CT).
VMTH:
The UC Davis veterinary hospital has continued to achieve the highest level of veterinary excellence following evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The School of Veterinary Medicine’s teaching hospital recently earned re-accreditation by AAHA after a rigorous review of the hospital’s practice protocols, medical equipment, facility, and client service – continuing the level of success it has enjoyed for many years.
Strategy 3.4. Promote Expertise, Program Breadth and Innovation for Reputation and Philanthropic Success
VMTH Highlights:
The 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Northern California devastated many lives. None more so than the owners of Quinn, a 12-year-old female Labrador retriever. Just before the fire erupted, Quinn was not feeling herself and was twice taken to her primary veterinarian. After many tests, she came home on the night of August 18. That would be the last time she would be in that home. Thankfully, her family qualified for financial assistance through a generous grant from the Blue Buffalo Foundation’s support of the Petco Foundation pet cancer treatment program at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.
Porsche, a 4-year-old female boxer, had a lipoma surgically removed from her hip and lower back in 2019. But when it came back even worse in 2020, her primary veterinarian referred her to the Oncology Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. So, her owners Chuck and Jennifer drove the 90 minutes to campus for a consult with the oncologists, where they discovered they qualified for financial assistance thanks to philanthropy.
Brodie, an approximately 10-year-old female kangaroo from the Sacramento Zoo, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital this week for further evaluation of a suspected mass near her heart. The zoo’s veterinary team needed further evaluation of several abnormalities discovered on x-rays of Brodie’s chest during her recent annual check-up at the zoo. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-treats-kangaroo-sacramento-zoo
In light of recent equine herpesvirus outbreaks worldwide, equine specialists from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Equine Health, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory joined with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to present two webinars on the topic – one for veterinarians and one for horse owners.
GOAL 4: ADVANCE THE WELL-BEING OF ANIMALS AND PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE GLOBE
Strategy 4.1. Prioritize School Resources that Focus on Initiatives to Address Societal NeedsOffice of Advancement:
• The Office of Advancement closed a $300,000 gift to support the SeaDoc Society.
• In collaboration with internal partners and through generous support of our donors, the school raised a total of $25,659,620 in quarter three of 2020-21 fiscal year.
Office of Admissions and Student Programs:
• Achieved approval to host small scale in-person Commencement ceremony for Class of 2021
Vet Med Financial and Administration:
VMDO - fiscal and administration office: submitted 3 COVID recharge unit mitigation applications on behalf of the school; finalized with the SVM Budget Advisory Task Force the phase I budget targets for 21-22; finalized the ‘SFT’ allocations to faculty, centers, and departments with the ORGE unit; finalized the return-to-aid and USAP allocations for the DVM students for 21-22; finalized CAPE succession plan; finalized temporary clinical replacement allocations for 21-22; finalized charges for 7 schools and colleges and Intercollegiate Athletics charges to use the Academic Unit Shared Services Center (AUSS-C); finalized SVM center and department cost allocations for AUSS-C; worked with campus Design and Construction Management and campus Utilities to monitor well #3 repair and finalize repair; worked with VMTH administration to arrange for monthly parking for VMTH employees (faculty, staff, house officers) and rotating DVM students; prepared and submitted the monthly COVID-19 losses reports to the campus budget office.
One Health Institute:
The OHI is preparing for a potentially dangerous wildfire season in California by developing a plan to bring together the resources of the Wildlife Disaster Network, VERT, and the trained emergency responders of the OWCN as a robust group of veterinarians, wildlife biologists, ecologists, trained animal care volunteers, and rehabilitation centers throughout the state to respond to injured pets, livestock, and wildlife and prevent suffering in times of crisis. VMTH Highlights:
Lilies are a common and festive flower to have in the home this time of year. But UC Davis veterinarians warn of their lethal consequences for cats.
Strategy 4.2. Enhance Local and Global Communications, and Engagement to Advance the School’s Impacts.
Office of Global Programs:
The Office for Global Programs facilitated the submission and review of proposals from SVM faculty for the Seed Grants for International Activities. One of the four proposals submitted was selected for
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funding. The project entitled Seasonal Subtropical Highland Climates Impact on Dairy Cattle Health in Central Mexico Using Cryptosporidium as a Biomarker (Mexico) by Drs. Xunde Li and Edward Robert Atwill received funding from Global Affairs with matching funds from the Office for Global Programs.
Communications:
The communications group provided ongoing information to the school community regarding the pandemic, through website updates, emailed information, and media relations and other support.
Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP):
KSMP produced and ran an eight-week post-Covid Bootcamp for eight California animal shelters with a specific focus on cementing the gains made by North American shelters during the pandemic.
Both the Koret Shelter Medicine Program and its largest campaign, the Million Cat Challenge, were spotlighted for their pioneering work in feline housing and best practices. Double compartment housing, portals, our groundbreaking URI research, and the Small Animal Clinic are all working together to make life better for cats in captivity: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/research-lessons-on-feline-housing/
Research Lessons on Feline Housing
One study reported a decrease in upper respiratory infections from 71% of cats to 16% five years after the
new management program that included more kennel space was implemented. The Million Cat Challenge was launched in 2014 to accelerate the acceptance of drastically changing how shelters treat cats. It is a
partnership of Maddie’s Fund, UC David Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Maddie ...
www.veterinarypracticenews.com
Strategy 4.3 Increase Multicultural Awareness and Outreach to Underserved Populations and Communities
Office of Admissions and Student Programs:
Reached over 700 prospective students from around the country through virtual info sessions held over the past year
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Strategy 4.4. Promote and Support the One Health Approach to Advance the Mission
California Raptor Center:
Taking advantage of being closed to the public during COVID, the CRC volunteers and staff are using this time to make improvements to cages, common areas, and signage. The Center is ready to once again welcome visitors as soon as they are allowed.
One Health Laboratory:
Ongoing upport COVID-19 response: Continued global support of labs in 30 countries in Africa and Asia; Support CNPRC to develop SARS CoV-2 testing; Collaborative grant with Jonathan EIsen (funded by UC emergency fund) to perform environmental testing for SARS CoV-2 at UCDMC and UCD campus; Collaborative grant with Stefan Kellar (funded by CCAH) to develop serologic assay to test dogs and cats treated at the VMTH for exposure to SARS CoV-2.
Strategy 4.5. Advance Strategic Communications and Use Information Technologies to Demonstrate Program Success and Impacts of Education, Research, and Outreach Programs
SVM Information Technology:
• SVM IT accomplished the following: Coordinated training and permission grants for ID Card system; VHIS Release 6 was deployed January 29. This included Hematology / Cytology / Immunohistochemistry updates and many other tool updates relating to lab tests, panels, lab sheets, and other areas. Bug fixes for MyAppts, monograph printing, POS unmatched issues, and SurgUnFinal; Created 3D model of equine lungs for use in anatomy; Three VMACS releases were deployed to production (6.1, 6.2, 7.1). These releases were focused on bug fixes and infrastructure updates; Release 7.2 was deployed as well and it included: Client Portal text and feature updates, including the ability for clients to self-provision their accounts; Extended PDF capabilities and data export enhancements; Improved logic for handling invoice types and appointments for deceased patients; the Systems administrator team assisted with the cut-over of the new Omnicells including setting up Omnicell cabinets on new network, setting up printer queues, and deploying 15 new workstations.
• SVM IT closed 760 work order tickets in January; 970 in February; and 788 in March.
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VMTH/Communications:
Major Media Hits
One Year of Equine PET Scans at Santa Anita Racetrack
EquiManagement
Causes of Bizarre Gait Abnormality in Horses Investigated
Equus
How The Sacramento Zoo Is Working To Keep Animals Free Of COVID-19
Capital Public Radio
Sacramento Zoo Keeping An Eye Out For COVID-19 Signs After San Diego Gorillas Test Positive
Fox40
UC Davis Vets Treat Wildlife Hurt By Fires, Including A Big Cat From LA’s Bobcat Fire
KCRW
Your Cat Isn’t Just Getting High Off Catnip
New York Times
Novel Treatment Leads to Dog’s Recovery
The Bark
Vets Are Not Just For Pets
Consumer Connection
Hunting for a Reprieve from Cancer
Synthesis
We Have A Lot to Learn from Dogs Fighting Cancer
Synthesis
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VMTH/Communications (cont.):
Prevention Is the Best Defense Against Periodontal Disease in Dogs
Yahoo
5 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Eating Garbage on Walks
Insider
Are You Giving Your Pets Supplements to Ward Off COVID? Don’t Bother
LA Times
Pets in the Pandemic
KQED Forum
Sacramento Zoo Kangaroo Recovering After Being Treated at UC Davis
Fox40
How Local Animal Shelters Successfully Navigated the Pandemic
ABC10
5 Best Tips to Keep Your Cat Calm During a Flight
Insider
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Communications
New visual brand and site based off of the campus branding that uses a new custom illustration of the Rod of Asclepius and features a bold photo-cutout style. The new brand site provides an array of new tools and resources.
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII awards:
• Animal Health Topics site - Gold - Communications Improvement
• Ask Me Anything social campaign - Gold - Communications Pivot
• New Inspiration for the Veterinary Medical Center Campaign - Silver - Marketing Improvement
• Center for Equine Health Horse Report magazine - Bronze - Targeted Constituency Magazines
• Why Is My Pet Acting Like This? Synergy magazine - Bronze - Design, Illustrations (by Jeff Bane)
• Air Quality Impacts Early Brain Development article - Bronze - General News Writing
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GOAL 5: PROMOTE A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Strategy 5.1. Build Community through Value, Respect and Awareness for All
Awards:
• Jonna Mazet — 2021 Chancellor’s Awards for International Engagement: https://globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/news/2021-chancellors-awardees-honored-global-engagement
• Lark Coffey — 2021 UC Davis Chancellor’s Fellow: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/12-join-ranks-chancellors-fellows
Wilson Rumbeiha-- Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow
• Jeff Stott (Zoetis Research) Awardee
• Kevin Woolard (Zoetis Teaching) Awardee
• Mary Christopher, Lifetime Achievement Award (ASCVP)
• COVID/Corona/Viral spillover research - grants and awards to Koen Van Rompay, Lark Coffey, Brian Murphy, Patricia Pesavento, Simon Anthony, Karen Shapiro, Smita Iyer, Tracey Goldstein
• Peter Ernst has teamed up with Chiba University to renew their $2,000,000 grant that supports the Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy and Vaccine Development. The Center is directed by Dr. Hiroshi Kiyono, and is in the process of developing more programs in microbiology - inluding with some interest here GI infections/microbiome changes in cancer and IBD, mucosal vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 and cholera.
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Communications:
The school’s site was expanded and updated to reflect the school’s actions related to diversity, equity and inclusion and to provide additional information to the community.
The communications team continued its series featuring the school’s alumni from diverse backgrounds, including Dr. Don Jones, pictured.
Strategy 5.2. Clarify and Support Expectations for Career and Personal Development of Faculty, Staff, and Students
Executive Committee:
The EC continued discussions and activities in support of faculty well-being and success
• Approved structures to assist the SVM Peer Observation and Coaching of Teaching (POCT) Committee activities
• Identified committee membership appointments, in line with faculty interests and consideration for workload balance
• Discussed improved on-boarding for new SVM faculty members and sponsorship practices
• Approved updates to the Block Leader Recognition Document
• Provided feedback to the Academic Senate for the following items:
» In support of the proposal for a new working title for Cooperative Extension faculty
» Regarding faculty salary scales
» Regarding the Step Plus Workgroup Report
Career, Leadeship, and Wellness:
• Launched The Healer’s Art program via Zoom
• New .6 FTE mental health counselor began (Feb 6th)
• Received $15,000 donation for wellness initiatives and started The SVM Great Food Giveaway
• In collaboration with the Health Sciences Librarian, launched weekly Mindfulness Tea Meditation sessions via Zoom
Career, Leadeship, and Wellness:
Simone Stoute, accepted into UCLA’s University Women’s Leadership Academy
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Strategy 5.3 Recognize the School’s Sustainability and Success Depends upon our People Resources
Veterinary Medicines Dean’s Office – HR:
• Revised the Continuing Education staffing model to leverage management resources from the Development unit.
• Served on the campus-wide staff emergency funds committee active during the COVID pandemic.
• Served on the campus-wide staff experience survey task force.
• Finalized staff equity program allocations for un-represented staff members.
• Completed hiring process for Wally Tarbox (new Sys Admin 1 in SVM-IT).
Leadership Appointments/Reappointments:
Xinbin Chen, Director, Veterinary Scientist Training Program (VSTP), 3/1/21 (reappointed)
Strategy 5.4 Academic Personnel New Faculty Appointments
New Faculty Appointments
Melissa Macias Rioseco, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Diagnostic Pathology, CAHFS and PMI, 1/4/2021
