Making a Difference: The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center WINTER 2017
Dean’s Message Dear Friends: There is so much I would like to tell you about the exciting and meaningful work we are doing at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC). Rather, I will let John and Maryann Gall, Mitch and Pam Opremcak, and Lynne Petitti share their stories—because they illustrate the great impact our college and VMC have on the health and well-being of animals and people, and the need for us to continually enhance both. There is one thing I do want to say: Thank you! Thank you for helping us almost double our $75 million But For Ohio State campaign goal by eclipsing $136 million. Thank you to more than 12,600 individuals who made this happen! Thank you for contributing more than $10 million toward scholarships and increasing our endowment by $42 million. The impact of this support is outstanding! It reduces student debt, advances patient care, improves education and training, and enhances research and discovery, including clinical trials. Thanks to you we have welcomed the most diverse class of students in the college’s history, established four additional endowed faculty positions, named two new signature programs, named 70 spaces as part of the VMC Enhancement and Expansion project and much more!
Making a Difference is published by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medicine Academic Building 1900 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210 614-688-8433
Together, we have much work to do. We look forward to your help in keeping the momentum going so that we can share more stories like the ones in this issue of “Making a Difference.” Please contact our Office of Advancement staff at 614-688-8433 to find out how you can make a difference. And again, thank you. Kindly and appreciatively,
Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine Professor, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE 1
Still Pretty Sweet, Still Pretty Spoiled
“IF THERE’S EVER BEEN A WORTHY CAUSE TO SUPPORT IT IS THE VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTER AND THE WORK THEY DO THERE.” —JOHN GALL
run near his hotel. Patricia and Patrick were living John and Maryann Gall started taking their cats to under the patio of the hotel and were being fed The Ohio State University VMC in the early 1970s. Since then, they have repeatedly trusted care of their by hotel staff (the chef prepared ham and eggs for them each morning). John first tried to get his sister animals to Ohio State. “For anything serious, we’ve Suzanne, who lived in Austin, to take them before taken our pets to Ohio State,” said John. Time and hotel management contacted the animal shelter. His again, he and Maryann have been impressed by the sister, “a notorious softy,” already had two dogs and “wonderful continuity of care” they have received. four cats so she instead helped John rescue them These days, John and Maryann are relying on by setting up cage traps. Once John’s case was over, the VMC to care for Patricia, their 16-year-old dilute he flew Patricia and Patrick back to the Gall’s home calico. Patricia’s liver panels are quite elevated so in Columbus. she is being treated with prednisone, and is seen John says it took a year before the siblings by Dr. Maria Jugan, a resident in the Department of would let him pet them. The wait was worth it— Veterinary Clinical Sciences, about twice a month. Patrick became good friends with their cat Roger, While Patricia is not as robust-looking as she was and Patricia quickly became the “boss of the house.” a few years ago (the prednisone affects her ability “She has a very definite idea of what we should be to gain weight), John says she is still a beautiful cat, doing for her,” said John. “still pretty sweet, still pretty spoiled.” He credits Dr. Not surprisingly, John and Maryann have been Jugan and the wonderful VMC staff. longtime supporters of the VMC. “If there’s ever Patricia and her brother Patrick became been a worthy cause to support it is the Veterinary part of the Gall family in 2001, when the siblings Medical Center and the work they do there,” said were about nine months old. John, a lawyer, was handling a commercial litigation case in downtown John. “The quality of care and the caring individuals who are there are remarkable to us.” Austin, Texas. He spotted the cats during a morning
Dr. Maria Jugan with Patricia 2
MAKING A DIFFERENCE 3
Overwhelming Care
“BB WOULD NOT BE ALIVE IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE VMC STAFF.” —PAM OPREMCAK
The year following BB’s diagnosis was a Mitch and Pam Opremcak adopted BB from a rescue difficult one, says Pam. “There were times when group in southern Ohio eight years ago. The pup we didn’t think she was going to make it.” During of ten weeks had been abandoned in a culvert. A that time, with the help of Dr. Gwendolen Lorch, Golden Retriever-Chocolate Labrador-Australian assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Shepherd mix, BB brought together every breed Clinical Sciences and board certified in veterinary the Opremcaks had previous experience with. “We dermatology, the Opremcaks treated BB with thought it was a great combination,” said Mitch. Pam various medications in the hope to slow the disease. describes BB as the most athletic and powerful dog Through it all, they were amazed by the attention she has ever had. Mitch ads, only half-jokingly, that she is “moral, ethical and protective.” And the reason and care they received. “Everybody cared about her life, and how well she was living her life. She would they named her BB, he says, is because she looks not be alive if it weren’t for all of them,” said Pam. like a brown bear. “And the guy who greets us at the door,” said Mitch, The Opremcaks first brought BB to The Ohio “he loves BB!” State University Veterinary Medical Center, for Reno, the Opremcaks pure bred, three-yeara torn knee ligament. BB underwent successful old Australian Shepherd, has also been seen at tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). “We were the VMC for a cyst on her shoulder. Then, too, Pam thrilled,” said Pam of the surgery results. Several years later, BB started having dermatitis that affected says they were impressed by the staff’s ability to diagnose and successfully treat Reno.” the skin around her eyes, nose and paws. “We Mitch is a graduate of Ohio State’s College of decided Ohio State was really our best choice,” Medicine and is a professor of ophthalmology and said Pam. Following careful evaluation, blood visual sciences. Pam, a registered nurse, teaches tests and skin biopsies, BB was diagnosed with a Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) at Ohio rare autoimmune disease that affects non-haired State’s Wexner Medical Center on a volunteer basis surfaces and the mucus membranes of the body. and is the administrator for Mitch’s practice. Mitch, an ophthalmologist, had seen this in human patients but had no idea it also affected dogs.
Dr. Mitch and Pam Opremcak with Reno, left, and BB 4
MAKING A DIFFERENCE 5
Partnerships for Good
“AT FIRST I DIDN’T REALIZE THEY WOULD COME ALL THE WAY OUT HERE. ONCE I DID, I KIND OF LATCHED ON.” —LYNNE PETITTI
Marley’s first 10 years of life led her to mistrust anyone who came near her. Deemed untrainable by her first owners, she was sold at auction around age three. She spent the next several years in an area no larger than half an acre with four other horses, without space for grazing, without attention, and with very little food. By the time she was surrendered to the Humane Society of Morrow County in December 2015, and trusted to the care of Circle P Sanctuary, a non-profit rescue organization in Marengo, Ohio, she was completely feral. “You couldn’t touch her, couldn’t handle her. She didn’t think anything good would come from interacting with us,” said Lynne Petitti, owner of Circle P. Upon Marley’s arrival at the Sanctuary, Lynne knew removing her embedded halter was a priority. “She had grown further than what the halter could accommodate. So it was squeezed into her skin,” she said. But Marley would not let anyone near her. She would turn to kick and bite, says Lynne, “She would do anything to keep you at bay.” When staff were finally able to free her from the halter, they noticed a bump on the side of Marley’s face. An oral exam by local veterinarian Dr. Heidi Immegart revealed multiple fractured teeth that would require
extraction. Lynne turned to Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center, for help. Marley was evaluated at the VMC’s Galbreath Equine Center, where three teeth were identified for removal. One tooth was successfully removed through a routine extraction, but VMC doctors encountered complete crown fracture and were unable to remove the two remaining teeth. Through a new, minimally invasive transbuccal (through the cheek) screw extraction (MITSE) technique, they were able to extract them. For Lynne, knowing that VMC experts are always there when she needs them is a “huge comfort.” Even on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, she says, when something always seems to happen. “At first I didn’t realize they would come all the way out here. Once I did, I kind of latched on,” said Lynne. Over the last 10 years, in addition to Marley she has trusted the care of horses, llamas, goats and pigs to Ohio State. It is a relationship that will no doubt continue and will hopefully help Lynne achieve her ultimate goal for Marley and all animals in her care: “to find them their forever home.” While Marley is still very suspicious, said Lynne, “she is coming along beautifully.”
Lynne Petitti with Marley 6
MAKING A DIFFERENCE 7
VMC Enhancement and Expansion Update
Transformational Gifts
The new Hummel & Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals entrance and lobby are now open and we simply cannot wait to hear what you think! With 26 exam rooms, a centralized reception desk and medical records area, and a large waiting space flooded with natural light, ample seating and even a cozy fireplace, we hope our clients and patients feel welcome. We have made every effort to ensure your needs are accommodated— from ease of access, to comfort while waiting, to specially designed areas for our feline patients, and unparalleled quality of service and care. And while you wait you can visit our new interactive video display and read the stories of so many generous supporters whose continuous giving enables us to make a difference every day.
THE STANTON FOUNDATION GIFT OF $39 MILLION
The new emergency area is also open and is now connected to our state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit, allowing for more efficient and optimal care of those patients in most critical need. If radiology services are needed, faculty can seamlessly consult with radiologists at the new Radiology Conference Room, which is double the size of the old space. This room—complete with a vast resource library, dictation workstations with high resolution monitors, and large screen TV—also serves as a central hub for teaching and training where faculty, residents, interns and students review and interpret images to ensure best outcomes for patients.
Make a difference by naming one of the remaining spaces at the
enhanced and expanded VMC! Don’t miss this unique chance to leave your mark.
The Stanton Foundation has made a nearly $40 million gift to the College of Veterinary Medicine to establish The “Building Preeminence in Veterinary General Practice Education Program,” which will have a lasting impact on how we prepare our veterinary students for post-graduation success. The funds will support an endowed chair, construction of a clinical and professional skills lab, purchase of a mobile outreach veterinary care unit, and additional faculty and staff hires. The Stanton Foundation was created by Dr. Frank Stanton, who received both a masters (’32) and PhD (’35) degree in psychology and an honorary doctorate (’49) in law from Ohio State. He had great passion and love for dogs and The Ohio State University.
8 MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Blue Buffalo Company has awarded a $6 million gift to establish the Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The endowed gift will provide operational support of the clinical trials office that manages studies on client-owned animals to improve patient care and advance medical knowledge for both animals and humans. Clinical trial studies have resulted in the development of new treatments for cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Read more about this remarkable and transformational gift at go.osu.edu/BlueBuffaloGift
Read more about this remarkable and transformational gift at go.osu.edu/StantonGift
Contact our Office of Advancement at 614-688-8433 to find out how you can make a difference.
Top: Exterior view of the Hummel & Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals. Bottom: Reception and waiting area.
BLUE BUFFALO COMPANY GIFT OF $6 MILLION
Top: Dr. Frank Stanton as president of CBS Studios (ca. 1949). Bottom: Frank and Annie (ca. 2006)
Left to right, Dean Rustin Moore, and Blue Buffalo Company executives, Billy Bishop and Kurt Schmidt, at the gift presentation. MAKING A DIFFERENCE 9
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