Celebrating the contributions of a Penn Vet pioneer
Each May at the Penn Vet commencement ceremony, following the assemblage of graduates, faculty, and guests, Dean Joan Hendricks ascends to the lectern. The Dean is not formally introduced; of course, there is no need, for all present know that Joan Hendricks is the Dean.
However, formal introductions serve a dual purpose. Beyond connecting people who were theretofore unacquainted, the formal introduction, on occasions such as commencement, is an opportunity to present a speaker’s bio, laud her accomplishments, and reflect on her service to the university.
At long last, in this special edition of Bellwether, I have the opportunity and honor to introduce Dean Joan Hendricks. Dean Hendricks has served as Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, her alma mater, for 12 years. She is the first woman to serve as Dean of Penn Vet, the first woman to hold an endowed professorship at Penn Vet, and only the third woman to serve as a veterinary school dean at any school in the nation.
It is not easy to be selected as Dean of Penn Vet. The deanship is a position earned at the very pinnacle of an exemplary career. One must have demonstrated strength in a multitude of disciplines and the ability to meet a vast array of challenges. But actually being the Dean is an even more formidable task. She must be able to communicate effectively with many audiences, and to command the respect of faculty, the trust of the University President, and the admiration and support of alumni.
Dean Hendricks has navigated Penn Vet through challenging times. With grace, determined advocacy in Harrisburg, and whole-hearted commitment to Penn Vet, she has ushered the School through perennial budget pressure and required cost-control measures. Simultaneously, she has either initiated or expanded projects that distinguish Penn Vet as the leader in veterinary medicine. It takes a special magic to both manage a tight budget and raise capital.
Dean Hendricks has done that year after year. The ability of a dean to raise money through philanthropy requires that the donor have absolute trust in the dean. The dean has to communicate a vision for the school, build excitement
about the direction in which she is headed, and be able to demonstrate that the goals are achievable.
It is the responsibility of members of the Board of Overseers to advise, advocate, and support (both in word and in deed) the mission of the School. As the Dean’s Board Chair, before making any gift to the School, I have consulted with the Dean as to where my philanthropy would be most impactful. Dean Hendricks asked me to direct my very first gift to scholarship—specifically, to the VMD-PhD program, from which she herself graduated. Since then, members of our Board of Overseers have directed their gifts to professorships; research (the Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center and the Center for Host-Microbial Interactions); bricks and mortar (Ryan Hospital lobby renovation, emergency medicine center); clinical care (the Cancer Center and emergency medicine); community outreach (the Shelter Medicine and Working Dog programs); and to scholarship.
In other words, Dean Hendricks has bolstered all three arms of our mission at Penn Vet: education, research, and clinical care and service. She has had the vision to create, the ability to support, and the energy to champion programs that propel us to preeminence within our discipline. The enormity and complexity of the deanship, and the excellence with which Dean Hendricks has met the challenge, is to be admired, praised, and celebrated.
I hope that this very special issue of Bellwether will serve as the most laudatory tribute to Dean Joan Hendricks. Dean Hendricks would likely eschew the celebration of her success, and point us instead to the team effort and dedication of her faculty and staff. But every great team has a great leader, coach, and advocate.
Penn Vet has been so fortunate to have Dean Joan Hendricks.
Assistant Dean of Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Communications
Carol Pooser
Director, Communications and Marketing
Martin J. Hackett
Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Services
Mary Berger
Director of Alumni Relations
Shannon Groves
Director of Development for Companion Animals
Helen Radenkovic
Director of Development for New Bolton Center
Margaret Leardi
Director of Development and Board Relations
Jillian Marcussen
Associate Director of Major Gifts
Neva Graham
Web Communications Manager
Carole Cloud
Communications Specialist for New Bolton Center
Hannah Kleckner
Assistant Director of Institutional Events
Brittany Tinsley
Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Services
Barbara Belt
Communications Coordinator
John Donges
Advancement Services Coordinator
Sarah Trout
Administrative Assistant
Lizbeth Velez
Editor Karen Gross
Editorial Consultant
Sacha Adorno
Contributors
Sacha Adorno
Katherine Unger Baillie
John Donges
Karen Gross
Shannon Groves
Martin J. Hackett
Mindy Heyer
David Levin
Jillian Marcussen
Marcia Nordgren
Brittany Tinsley
Designer
Anne Marie Kane
Please address your correspondence to:
Martin J. Hackett
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
3800 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010 (215) 898-1475
mhackett@vet.upenn.edu
None of these articles is to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the School.
© Copyright 2018 by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs,
Dean Joan Hendricks hugs Rocky, her English Bulldog of more than 14 years. They first met across a crowded room at Penn Vet’s ICU. He was a happy 12-week-old puppy with pneumonia. “He kept peeking out at me from the oxygen tent,” Hendricks recalled. Their eyes met and the connection was instantaneous. She adopted him the very next day. English Bulldogs have a special place in Hendricks’ heart, as the breed was the subject of her sleep apnea research. (Read more on page 30.) Sadly, Rocky passed away at the end of 2017. He continues to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Photo by John Donges
In advance of her 2018 retirement, Dean Joan Hendricks sat down with longtime colleague Dr. Phillip Scott to reminisce about four decades at Penn Vet, the biggest changes she’s witnessed in veterinary medicine, and her vision for the future of the field. Scott serves as Penn Vet’s Vice Dean for Research and Academic Resources; like Hendricks, he is a distinguished researcher and a devoted educator. His work is focused on understanding the immunologic responses that promote protection and pathology in cutaneous leishmaniasis, with the goal of developing a leishmanial vaccine and effective immunotherapies for patients.
Following their inspiring conversation are a few fun facts you probably never knew about Dean Hendricks.
DR. PHILLIP SCOTT: I appreciate having the opportunity to ask you a few questions about Penn Vet and your experiences. So, let’s get started! You earned your VMD-PhD at Penn Vet in 1980. You were a resident, a longtime faculty member, chief of critical care, and ultimately the Dean here. Why did you choose to stay at Penn Vet for 44 years?
DEAN JOAN HENDRICKS:
I usually have a two-part answer. One is that Penn has been an infinitely varied place to work. It’s a complex institution and incredibly collaborative. Not only are people happy when you reach out to them, but also I’ve never heard anybody say, “We don’t do that.” What they may say is, “That’s interesting. How are you going to do
that?” The other part of the answer is that I married a Philadelphian, and they don’t move!
SCOTT: That’s the real answer (laughing).
HENDRICKS: Both of those things have worked out. I’ve actually had one employer and one husband for 44 years.
SCOTT: Congratulations! So, given all the time you’ve been here, what are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen over that period and particularly over your last 12 years as Dean?
HENDRICKS: People grasp that veterinarians care about animals, and that they take care of animal health … and I think the public is becoming more aware of the impact that we have on human health and on the environment. People are realizing the broad impact that veterinarians are having. At Penn, we have so many opportunities to demonstrate that impact to the world. We have the health schools, we have engineering, we have good environmental folks—all really collaborative people. It surprises people that veterinarians have such a broad reach, and yet I think we’ve gotten clearer and clearer that we need to do just that. I’ve worked really hard at that, as Dean. People will still tell you a story about a cute dog, but they are now also saying, “Hey, we are working on a project involving clean water or women’s health, and we realize we need veterinarians involved.” That’s awesome. That makes me really proud.
SCOTT: What do you consider the key differentiators between Penn Vet and other vet schools?
HENDRICKS: It’s really important that we are an urban veterinary school, and we are the only vet school that’s in a major metropolitan area. That provides the opportunity to truly connect to underserved human populations and have a really big
impact on their animals. Also, one of the other Deans [at Penn] noticed that every single school can walk to the President’s office. We don’t know that there’s another major national research university where that is a fact. So again, it’s incredibly collaborative and we have the opportunity to connect to all these other schools.
The other thing that’s in our DNA is everybody is aspirational. We should be doing something completely amazing and different. I really like that about Penn Vet.
SCOTT: Obviously one of the things I’m interested in is research at Penn Vet. Why has elevating and expanding research at Penn Vet been so important to you as Dean?
HENDRICKS: We have three missions: education, research, and clinical care and service. I think research is one of the loftiest endeavors humans can get engaged in. And veterinarians don’t always realize that’s what they are doing. I’m really passionate about making sure everybody knows they are always doing research. Any time you are creating and learning something new, and changing things because of it, you’re doing research.
The other element is that I don’t think the general public knows how much research makes a difference in their lives, and I think veterinarians can be some of the best people to tell that story. We have dogs that are alive today because Dr. Nicola Mason [Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathobiology at Penn Vet] used an immunotherapy approach to their cancers. They are running around and having good lives two or three years after they would have ordinarily passed away from their disease … because of the work she did in a laboratory with Dr. Carl June, to bring basic immunology into the treatment of cancer. (Read more about Dr. Mason’s work on page 11.)
“People are realizing the broad impact that veterinarians are having. At Penn, we have so many opportunities to demonstrate that impact to the world.”
Dean Joan Hendricks
• VMD-PhD (1974-1980)
• Research Sleep studies (1974-2006)
• Clinical Internal Medicine, Intensive Care (1983-2006)
• Dean (2006-2018)
Also, [Penn Vet Professor of Medical Genetics and Ophthalmology] Dr. Gus Aguirre’s work has led to not only identifying genes that have mutations in children and dogs, but also to actually being able to treat blindness. People wouldn’t have even thought about the impact that understanding genes and the eye would have, and now there are people and dogs that can see because of this work. That’s amazing! (Read more about Dr. Aguirre’s work on page 35.)
SCOTT: What are some of the biggest changes or major advances in clinical care that you’ve seen over the period of time you’ve been at Penn Vet?
HENDRICKS: There are a lot of amazing transformations in the way we take care of our dog and cat patients, and also big changes in equine care. In dogs and cats, our ability to learn and apply really advanced surgical techniques has improved. We are ever-increasingly doing treatments for our pet patients that cause them less pain, such as smaller incisions. We’ve gone to minimally invasive surgery and doing things with interventional radiography. Our anesthesia is superb. When I was being trained, we had specialties in medicine, surgery, and neurology. We’ve added specialties including dentistry, clinical care, and sports medicine … and this is just the small animals.
In horses, because of some incredibly creative people, we’ve been able to figure out how to do anesthetic recovery in a swimming pool. This actually was in place when I came to Penn Vet years ago, but it’s now in routine use. The ability to allow horses to be generally anesthetized and then recover safely has transformed our ability to treat bone injuries.
The highest-tech approaches are really beneficial in horses because they are huge animals. Where we’re on the absolute cutting edge for any species is rapid imaging with robots … so
we can now take images of horses in motion that could never have been done before. We have human hospitals coming to us and asking if they can work with us, because they can see how what we’re doing in horses can be helpful in children and human patients. And we are willing to work with them and train them so that happens.
SCOTT: So, I have just one last question, and this is kind of an openended question. I wanted to look forward a little bit and ask you how you see Penn Vet’s future and, maybe even more broadly, how you see the future of veterinary medicine.
HENDRICKS: One of the areas where the School was leading when I arrived was a really exciting new curriculum with a lot of flexibility. We were the first to have a core and elective curriculum. I think we’re poised to transform veterinary education again. We have so much knowledge coming at us in biomedical science that we need to have a completely new way to learn. And we’re in the process of looking at every aspect of our curriculum, and looking at all the new tools for how to teach.
We have also been focusing on how we can take advantage of opportunities to bring Penn Vet’s special knowledge to the rest of the schools at Penn. We have our terrific flagship VMD-PhD program. And if our students are able to complete the veterinary curriculum in a shorter amount of time, they could do a master’s in public health, or a master’s in business administration, or a master’s in health law. The One Health concept really will benefit tremendously by having veterinarians who also explicitly have a credential in something that people recognize as benefiting humans. So, I think we’re going to lead the way in really demonstrating that veterinarians are always One Health.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was born in Santa Barbara. Dad was a career Army Signal Corps officer, and I moved 12 times before college.
FAVORITE CLASS AS A STUDENT AT PENN VET?
I really loved anatomy. I love drawing and understanding how things are put together. I eventually came to enjoy all clinics and especially the problem-solving aspect, which is why I am an internal medicine specialist.
FAVORITE HOBBY?
Singing and playing music. I play piano and a couple of wind instruments. I’m not very active at the moment; this is something I hope to renew soon! My oldest grandchild plays violin, and we could do piano and violin or flute and violin duets if she is willing.
WHERE DO YOU TYPICALLY UNWIND WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT PENN VET?
Anywhere outside, including my building’s rooftop; Fairmount Park; and of course Maine, where we will retire. I also love the Sierra Nevadas, where my mom lives.
GO-TO FOODS?
Nutritious: probably beef. Non-nutritious: definitely chocolate, especially Devon fudge the way Dr. Corinne Sweeney makes it.
FAVORITE PHILADELPHIA SPORTS TEAM?
Phillies. No contest.
INFLUENTIAL BOOK?
I haven’t read it since high school, but All the King’s Men changed my life.
HIDDEN TALENT?
I can do an impressive impersonation of a dog vomiting versus regurgitating, and a cat vomiting versus coughing. In all humility, Dr. Meryl Littman’s versions don’t hold a candle to mine, and I am willing to go head to head with her at a future student talent show to prove it!
FUN FACT ABOUT FRUIT FLIES, BESIDES THEIR SLEEP HABITS?
They interact like other animals; for instance, females kick males who are annoying them, and they groom like cats. (See page 30 for the story about Dean Hendricks’ work with Drosophila.)
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEXT CHAPTER?
Quiet, because obviously you don’t get much in a city. No traffic. And, of course, more grandmother, mother, and overall family time. My husband and I love to talk and walk. I am not committing to anything serious right now. I will see what I want to do, if anything!
BY DAVID LEVIN
Dr. Benjamin Rush
On November 2, 1807, before a medical school class at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Benjamin Rush delivered a speech that ultimately inspired the creation of Penn Vet— the first veterinary school born from a medical school. In his prescient lecture, Rush pointed to the critical links between the health of people, animals, and the environment. More than two centuries later, Dean Joan Hendricks has continued to champion this cross-disciplinary approach, now termed “One Health,” as fundamental to Penn Vet’s mission.
Hendricks is known to use the phrase “Always One Health, all ways,” suggesting Penn Vet’s legacy of One Health (always), as well as the multiple paths that One Health efforts can take (all ways). During her tenure as Dean, she has helped bridge the veterinary and nonveterinary professions while focusing on five major One Health areas—each with the power to benefit countless lives, both animal and human, as well as the planet itself.
Zoonotic diseases are caused by infections that are shared between animals and people. Scientists estimate that three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people are spread from animals, according to the CDC.
“Veterinarians are often aware of serious infectious diseases before human health researchers,” Hendricks noted, pointing to examples such as West Nile virus, Ebola, and avian flu. Because of this, she added, veterinarians can work with MDs and play a key role in identifying and sharing information—which can help stem potential epidemics.
Hendricks has bolstered this sort of veterinary leadership by deepening the partnership between Penn Vet and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. She was instrumental in creating the Pennsylvania One Health Task Force to bring together environmental, animal, and human health stakeholders, unified by the One Health vision.
“Agriculture is our number-one industry in Pennsylvania, with animal agriculture being the core. And I challenge you to find a food safety scandal,” she said. “Tuberculosis in dairy cattle is something emerging around the U.S., but it’s not a problem in Pennsylvania. We have a phenomenal public health-animal health interaction in Pennsylvania.”
“She’s planted this powerful seed [in the Pennsylvania government]. It’s a credit to her legacy,” said Russell C. Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary. “She’s started a transformative conversation about how we approach animal health and human health systems in the Commonwealth. It’s good both for animal agriculture and for society.”
Penn Vet’s One Health efforts in Pennsylvania are contributing to animals’ well-being, productivity, and environmental impacts. And the lessons learned are valuable well beyond the Commonwealth. During Hendricks’ tenure, Penn Vet has spearheaded programs around the world as the global demand for animal protein continues to rise.
For instance, in 2016, Penn Vet’s Center for Animal Health and Productivity (CAHP) began to develop a dairy management training program in China; these programs now impact more than a million cows. In 2017, a similar program was developed to reach the massive Chinese swine industry through the work of Dr. Thomas Parsons, Associate Professor of Swine Production Medicine and Director of the Penn Vet Swine Teaching and Research Center.
“It has been estimated that more food will need to be produced in the next 50 years than has been consumed over the entire history of mankind,” said Dr. David Galligan, V’81, Professor of Animal Health Economics and CAHP Section Chief, who is leading these projects.
“Improvements in milk yield per cow have not only dramatically enhanced the economic sustainability of dairy producers, but have also significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Penn Vet is helping to define how animal production systems can be an integrated part of a global, sustainable food system,” he added.
The health of wildlife, and the importance of animal and environmental conservation, are also important parts of the One Health equation. To help address these issues, Dean Hendricks has served on the Philadelphia Zoo’s Board of Trustees, and has spent years strengthening the partnership between Penn Vet and Zoo staff. (See page 12.)
It’s not just a research effort, however. Hendricks has also helped to expose diverse groups of people to the Zoo’s awe-inspiring species, which she believes sparks compassion and awareness of the natural world. “The hope is that you can get a big urban population to care about having these animals survive somewhere that’s not a zoo, and to think about global care for habitats and environments,” she said.
This sense of compassion extends to common domestic animals. Penn Vet’s Shelter Medicine Program, launched by Dean Hendricks in 2006, helps strengthen the humananimal bond by supporting owners as well as pets.
According to Dr. Brittany Watson, V’10, Director of Shelter Animal Medicine and Community Engagement at Penn Vet, “More and more, we’re not just providing medical care to those [animals that] need it, we’re also engaging with people and working with the community to try to increase welfare and prevent animals from ever entering the sheltering system in the first place.”
For instance, since 2013, Penn Vet has partnered with Pets for Life, an initiative of the Humane Society of the United States that provides free spay/neuter and wellness care for pets in underserved communities. As part of the shelter medicine rotation, Penn Vet students in their third or fourth year do neighborhood outreach with Pets for Life—checking on animals that have been neutered or vaccinated, addressing conditions like skin and ear disease, and sometimes simply striking up conversations with residents about their pets’ care. The idea is to keep pets in the homes they already have, enhancing quality of life for animals and owners. The Philadelphia location of Pets for Life has become a model of success and has since expanded to dozens of cities, concentrating on pet service deserts.
“The hope is that you can get a big urban population to care about having these animals survive somewhere that’s not a zoo, and to think about global care for habitats and environments.”
The health of pets and their owners is a two-way street, Hendricks added. By developing new and innovative therapies for animal patients, Penn Vet scientists are also helping speed the development of human treatments. That’s the principle that guides the new Penn Vet Cancer Center, which marked its official launch last fall. The Center integrates research and clinical care, enabling promising discoveries in the lab to rapidly find applications in the clinic.
“It’s good for both species,” said Dr. Nicola Mason, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathobiology at Penn Vet, who runs a translational research lab that focuses on harnessing a dog’s immune system to kill cancer. The approach—immunotherapy—is among the most promising new developments in cancer research in many decades. The results of Mason’s dog studies have paved the way for similar clinical trials in humans.
The Cancer Center builds upon Penn’s strong and varied expertise in cancer—helping unify, streamline, and accelerate progress across the campus. According to Dr. Ellen Puré, Director of the Penn Vet Cancer Center, “It’s about people collaborating, bringing truly complementary expertise and ideas to build a much more concerted effort to attack the problem.”
Dean Hendricks has worked to advance the concept of One Health across Penn and beyond. She helped create the cross-disciplinary One Health Award and established a One Health communications group among Penn’s schools, to find commonalities and increase exposure of the One Health initiative.
One Health has been part of veterinary medicine since its very early days, but figuring out the best way to articulate the vision—and incorporate it more broadly into medicine and public health—is an ongoing goal.
“It’s almost rebranding veterinary medicine as having an impact on human and environmental health,” Hendricks said. “The public needs to understand vets’ important and multifaceted roles. One Health is a way to spark that conversation.”
As awareness of One Health continues to grow, Hendricks is widely recognized as a trailblazer.
“Dean Hendricks has been a national and international leader in One Health,” said Dr. Keith Martin, founding Executive Director of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH), who recently collaborated with Hendricks to organize the first One Health satellite session at CUGH’s annual international health conference.
“She is able to see the very big picture that is One Health in a way that is creative, dynamic, and inspiring,” Martin continued. “She is an innovator in looking at systems in an integrated way across disciplines. That is much needed as we move forward in addressing the challenges we face.”
“The public needs to understand vets’ important and multifaceted roles. One Health is a way to spark that conversation.”
Dean Joan Hendricks
“My connection with the Philadelphia Zoo has been one of the most fulfilling and exciting parts of being Dean. The Zoo brings us close to awe-inspiring animals that we would never normally see in an urban setting. The Zoo is a way that people can connect with a panther, or an orangutan, or a baby gorilla, and start to wonder about where it came from and where its wild relatives are. If people aren’t fully aware of the wonder and the importance of these animals, they accidentally destroy habitats, and they don’t take care of the planet very well.”
Dean Joan Hendricks“During the past 12 years, driven by Joan’s passion for One Health, we’ve collaborated on efforts to expose young people to animal and veterinary science. Our youth development program, ZooCREW, introduces area high school students to the front lines of veterinary medicine. This exposure helps kids understand more about the animals in their neighborhoods and beyond, and how animals, humans, and our planet are interconnected in so many ways. Joan’s knowledge and commitment to One Health and to our region’s youth has been an inspiration to all of us.”
Kimberly Lengel, Vice President for Conservation and Education, Philadelphia Zoo
“Historically, much of our work with Penn Vet, benefiting from our proximity, has involved the clinical care of Zoo animals. During Joan’s tenure, we’ve strengthened and expanded our partnership with the School to advance cross-shared learnings. A longtime Zoo Board Member, Joan has been instrumental in helping the Zoo orient and mature our thinking around One Health. In her position at Penn Vet and as a deeply respected voice on the Zoo Board, her One Health efforts will prove to be influential and pioneering.”
Dr. Andrew Baker, Chief Operating Officer, Philadelphia Zoo
In 2015, Allyson Anderson and Amy Kraus received full-tuition scholarships to attend Penn Vet as the inaugural Commonwealth One Health Scholars. Three years later, they are about to enter their clinical year as food animal majors. Bellwether spoke with them about their interests and the impact that the scholarship has had on their lives.
ANDERSON: Agriculture has historically been a part of my family. I love that I can combine my passion for agriculture with veterinary medicine.
KRAUS: Joining my local 4-H club during grade school gave me an appreciation for agriculture. I knew that I wanted to be a dairy veterinarian when I started milking cows at my neighbor’s dairy farm.
ANDERSON: I plan to be a large animal veterinarian in rural Pennsylvania. Thanks to this scholarship, I can return home to practice right out of school. It is great for me, but also great for the area. In the entire county, there is one part-time large animal veterinarian.
KRAUS: My goal is to work for a progressive dairy practice in Pennsylvania after graduation. This scholarship allowed me to spend my summers visiting dairies in the western United States and New Zealand. Learning from different management systems has broadened my perspective on the dairy industry.
ANDERSON: When I found out I had received the scholarship, my dad tackled me into the snow. I had never dreamed such an opportunity existed. It has been an unbelievable blessing.
KRAUS: It gave me the opportunity to stay in Pennsylvania for vet school and build connections with bovine veterinarians and producers in my home state. With less school debt, my goal of eventually owning a dairy practice has become more attainable.
ANDERSON: It sets the stage for communication between different sectors. We can learn so much from both human medicine and environmental science, and vice versa. The potential to achieve would be so high if we could get these fields collaborating and working towards common goals.
KRAUS: As a future veterinarian, I have a responsibility to keep cows healthy so they can produce high-quality milk for humans. Ensuring the safety of our food supply is a key aspect of One Health. And the work excites me!
BY DAVID LEVIN
Young Joan Hendricks rarely had the usual pets, since her Army family moved frequently. To fill the void, she tried to care for some of the animals she encountered, including an ailing dragonfly, a pigeon, and a baby sparrow. This early desire to understand and heal animals suggested a scientist in the making, with a particular calling in veterinary medicine.
“When I was eight, I found a dead mouse in our front yard, and I wanted to cut it open,” Hendricks recalled. “I loved animals and wanted to fix them. At the time, though, I was told that women weren’t vets.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), only 277 female vets existed in the entire United States in 1963. Universities were free to discriminate openly against women, barring them from studying or teaching. As a result, the veterinary profession was populated almost exclusively by men—yet this fact only seemed to steel Hendricks’ resolve.
“I don’t think every woman feels judged as representing all women, but I did. I thought I might change the future of women in academia if I failed,” she said.
When the passage of Title IX finally made sex-based discrimination illegal in 1972, it sparked major changes at veterinary schools across the nation. The law opened the floodgates for women in the field—including Hendricks, who arrived at Penn Vet in 1974 after studying biology and psychology at Yale. By the time she earned her VMD and PhD at Penn Vet in 1980, enrollment of women in veterinary schools had already begun to climb steadily, reaching a nearly even 50-50 gender division that decade. By the early 1990s, those scales had tipped even further, with a clear majority of women in veterinary schools nationwide, according to the AVMA.
At Penn Vet, Hendricks was encouraged by “clear-headed and highly effective male mentors” as well as female veterinary pioneers, she said. Her role models included Dr. Joan O’Brien, V’63, a leading respiratory specialist who had attended Penn Vet while raising three children.
“Joan was the only female full professor when I joined the Penn Vet faculty, and we later became colleagues and friends,” Hendricks noted in the Spring 2015 issue of Bellwether, dedicated to Penn Vet’s female trailblazers. “She provided valuable insight as I researched sleep apnea in dogs, and I fondly remember many mornings carpooling to campus together.”
A faculty member at Penn Vet for more than 30 years, Hendricks rose to Chief of Critical Care in the Department of Clinical Studies, and founded the School’s Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center. In 2001, she became the first woman to hold an endowed professorship at the school—the Henry and Corinne R. Bower Professor of Small Animal Medicine. In 2006, she was named Penn Vet’s Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine, overseeing classes that have been comprised of around 80 percent women.
Today, Hendricks is capping off a long career that’s inspired countless other female vets to find their foothold and their voice in veterinary leadership: from key roles in research, to top academic posts, to practice ownership, and beyond.
“If I have an opportunity to elevate women, I’ll take it. I’ll say to job candidates for leadership positions that you can do this, and you owe it to womankind to apply or agree to interview,” she said emphatically.
However, Dean Hendricks’ own path hasn’t always been clear or easy. She admitted being reluctant at first to even be considered for the Deanship of Penn Vet.
That hesitancy is not uncommon. In many cases, she noted, women including those in veterinary medicine need extra encouragement to apply for high-profile positions, or to step into leadership roles. Despite the fact that the vast majority of students in veterinary schools are female, leaders at many of those schools still remain predominantly male.
It’s part of a wider societal trend. For instance, in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, fewer than 25 percent of leadership positions are held by women; in business, less than six percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are female; and in academia, less than 30 percent of university and college presidents are women, according to the Pew Research Center. Out of 30 veterinary colleges and schools in the U.S., eight women (including Dean Hendricks and two serving in interim appointments) are currently deans. Hendricks has helped get these women together to network at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Deans Conference in Florida, and to carpool to a second meeting in Orlando each year.
“As one of the first female deans of an AVMA-accredited veterinary school in the U.S., [Dean Joan Hendricks] has inspired diverse colleagues to embrace strategic leadership driven by evidence-based practices,” said Dr. Deborah Kochevar, Dean and Henry and Lois Foster Professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. “She has been a particularly effective advocate for veterinarians in research and has served as an excellent role model for students and faculty, including women.”
“Joan has also been a staunch advocate for the value of executive leadership in the veterinary profession,” Dean Kochevar added. “Fellow deans and developing veterinary leaders have benefited from her energy and commitment to innovative education in this area.”
Hendricks credits fellow female leaders in academia with inspiring her own journey. Among them is Dr. Lisa Freeman, current Acting President of Northern Illinois University, and former Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
On April 12, Dean Joan Hendricks will be presented with the Trustees Council of Penn Women/Office of the Provost Annual Award of Recognition. Established in 2009, the award recognizes significant contributions by University faculty to advancing the role of women in higher education and research at the University of Pennsylvania. This may include increasing the presence of women in fields where they are underrepresented; facilitating the advancement of women to positions of academic leadership within the Penn community; improving the environment for female faculty; and creating avenues for professional development and recognition through the full span of a female faculty member’s career at Penn. Award nominations are made by deans, department chairs, center directors, and faculty members.
Hendricks has modeled a different sort of leader. By her example, being a leader is synonymous with balancing work and life; with encouraging and listening to others; and with reaching out to help young veterinarians see themselves in her role.
“Ask the average person what a president looks like, and the majority think of the men in presidential portraits that line university halls,” Freeman noted, adding that she has been “inspired and reassured” by Dean Hendricks’ presence in the veterinary profession and among higher education leaders.
In other words, she continued, the veterinary field has come a long way, but it still has a long way to go. This may be due to an enduring belief that leadership requires devotion only to work, at the expense of one’s personal life.
“We’re really hitting the reality of ‘do it all, juggle it all,’” Freeman said, noting that women may “pre-worry and check out, wondering, ‘Is there a pathway to success? Can I manage this?’”
Hendricks has addressed this struggle as Dean, working to develop future leaders while also changing perceptions of what leadership means. She teamed with The Wharton School to create a summer leadership program aimed specifically at veterinarians, with an eye to spurring female leadership. And she has served as a mentor, speaking candidly with students about the rewards and challenges of leadership.
“At one level, it’s a fairness issue. People should see themselves represented in their own leadership,” Hendricks said. “It’s also good to have diversity in leadership and general differences in style; for instance, to have a consensus style of leadership, working in teams instead of hierarchically.”
To that end, Hendricks has modeled a different sort of leader. By her example, being a leader is synonymous with balancing work and life; with encouraging and listening to others; and with reaching out to help young veterinarians see themselves in her role.
According to Julie Kumble, author of Leaders of the Pack: Women and the Future of Veterinary Medicine, “What makes Joan unique is that she puts these issues on the map. She’s comfortable promoting women’s leadership where others aren’t.”
By working to even the gender imbalance in veterinary leadership, Hendricks has helped shift the way leadership is seen throughout the field—a move that benefits not just women, but all vets.
Noted Kumble, “As a leader, she practices incredible generosity. She brings people along, opens doors, makes opportunities. She’s a true giver.”
$167.8 MILLION
$205 MILLION ALL GIFTS AND GRANTS
$22 MILLION SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2006, Dr. Andrew van Eps was a resident at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center when Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro arrived with broken leg sustained in the Preakness. Though Dr. Dean Richardson, the Charles W. Raker Professor of Equine Surgery, was able to repair the jigsaw-puzzle-like fracture, the New Bolton Center team was not able to spare the horse from the laminitis that followed.
In late 2016, van Eps returned to Penn Vet after working at the University of Queensland in Australia, where he made significant progress in identifying strategies to prevent and treat acute laminitis.
Now Associate Professor of Equine Musculoskeletal Research at New Bolton Center, he is determined to continue advancing understanding of the condition’s underlying causes, and to capitalize on that knowledge to develop improved, practical treatments.
“Although I always had a strong interest in research, it took back seat to clinics, teaching, and administrative work in recent years,” he said. “The position at New Bolton Center allows me to prioritize research, which for me is very exciting.”
More than a decade ago, New Bolton Center was also his choice destination for his
“An energetic and innovative leader, Dean Joan Hendricks has propelled Penn Vet forward through her passion for excellence and her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. She has strengthened ties between Penn’s schools to foster transformative research, exceptional care, and world-class education that improves animal and human health. She has also worked tirelessly to demonstrate Penn Vet’s importance to the health and safety of people across the Commonwealth and around the world.”
“I cannot imagine a greater honor than being chosen to lead this important, venerated institution. I love the grand doorways, the old bricks, the smell of history and glorious achievements, and the carved plaques gratefully acknowledging those whose greatness echoes where we walk.”
— PENN VET DEAN JOAN HENDRICKS Dean’s Message, Bellwether, Winter 2006
With these words, Dean Hendricks ushered in an illustrious tenure as Penn Vet’s 12th Dean. Over 12 years, Hendricks added to the long list of Penn Vet’s “glorious achievements,” helping secure the School’s greatness as a trusted local, national, and global leader in advancing animal and human health. As Penn Vet’s first female Dean (and, before that, the first woman named to an endowed professorship at Penn Vet), she broke a glass ceiling, widening the leadership path for other women in the veterinary field.
After earning her VMD and PhD from Penn Vet, serving on the faculty for more than 30 years, and becoming the first woman at the School named to an endowed professorship, Joan C. Hendricks is appointed as Penn Vet’s first female dean. She succeeds Dean Alan M. Kelly, distinguished researcher, educator, and leader.
Launched by Dean Hendricks, the program offers key veterinary support to regional animal shelters and pet owners, along with important training for Penn Vet students. Now directed by Dr. Brittany Watson, V’10, the program emphasizes community outreach to prevent animals from entering shelters in the first place.
A joint Penn Vet and Wharton initiative, the Penn Executive Veterinary Leadership Program prepares veterinary students and professionals to lead in tackling global animal and human health issues. Nearly 150 people have participated as of Fall 2017.
Penn Vet faced a staggering decrease in Commonwealth funding during the Great Recession. Intense advocacy efforts in Harrisburg helped stabilize the School financially and increased awareness statewide of Penn Vet’s key contributions to agriculture and animal health in Pennsylvania.
Launched with a gift from Vernon and Shirley Hill, the Student Inspiration Awards recognize Penn Vet students advancing the frontiers of veterinary medicine. To date, 26 students (including Lisa Gretebeck, V’14, pictured below at right) have been honored for projects reaching as far as Italy, Thailand, and Haiti and as close as Northwest Philadelphia, as well as projects using technology to broadly impact animals and society.
Founded by Dean Hendricks, the Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center (VCIC) advances veterinary medicine through clinical studies designed to identify novel approaches to disease diagnosis, management, and prevention. Trials have spanned specialties including oncology, cardiology, dermatology, and critical care.
“The Shelter Medicine Program has been critical in our ability to provide quality care for the 23,000 animals we intake annually. Because of the program, we function like a shelter that has five veterinarians, when in reality we are funded for two.”
— VINCENT MEDLEY Executive Director, ACCT PhillyLocated on the New Bolton Center campus, and named in honor of longtime New Bolton supporter Betty Moran’s son, the center provides state-ofthe-art care for horses with gastrointestinal disease and a self-contained, bio-secure space for infectious disease patients.
Founded and directed by Dr. Cindy Otto, a pioneer in the working dog field, the Center serves as a national research and development center for detection dogs. Canine graduates have gone on to careers in narcotics, explosives, and medical detection, as well as multi-purpose law enforcement and search and rescue.
Made possible in part with support from Ilona English, New Bolton Center’s Equine Performance and Evaluation Facility (EPEF) is an indoor arena—safe during all types of weather—for clinicians to conduct in-depth evaluations of horses for medical and performance issues.
In 2012 and 2013, the School expands collaborations in India and China to improve the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the growing dairy and swine industries in both countries. Penn Vet food animal students have since worked directly with India’s dairy industry and pursued summer fellowship programs focused on Chinese large dairy herds.
The first of its kind at a veterinary school, the interdisciplinary CHMI helps Penn Vet faculty and students leverage cutting-edge genomic approaches to understand how viruses, bacteria, and parasites— microbes—interact with their animal hosts to maintain health or cause disease.
A joint recognition from Penn Vet and the University’s three other health schools— Perelman School of Medicine, School of Nursing Science, and School of Dental Medicine— the annual award recognizes significant interdisciplinary and collaborative research at Penn in the spirit of One Health.
Shot at Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center, the Animal Planet docu-series offered behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous training and daily lives of six fourth-year students at Penn Vet.
Funded with a generous gift from Andrew R. and Mindy H. Heyer, a transformative renovation turned the outdated Ryan Hospital lobby into a warm, welcoming, and comfortable space for clients and patients.
“Joan approached Wharton with the persuasive argument that veterinarians must sit at the table of major global public health issues. We designed a program to help people from across the veterinary field develop critical skills to complement their technical expertise, positioning them to become strong leaders and advocates for global One Health.”
— KATHRYN L. PEARSON Adjunct Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, The Wharton SchoolA collaboration between Penn Vet and Wharton, the Robert Marshak-Vernon Hill Scholarship Fund is established with a gift from Vernon and Shirley Hill to train VMD-MBA students with the vision to advance both the science and business of food animal production.
Through the generosity of Henrietta Alexander, Penn Vet established the Ralph L. Brinster President’s Distinguished Professorship in honor of Dr. Brinster, V’60, the School’s renowned faculty member and scientist, and the first veterinarian to earn the National Medal of Science (2011). The Professorship enables Penn Vet to recruit a faculty member who will contribute to the preeminence of the School and University.
The Center integrates cancer research and clinical care, facilitating research into cancer causes and prevention, responses to treatment, and outcomes for patients. It seeks to advance promising discoveries from the laboratory to the development of novel strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment of companion animals and people.
“This was a very difficult time. Joan responded to the proposed funding cuts with a steady hand. She thoughtfully created a proactive and ultimately successful strategy to articulate to the state legislature Penn Vet’s value in rural and urban areas statewide, and she enlisted students, faculty, board, and external stakeholders from across Pennsylvania to advocate for the School and promote its programs and services.”
— JOHN P. SHOEMAKER Penn Vet Board of Overseers“The VCIC emerged from a need for a supportive environment to conduct high-quality clinical research that benefits Penn Vet patients, while also advancing treatments and approaches to human diseases. could not be prouder of this highly successful center that helps our creative, good-hearted faculty develop new ways to heal animals and helps owners afford state-ofthe-art care.”
— DEAN JOAN HENDRICKS“This amazing facility is a remarkable advancement in New Bolton Center’s ability to contain contagious diseases, a threat to our most critically ill horses. The center enables us to successfully prevent the spread of disease within the hospital and improve outcomes for patients.”
— DR. CORINNE SWEENEY
Associate Dean for New Bolton Center
“The Working Dog Center team does incredibly vital work and offers a tremendous service for law enforcement and search and rescue across the country. Penn Police is proud of our relationship with the Center—our two ordnance disposal canines are graduates and a critical part of our force.”
— MAUREEN S. RUSH
VP for Public Safety at the University and Superintendent of Penn Police
“I’ve owned ponies and horses for 40 years and bred them for nearly as long. am very proud to have provided leadership in laying the groundwork for Penn Vet’s stateof-the-art EPEF. The unique space supports patients, owners, and Penn Vet students and faculty in a multifaceted approach to equine health.”
— ILONA ENGLISH
Owner, Summit Sporthorses
“Penn Vet has become actively involved in helping emerging powerhouse economies, like India and China, meet the increased demand for animal proteins. Such global engagement not only supports these burgeoning economies but also prepares our students to work as veterinarians in an increasingly interconnected world.”
— DR. DAVID GALLIGAN Professor of Animal Health Economics and Section Chief, Center for Animal Health and Productivity“The CHMI recognizes complex microbial communities are major players in One Health. It is groundbreaking in its research and crossUniversity collaboration that explores the effects microbes have on animal and human health. Joan’s keen ability to see the center’s potential impact on education, research, and clinical care at Penn Vet made the CHMI possible.”
— DR. CHRISTOPHER HUNTER Mindy Halikman Heyer Distinguished Professor of PathobiologyFor veterinary students interested in pursuing food animal production medicine and practice in Pennsylvania, the scholarship offers a full tuition subsidy for four years at Penn Vet. Five students have received the scholarship since 2015.
New Bolton Center entered new dimension in equine health when it became the first veterinary teaching hospital in the world to use the EQUIMAGINETM roboticscontrolled imaging system for standing, awake horses.
“The Center further positions Penn Vet to solve cancer’s mysteries through research. In partnership with cancer research leaders across the University, including immunotherapy trailblazers Drs. Carl June, Kristy Weber, Robert Vonderheide, and many other collaborators, Penn Vet will continue to play a key role in pioneering cancer treatments in people and animals.”
— DR. ELLEN PURÉ Director of the Penn Vet Cancer Centerresidency, as he considered it “the best place in the world to train in large animal internal medicine.”
Learning from highly regarded clinicians such as Richardson, van Eps saw that impressive surgical skills could bring horses back from seemingly devastating injuries. But he also observed that, for some horses, surgery wasn’t enough. “You’d always have this specter of laminitis looming,” he said.
In the intervening decade, van Eps and others in the field have explored the nuances of laminitis.
“We’ve done a lot of good work over the last 10 years, since Barbaro,” van Eps noted. “We know now that there are different mechanisms that can lead to the disease, and we’re working out ways to prevent or ameliorate the different forms.”
this third form, van Eps has made major progress in treatment, using foot cooling, or cryotherapy, to effectively stop and even partially reverse damage in affected animals.
With the supporting-limb form of laminitis, van Eps is partnering with colleagues to develop mechanical interventions that address what they believe to be the root cause of disease—namely disturbances to blood flow that occur when the horse’s ability to cycle weight bearing among its limbs is impaired.
“We’re very excited to use the robotic CT here at New Bolton to do some studies that look at blood flow and weight bearing in standing horses,” he said.
Additionally, van Eps is continuing to probe the underlying molecular events that contribute to the metabolic form of disease,
Laminitis can manifest as any of three different types, van Eps explained. Barbaro suffered from what is known as supportinglimb laminitis, where an injury to one leg causes the opposite leg to support more weight than usual, leading to the disease.
Far more common, however, is a form of laminitis triggered by overproduction of insulin.
“It’s a little similar to type 2 diabetes in people,” van Eps said. “The difference is, people will stop producing insulin, while horses and ponies just keep making it, and that insulin triggers changes in the feet of these animals.”
Laminitis can also arise in horses with systemic disease, such as colitis or sepsis. For
including finding potential drugs to block the insulin-triggered pathways that can lead to problems in the foot. He also hopes to test whether the foot cooling method could help in this form of laminitis, as it does in horses with systemic illness.
With this many-pronged attack, van Eps is working to make a difference to horses of all stripes, from Triple Crown contenders to pastured ponies. And he says a lot of the advancements owe a debt to Barbaro.
“After his case, there was an exponential increase in interest and funding in laminitis, and we owe a lot to Roy and Gretchen Jackson, his owners,” van Eps noted. “Our progress is part of the Barbaro legacy.”
“We’ve done a lot of good work over the last 10 years, since Barbaro. We know now that there are different mechanisms that can lead to the disease, and we’re working out ways to prevent or ameliorate the different forms.”
Dr. Andrew van EpsDr. Andrew van Eps examines a horse’s hoof.
By Marcia Nordgren
Rescuing pets in need seems to run in my family. At last tally, my siblings and I have adopted more than two dozen dogs and cats, not including 14 kittens I rescued on a whim when I learned they were going to be euthanized.
People often ask me about my special needs pets: three cats missing various appendages, plus my dog, Lilly, whose face has been reconstructed. My interest in animals with special needs began with Columbus, a blind cat I adopted in 2000. At first I felt sorry for Columbus, but soon I realized that animals don’t feel sorry for themselves and don’t know they have limitations. Columbus was intrepid and more fearless than my cats with sight. He taught me about determination and perseverance, and brought love to everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
It thus made sense when my friend, Liz Howard, asked me if I would adopt Lilly, a Beagle-Chihuahua mix Liz had rescued from a Virginia shelter. Lilly had been dumped after being shot in the face. Somehow Lilly survived, despite having a large hole in the roof of her mouth.
Although several vets recommended that Lilly be euthanized, Liz approached a friend at Penn, who suggested that Lilly be examined at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital. Dr. Alexander Reiter, Professor of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, reviewed Lilly’s case. While he was optimistic at first, his optimism faded when he saw the size of Lilly’s wound. Dr. Reiter suggested an experimental surgery to close the hole in Lilly’s mouth. As this was Lilly’s only chance, Liz agreed to have the surgery performed.
Several diseased teeth around the wound were extracted during a first anesthetic procedure. Eight weeks later, three oral flaps were created to completely close the palatal defect. The surgery was a success! Lilly was able to eat and drink properly for the first time since her accident.
After I adopted Lilly in 2004, I took her to Ryan Hospital for a follow-up visit with Dr. Reiter. This marked the beginning of my relationship with Penn Vet. Several years later, when Lilly developed a stubborn nasal infection, we returned to Ryan Hospital, where Lilly received excellent care. Two years ago, Lilly was diagnosed with a brain lesion. Once again, I turned to Dr. Reiter for advice and support. He reminded me of Lilly’s spirit and will to survive. He was right.
Despite her physical challenges and numerous surgeries, Lilly has remained a very loyal and sweet dog. She loves children and patiently sits still while they pet her. Last year, Dr. Reiter invited Lilly and me to Penn Vet’s Best Friends Bash, held in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Center for Human Appearance. This
Despite her physical challenges and numerous surgeries, Lilly has remained a very loyal and sweet dog. She loves children and patiently sits still while they pet her.Dr. Alexander Reiter, Marcia Nordgren, and Lilly posed together at the Best Friends Bash.
annual event brings children with craniofacial differences together with former canine patients of Dr. Reiter. Lilly fit right in among the children and dogs.
Dr. Reiter’s commitment to helping animals and children inspired me to add Penn Vet to my planned giving. Lilly is now almost 15 years old. Although she is nearly blind and deaf, and suffers seizures, I know that Dr. Reiter and Penn Vet are always here for us. There is no greater way for me to honor Dr. Reiter than to provide a financial gift to Penn Vet. When Lilly moves on to her next adventure, I also plan to donate Lilly’s body to Ryan Hospital, so that Dr. Reiter can complete the circle of Lilly’s life and Lilly can help the next animal or child in need of complex treatment. Just like Columbus, Lilly has exhibited sheer determination and taught everyone around her what it means to overcome huge obstacles.
Throughout Penn Vet’s history, many supporters of the School have demonstrated their commitment to veterinary education and animal welfare through their estate plans. These special gifts have a longlasting impact for future generations. Grateful for their generous support, Penn Vet honors these donors through the Veterinary Heritage Circle, and membership in this special group now totals more than 300 alumni, clients, and friends.
Planned gifts can be made using your will or retirement assets, or with life income gifts such as charitable gift annuities, and can be directed toward the programs that mean the most to you. For more information, or for gift illustrations tailored to your particular situation and interests, please contact Jillian Marcussen, Director of Development, at 215-898-4235 or jillian2@vet.upenn.edu.
CURRENT.
September 26-27, 2018
Chase Center on the Riverfront 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
15 Continuing Education credits offered
Tracks for Companion Animal, Equine, Food Animal and Veterinary Nurses.
Scientists knew a lot about fruit flies by the late 1990s. But they didn’t know that flies slept.
That insight entered the scientific literature in the year 2000, thanks to Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks, then a professor in the Department of Clinical Studies – Philadelphia. She was spending a sabbatical year learning molecular biology techniques in the laboratory of Dr. Amita Sehgal of the Perelman School of Medicine.
In doing so, she discovered that, while fruit flies’ rest periods couldn’t be measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, the insects shared many similarities to what we think of as sleep.
Now dozens of labs use fruit flies, or Drosophila, as a model for sleep, a fact that owes a debt to Hendricks.
“There is so much power in studying sleep in fruit flies,” she said. “You can make such rapid progress when your ‘n’ is in the hundreds. You just can’t do that if your study subjects are dogs or people.”
Before she was Dean, Hendricks was an expert on sleep and sleep disorders. And though she hasn’t had a direct hand in research since she stepped into her current leadership role in 2006, her contributions to the field, through work conducted in Bulldogs and fruit flies, have endured.
“Her helping establish a Drosophila model for sleep has been transformative in the sleep field, and it’s taken off,” said Sehgal. “My lab has continued to work with the fly sleep model and gotten a lot of really good papers from it. That early work has been very fruitful indeed.”
When Hendricks was an undergraduate at Yale University in the early 1970s, the term “neuroscience” wasn’t yet widely used. But Hendricks crafted a dual major in biology and psychology to learn about the ways that the brain controlled behavior.
“I was absolutely riveted by the idea that interesting, complicated behaviors have roots in measurable, tangible biology,” she said.
Upon entering the dual VMD-PhD program at Penn Vet, she joined the lab of Dr. Adrian Morrison, now Professor Emeritus, studying the fundamental mechanisms of sleep.
As she was finishing her degrees, researchers in the sleep field started to realize that a sleep disorder characterized by frequent snoring, long pauses in breathing while sleeping, and fatigue during waking hours appeared to be much more common than they first thought. Now sleep scientists know that the disorder—sleep apnea—affects more than half a million people around the globe.
While there were recognized risk factors for the condition, such as being male and obese, researchers were only just beginning to understand its root causes. And Hendricks saw room to contribute.
“The question was, ‘What can I do as a veterinarian, using my training and my access to animals, to have an impact on this mystery of sleep apnea?’” Hendricks recalled.
The question initially led her to a dog breed well known for their flat faces and breathing difficulties: English Bulldogs. Hendricks quickly realized that this breed, unlike others, had all the characteristics of sleep apnea.
“Every Bulldog had this problem,” Hendricks said. “They wouldn’t have apneas during the first phase of sleep, but during REM sleep, they would have pauses in breathing that lasted up to 45 seconds or a minute, and their oxygen saturation would plummet.”
Teaming with clinicians in the medical school, including Dr. Allan Pack and Dr. Sigrid Veasey, Hendricks explored the mechanical and neurological features of sleep apnea in Bulldogs—insights that seemed to make it an ideal model for translational research.
“The recordings in the Bulldogs were remarkably similar to what we see in humans,” said Veasey.
Among other insights, Hendricks and colleagues found that the Bulldogs fired the motor neurons in their airways continuously. This firing subsided when the dogs slept, leading to the apnea episodes. Other researchers later confirmed that humans with sleep apnea do the same thing.
Hendricks and Veasey went on to target the neurochemical pathways that trigger the airway neurons, testing drug combinations
that could be used to keep the airway open during sleep. They weren’t able to come up with a combination that could selectively target the airway neurons, but both see it as a promising area of research.
It was around this time when Hendricks took her sabbatical, joining Sehgal’s lab and
developing an interest in fruit flies. She recalled long days spent watching flies drift off and began developing criteria to define sleep that didn’t rely on EEG recordings. She noted that there were regular periods when the flies were clearly resting; that they had a reduced sensitivity to stimuli during rest; and they “made up” for lost sleep if deprived of it. In addition, she worked with colleagues to probe such areas as circadian rhythms, sleep-related gender differences, and the connection between sleep and immune system function.
Hendricks still speaks animatedly about her pioneering work in sleep research, as well as the discoveries yet to be made. “I’m curious about the molecular changes that occur with aging and how they affect sleep, and the relationship between Alzheimer’s and sleep,” she noted.
She’s glad to have highlighted how studying multiple species—and contributing her insight as a veterinarian—can be of value in making scientific breakthroughs impacting people and animals. It’s the concept of One Health in action.
“We shouldn’t get boxed into studying one kind of organism if we’re looking at a problem,” she emphasized.
“Every Bulldog had this problem. They wouldn’t have apneas during the first phase of sleep, but during REM sleep, they would have pauses in breathing that lasted up to 45 seconds or a minute, and their oxygen saturation would plummet.”
DeanJoan Hendricks
By Martin J. Hackett
Dr. Boris Striepen, Professor of Pathobiology at Penn Vet, received a $1.8-million, threeyear grant in January from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enable the development of drugs for cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites. Additionally, last November, Striepen was presented with the American Committee of Molecular, Cellular and Immunoparasitology’s prestigious William Trager Award for Basic Parasitology.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cryptosporidiosis sickens approximately 750,000 people each year in the United States. Caused by Cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that is typically transmitted through contaminated water, the disease is the second leading cause of severe diarrhea in small children. Globally, diarrheal diseases claim the lives of more than 800,000 children under the age of five annually.
Striepen is a leader in the study of Cryptosporidium. Under the grant, he and his team will use a variety of molecular genetic approaches to support drug development efforts, focusing on the identification and validation of therapeutic targets to guide medicinal chemistry. The project will build upon the team’s breakthrough in establishing techniques for genetic manipulation of Cryptosporidium to produce parasites suitable for drug testing in vitro and in vivo. Striepen will seek to link drug candidates with their targets within the parasite. Understanding how drugs work is very helpful to further enhance their potency and to anticipate and avoid unwanted toxicity and side effects.
“We will develop rigorous tests to establish whether drug candidates truly act on the target they were designed to,” Striepen said. “We will establish how the metabolism of the parasite interacts with that of its human host cell and assemble a catalog of those functions that are essential to the survival of the parasite and thus good targets for intervention.”
Last fall, Striepen received the William Trager Award at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Named in honor of malaria research pioneer Dr. William Trager, the annual
award recognizes scientists who have made a fundamental breakthrough in basic parasitology that allows for new areas of investigation.
Striepen joined Penn Vet’s faculty in July 2017. His research program is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Wellcome Trust.
“It is professors like Dr. Striepen who continue to make Penn Vet a leader in biomedical research that has a profound impact on human lives,” said Dr. Christopher A. Hunter, the Mindy Halikman Heyer Distinguished Professor of Pathobiology and Chairman of the Department of Pathobiology at Penn Vet. “He is a highly innovative scientist who is making significant contributions within the microbiology community here at Penn.”
For the full listing of faculty, staff, and student news and recent grant announcements, visit www.vet.upenn.edu/bellwether-spring-2018
By John Donges
Throughout the past decade, new discoveries about cancer cell growth have enhanced our ability to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage the disease. Recent breakthroughs, such as immunotherapy, have put scientists at the threshold of radically transforming care and potentially discovering a cure.
The Penn Vet Cancer Center is bringing together basic cancer research, clinical trials, and patient care, now dispersed across the School, into one centralized location at Ryan Hospital. In this revolutionized, synergistic environment and state-of-the-art facility, researchers and clinicians will be able to bring research breakthroughs from laboratories directly to patients faster than ever before.
Last fall, the inaugural Cancer Center Symposium launched with Dr. Cheryl London’s talk “Of mice, dogs and men: Transforming cancer outcomes through comparative oncology” at Penn Vet’s Hill Pavilion. London is a Research Professor at both the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the Molecular Oncology Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center. She is also an Associate Faculty Professor at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM), where she serves as director of the Clinical Trials Office at the OSU CVM and director of Translational Therapeutics
at the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences at OSU’s College of Medicine.
Speakers at the symposium also included Penn’s Dr. Robert Vonderheide, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center, and Dr. Kristy Weber, Director of the Sarcoma Program at Abramson Cancer Center. Other speakers included Dr. Steven Dow, Director of the Laboratory for Immune and Regenerative Medicine at Colorado State University; Dr. Andrew Ewald, Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Dr. Amy Leblanc, Director of the Comparative Oncology Program at the National Cancer Institute, (NIH); Dr. Jaime Modiano, Perlman Professor of Oncology and Comparative Medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Elaine Ostrander, Head of the Comparative Genetics Section at the National Human Genome Research Institute; and Dr. Rodney Page, Director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.
The event was part of the University of Pennsylvania’s ongoing efforts in support of the One Health Initiative, dedicated to improving the lives of all species through the integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental science.
Microbes are ubiquitous and vital to humans: they sculpt our organs, defend us from disease, break down our food, educate our immune systems, guide our behavior, bombard our genomes with their genes, and grant us incredible abilities. Much of the prevailing discussion around the microbiome focuses on its implications for human health, yet when we look at the animal kingdom through a microbial lens, even the most familiar parts of our lives take on a striking new air.
Last November, acclaimed science journalist Ed Yong discussed the hidden worlds of microbes, how they influence our lives, and how we might reshape them to improve our health during the fourth annual Microbiome Symposium, presented by Penn Vet’s Center for HostMicrobial Interactions (CHMI), the Perelman School of Medicine, and the PennCHOP Microbiome Program.
The two-day symposium began with Yong’s talk, “I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and
a Grander View of Life,” at Penn Vet’s Hill Pavilion. Author of The New York Times best-selling book I Contain Multitudes, Yong reports for The Atlantic and has contributed to National Geographic, The New Yorker, Wired, Nature, New Scientist, and Scientific American, among other magazines. He has won a variety of awards, including the Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Award for biomedical reporting in 2016, the Byron H. Waksman Award for Excellence in the Public Communication of Life Sciences in 2016, and the National Academies Keck Science Communication Award in 2010 for his blog Not Exactly Rocket Science. His TED talk on mind-controlling parasites has been watched by more than 1.5 million people.
Speakers at the symposium also included Dr. Grace Aldrovandi, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Laurie Comstock, Associate Microbiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine
By John Donges
On November 8, during the Microbiome Symposium, Penn Vet’s Dr. Charles W. Bradley, V’09, and Dr. Elizabeth A. Grice of the Perelman School of Medicine were named the 2017 recipients of Penn’s One Health Award—recognizing their exemplary interdisciplinary collaboration to improve health care for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment. The One Health Award was established in 2013 by the deans of Penn Medicine, Penn Nursing, Penn Dental Medicine, and Penn Vet.
Research conducted by Bradley and Grice has uncovered important insights about the skin microbiome of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs compared to humans. Canine AD shares important features of the human version, making dogs an excellent clinical model. The research revealed that there
is a correlation between the skin’s barrier function, the immune system, and the composition and diversity of bacterial colonization during flares. The hope is that insights gained from this and future studies will enable clinicians to treat AD by altering the skin’s microbiome without antibiotic use.
“We are delighted to recognize the extraordinary research collaborations throughout the University that advance the One Health initiative,” said Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks. “Drs. Bradley and Grice exemplify the spirit of One Health by working to advance the knowledge base for the same
at Harvard Medical School; Dr. Gabriel Nunez, Co-Director of the Immunology & Host Response Program in the Department of Pathology, University of Michigan; Dr. Manuela Raffatellu, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego; and Dr. Cynthia Sears, Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.
The CHMI is designed to facilitate collaborative projects that leverage genomics to study the intersection of microbes and disease. In doing so, researchers gain insight into how bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other organisms interact with their animal and human hosts in ways that either maintain health or lead to disease.
By John Donges
Last November, the Translational Retinal Research & Therapies Symposium brought together a group of internationally recognized scientists and clinician scientists from the veterinary and human medical fields. They presented the latest research in areas including retinal disease gene discovery, disease mechanisms, translational studies, and clinical applications.
skin disease across species. They are also superb in their focus on publicizing the One Health approach in their presentations at scientific and medical conferences.”
Bradley is an Assistant Professor of Pathology in the Department of Pathobiology at Penn Vet. His research interests are focused on dermatopathology and the role of the microbiome in skin disease, particularly canine AD.
“This award is a true honor, and it symbolizes the interdisciplinary support and friendships that have grown out of our work, across campus and health systems,” Bradley said.
Grice is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Microbiology at Penn Medicine. Her research focuses on host-microbe interactions of the skin and elucidating their roles in skin health, disease, and wound healing.
“We strive to embrace One Health in all lines of research in the lab, recognizing its impact on not only human medicine, but on animals and the environment,” she said.
The symposium was held in honor of Dr. Gustavo Aguirre, V’68 (pictured above at right), Professor of Medical Genetics and Ophthalmology at Penn Vet, who received the 2017 Proctor Medal from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. The Proctor Medal honors excellence in the basic or clinical sciences as applied to ophthalmology, and Aguirre is the first veterinarian to be granted the Medal in its 67-year history. His research area is the molecular basis of inherited blindness, and his approach to developing genetic therapies for dogs with Leber’s congenital amaurosis has paved the way to clinical trials in humans. He received the award for his development of unique canine models of retinal degeneration, which provides basic information about their counterpart human diseases.
In addition to Aguirre, speakers included Dr. William Beltran, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Penn Vet; Dr. John Flannery, Professor of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California – Berkeley; Dr. Alison Hardcastle, Professor of Molecular Genetics at University College of London; Dr. Samuel G. Jacobson, Professor of Ophthalmology at Scheie Eye Institute of the University of Pennsylvania; and José-Alain Sahel, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
PENN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
(At left) Small- and large-animal veterinarians and technicians from across the country attended the 117th Penn Annual Conference at its new location—the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. Penn Vet’s Dr. Oliver Garden and Cornell University’s Dr. Daniel Fletcher delivered keynote presentations. Dr. Fletcher (fourth photo, left middle) and Penn Vet faculty celebrated 25 years of Emergency Services and Critical Care, and those faculty members were recognized for their impact in the field.
SAVMA AUCTION
(Above and below) The Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) celebrated the Roaring Twenties at this year’s auction to raise money for the organization. Students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and parents donated a variety of items for the silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the auction allow SAVMA members to attend conferences and symposia throughout the year.
Brett Matthew Cooper’s lifelong dream was to become a veterinarian; tragically, he was not able to complete his goal. Brett passed away on September 13, 2017, just a few months short of his 2018 graduation from Penn Vet. In his memory, his family and friends hope to help others finish what Brett started with the creation of an endowed scholarship in his name. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is pursuing a career in the care and service of animals, with a special emphasis on those who can demonstrate that they have overcome adversity in pursuit of their education. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at a young age, Brett never allowed his disabilities to interfere with his dreams or limit his perception of his own capabilities.
The original goal to raise $100,000 for the scholarship was surpassed, which speaks to the warmth that Brett brought to every life he touched. The goal has since been increased so the scholarship fund can have an even greater impact. To donate, please visit givingpages.upenn.edu/rememberingBrett.
Since last October, Penn Vet students from the Shelter Medicine Club and the One Health Club have joined forces to volunteer at the monthly Delaware Humane Association (DHA) One Health Clinic. The clinic was established and organized by Dr. Kristin Jankowski, V’94, who invited Penn Vet students to take part.
The clinic is intended to take DHA’s “Friends for Life” motto to the next level—providing care for underserved pets in Delaware, with an emphasis on One Health that also extends to people. In addition to offering veterinary care, the clinic aims to create ways for human caregivers to seek more frequent healthcare for themselves. It also provides unique educational opportunities for student volunteers. The project’s success would help DHA’s rescued animals while also creating a framework for future One Health initiatives in Delaware and beyond.
Project collaborators include Michael Sahagian V’19, Gillian Anderson, V’20, Taylor Bryant, V’20, John Cain, V’20, James Ferrara, V’20, Lisa Hagan, V’20, Souci Louis, V’20, Katherine Murphy, V’20, Tabitha Stilo, V’20, Melanie Tramontina, V’20, Jane Mesna, V’21, Marina Relman, V’21, and Kimi Sharma, V’21.
115 students
40 students from Pennsylvania
19 Pennsylvania counties represented
19 former Summer VETS program students
By Shannon Groves
As a graduate of Penn Vet’s VMD-PhD program, Dean Joan Hendricks, V’79, GR’80, knows firsthand the value of strong relationships between the School and its alumni. As Dean, it has been a priority that alumni stay connected long after graduation.
Acknowledging all that had been done previously to keep graduates engaged, and to deepen this connection, she established the Dean’s Alumni Council in January 2011. Her goal was to bring together a passionate, dedicated group to work closely with the Dean and Office of Alumni Relations on various projects connecting alumni, students, and the public to the Penn Vet community—with a focus on engagement, ambassadorship, and mentoring.
Under Dean Hendricks’ leadership, the Dean’s Alumni Council has evolved to include a diverse and broad network of alumni ranging in class years, careers, and geography, who are well-informed about Penn Vet today. Members actively engage with the School by participating in activities including Alumni Weekend, Orientation, the Admissions Committee, the Penn Alumni Board, White Coat ceremonies, and more.
The School’s bond with Penn Vet alumni has thrived under Dean Hendricks. Alumni Weekend has grown in attendance, with nearly 200 alumni and guests returning last May. Students have seen an increase in opportunities to engage with alumni at events and programs, as well as in their veterinary school careers.
During Dean Hendricks’ tenure, alumni gave nearly 13,000 gifts totaling $9 million for the School. Recognizing the impact alumni make through their generous support, Dean Hendricks helped establish the annual Dean’s Cup, which highlights the Penn Vet classes from each decade with the greatest giving participation percentage.
There is no doubt that, thanks to Dean Hendricks’ unwavering support, the alumni relationship is stronger than ever.
“What a wonderful few years it’s been to serve as a Penn Vet ambassador, with Dean Joan Hendricks at the Alumni Council’s helm. It has been an honor to promote her fierce passion for innovative research and her dedication to improving the educational experience for our veterinary students. It has also been a privilege to support her tireless dedication to position Penn Vet as a leader in the veterinary community and demonstrate its powerful global impact.”
Throughout her tenure, Dean Hendricks has made a lasting impact on Penn Vet alumni, students, staff, patients, and friends. We are collecting notes of gratitude and memories of Dean Hendricks from the community.
Share your memories, reflections, and notes of thanks and farewell online at www.vet.upenn.edu/tributes.
“Honest, caring, passionate, compassionate, and committed to veterinary medicine and veterinary education; these are the words that come to mind when I think about Dean Joan Hendricks. She was approachable and inspiring as a first-year student in 1987, and encouraging and empowering as a fourth-year student in 1991. She has undoubtedly touched countless others in her role as Dean.”
-Lindsay Shreiber, V’91Come celebrate with us and relive your veterinary school memories. Join us for events on both school campuses. Alumni with graduation years ending in a “8” or a “3” will also be celebrating a class reunion. Register today to enjoy the festivities.
www.vet.upenn.edu/alumniweekend
Mark Logan, V’83, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, was selected by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to serve in the 2017-2018 AVMA Fellowship Program, to provide Congress with scientific counsel on policies related to animal health, animal welfare, and public health. As one of three fellows, Logan will serve for one year in Washington as full-time staff in a congressional office or congressional committee. During their tenure, the fellows will advise policymakers on a wide range of issues, such as food safety, public health, animal welfare, research, and small business issues.
Don Neiffer, V’92, was awarded the degree of Master of Health Sciences in One Health from the Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida. Neiffer’s program culminated in an independent research project entitled A retrospective study of selected disease seroprevalence and relationships in free-ranging warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) populations in South Africa: Implications for disease transmission at the human/livestock/wildlife interface. This study, as well as a related warthog anesthesia project, was completed during a trip to South Africa last spring. Neiffer is a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a certified veterinary acupuncturist. He is currently employed as Chief Veterinarian at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Ellen Wiedner, V’99, was named Director of Animal Health at The Wilds of Ohio.
Megan Andeer, V’01, purchased the Cat Vet of South Street with Caroline Perner, V’00. With guidance from Howard Wellens, V’78, they are remodeling the hospital to make it the largest feline-only hospital in Philadelphia. Elizabeth Knighton, V’00, joined Andeer and Perner last fall.
Heather Fowler, V’10, accepted a position as the Director of Public Health Research at the National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa. She will guide studies on the health and safety of people involved in pork production, while focusing on food safety and diseases that can spread from hogs to humans. She was also selected to give the student address at the 2017 graduation of the University of Washington School of Public Health, where she earned her PhD and received the Gilbert S. Omenn Award for Academic Excellence.
Lillian Bryant, Head of Veterinary Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania from 1981 to 2001, passed away August 8 at her home in Philadelphia. She was a former member of the Medical Library Association’s Veterinary Medical Libraries Section and former Secretary of the MLA Philadelphia Chapter. Lillian graduated from Virginia Union University in 1952 with high honors. She earned a master’s degree in library science from Pratt Institute in New York and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Before coming to Penn, Lillian worked as a medical librarian at Hahnemann Medical College, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Tri-NEB Library (nursing collection).
Hugh J. Coleman, V’53, of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 13 at Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown. Born in Rushville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Coleman proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a graduate of Rush High School and received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Scranton. Dr. Coleman retired in 1999 after practicing veterinary medicine for 48 years in Lancaster and Dauphin counties and Paradise, Pennsylvania.
Peter Harry Craig, V’55, of Holland Township, New Jersey, passed away on November 25. Born in Pittsburgh, he obtained a bachelor of science degree from the Pennsylvania State University, followed by a VMD and MS from the University of Pennsylvania. Peter served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Montgomery, Alabama, and at Johnsville Naval Air Station in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He taught pathology at Penn Vet and also at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Peter then pursued a career in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, retiring after 15 years with Mobil Oil Corporation.
Clement Andrew (Clem) Schmitt, V’55, passed away on December 6. Clem grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. After graduating from Penn Vet, he returned to Wheeling where he practiced veterinary medicine for 55 years—truly a labor of love. Clem was an avid and competitive golfer. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a zest for life. He relocated to Wheaton, Illinois, in 1997.
Daniel Weiner, V’55, passed away August 12. He worked in the Public Health Service with the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, then moved to Seattle, Washington, before going into private practice in Atlanta. Before entering retirement, Dan received his pilot’s license, allowing him to fly for pleasure. After traveling all over the world, he eventually landed and retired to Sarasota, Florida, where he renewed his veterinary license and volunteered at Mote Marine Laboratory, The Pelican Man, as well as emergency animal hospitals as a relief veterinarian.
Robert Lee Pyle, V’65, of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away on September 16. He graduated from Oakmont High School and went on to the Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in pre-veterinary sciences from the College of Agricultural Sciences. He graduated from Penn Vet in 1965. After finishing his VMD degree, he was employed by Penn Vet until 1974. He then joined Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine as Associate Professor, specializing in cardiology, and subsequently served as Associate Professor at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1981, he took a position as Professor at Virginia Tech (Virginia/Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine), where he retired in 2007 after holding leadership positions including Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Associate Dean.
Bruce S. Putchat, V’68, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 15, 2017, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Quakertown. Dr. Putchat was the owner and Chief Veterinarian at Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital, Quakertown, for close to 50 years. He obtained a bachelor of science degree from the Pennsylvania State University before graduating from Penn Vet.
Ralph E. Werner, V’68, of Ocean City, New Jersey, passed away on September 13. A graduate of Upper Darby High School, he attended Rutgers University and earned his VMD from Penn Vet in 1968. Ralph proudly served in the Army Airborne’s 101st Division and was honorably discharged in May 1960. Ralph worked at the Toms River Veterinary Hospital from 1968 until 1972. He moved with his family to Somers Point, New Jersey, where he built his veterinary practice. From 1992 through 2002, Ralph was a Diplomate with a Specialty in Companion Animal Practice.
Joan E. Miller, V’78, passed away on November 5, 2016. Joan received a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and then attended Penn Vet, graduating in 1978. After a veterinary internship, veterinary surgery residency, and a few years of work in the medical field, she decided to attend the University of Washington
School of Medicine, graduating in 1990. She practiced internal medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center, first in Bellevue, Washington, and then at the downtown Seattle clinic. In 2006, she started working as a medical consultant for the Washington Disability Determination Service in Seattle and retired in 2010. Joan was the recipient of numerous academic and professional awards, most notably being selected as one of Seattle Magazine’s Best Doctors in 2002.
Stephen Barsanti, V’80, of Stratham and Alton, New Hampshire, passed away on October 18. Dr. Barsanti graduated from Boston College in 1972. He worked at General Electric for a short period before he decided it was time to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. He graduated from Penn Vet in 1980 and practiced veterinary medicine in Massachusetts prior to purchasing Alton Veterinary Clinic in New Hampshire in 1982. Barsanti owned and operated the clinic until 2012, when he sold the practice in order to spend more time with his family.
Douglas Ayers, V’90, passed away on September 12. He attended Penn Vet with the intention of becoming a biomedical researcher. He worked as a research assistant at the University of Texas in a program dedicated to restoring emotional/behavioral well-being to a large colony of chimpanzees. During vet school, he worked under an AIDS research grant as a Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Following graduation, he declined a post-doctorate position at Harvard in order to return to Northeast Pennsylvania and practice veterinary medicine. He co-founded a land conservancy that preserved more than 12,000 acres of land regionally for wildlife and green space. Dr. Ayers was the founder and visionary of The Lands at Hillside Farms, where he served as the chairman. In 1995, he opened Plains Animal Hospital in Plains, Pennsylvania. In 2007, he built the present environmentally green facility which houses Plains Animal Hospital and Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital.
Calling all VMDs, former Penn Vet interns, and residents! Have you received a promotion, been married, had a baby, received an award, had a research finding, or opened a new business? Please share your good news with us! Visit the Alumni page of the Penn Vet website, email your news to the alumni office at grovessh@vet.upenn.edu, or write to us at Alumni Relations, Penn Veterinary Alumni Office, 3800 Spruce Street, Suite 172E, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6008
United Way of Greater Phila. & So. NJ: #50178
MAY 1, 2018
First Tuesday Lecture Series
A free educational lecture series for horse owners and horse enthusiasts.
“Sports Medicine”
Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Davidson and Dr. Elizabeth Arbittier
6:30PM to 7:30PM
New Bolton Center – Alumni Hall
382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA
For more information, or to register, please visit our Events page on our website at www.vet.upenn.edu/about
MAY 11-13, 2018
Alumni Weekend
Class dinners, tours of New Bolton Center and Ryan Hospital, Dean’s Reception, Spring Alumni Picnic at New Bolton Center, and much more! Special celebrations for classes ending in ‘8’ and ‘3.’ For information, please contact Shannon Groves at grovessh@ vet.upenn.edu or 215-898-1481.
JUNE 5, 2018
First Tuesday Lecture Series
A free educational lecture series for horse owners and horse enthusiasts.
“Cool Things About Equine Anatomy”
Presented by Dr. Dean Richardson
6:30PM to 7:30PM
New Bolton Center – Alumni Hall
382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA
For more information, or to register, please visit our Events page on our website at www.vet.upenn.edu/about
JULY2018
JULY 13, 2018
AVMA Convention Alumni Reception
7:00PM – 9:00PM
Denver, Colorado
AUGUST2018
AUGUST 17, 2018
Keystone Veterinary Conference Alumni Reception
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Hershey Lodge
Hershey, PA
SEPTEMBER2018
SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2018
Penn Annual Conference – Lectures
Chase Center on the Riverfront 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
For conference details, please visit www.vet.upenn.edu/PAC2018
For more information about these events, contact Brittany Tinsley, Assistant Director of Institutional Events, at bscan@vet.upenn.edu or 215-746-2421.
