Issuu

FALL/WINTER 2023–24

THE MAGAZINE OF PENN VET

the 100th issue

Fall/Winter 2023-24 #100

6 What’s in a Name?

8 Penn Vet’s Watchful Eye on One Camelid’s Cancer

Inclusive, Ambitious Research to Meet the Needs of a Changing Planet

DEAN’S MESSAGE

STUDENT NEWS

Where Are They Now?

22 Patient Gallery

26 100 Issues, 100 Things

SCHOOL NEWS

Departments

Contents

The Bellwether Difference

42 47 ALUMNI NEWS

36 BOARD OF ADVISORS

52 IN MEMORIAM

FA C U LT Y N E W S

CALENDAR

ABOUT OUR COVER Jon Krause’s elegant illustration incorporates a number of hidden icons that represent areas in which Penn Vet has led the veterinary profession. Can you find all 17? If not, the cover key is on page 56. The preceding page features a mosaic of all 100 Bellwether covers.

Explore all 100 issues of Bellwether magazine online at pennvet.pub/bellwether-archives.

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends of Penn Vet, This fall we are celebrating two significant milestones. In late August, we welcomed the Class of 2027. Their arrival is particularly poignant as they will be, in May of 2027, the University of Pennsylvania’s 140th graduating class from the School of Veterinary Medicine. It is most humbling to think that our institution has hosted five generations of committed and compassionate veterinarians for well more than a century. Our second milestone is this issue of Bellwether, our 100th issue. Introduced in the fall of 1981 during Dean Robert R. Marshak’s tenure, the 16-page “newsmagazine” highlighted components of the Penn Vet experience. “Our newsletter may never win a prize,” said Marshak in his introduction in Bellwether’s inaugural issue. “But we shall endeavor to deliver interesting, accurate information on every facet of the school’s activities.” Forty-two years later, Dean Marshak would be delighted to know that Bellwether has indeed won several design and writing awards. These two significant landmarks are heady in and of themselves. But together, they undoubtedly authenticate our institution as a true bellwether in higher education. A bellwether, by definition, is a leader, a trendsetter, that others look to for inspiration and direction. Here at Penn Vet, I characterize our own bellwether merit around these six attributes: Bound by Oath At the heart of our identity is an unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We hold ourselves to the profession’s highest standards of honesty, respect, and accountability, serving as a moral compass for society.

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Student-Centered Excellence Our students are not just learners; they are active participants in shaping their own educational journeys. We provide them with transformative experiences that equip them with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to thrive in our ever-evolving world. Innovation Is at Our Core We are driven by an unquenchable thirst for progress, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and leading others by example. Interdisciplinary Excellence Our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration pushes us beyond veterinary medicine’s traditional boundaries. We believe that the most substantial breakthroughs occur at the interfaces of disciplines, with the One Health framework as our lodestar. Global Perspective As a bellwether institution, we have a macro-outlook; engaging a broad community, while including local voices, to tackle complex global challenges.

EDITORIAL Guest Editor John Donges Contributing Editor and Writer Sacha Adorno

Our institution’s history is one of resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, and I am certain that our future will be even more remarkable.

Writers at Large Katherine Unger Baillie, Martin J. Hackett Class Notes Editor Shannon Groves Faculty | Staff Notes Editor and Production Manager John Donges

DESIGN Associate Creative Director Hannah Kleckner Hall Designer Anne Marie Kane, Imogen Design Photographers at Large John Donges, Hannah Kleckner Hall

Social Impact We measure our success not only by academic achievements, but also by the positive impact we make on society and our veterinary professionals. Our research laboratories, our graduates, our collective efforts all contribute to the betterment of communities far beyond campus. I am confident that Penn Vet will continue to embody these bellwether qualities and that we will inspire others to follow in our footsteps. Our institution’s history is one of resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, and I am certain that our future will be even more remarkable. Thank you for your unwavering support. I am confident that, together, we will continue to elevate Penn Vet as a beacon of excellence and a true bellwether in veterinary medicine and One Health.

Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine

ADMINISTRATION Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement Hyemi Sevening Chief Communications Officer Martin J. Hackett Director of Alumni Relations Shannon Groves Director of Annual Giving Mary Berger Director of Development Margaret Leardi (New Bolton Center)

CHANGE OF ADDRESS Sarah Trout Office of Institutional Advancement School of Veterinary Medicine University of Pennsylvania 3800 Spruce Street Suite 151E, Philadelphia, PA 19104 strout@vet.upenn.edu 215-746-7460

None of these articles is to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the School. ©2023 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, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at 215-898-6993 (Voice) or 215-898-7803 (TDD).

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

First Up... YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST I joined Penn Vet’s Development office in April of 2002, coinciding with the drop of Bellwether 52. During a slow afternoon, I picked up the magazine and set out to learn about this institution I had joined. Josephine Deubler, V’38, the School’s first female graduate, appeared on the cover. The feature story presented a number of accomplished alumnae sharing memories of attending Penn Vet. The magazine also reported on topics such as using GPS/ GIS technology to control poultry disease outbreaks and developing gene therapy for equine arthritis. Helma Weeks, Bellwether’s longtime editor, soon put me to work on the magazine’s “Special Gifts to the School” section, formatting the many tribute gifts the School receives. New opportunities and responsibilities came with a succession of editors over the years, from providing photography, to writing captions and short articles, to becoming production manager. And now, with this special 100th issue, I am proud to be the guest editor. A friend pointed out I’ve been here for almost half the Bellwethers produced. Well, I’ve read every issue preparing for this one. What have I learned from this endeavor? The details may change but the topics remain the same. From the first issue to 4

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issue 52 to issue 100, certain themes kept emerging — agriculture, infectious disease, cancer care and research, animal welfare — subjects that continue to define Penn Vet to this day and will tomorrow. For 100 issues, Bellwether has chronicled the groundbreaking research, exceptional clinical care, and professional accomplishments of the Penn Vet community. Here’s to another hundred! JOHN DONGES, GUEST EDITOR jdonges@vet.upenn.edu

BEHIND EVERY GREAT COMP ETITOR IS A GREAT COLLABORATION.

SPORTS MEDICINE AT NEW BOLTON CENTER From meticulous diagnosis to precisely targeted therapy, you can trust the care of your equine athlete to the experience of New Bolton Center’s team of comprehensive Sports Medicine clinicians.

CONTRIBUTORS

From her home base in Philadelphia, Sacha Adorno writes about people, institutions, and businesses working to make the planet a better place for all life on it. Katherine Unger Baillie is associate director of Penn's Environmental Innovations Initiative. In her former role in University Communications, she regularly covered the scientific insights of Penn Vet researchers for Penn Today. Philadelphia-based illustrator Jon Krause has a penchant for creating intelligent, thought-provoking illustrations with an unexpected visual twist. Through strong compositions and a tastefully subdued color palette, Jon’s work is characterized by a sense of calm that masks an elegant edginess and witty irony.

A competitive edge. Here, everyone gets it.

To make an appointment, call 610-444-5800 or visit us online at vet.upenn.edu/newboltoncenter.

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

What’s in a

NAME? bell•weth•er 'bel-'we-th r e

From the Middle English words belle — bell — and wether, a castrated ram, a bellwether is quite literally a sheep. Long ago, shepherds appointed a “lead sheep” for every flock. Adorned with a bell around its neck, the animal helped the shepherd locate the roaming group. The term first appeared in English in the 15th century. Since then it has come to mean leader or pacesetter. And it’s been the Penn Vet magazine name from issue number one.

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A bellwether… LEADS in scientific discovery. STEERS the future of veterinary medicine. DISCOVERS new wonders about all creatures great and small. BREAKS NEW GROUND in clinical care and animal welfare. HERALDS the future of research inquiry. GUIDES today’s students into tomorrow’s veterinarians. A name is everything. Could there be a better one for a magazine that shares the stories of brilliant people and beloved patients who help advance veterinary science, clinical care, and education? We think not!

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

Penn Vet’s Watchful Eye on One Camelid’s Cancer By Sacha Adorno

Prissy strikes a pose.

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“I wasn’t expecting her as a patient this time, but I noticed a red ulcerative lesion on her right eyelid and suspected it was cancerous.”

Cindy Troutman has 77 alpacas on her 15.5-acre Maryland farm. She knows each by name and personality and can tell right away when something’s not quite right within the herd. Such was the case with Luminosity, an eight-year-old hembra (female), who went to sleep one night seemingly fine and awoke the next day in a different state. “She was bumping into everything, and it appeared she couldn’t see,” said Troutman. Troutman has an on-call field veterinarian, who, in complex cases, refers the alpacas to Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center, just a 2.5-hour drive “up the road.” That’s where one of the farm’s support staff took Luminosity for an eye consultation.

DR. NIKKI SCHERRER

Alpacas are herd animals, so Luminosity’s pal Prissy joined the trip as a companion. It was a prescient decision; Prissy would soon be an eye patient as well.

Clinical assistant professor of large animal ophthalmology

At New Bolton Center, Dr. Nikki Scherrer, clinical assistant professor of large animal ophthalmology, diagnosed cataracts in Luminosity and recommended surgery. Then she turned her attention to Prissy. “I’d seen Prissy in the past for other issues,” said Scherrer, who is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. “I wasn’t expecting her as a patient this time, but I noticed a red ulcerative lesion on her right eyelid and suspected it was cancerous.” A biopsy confirmed Scherrer’s suspicions. Prissy had squamous cell carcinoma, a common cancer around the eye in lightly pigmented animals who are especially vulnerable to UV light. WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER 9

Above, Dr. Nikki Scherrer shines the light that activates the dye to attack the cancer cells in Prissy’s eye. Above right, techs prep Prissy for the procedure.

TRICKY LOCATION, INNOVATIVE SOLUTION While Luminosity would undergo a traditional surgical procedure to remove her cataracts, Prissy’s case was a bit more complex. “The cancer was in a location that would be pretty tough to completely remove,” said Scherrer. “We wanted to find a way to get as clean a margin as possible in the least invasive way possible. This was a great case for PDT.” Commonly used for humans, PDT stands for photodynamic therapy, a treatment that combines light-sensitive drugs with a specific type of light to target and destroy cancer cells.

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“The cancer was in a location that would be pretty tough to completely remove.” DR. NIKKI SCHERRER

“We see this type of cancer quite a bit in horses and have had great success with PDT,” said Scherrer. In 2015, Penn Vet was one of earliest adopters of the human medicine procedure for horses. “At the time, PDT had been used with dogs, cats, and even birds,” said Scherrer, who was a resident when the School first applied the procedure to a horse. “But it was still early days for larger animals.” The School collaborated with Penn Medicine, which had PDT equipment and specialists, to treat an American Paint horse named Anita. New Bolton Center borrowed Perelman School of Medicine’s PDT equipment, and Dr. Keith Cengel, director of Penn Medicine’s PDT program, performed the procedure at the large animal hospital.

Since the Penn Medicine-Penn Vet collaboration, PDT has become a more frequent treatment modality on the Kennett Square campus — the School now has its own machine and in-house expertise. And Prissy was its first camelid patient.

DYE, ZAP, DESTROY Less invasive than traditional eye surgery, PDT only requires sedation. Once Prissy was sedated, Scherrer and internal medicine resident Dr. Carla Enriquez, with a team that included residents and staff from anesthesiology, ophthalmology, pharmacology, and nursing, performed PDT using indocyanine green dye. The dye is a “photosensitizer” medication that, when exposed to a specific light wavelength, produces a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. “We inject a dye into the tissue and hit it with light that activates the dye to attack cancer cells in the area,” said Scherrer. “This enables us to get really clean margins and keeps us from unnecessarily damaging healthy tissue.” Prissy aced her procedure, and the care team was pleased with the outcome. At a follow-up visit, Scherrer would find the same cancer in Prissy’s left eye and address it with PDT with similar positive results. “Cindy is diligent about caring for her herd, and we’ll keep a close watch on both of Prissy’s eyes,” said Scherrer. “Our goal is to keep both eyes healthy and cancer free.”

“I trust Dr. Scherrer and the entire staff to do what’s best and to offer the most advanced, most innovative options for care. I feel so lucky to have them just up the road!” CINDY TROUTMAN Owner

AN EYE ON THE LONG-TERM PDT is a an increasingly popular treatment for squamous cell carcinomas, but, said Scherrer, there’s little research on its long-term effectiveness. She aims to change that. “Among cancers, different modalities show short-term success, but what we're looking for is long-term success,” Scherrer said. “Five years, ten years down the road, are the animals still free of cancer? We want the answer to be yes and are doing the research now to find out.” Scherrer is leading a study on the roughly 15 horses who’ve had PDT at New Bolton Center. “We’ll track them over time. Typically, squamous cell cancers recur after a few years, so we’re in the early post-treatment years with a lot of our cases. Time will help tell us more about PDT as a viable treatment option for the longterm.” “This is what I look for from New Bolton Center,” said Troutman, who also celebrated Luminosity’s successful surgery and renewed eyesight. “I know that behind every recommendation is a wealth of knowledge and research – there’s a true commitment to determining the most effective treatments. Everyone at Penn Vet is looking out for the lifelong health and comfort of animals. I trust Dr. Scherrer and the entire staff to do what’s best and to offer the most advanced, most innovative options for care. I feel so lucky to have them just up the road!”

Prissy’s eyes get a final check post-procedure. WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER 11

INCLUSIVE, AMBITIOUS RESEARCH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A Two groups led by Penn Vet faculty are pursuing interdisciplinary projects—one on regenerative agriculture and another on One Health—supported by the University’s Environmental Innovations Initiative.

By Katherine Unger Baillie

What do farmers need from academics to build a livelihood that’s sustainable, from both an economic and an environmental standpoint? How can anthropologists, wildlife ecologists, and veterinarians work in sync to identify — and solve— critical public and environmental health challenges? Answering these questions and many others related to the environment requires interdisciplinary collaboration. To build teams, Penn’s Environmental Innovations Initiative (EII) has a funding mechanism that encourages crossschool, cross-departmental collaborations called “research communities.” This year, two research communities led by Penn Vet received funding from the Initiative. “We established the research communities to be something like research projects, but more open, collaborative, and public-facing,” said Kathleen Morrison, PhD, faculty co-lead of EII and the Sally and Alvin V. Shoemaker Professor in the School of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Anthropology. “All of them address issues related to our mission of climate action, stewardship of nature, and societal resilience, but every group approaches the challenge of the climate emergency in a different way.” Dr. Thomas Parsons, Marie A. Moore Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics and professor of swine production medicine, co-leads one research community that received funding for a second time this year, the Penn Regenerative Ag Alliance, together with Mark Alan Hughes, PhD, of the

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. The team includes additional faculty from Penn Vet and the Kleinman Center, as well as the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Arts & Sciences, and Penn Global. And a second research community born of the vet school, newly supported this year, is One Health@Penn, led by Penn Vet’s Dr. Jenni Punt, associate dean for One Health and a professor of immunology. Punt collaborated on the proposal with Penn Vet’s Julie C. Ellis, PhD, and Dr. Brittany Watson, as well as Hillary Nelson, PhD, of the University’s Master of Public Health program. “The timing of the research communities program was extraordinarily wonderful for us,” said Punt. “It allowed us to take ideas that we thought, ‘Oh it would be nice to do this,’ and move them toward becoming operational.”

AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN HARMONY Regenerative agriculture distinguishes itself by practices that don’t just avoid degradation of the environment, but in fact improve soil and ecosystem health. When the Penn Regenerative Ag Alliance first received Initiative support in 2022, it coincided with the launch of the Penn Vet Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security. The two entities, with overlapping membership, share a goal of building connections across campus around how agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change and environmental harms.

Thomas Parsons of the School of Veterinary Medicine co-leads one of the Environmental Innovations Initiative’s research communities on regenerative agriculture. The Initiative support synergizes with Penn Vet’s Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security.

Over the last year, Parsons and Hughes have gathered experts in soil health, such as Zhengxia Dou, PhD, from Penn Vet and Alain Plante, PhD, from Penn

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

Arts & Sciences, to turn attention to how farms can reinvigorate degenerated soils. In work with Ellen Neises and her colleagues at Penn’s Weitzman School of Design, they’re also exploring the use of riparian buffers on farms, areas along streams or other waterways that are planted with trees, shrubs, and other plants to protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat. They’re working with Penn Engineering’s Peter Psarras at the Clean Energy Conversions Lab to consider the role of farms in carbon capture, as well as Engineering’s Cherie Kagan, PhD, and Rahul Mangharam, PhD, to collaborate on technological applications for regenerative agriculture. And they’ve engaged Tom Daniels, PhD, and Nicholas Pevzner of Weitzman in discussions about how the renewable energy industry poses both a challenge and an opportunity to traditional farms. Faculty and staff reported on ag-related work and its intersections at a public workshop held during Energy Week this past spring, featuring a keynote, faculty presentations, and student posters. “We created a lot of opportunity for interaction,” Parsons said. “All these different schools bring unique perspectives and expertise, so our aim is to try to synthesize those perspectives and have an impact.” In the coming year, the alliance plans for a second workshop and other events, such as a monthly seminar series and podcast miniseries. They’re also working on opportunities to get researchers and students out into the field to see agricultural challenges and opportunities firsthand.

WORKING TOWARD ONE HEALTH SOLUTIONS Most in the veterinary field understand the One Health concept: that the health and well-being of humans, animals, and the environment are intrinsically connected. Yet this approach to scholarship has been slower to catch on in arenas outside veterinary medicine.

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In the case of the One Health@Penn research community, support from the Initiative helped strengthen and formalize efforts that Punt and others at Penn had already begun to put in motion. Since joining the faculty in 2018, Punt has worked with Dean Andrew Hoffman to develop a variety of cross-disciplinary connections, including rolling out new dual-degree educational programs and building on the strengths of existing ones, like the robust VMD-PhD program. Working with Ellis, a wildlife ecologist and co-director of the Wildlife Futures Program at Penn Vet, Punt also helped organize a cross-university group that calls itself One Health in Action (OHiA) and includes Nelson from Penn Medicine as well as a variety of scholars across Penn Vet, including Dr. Stephen Cole; Erick Gagne, PhD; postdoc Sabrina Greening, PhD; Dr. Lisa Murphy; Dr. Laurel Redding; Dr. Caroline Sobotyk; Watson; and Elizabeth Woodward, PhD, who hail from diverse fields. Within that group, a key goal emerged: to work toward creating a National Science Foundation– funded fellowship program for training scientists in interdisciplinary, One Health ways of thinking. “As veterinarians, we are inherently interdisciplinary because not only do we need to understand the health of multiple species, but we always need to tend to the humans involved when we treat our animals,” Punt said. “We also need to be humble and know where our scholarly limits are and when we need to cross over and talk to wildlife ecologists, designers, architects, psychologists, and anthropologists.” Since receiving EII support, which was matched by funding from the School by Dean Hoffman, the One Health@Penn team has been laying the foundation for those types of perspective-shifting conversations. At the inaugural talk of the OHiA seminar series, held during Earth Week at Penn in April and supported by the research community, veterinary epidemiologist Dr. Craig Stephen spoke about how a reframing

of One Health may be necessary to meaningfully address planetary health. Another speaker will visit campus this fall as part of the series. The community has also convened a monthly One Health Research in Progress Series, focused on climate change and health for the 2023–24 year and featuring faculty from all 12 schools at Penn. To “train the trainers” in climate change science, the research community is offering stipends to Nelson, Woodward, and Gagne to complete the Certificate in Climate Change program offered by Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies. These faculty will also create a Climate and One Health course, with assistance from two dual-degree students from Penn Vet, targeted for the 2024–25 academic year. “Elizabeth, Erick, and Hillary are very creative as well as rigorous thinkers,” Punt said. “They want to make this course hands-on, really interdisciplinary, and involve real problem-solving.”

“SPREADING ITS WINGS” Through EII, all of the research communities have had opportunities to not only develop and meet with their own groups, but also forge connections across communities, and even outside Penn. Representatives from the Regenerative Ag Alliance and One Health@ Penn groups have engaged in efforts to build new graduate certificates in environment- and climaterelated fields, and have met with teams from other higher-ed institutions to discuss similar crossdisciplinary research efforts. Part of EII’s mission is to “catalyze solutions to significant real-world challenges,” and the research communities are a key part of achieving that goal. “There’s a lot of foundational work to figure out what teams are out there, what people are doing, and to figure out what problems are out there that our expertise can help in solving,” Punt said.

FROM WASTE TO FEED In retail, unattractive produce is often unsellable, culled from shelf stock, and destined for waste. But Penn Vet has found an innovative way to upcycle rejected citrus fruit for cow feed. Drs. Linda Baker, Joseph Bender, and Zhengxia Dou, of Penn Vet’s Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security, are piloting a program with a Pennsylvania farm that adds citrus fruit to cow feed to increase milk production. With food waste responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, saving the fruit from landfills keeps it from contributing to climate change. Farmers also benefit: Feed is 40–60% of the cost of production; supplementing it with the fruit will help cut their bottom lines. Said Dou, “We hope this will be adopted and adapted across the country and the world.”

“This is Penn Vet spreading its wings. It’s important in a visionary way.”

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Philanthropy

THE ANNUAL FUND

differ THE BELLWETHER

huck and Stephanie Baer’s relationship with Penn Vet began with a stuffed bunny when the couple lived in Chester County with their two young children. Both scientists, the Baers looked for unique opportunities to expose the kids to science careers. That’s how the family ended up at New Bolton Center one fall afternoon. “My daughter really loved animals, and we thought she might be interested in learning about veterinary medicine,” said Chuck, who now lives in Wisconsin and North Carolina. “We went to New Bolton Center’s annual community open house a few times when the kids were little. On one visit our daughter brought her stuffed bunny – our dog had chewed off an eye and Stephanie sewed it back on.” At New Bolton Center, Penn Vet students hosted a MASH unit for injured soft toys. The team diligently checked Stephanie’s handiwork and approved, making one young client very happy. The Baers were so impressed with the great work — on the bunny and with real animals — they started giving to the Penn Vet Annual Fund in 2013. Their first gift came through Bellwether. “Our visits were such a high-caliber experience,” said Chuck. “Penn Vet is providing an important service to the community and to the advancement of science. We believe in supporting this excellence.”

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p Chuck and Stephanie Baer

Giving for Immediate Use

ence The Baers chose the Annual Fund for the flexibility it offers the School.

“The Annual Fund supports Penn Vet across the board,” said Penn Vet’s Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement Hyemi Sevening. “People who give this way understand and appreciate their gifts can be used where the needs are at any given time. It’s unrestricted funding that can be drawn on immediately.” As with the Baers, that’s the appeal of annual giving to Dr. Glenn Eiger and his wife Jovites Eiger, whose daughter Sophie graduated from Penn Vet in 2018.

p Dr. Glenn, Jovites and Dr. Sophie Eiger

“Sophie found her niche at the School,” said Glenn. “She had great professors. She worked hard and did a lot for the school — and the school did a lot for her. Penn Vet is a great institution. While it’s challenging and competitive, it places a remarkable focus on teaching and learning. Sophie really valued every bit of her experience. And we are grateful for her experience.” And also like the Baers, the Eigers started giving through Bellwether.

Every Dollar Matters By their unrestricted nature, Annual Fund gifts are meaningful. The capital is flexible and available for investment in innovations, new equipment and technologies, academic programs, and other arising opportunities and priorities. Since 2000, the average annual gift has grown from $172 to $337, an indication, said Sevening, that donors build trust in Penn Vet over time and increase their giving. Last year, more than 2,900 people gave to the Fund, up from 2,800 in 2000 — and like the Baers and Eigers, many have given for several years. The other appeal of Annual Fund gifts, which range in size from less than $50 to more than $1,000, is that every dollar matters, said Sevening: the School brings in roughly $1.3 million annually from Annual Fund donors. Although the Baers’ daughter didn’t become a veterinarian, she did pursue a career in science and the couple still donates to Penn Vet. “Our gift is relatively modest,” said Chuck. “But we continue to make it. We know it makes a difference and feel it’s important to invest in institutions that advance and uphold rigorous scientific thinking and inquiry.”

Since 2000, the average annual gift has grown from $172 to $337, an indication, said Sevening, that donors build trust in Penn Vet over time and increase their giving.

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100TH ISSUE SPECIAL

Where Are They Now The versatility of our VMD is never more evident than in the range of our alumni’s professions during the course of their careers. While veterinary medicine is deeply rooted in the care of animals, our alumni demonstrate that the scope of their knowledge extends far beyond the clinic walls. Over the years, many alumni have been profiled in the pages of Bellwether magazine. Let’s revisit a few and see where they are today.

MARNE PLATT, V’93, MBA Bellwether 43, Summer 1998 As class agent for V’93, Dr. Marne Platt joined her classmates in organizing a very successful and fun 30th reunion earlier this year. She still finds it hard to believe it’s been this long since she graduated from Penn Vet. After a few years of practicing equine and small animal medicine, Platt received a terrible shock when she was diagnosed with allergies to her favorite species. She joined Novartis Animal Health in regulatory affairs, product development, and marketing, earning an MBA along the way. She eventually landed in Switzerland. Platt worked in the over-the-counter business, running a global team and traveling the world. After Elanco bought Novartis Animal Health, Platt managed in-licensing deal reviews for the human drug production group. Along the way, Platt formed a consulting company — Fundamental Capabilities, Inc. — and developed and ran leadership workshops for women. She wrote four books, most recently a cookbook for celiacs like herself. She also completed the Swiss citizenship process and is now a proud dual citizen. Platt left the corporate world and involved herself in veterinary medicine again, writing about animal health and more. She spent ten months in the U.S. caring for her ailing father until he passed away. She began a master’s program in History this fall. And she joined the Penn Vet Alumni board, connecting her back to the School, students, and alumni. She’s excited about the new curriculum and curious to see how new graduates will perform in their first year of practice. 18

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“WHERE DID THE TIME GO? IT WENT TO WORK, TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TO LIFE… AND NOW HAS BROUGHT ME TO A NEW PHASE. I LOVE WHERE I LIVE, I’M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT. AND I THANK PENN VET FOR HELPING ME GET HERE.”

MARC VALITUTTO, V’06 Bellwether 94, Fall 2020 When we last spoke with Dr. Marc Valitutto, he had just concluded a five-year study in Myanmar surveilling, with the Smithsonian Institution, for emerging infectious diseases (EID) in bats. Valitutto has since taken a new role with EcoHealth Alliance as senior field wildlife veterinarian, supporting a larger team of zoonotic disease investigators. His focus is ensuring wild animal welfare, teaching veterinary technical skills, and advancing field biosafety. For the latter, he is tasked with developing global standards around biosafety in the field, which currently do not exist. This huge undertaking will affect any scientific discipline and public entity at the human-wild animal interface. Recent travels for work have taken him to Guinea for EID studies in wildlife and to Vietnam for advancing pangolin health and studying their role in the COVID-19 pandemic. He has several upcoming EID investigations planned for Brazil, Ethiopia, and Southeast Asia. Valitutto said policymakers and the media often call EID field studies “risky research” that could lead to the next pandemic and push for their discontinuation. He counters that the risk of another pandemic remains as long as the human-animal interface exists in any format, and therefore, it is our responsibility to continue these studies in the safest way possible.

AVA LOGAN, V’85 Bellwether 52, Spring 2002 Since 2002, Dr. Ava Logan’s career has taken a significant and wonderful turn! She was working as a board-certified laboratory animal veterinarian for Pharmacia when Pfizer Pharmaceuticals purchased the company. Logan had recently married and decided to stay in Chicago rather than relocate to a new office. Logan then spent several years consulting in lab animal medicine for universities. She also ventured back into part-time companion animal clinical practice. The consultancies offered her flexibility to pursue her musical aspirations and dream to perform jazz. She worked with a pop, R&B, and jazz wedding orchestra on the weekends and has performed with other bands, including her own. Logan has performed locally in Chicago and nationally from California to Connecticut. Internationally, she has toured Russia, Belarus, and France. She recorded the critically acclaimed album “So Many Stars” and is currently working on a follow-up. These days, Logan enjoys locum work while continuing her musical pursuits. In 2022, she received the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago’s Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music-Jazz. She recently returned from a tour in Paris with the 5th annual Chicago-Paris Cabaret Connexion, an annual session of workshops and performances alternating between Chicago and Paris.

“A HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP TO PARIS WAS HAVING LUNCH WITH MY DEAR CLASSMATE MONIQUE WELLS, V’85! C’EST LA VIE! AND C’EST SI BON!” WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

100TH ISSUE SPECIAL

PAUL CALLE, C’79, V’83 Bellwether 86, Fall 2016 Dr. Paul Calle continues to serve as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) chief veterinarian and vice president of Health Programs, as well as chair of its Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Calle is a diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Zoological Medicine and a member of both the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians. He is the AAZV past president and a professional fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Species360. Calle is based at the Bronx Zoo and is responsible for the clinical and pathology programs for WCS’s Bronx, Central Park, Queens, and Prospect Park Zoos, and the New York Aquarium. He also works closely with WCS’s Global Conservation Health Program, which conducts health activities around the world, and he has participated in local and international field conservation projects in support of WCS’s global conservation mission. Calle has traveled to Asia, Russia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. Calle was honored with the 2021 AAZV Dolensek Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the conservation, care, and understanding of zoo and free-ranging wildlife.

JESSICA DIMUZIO, CW’74, V’78 Bellwether 85, Spring 2016 When we last visited Dr. Jessica Dimuzio, her short film “African Animals’ Lullaby,” based on life living in a tent outside Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, was hitting the film festival circuit. Since then, the film has garnered three laurels and a Juror award at the Philadelphia Women’s Film Festival. Dimuzio’s company, Nature Tales and Trails, continues to connect people to nature through storytelling, classroom talks, nature walks, and books, including the award-winning nonfiction children’s books “Bark! Bark! Bark for My Park!” and “Bow Wow Wow! Green Beans Now?” She’s currently working on her next book, “The Demeanor of Lemurs.” In 2016, Dimuzio and her scientist husband Dr. Tim Halverson, C’75, joined conservationist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas to observe Galdikas’s work with orangutans in Borneo. In 2019, the couple revisited Kenya and Uganda, as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. Their travels resulted in fostering two orangutans, four orphaned African elephants, and one orphaned African rhino. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the couple was touring U.S. national parks. They decided not to return home and instead have spent the last three years developing and delivering in-person environmental interpretive programs and Junior Ranger and B.A.R.K. Ranger programs at state parks and national wildlife refuges. Learn more at www.naturetalesandrails.com and http://www.facebook.com/NTandT.DrD

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

DOLORES HOLLE, V’81 Bellwether 62, Summer 2005 Since 2005, Dr. Dolores Holle has continued her work as director of canine medicine and surgery at The Seeing Eye (TSE), which enhances the lives of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs. She spent much of the time upgrading TSE’s veterinary facilities and protocols, including transitioning to digital radiography, enhancing the breeding center’s camera monitoring system, and creating a DNA extraction lab. In 2015, Dr. Marjory Brooks of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine identified the genetic mutation responsible for canine Scott syndrome, an inherited blood clotting disorder. Holle’s team had worked with Brooks for many years in pursuit of that goal. In 2018, TSE assembled a blue-ribbon panel to review their breeding program, which led to the development of a genetic advisory committee. After helping to see TSE through the pandemic, Holle retired in 2022. Throughout her 31 years at TSE, many people from Penn Vet supported her work. “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Drs. Gus Aguirre, Darryl Biery, Anthony DeCarlo, Vicki Meyers-Wallen, and Gail Smith,” said Holle. “I remain in awe of their many professional accomplishments, as well as their tremendous contributions to the success of The Seeing Eye.” “I am proud to have spent most of my career in the service of an organization that enhances the lives of visually impaired people with seeing eye dogs. I will always carry Seeing Eye graduates in my heart.

WENDY McILROY, V’86 Bellwether 52, Spring 2002 Dr. Wendy McIlroy started on a conventional path into equine practice. Unfortunately, in 1990, she suffered a back injury that changed her trajectory. She pivoted and worked for the USDA and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for a few years before returning to equine practice in Ashland, Ohio. After a few years, she relocated to the Kingdom of Tonga. In Vava’u, Tonga, McIlroy worked as a scuba instructor and dive/whale swim guide and provided pro bono veterinary services locally. McIlroy returned to the U.S. to care for her mother. After her mother passed away, McIlroy moved to Kauai as a contractor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She worked with endangered Hawaiian monk seals, helping develop a protocol for NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. While in Kauai, McIlroy got involved in search and rescue and trained her first search dog, Lani. This became a full-time avocation when she returned to the mainland. She has since trained and certified dogs in trailing, wilderness and urban air scent, human remains detection, and water recovery, and is an evaluator for Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States.

“I ENDED UP TAKING A VERY CIRCUITOUS PATH IN MY CAREER, AND IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT WHAT I ENVISIONED ON GRADUATION DAY, BUT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND HAVE A GOOD LIFE, SO I’LL TAKE THAT.” WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

100TH ISSUE SPECIAL

patient gallery N E W B O LT O N C E N T E R

JOLENE

MILKSHAKE

SENIOR SENATOR Eight-year-old Senior Senator nearly ended his racing career. While defending his 2016 Maryland Hunt Cup title at the 2017 race, the Thoroughbred tumbled at the third fence. Diagnosed with a serious fracture of the fourth cervical vertebra in the neck, Dr. Dean Richardson performed a successful surgery. A year after his terrible accident, in a brilliant comeback, the champ took home the 2018 Maryland Hunt Cup. Photo by Douglas Lees. | Bellwether 90, Fall 2018

Milkshake was presented to N ew Bolton Cen emergency serv ter’s ice for respirato ry distress. An ECG was obta ined and show ed atrial fibrilla and marked ta tion chycardia. Ove rnight, Milkshak developed mo e re arrhythmias, and her heart stopped severa l times. Her clin ical care team managed her ar rythmia with m edication and morning she w by as standing. M ilk sh ake’s owners administer a b eta blocker m edication twic daily for her ar e rythmia. On su bsequent follo up visits, her h weart rate was n ormal. “Her hea is doing great rt and there are no signs her lif expectancy w e ill be different than other go — she has a n ats ormal goat hea rt, so we are ve excited,” said D ry r. Laurence Led uc. | Bellwethe r 97, Spring 2022

| Bellwether 94, Fall 2020

NEVILLE BARDOS The 12-year-old, 16.1-hand chestnut gelding was admitted after barn fire smoke inhalation, mild burns, and general edema impaired his lung function. He was treated at New Bolton Center for eight days. Just eight weeks after the fire, Neville Bardos competed in one of the most grueling three-day competitions in the world, the four-star international Burghley Horse Trials. In fourth place after a clean cross-country round, Neville Bardos finished the competition seventh. | Bellwether 76, Winter 2012

Jolene, a 600-pound pig, needed a diagnostic tool that would accommodate her size. She and her owner made the 2,900-mile trip from Washougal, WA, to Kennett Square. Using the hospital’s robotic CT technology, clinicians diagnosed discospondylitis, a vertebral infection causing bone remodeling and swelling that pressed on the pig’s spinal cord. Surgery wasn’t required, but rest and medication were. She spent a few weeks at New Bolton Center before traveling back.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

2006 Barbaro – May 20 ,

Bellwether 65, Fall 2006 Bellwether 66, Spring 2007 Bellwether 89, Spring 2018

Dean

LAYOUNNE Layounne was an 18-year-old Thoroughbred mare purchased in 1996 by Mrs. Elizabeth Moran. While eight months pregnant, Layounne colicked and was rushed to New Bolton Center. There was concern over her prognosis because her pregnancy was advanced, but surgery was a success and Layounne returned home after a 10-day stay. Her foal was born by caesarean section almost four months exactly after Layounne’s colic surgery. | Bellwether 81, Spring 2014

Richa

rdson &

Barba ro

“Barbaro’s case was about as difficult as such an operation could be.˝

New Bolton C enter’s highestprofile case was suffered a cata Kentucky Derby strophic injury winner Barbaro, at the Preakness in Baltimore, Ba who Stakes on May rbaro’s ambula 20 , 2006. Rushed nc e was accompa escort and hund fr om Pimlico nied by a carava reds of membe n of cars, includ rs of the media ing a police . The complex su rgery to repair the three fractu and required 27 res in Barbaro’s pins and a stai right hind leg to nl ess steel plate. such an operat ok five hours “Barbaro’s case ion could be,” was about as di sa id surgeon Dr. evening. “We ar ffi cult as Dean Richards e optimistic, bu on at a press co t right now we nference that are focusing on The next day, Barbaro’s recove a photo taken of Barbaro lifte ry.” appeared on th d from the reco e front page of ve ry po ol ev ery major U.S. after his surger injury provided newspaper. His y a window for th treatment follo e world to see and Barbaro ga wing his just how far eq ined countless uine medicine fans worldwid had advanced, e. This focus wou ld continue fo r se ve ral months, as stable, worsene Barbaro’s cond d, and stabilize ition improved d again. While leg, the New Bo , remained they were able lton Center te to re pair Barbaro’s sh am was not ab followed. le to spare the attered horse from the laminitis that Laminitis appe ared in his left hind foot first; followed quickl an abscess in th y by laminitis in e healed right his two front fe Gretchen and hind foot was et. From the ea Roy Jackson ha rliest days, Barb d not wanted made in consul aro’s owners, him to suffer. Th tation with Dr. e decision to en Richardson and d th e fight was on Laminitis, the di January 29, 2007 sease that ultim , Barbaro was eu at thanized. ely claimed Ba that afflicts man rbaro's life, is a y horses. And pa in hi ful and serious s death rekind there was an ex condition led an interest ponential increa in fighting it. “A se in interest an van Eps. “We’ve ft er hi s case, d fu nding in laminiti done a lot of go s,” noted Dr. A od work over are different m nd th rew e last 10 years. echanisms that We know now can lead to the prevent or am that there disease, and w eliorate the diff e’re working ou erent forms. O t ways to ur progress is pa rt of the Barbar o legacy.” WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

100TH ISSUE SPECIAL

patient gallery RYA N H O S P I TA L

CHLOE

DIABLO A member of the New Castle County, Delaware, Police K9 unit, this two-year-old Belgian Malinois had to be rushed to Ryan Hospital after he’d been shot – in his chest and left hind leg – in the line of duty. | Bellwether 72, Spring 2010 & Bellwether 73, Fall 2010

GINGER

Chloe underwent a hemilaminectomy to remove pressure on her spine after tumbling down the stairs. With the help of Ryan’s Rehabilitation Medicine Service, and a lot of at-home therapy, Chloe was walking again within two months. | Bellwether 78, Fall 2012

dog,” Ginger A “veterinarian’s t by way of the came to Penn Ve of New York Mayor’s Alliance rmal blood City, with an abno and an angular vessel in her liver her front left limb deformity in oing procedures nn Vet student leg. After underg as adopted by Pe w r ge in G , ns tio eries to afflic d additional surg ire to correct both qu re en th r ge , V’08. Gin of a kidney. A Dierdre Weissman ng in the removal lti su re , er et ur r ed the on he Hospital perform address a lesion ity rs ve ni U n so er omas Jeff on dogs. physician from Th ver before done ne e ur ed oc pr a ing derfer, V’81, Dr. David Diefen ureter surgery us Weissman, V’08, irdre nger, from left: De Seward. Pictured with Gi , V’98, and Alison se Dr. Chick Weis , ee rn Gu e rri Ca Dr. er 2007 | Bellwether 63, Wint

ALICE Alice arrived at Ryan Hospital with a wound on her nose and a shifted lower jaw. Radiographs of her head produced shocking results: part of a fiberglass arrow, about six inches long, was lodged in her skull. The three-bladed tip was a half-inch from her brain. After two surgeries to remove the arrow, “She made it through amazingly well,” according to Dr. John Lewis. | Bellwether 61, Spring 2005

BASIL Basil, a German Shepherd puppy, underwent surgery in Ryan Hospital’s new minimally invasive surgery suite to correct a persistent right aortic arch, a congenital vascular abnormality of the heart, which shows clinical signs of regurgitation in young dogs. Pictured is Basil post-surgery in the ICU held by Jess Bosco, CVT.

OLIVE Tiny Olive arrived at Penn Vet with fluid in her lungs and air leaking from her lungs into her chest cavity. Emergency, Surgery, ICU, and vet students all had a hand in stabilizing and supporting her. She was placed on a mechanical ventilator to relieve her distress and make sure she was getting enough oxygen. Her progress was slow but after six days at Ryan, Olive went home. | Bellwether 97, Spring 2022

| Bellwether 76, Winter 2012

SOPHIE Sophie became the first dog with a particular type of heart disease — arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy — to be treated with cardiac ablation, performed at Perelman School of Medicine’s Translational Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory. Collaboration between the two teams provided Sophie with a procedure that mirrored the best human medicine has to offer. | Bellwether 93, Spring 2020

JOEY AND JAMIE (AND YOYO) Tony Rodgers and Mary Jane Cullin brought their cat Joey to Ryan Hospital for a renal transplant and adopted the donor cat, Jamie, who they named after nurse Jamie Meyer. While Tony spent time in recovery with Joey, he got to know YoYo, who was deemed unsuitable to donate during surgery, and decided to adopt him too! | Bellwether 66, Spring 2007

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

100 issues 100 things 1

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

Over the decades, Bellwether magazine has reported on a wide variety of subjects and topics. Enjoy 100 remarkable, odd, and notable factoids from 100 issues. Explore all 100 issues of Bellwether magazine online at pennvet.pub/bellwether-archives.

Virgil, the world’s first “test tube calf,” is born on June 9, 1981, at New Bolton Center.

A buttonwood statue sculpted by Penn Vet Overseer Dr. David E. Rogers is presented to Dean Robert Marshak. Representing the relationship between human and companion animals, The Bond stood in Ryan Hospital lobby for 33 years and now stands in the Rosenthal Imaging and Treatment Center lobby.

t-run The studen ice receives rv Wildlife Se dmade, over 30 han s sent by rd get-well ca ers for “Sam second grad admitted the Squirrel” k. wee earlier that

After a five-year quest to identify fossil bones found in Montana in 1981, Dr. Peter Dodson introduces Avaceratops lammersi to the public at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

In 1986, Penn Vet hosts its first Parents and Partners Day.

The American Anti-Vivisection Society donates Jerry, a resuscitation training mannikin, to Ryan Hospital for teaching students to perform canine CPR.

Dr. Ralph Brinster is elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his work on gene transplantation.

Dr. William M edway leads a Penn Vet team the Marine M that helps ammal Strand ing Center in NJ, determine Brigantine, why several d eceased dolp ashore. They hins washed identify Vibrio infection as th e culprit.

Penn Vet faculty are featured in the book An Unspoken Art.

Clinicians, students, and clients and their pets, star on Animal ER, a documentary airing on TBS Superstation on November 17, 1996.

Predictions about the state of dairying in the year 2020 are placed in a gleaming milk can and sealed for 25 years behind plexiglass in the new Marshak Dairy.

Penn Vet and Penn Medicine surgeons make veterinary history by performing thoracoscopy and thoracoscopic surgery to treat a 12-year-old Siberian husky’s pneumothorax.

A dinner and roast honors former Dean Robert Marshak on the eve of the 1988 Penn Annual Conference.

Bellwether’s Spring 1982 issue earns an Exceptional Achievement Award in Newsletter Publishing from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

New Bolton Center’s woodchucks help in the study of a hepatitis B-like virus.

The Veterinary Alumni Society sponsors Sports Day, bringing roughly 250 faculty and students to compete across Penn’s campus at badminton, basketball, swimming, tennis, and running, among more. Class of ‘84 wins.

Penn professor Drew G. Faust writes a heartwarming letter to Ryan Hospital about her dog Tucker, who accompanied her to history lectures for years. Tucker was a longtime, much adored Ryan patient.

TV’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not! films in New Bolton Center’s cardiology unit. Marie Osmond co-hosts.

An Equine Symposium at New Bolton Center focuses on Serious Problems in Neonates and Adult Horses—Candidates for Intensive Care.

PBS interviews numerous faculty and staff for a series called The Gentle Doctor.

ift to bring a massive airl in es at p ci ti ar York for the mel p any, to New Dr. Elaine Ham m er G t, ur kf d other vets m Fran nship. She an io 120 horses fro p am h C ng ir Drivi 1993 World Pa rses o h e ensure th rope Eu r ve from all o e. are disease-fre

Sally Struthers, star of the TV show Gloria, visits Ryan Hospital. In the show, she portrayed a veterinary assistant.

8 A Legacy and a Promise commemorates the School’s upcoming Centennial.

For eight years, Marc Rosenberg, V’71, hosts the weekly radio show Speaking About Pets on Philadelphia's 1210 WCAU. He also appears on TV’s Evening Magazine and on more than 500 segments for KYW Newsradio.

Penn Vet launches the Second Century Fund Campaign to raise $41.5 million for scholarships, professorships, clinical services, and capital projects.

Penn Vet celebrates the 10th anniversary of the animal health technician program and its relationship with Harcum College.

President Ronald Reagan sends a congratulatory message to Penn Vet on the occasion of the School’s Centennial.

Philadelphia’s folk performers, the Mummers, entertain attendees on Alumni Day, May 19, 1984, in Old Vet Quad.

In 1983, the American Kennel Club announces the Cocker Spaniel has replaced the Poodle as America’s most popular breed. The Poodle had been #1 for 23 consecutive years.

In 1986, Nicole Pirkey, V’90, founds the Vet Pet Program. Penn Vet students and their pets visit families staying at Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for people whose children are receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital.

Dallas star Larry Hagman attends New Bolton Center Day at the Races at Saratoga.

Did you know that dewclaws have no known function, except in the Lundehund, or Norwegian Puffin Dog?

A skeletal replica of Avaceratops lammersi, the dinosaur described by Dr. Peter Dodson, returns “home” to Harlowton, MT, for display at the Historical Society Museum, near where it was discovered.

Did you know Vietnamese potbellied pigs can grow to 80 to 120 pounds?

Students p resent the first awards for excellence in teaching, o ne for each class: Ms. C arol Hand, Dr. Geraldin e Kaufman, Dr. Charles Newton, an d Dr. Charles Reid.

29 ont Stakes

Dr. Dean Richardson chats with actress Mary Tyler Moore during New Bolton Center Day at the Races at Saratoga.

The nation’s first animal bloodmobile is put to service on November 7, 1991, at Ryan Hospital.

New Bolton Center’s Hofmann Center for Animal Reproduction offers a one-day seminar on Transport of Fresh Cooled Stallion Semen for vets and farm managers.

1985 Belm me Fraiche winner Crè a nveiling of joins the u es k a st e g th plaque citin ntribution winner’s co me Fraiche of the Crè tion to the Nursing Sta U/French Connelly IC on at New ecti Neonatal S ter. Bolton Cen

Penn Vet and Japan’s veterinary school at Azabu University sign a Memorandum of Academic Cooperation.

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

Members of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge present Ryan Hospital with a photograph of a soldier sharing his K-ration with a puppy. The photo was taken during the encampment at the battle location by the US Signal Corps.

Penn Nursing Dean Claire M. Fagin delivers the commencement address to Penn Vet’s Class of 1999.

Led by Dr. William Donawick, New Bolton Center clinicians perform surgery to save the lacerated tail of Leeds, an 8-year-old, 900-pound male lion.

A special issue is dedicated to the memory of former Dean Dr. Mark Allam and his wife Lila.

Students participate in the MLK Day of Service with the first community pet vaccination clinic.

A special issue is dedicated to Penn Vet’s 125th Anniversary.

Governor Edward G. Rendell speaks at the School about improving state laws governing the treatment of dogs.

“Fecal Field” returns as the Old Vet courtyard is regreened, thanks to the Classes of 1958, 1959, and 1960.

Allison Wolosz, V’12, describes her 10-week internship in Botswana, where she put her classroom learning to real-life use.

Penn Vet’s Veterinary Medical Alumni Society is transformed into the Dean’s Alumni Council.

A special issue is dedicated to Penn Vet research features VMD-PhD candidate and cover model LaTasha Crawford, who studies the cellular pathways of anxiety.

Dr. Josephine Deubler judges the Best in Show competition at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the ultimate judging assignment.

sident Penn Pre ll tours Liz Magi n Vet both Pen s. campuse

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

Center’s New Bolton goes green swine facility allation of with the inst solar panels.

Shanna, Elephants Linda, ew Bolton and Cora visit N nda has Center while Li raphs og di diagnostic ra g. le r taken of he walk Afterward, they r in le ai tr back to the a line, trunks holding tails.

A joint Penn Vet-Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia team, led by Dr. Peter Dodson, uncover the 145-million-year-old remains of a large herbivorous dinosaur in Montana.

Papillon, a horse belonging to longtime friend of New Bolton Center Mrs. Elizabeth Moran, wins the Grand National Steeplechase. Moran donates part of the purse for the Scott Equine Sports Medicine Facility.

A special insert honors the memory of Barbaro, “A Legend in Motion.”

The School’s Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society and the University City Arts League sponsor the first Animal Art Adventure Camp for 23 children ages 6-10.

A story about the 2006 Pennsylvania Farm Show features drawings made by children who visited the Penn Vet booth.

The School completes the prestigious Kresge Challenge, a $1.5-million grant, by raising $13 million through 5,500 new gifts and pledges.

75 Dr. Lisa Murph y assists in relief effort s in Fukushima, Japa n, after a nuclear power plant leaks radiation follo wing the devastating ea rthquake and tsunami.

An album of candid photos taken by William Boucher, V’40, while he was student are donated to the School by his wife Doris.

Writer Sally Silverman rides along with Penn Vet’s Field Service and pens a “Day in the Life” article.

‘The Agriculture Issue’ announces the launch of the Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security.

Milkshake the goat and a tiny puppy named Olive star in our pediatricsthemed issue.

Bellwether features its first illustrated cover since issue 37.

After Pfizer develops one of the first COVID-19 vaccines, its chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, addresses the Class of 2021 at Commencement.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Penn Vet holds its first virtual Commencement.

BELLWETHER SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Dean Alan Kelly makes the first online gift to the School.

A fire breaks out on the roof of Ryan Hospital. All patients and staff are safely evacuated with no injuries, and firemen quickly put out the fire.

The afternoon of September 11, 2001, Dr. Cynthia Otto, part of Pennsylvania Task Force 1, arrives at Ground Zero to care for search-and-rescue dogs looking for survivors.

The School holds its first White Coat Ceremony, a tradition adopted from medical schools, for the Class of 2003.

53 A special is sue is ded icated to the 50th A nniversary of New Bo lton Center.

Chundo, one of William Wegman’s famed Weimaraners, graces the cover. (Photographed by and printed courtesy of William Wegman.)

Director of Development Jane Simone pens a letter to her family in England describing the National Sporting Library’s driving weekend in Middleburg, Virginia.

President Amy Gutmann visits New Bolt on Center to present staff and faculty with the Unive rsity’s Commitment to Excellence award for thei r herculean efforts to reope n the hospital af ter the Salmonella out break.

The Swine Center partners with the SVF Foundation at Swiss Village Farm to research and preserve heritage breed swine.

93 Penn Vet’s Diversity Council is formed.

78 The Penn Ve t Working Dog Center open s on September 11 , 2012.

On the eve of the Bucks County Kennel Club show, more than 100 friends gather at the Hotel Du Village in New Hope to celebrate Dr. Josephine Deubler’s 85th birthday and the unveiling of her portrait.

An accreditation visit report reveals that between 1992 and 2002, the School’s faculty published twice as frequently in the 73 highest-impact scientific journals as any of its rivals.

Dr. Chick Weisse removes a pea-sized tumor by laser surgery from the pectoral fin of a 6-inch seahorse from the National Aquarium.

The small animal hospital is dedicated to Speaker Matthew J. Ryan, a devoted friend of the School and staunch ally in the PA House of Representatives.

Coal Creek Joker, one of the Morgan horses who had been part of the carriage program at New Bolton Center, succumbs to colic at the age of 21.

Ted Robinson, V’74, visits Native reservations in the Southwest as part of the Native American Veterinary Services program to provide care for companion animals.

New Bolton’s Pathology Service once again assists the Marine Mammal Stranding Center with a dolphin death mystery. This time the culprit is viral pneumonia.

Penn Vet hosts “The Last Food Mile,” a first-ofits-kind conference on food loss and waste in America.

Penn Vet’s alumni office creates a visual map of where our alumni are located, across the country and around the world.

Penn Vet unites with vet schools worldwide for a moment of reflection and healing after the loss of two students from UC Davis and Michigan State.

The Penn Vet VMD-PhD program celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Craig McLachlan, V’02, performs surgery inside a renovated bank vault.

Penn Vet welcomes Dr. Andrew Hoffman, the new Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine.

A special tribute issue is dedicated to the career and contributions of retiring Dean Joan Hendricks.

The cover of the issue announcing the Penn Vet Cancer Center launch features a beautifully stained mouse small intestine.

Life at VET U cast members reflect on their experiences filming the Animal Planet docuseries.

Penn Vet becomes the first veterinary teaching hospital in the world to use a robotics-controlled imaging system, which has clinical and research applications for both animal and human medicine.

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

In cooperation with the Penn State Cooperative Extension, New Bolton Center breaks ground for a teaching garden that will contain toxic and poisonous plants.

The multibranched Nebzydoski and its family tree gacy veterinary le ht. get a spotlig

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

SCHOOL NEWS

COMMENCEMENT 2023 On May 15, 128 members of the class of 2023 received their Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris. Dr. Justine Lee, founder and director of Medicine at VETgirl, delivered the commencement address. Class president Justin Hoffman addressed his classmates and was presented with the V’23 class flag by Alumni Board President Dr. Samuel Gilbert, V’15. Dr. Kathryn Michel, associate dean of education, administered the Veterinarian’s Oath.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

Ilana Meredith Gitlin Halperin Samantha Rose Graber Haley Guhn-Knight ∆ Hussein Halemeh Katra Bradley Hamilton Hayley Hawkins Isabella Rose Healy Katie Jean Higgins Caitlyn Hofer Justin Michael Hoffman Gillian Leigh Holt Robert Maxwell Holzman Bethany Joy Hughes Xuke Ji Jessica Dara Johnson Zoya Jouravska Sarah Katznelson Steven Kelly Robb Matthew Kessel Victoria Kranz * Logan Emmaline Kursh Brianna Noelle Laing Jaesun Arden Lee Alexa Marie Lehman Katherine Lenchur Victoria Leopardi Grace M. Lewis Abigail Littleton Amber Grace Mattson Lem McCarty Allison Jayne Mika Lauren Miller Courtney Mooney Kelsi Nagy Julianne Nolte

Melis Odabas-Geldiay Christopher Palmer ∆ Maria Pansulla Elise Marie Peauroi * Brittany Melina Perez Katelyn Perez Dayana Perez-Bonilla Mary Caitlin Phalen Gianna Plaksa Victoria Lynn Plymouth Sarah A. Powers Bridget Scaglione Radtke Ariana Ramos Rosado Matthew Stephen Rice Graham Righi Ronald Philip Rinaldi III Amber Michelle Roberson Mónica María Rodríguez Jiménez Olivia Rose Rozanski Sidney Ryan Ilysa Hunter Salit Amanda M. Santos ∆ Lakshmi Sastry Anna Jean Schmidt Devon Kelsey Seery ∆ Reshmi Sensharma Lindsay Shevlin Andrew Jay Shulman Shelby Simon Rachel Siskind Marissa Nicole Snyder Gregory L. Sousa * Mayson Elizabeth Spring Catherine Stanell Miranda Pomroy Starr Jenna Stefkovic Rachel Mary Sullivan Erin Lindsay Tack ∆ Josie Elizabeth Thal Kaleigh Corio Tomasson Anna H. Tran Rosemary Julianna Traylor Alessandro P. Valle Jennifer Van Voorhees Anita Liz Varkey Anita E. Vohra Katherine Rose Wallace Ashley Inji Wang Grace Wren Wheeler Claire Shirin Witting ▼ Mariana Chen Wu Jianing Xu Esther Yoon Margaret Zemanek Jalisa Zimmerman

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

* VMD/PhD Program Graduate | ▼ VMD/Certificate in Law | ∆ Completed the Penn Veterinary Medicine – VBMA Business Certificate Program

CLASS OF 2023

Gabrielle Nicole Acosta Joleen Elizabeth Adolph Maureen Caitlin Agnew Katharine Logan Alden Nicholas Edward Anderson Camille Sears Andrews Matthew Joseph Araujo Devon Montgomery Bankler-Jukes Julia Ogata Barnhart Marisa Carolyn Beckett Isabella Maria Bello Bianca Marie Benfante Ashton Cole Berger Nicholas Bielanski Jaclyn Bird Sonni Bocchinfuso Elias Adzema Braun Alexandra Cabra Bailey Ann Carpenter Mariela Sofia Carrera Gonzalez Alyssa Leigh Chalmin Bailey Alexis Chalut Julia Rose Christman Samantha Colón Leslie Marie Concepcion ∆ Matthew Cravens Alicia Marie Delp Danielle Lynn Delp Jonathan Dordai Margaret Grace DuChene Laurel Allen Easterling Allison Lea Elkowitz Sela Ann Fine Grant R. Ford-Hodges Kathryn Gallant Angeline Marcelle Gano Brent Gerbec Grant Gilbert

BOARD OF ADVISORS

BOARD OF ADVISORS WELCOMES

TAMARA TOTAH, W’94 Penn Vet welcomes Tamara Totah, W’94, to the Board of Advisors. Totah is the Founder and CEO of Flatiron Venture Partners, a New York- and Denver-based venture capital firm focused on investments in seed-stage technology businesses, providing infrastructure and technology to new, nascent industries. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Totah began her career as a private equity investment professional at Goldman Sachs & Co. She subsequently founded and became CEO of DietSmart.com (NASDAQ: DIET), an online weight loss program. After selling the business to eDiets.com, she became president of the combined firm. Prior to founding Flatiron Venture Partners, Totah was the CEO of The Flatiron Group, an executive recruiting firm focused on finding investment professionals for global private equity firms and hedge funds. Flatiron Venture Partners is the culmination of her business acumen and her innate ability to bring people together. Totah is chairperson emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Fund Executive Board and the founder of the Waverly Place Association. She serves on the Investment Committee of Jewish Colorado, the Board of Directors of NCSY Denver, and is actively involved in AIPAC. She is a loyal Commanders fan and her favorite job, by far, is being mom to Raffi, Felix, and Axler, her proudest achievements.

TOTAH IS CHAIRPERSON EMERITUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S PENN FUND EXECUTIVE BOARD AND THE FOUNDER OF THE WAVERLY PLACE ASSOCIATION.

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F A C U LT Y N E W S

ROSETTES & RIBB NS

From 1981 through 2006, the faculty and staff news section was originally called Rosettes & Ribbons.

PENN VET ANNOUNCES THREE NEW ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS The appointment to an endowed professorship is the highest honor that the University can bestow upon a faculty member.

Klaus Hopster, DVM, PhD, DECVAA (left), has been named the Marilyn M. Simpson Associate Professor of Large Animal Anesthesia. Holly Stewart, VMD, PhD (center), has been named the Charles W. Raker Assistant Professor of Equine Orthopedic Surgery. Susan W. Volk, VMD, PhD, DACVS (right), has been named the Corinne R. and Henry Bower Professor of Surgery.

Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD, received the Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research from the Helen Keller Foundation. Liz Arbittier, VMD, was appointed CS-NBC Associate Director of Academic and Community Affairs. Linda Baker, VMD, MS, DACVN, was promoted to professor of clinical dairy production medicine. Joseph Bender, DVM, MS, was promoted to associate professor of clinical dairy production medicine.

Gary Althouse, DVM, PhD, was awarded the Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year at the annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians in Denver in March 2023.

Kathryn Bills, VMD, DACVR, DACVR-EDI, published Brown K, Davidson EJ, Johnson A, Stefanovski D, Wulster K, and Ortved KF, “Interobserver Variability of Lateral and Oblique Radiography and Standing Cone Beam Computed Tomography of the Caudal Cervical Articular Process Joints of the Horse,” Veterinary Radiology WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

F A C U LT Y N E W S

ROSETTES & RIBB NS Ultrasound, 2023, https://doi. org/10.1111/vru.13229. She presented “PET Scan: Merging Imaging with Function for Complicated Orthopedic Conditions” and “Cervical Vertebral Column Radiographic Evaluation vs CT,” at the ACVSMR Symposium, in Charleston, South Carolina. Leonardo Brito, DVM, PhD, DACT, received the 2023 CS-NBC Teaching Excellence Award, given to a faculty member who has demonstrated a high level of interest in performing

and advancing instruction at Penn Vet. He presented “Advances in Sexed Semen Production” for the animal sciences graduate program at the Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Brazil. Kara Brown, VMD, was appointed assistant professor of sports medicine and rehabilitation. Sarah Ciamillo, DVM, received a Gretchen Flo Student/Intern Award from the Veterinary Orthopedic Society for research conducted while she was a MARS Equestrian Early Career Investigator in Dr. Kyla Ortved’s laboratory. Dana Clarke, VMD, DACVECC, was promoted to associate professor of interventional radiology. Julie Engiles, VMD, DACVP, was promoted to professor of anatomic pathology.

Margret Casal, Dr med vet, PhD, DECAR, received the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. The University gives out eight Lindback awards each year. Award winners are determined by nominations and recommendations made by faculty and students based on detailed criteria.

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“Successful in Vitro Fertilization in the Horse: Production of Blastocysts and Birth of Foals after Prolonged Sperm Incubation for Capacitation,” by Hinrichs, Matheus Felix, Tamara Dobbie, and Regina Turner was the most downloaded paper in the journal last year.

Rebecka Hess, DVM, MSCE, published Kuzi S, Mazaki-Tovi M, Hershkovitz S, Yas E, and Hess RS, “Long-Term Field Study of Lispro and Neutral Protamine Hagedorn Insulins Treatment in Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus,” Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1077. Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, was awarded the 2022 BoR Most Popular Research Article Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction at their annual meeting in July. The paper,

Andrew Modzelewski, PhD, was awarded a Searle Scholars Award and a Beckman Young Investigator Award. The Searle Scholars Program supports the research of promising young faculty in the biomedical sciences who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on the tenure track. The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports young scientists whose creative, interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations, and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. Dr. Modzelewski is recognized for his research investigating the role of retrotransposons in preimplantation development, reproduction, and disease progression.

F A C U LT Y N E W S

Jennifer Huck, DVM, was promoted to associate professor of surgery. Christopher Lengner, PhD, was appointed chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Alicia Long, DVM, DACVIM, was hired as assistant professor of large animal emergency and critical care. Kyla Ortved, DVM, PhD, was promoted to associate professor of large animal surgery. Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR, published Mallikarjun A, Collins A, Verta A, Hanadari-Levy A, Chaskes MB, Rosen MR, Nyquist GG, Toskala E, Rabinowitz MR, and Otto CM,

“Canine Scent Detection of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma (SNIP) in Blood Plasma and Nasal Secretions,” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2023, https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.02.008. Otto is affiliated with the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. Wojciech Panek, DVM, was hired as assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery. Michael Povelones, PhD, was featured on the American Heartworm Society YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ rkrq-_4DNCc.

Jenni Punt, VMD, PhD, was named an American Association of Immunologists 2023 Distinguished Fellow.

The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS), and our New Bolton Center lab personnel, received the 2023 PennAg Distinguished Service Award for diagnostic contributions to the Commonwealth’s agricultural sector. (From left) Gary Althouse, associate dean; Meghann Pierdon, assistant professor; Lisa Murphy, PADLS NBC director; Mark Chevalier, PADLS IT; Donna Kelly, PADLS NBC; Michelle Gibison, PADLS NBC; Tinamarie Eastment, PADLS NBC.

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

F A C U LT Y N E W S

ROSETTES & RIBB NS

Mary Robinson, VMD, PhD, DACVCP, published the following peer-reviewed research papers: De Tonnerre DJ, Medina Torres CE, Stefanovski D, Robinson MA, Kemp KL, Bertin F, and van Eps AW, “Effect of Sirolimus on Insulin Dynamics in Horses,” Journal of Veterinary Interanal Medicine, 2023, http:// doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16650; Guan F, You Y, Fay S, Adreance M, McGoldrick L, and Robinson MA, “Factors Affecting Untargeted Detection of Doping Agents in Biological Samples,” Talanta, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. talanta.2023.124446; You Y, Proctor RM, Haughan J, Missanelli JR, and Robinson MA, “Use of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Quantify and Confirm the Fentanyl Metabolite N-[1-(2-phenethy-4-piperidinyl)] Maloanilinic Acid in Equine Urine 40

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

for Doping Control,” Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/ bkad008; Palmisano M, Kulp J, Bender S, Stefanovski D, Robinson M, and Johnson A, “Measurement of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in Serum and CSF of Horses with Neuroaxonal Degeneration and Other Causes of Proprioceptive Ataxia,” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23-232. She also published the following abstracts: Robinson MA, Stefanovski D, You Y, Boston R, and Soma L, “BayesianBased Withdrawal Estimates Using Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Two Capsaicinoid-Containing Products Administered to Horses, 22nd Biennial AAVPT Symposium. Rockville, Maryland, 2023; Haughan JE, Missanelli J, Stefanovski D, You Y, and Robinson MA, “Metabolism of Oxycodone after Oral Administration to Horses, 22nd Biennial AAVPT Symposium, Rockville, Maryland, 2023; Stefanovski D, Boston RC, Haughan J, Soma LR, and Robinson MA, “Agreement of Parameter Estimates for 3 PK Models Obtained with WinSAAM and Certera Phoenix,” 22nd Biennial AAVPT Symposium, Rockville, MD, 2023; Guan F, Adreance M, McGoldrick L, Proctor RM, Missanelli J, You Y, and Robinson MA, “Automating Analyses of Confiscated Samples for Identification of Illicit Drugs,” ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics,

Houston, 2023; Missanelli J, You Y, Proctor RM, Haughan J, and Robinson MA, “Simultaneous Quantification and Confirmation of Oxycodone and its Metabolites in Equine Urine by UHPLC-MS/MS, ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Houston, 2023; Proctor RM, You Y, Missanelli J, Otto C, and Robinson MA, “Simultaneous Analysis of Methadone, Naltrexone, Naloxone and Nalmefene in Dog Plasma Using LC-MS/MS, ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Houston, 2023; McGoldrick L, You Y, Guan F, and Robinson MA, “A Novel High-Throughput GC-MS/ MS Method for Detecting NSAIDs, Steroids, and Cannabinoids in Equine Plasma,” ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics. Houston, 2023; Colmer S, Robinson MA, Kulp J, Stefanovski D, and Johnson A, “Cerebrospinal Fluid Cell-Free DNA Concentrations in Horses with Common Neurologic Conditions,” ACVIM Forum, Philadelphia, 2023; Murphy K, Solomon C, Stefanovski D, Lorello O, Robinson M, Haughan J, and Navas des Solis C, “Correlation of DFA-α1 and Blood Lactate in Equine Exercise Tests, ACVIM Forum, Philadelphia, 2023. She presented “Equine Drug Testing in the US: Where Are We Now and Implications for Therapeutic Drug Use,” at the 2023 ACVIM Forum, Philadelphia, in June 2023. She has been a member of the Research Retreat Organizing Committee since 2023.

F A C U LT Y N E W S

Kathryn Rook, VMD, was promoted to associate professor of dermatology. Nicole Scherrer, DVM, DACVO, was promoted to associate professor of clinical large animal ophthalmology. Andrew van Eps, BVSc, PhD, was promoted to professor of equine musculoskeletal research. Charles Vite, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology), presented “Optimal Prevention of Neuronal Necrosis and Brain Atrophy in Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1 Cats by Administration of Cyclodextrin to the Cisterna Magna” at the Michael, Marcia, and Christa Parseghian Scientific Conference for NiemannPick Type C Research in June 2023. And he presented “Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases” at the Smith-Lemli-Opitz Foundation Scientific Conference in June 2023. Koranda Walsh, VMD, BS, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVP (Clinical Pathology), was promoted to associate professor.

Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, received the Endocrine Society’s 2023 Early Investigator Award. The Early Investigator Awards support early-career investigators in endocrine-related research. Dr. Sasaki’s research investigates the molecular basis of human infertility, reproduction, and endocrinology.

Jeremy Wang, MD, PhD, published Lin L, Cossu IG, Leu NA, Deshpande AJ, Bernt KM, Luo M, and Wang PJ, “The DOT1L-MLLT10 Complex Regulates Male Fertility and Promotes Histone Removal during Spermiogenesis,” Development, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1242/ dev.201501. He also published Guan Y, Gao H, Leu NA, Vourekas A, Alexiou P, Maragkakis M, Mourelatos Z, Kang Z, Liang G, and Wang PJ, “The MOV10 RNA Helicase Is a Dosage-Dependent Host Restriction Factor for LINE1 Retrotransposition in Mice,” PLoS Genetics, 2023, https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010566. Brittany Watson, VMD, PhD, was promoted to associate professor of shelter medicine and community engagement. Youwen You, PhD, was promoted to research associate professor of equine forensic chemistry.

Twenty-three Master of Science degree recipients, and six graduate certificate recipients were honored on June 23 at Hill Pavilion during the Animal Welfare and Behavior Program’s graduation weekend.

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER 41

STUDENT NEWS

 Scarlett Loya, V’25, traveled with other members of the Penn Vet Student Chapter of the Society for Theriogenology to Washington, DC, for a field trip to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Chief Veterinarian Donald Neiffer, V’92, and Dr. Pierre Comizzoli, research biologist and program officer for science, hosted the group and discussed different reproductive challenges and management techniques associated with large and small exotic animals in captivity. Afterward, the students toured the veterinary hospital and visited behind-the-scenes at the Great Cat Exhibit to see firsthand the types of enclosures and management facilities necessary to house different species. Faculty advisors Dr. Patricia Sertich, V’83, and event organizer Dr. Leonardo Brito accompanied the students. 42

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 (From left) V’26 students Kiera Zimmerman, Allan Martinez, and Georgia Giannaras, and Eve Neumann from Purdue University, placed first in their division at this year’s North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge at the Zoetis-Ohio State Food Animal Medicine Student Symposium. During the challenge, teams of three to four veterinary students perform a hands-on evaluation of a local dairy farm and present opportunities for improvement to a panel of industry representatives.

STUDENT NEWS

STUDENT TEACHING AWARDS

V’23 BEST LECTURER AWARD

V’24 BEST LECTURER AWARD

V’23 BEST NBC INSTRUCTOR AWARD

V’24 BEST LAB INSTRUCTOR AWARD

V’23 BEST RYAN INSTRUCTOR AWARD

V’24 STUDENT SPIRIT AWARD

Dr. Sarah Colmer Dr. Sarah Colmer

Dr. Kathryn McGonigle V’23 BEST LAB INSTRUCTOR AWARD

Heather Rudolph

V’23 BEST NBC RESIDENT AWARD

Dr. Flavie Payette

V’23 BEST RYAN RESIDENT AWARD

Dr. Valerie Nelson

Dr. Patricia Sertich Dr. Tamara Dobbie Kasey Barber

V’25 BEST LECTURER AWARD

Dr. Stephen Cole

V’25 BEST LAB INSTRUCTOR AWARD

Dr. Deborah Gillette

V’25 STUDENT SPIRIT AWARD

Brianna Brown

V’23 BEST NBC INTERN AWARD

Dr. Stephanie Ortiz ZOETIS DISTINGUISHED VETERINARY TEACHER AWARD

Dr. Koranda Walsh 

WILLIAM B. BOUCHER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHING

Dr. Sarah Colmer

V’23 BEST RYAN INTERN AWARD

Dr. Leo Ragazzo

V’23 BEST NBC NURSE AWARD

Ashlee Fisher

V’23 BEST RYAN NURSE AWARD

Saffiera Esquilin

V’23 STUDENT SPIRIT AWARD

Joleen Adolph

2023

SENIOR VET STUDENT OUTSTANDING PATIENT CARE AWARD – NBC

Amanda Santos, Lem McCarty, Devon Seery SENIOR VET STUDENT OUTSTANDING PATIENT CARE AWARD – RYAN

V’26 BEST LECTURER AWARD

Dr. Rose Nolen-Walston

V’26 BEST LAB INSTRUCTOR AWARD

Dr. Paul Orsini

V’26 STUDENT SPIRIT AWARD

Jack Aversa

BEST LUNCH/DINNER TALK AWARD

Cardio Club – ECG Interpretations

DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Shelter Medicine Club – MLK Day of Service

SAVMA APPRECIATION AWARD

Taylor Frownfelter

Logan Kursh, Victoria Plymouth, Erin Tack

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

STUDENT NEWS

SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION

On April 27, the School held its inaugural scholarship reception, bringing together current veterinary students who have received scholarships and the generous donors who make it possible. Pictured above, Estefania Benavides, V’24, and Andrew Dunlap, V’24, gave student remarks.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

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49 Pennsylvania residents 18 Pennsylvania counties represented (dark blue) 46

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

134

STUDENTS

BY THE NUMBERS

CLASS OF 2027

STUDENT NEWS

85 STUDENTS Mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania 20 STUDENTS New England 12 STUDENTS South 7 STUDENTS West 6 STUDENTS Midwest 1 STUDENT Puerto Rico

3 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS China, Japan

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI AWARDS

“THEY REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE

Penn Vet presented two of the School’s highest honors, the Alumni Award of Merit and the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, to Dr. Eric Lombardini, C’93, G’01, V’01, and Dr. Douglas Antczak, V’73, respectively. The annual awards recognize alumni who are leaders in their fields and embody the mission and values of Penn Vet. This year’s recipients were honored at the School’s annual Alumni and Reunion Weekend celebration held at New Bolton Center.

SCHOOL’S ALUMNI

“Throughout their careers, Drs. Lombardini and Antczak have contributed substantially to science and public service, important goals of the veterinary profession,” said the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM. “They represent the best of the School’s alumni and they are role models for all who aspire to have an impact on the world in which we live.”

HAVE AN IMPACT

From left: Penn Vet Dean Andrew M. Hoffman, Dr. Eric Lombardini, Dr. Douglas Antczak, and Dr. Sam Gilbert

AND THEY ARE ROLE MODELS FOR ALL WHO ASPIRE TO ON THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.” Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI & REUNION WEEKEND

On May 12 and 13, Penn Vet welcomed back 180 alumni, family, and friends. The celebration kicked off with a Friday happy hour at Hill Pavilion, followed by campus tours. On Saturday, New Bolton Center hosted the Jubilee Luncheon for V’73, V’68, and V’63. Visitors toured the campus, followed by a reception and presentation of the alumni awards at Allam House. The Class of 1993 raised $9,000 for their 30th reunion to purchase intubation models to help students hone their skills.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

ALUMNI NEWS

A MESSAGE FROM SAM GILBERT, ENG’11, V’15 Penn Vet Alumni Board President Leadership and vision: defining characteristics of Penn Vet that draw individuals from all over the world — researchers, clinicians, students, and pet owners — to our campuses. Penn Vet has consistently maintained its place at the forefront of both the education and practice of veterinary medicine while continuously looking ahead for ways to transform animal health and human health alike. As alumni, we try to carry this spirit into the many diverse areas of practice in which we have chosen to apply our skills and passions. Like many others, I came to Penn Vet from a nontraditional background, and since graduation have continued on a nontraditional path. The single uniting element across my journey as both student and alum has been the close connection I have felt to the school’s dedication to excelling in the “here and now” while prioritizing transformative forward thinking. I like to think that I understood and embraced this mentality while I was in school, but I have come to fully appreciate it since joining the alumni ranks, and particularly through my time serving on the Penn Vet Alumni Board. The Penn Vet Alumni Board is a group of nearly 30 alumni comprising graduates spanning six decades and representing numerous career paths and interests. The Board’s goal is to enhance the alumni experience by identifying areas to promote engagement and support of students and alumni throughout their journeys. We want to ensure that all alumni feel connected to the School and empowered through our network to find the connections and resources they need. In my new role as Alumni Board President I am continuing to work closely with our Board leadership, Dean Hoffman, Alumni Relations, and Institutional Advancement, among others, to bring the excitement we feel about Penn Vet’s present and future to all of you. There is plenty of opportunity for us to improve how we provide support, and we truly want to hear from the Penn Vet community, so please do get in touch with any feedback or just to say hello. I am eager to read the latest edition of Bellwether, which always seems to deliver the information and perspective to help us readers feel a part of the dynamic day-to-day environment at Penn Vet. Penn Vet continues to charge ahead, leading us into the future on a global scale. I look forward to doing my part as a proud alum and help keep the momentum going. Go Quakers!

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES 1980s F. Joshua Dein, V’80, received the 2022 Emeritus Award from the Wildlife Disease Association.

1990s Michelle Hawkins, V’97, was recently awarded the 2023 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award, presented to an outstanding practitioner who is advancing the quality of health care for companion birds. Award recipients are selected by an independent committee of members from the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Douglas Thamm, V’95, received the Alan Kelly International Award of the 2023 International Canine Health Awards.

2000s Alex Hamberg, V’03, was appointed state veterinarian in Pennsylvania. Erika Krick, V’02, was recognized as a member of the 2023 Veterinary Heroes for Oncology by dvm360®. Emily Singler, V’05, wrote Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team, a comprehensive resource on pregnancy and postpartum topics for veterinary professionals.

2010s Erin Luley, V’14, was appointed assistant state veterinarian in Pennsylvania. Colin McDermott, V’11, received the 2022–2023 Veterinary Clinical Teaching Award at CityU Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences in Hong Kong. The Veterinary Clinical Teaching Award acknowledges academic faculty with outstanding clinical teaching performance and promotes best teaching practices in the department.

2020s Souci Louis, V’20, and Greg Sousa, GR’20, V’23, began fellowships at the CDC in Epidemic Intelligence Service and Laboratory Leadership Service, respectively.

IN REMEMBRANCE

1950s George Bjotvedt, V’58 Prescott Valley, Arizona July 15, 2023

Arthur Bickford, V’60, passed away on July 29, 2023. Renowned in his field, Dr. Bickford was recognized with the American Association of Avian Pathologists’ Hall of Honor. He served in faculty positions at Purdue University, the University of Missouri, Columbia, and the University of California, Davis. He also served as manager and associate director of the Turlock branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, where an avian residency program was endowed and named for him.

1960s James Buell, V’60 Reno, Nevada 2023 Lincoln Parkes, GV’68 February 7, 2023 Richard Pearson, V’68 Brick, New Jersey April 26, 2023

1970s

Robert Dreisbach, V’54 Mercer, Pennsylvania July 1, 2023

Leland D. Confer, V’74 Howard, Pennsylvania June 24, 2023

James Flickinger, V’59 West Hartford, Connecticut July 12, 2023

Park Haverstick, V’75 Myerstown, Pennsylvania May 25, 2023 WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES S. Anne Smith, V’75 San Diego, California May 11, 2023 Stephen Soule, V’73 Wellington, Florida May 25, 2023 Beryl Taylor, V’75 Cream Ridge, New Jersey May 23, 2023

1980s John Young, Jr., V’83 Los Angeles, California March 19, 2023

1990s India Imperatore, V’90 New London, Pennsylvania September 6, 2022

SEND US YOUR NEWS 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 Vet Alumni Office, 3800 Spruce Street, Suite 151E, Philadelphia, PA 19104. We may edit submissions for space.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

In memory of

Alan M. Kelly, BVSc, PhD 1935-2023 | Dean Emeritus, 1994-2005

DEAN EMERITUS ALAN M. KELLY DIED ON SATURDAY, MAY 13 “The passing of Dean Kelly is a great loss to our School, and to the entire academic community,” said Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM. “He was a distinguished scholar whose contributions to the field of veterinary medicine were exceptional. His leadership as Dean from 1994 to 2005 transformed our facilities and research capabilities, leaving a lasting impact on our School’s mission. Dean Kelly’s commitment to research excellence, and his dedication to teaching continue to inspire our faculty, students, and staff. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will always cherish his memory as a prophetic leader and exceptional colleague.” Alan M. Kelly was the 11th dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. With a career that spanned 60 years, he fostered sturdier interactions between clinicians and bench scientists, and he was a vigorous champion of the School’s leadership in animal health and food safety.

“HIS LEADERSHIP AS DEAN FROM 1994 TO 2005 TRANSFORMED OUR FACILITIES AND RESEARCH CAPABILITIES, LEAVING A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR SCHOOL’S MISSION.” Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine

IN MEMORIAM

A native of Scotland, Kelly was born on February 7, 1935, and as a young man he served in the Royal Naval Reserve. He earned his BS from the University of Reading in 1958; his BVSc from the University of Bristol in 1962; and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. Kelly joined the School’s faculty in 1968 as assistant professor of pathology. Four years later he was appointed associate professor of pathology, and in 1979 he was named professor of pathology. Kelly also served as head of the Laboratory of Pathology for three years beginning in 1986, chair of the Graduate Group of Pathology from 1987 to 1989, and chair of the Department of Pathobiology from 1990 to 1993. On October 21, 1993, Interim University of Pennsylvania President Claire Fagin named Kelly acting dean of the School. Eleven months later, on November 28, 1994, then University of Pennsylvania President Judith Rodin announced Kelly as permanent dean. “Alan’s stewardship as acting dean has been exemplary,” Rodin said at the time. “In a brief period, he has guided the School of Veterinary Medicine through the continuing challenges it faces and

worked to create a sense of optimism and collegiality across the entire School.” An unflagging guardian of the School, Kelly oversaw the $128 million Building New Levels of Excellence fundraising campaign that soared past its $100 million goal. “In my forty years at the Veterinary School,” noted Kelly in a 2004 issue of Bellwether magazine. “I have never seen so many people and organizations supporting our teaching, research, and healing missions.” During his tenure as dean, Kelly directed signature capital projects including the 120,000-square-foot Hill Pavilion in Philadelphia (2006), the first new teaching and research building to be opened at the School since 1963; the Scott Equine Sports Medicine Facility (2002), the 16,000-square-foot swine facility (2001) and the 200-head Marshak Dairy (1996), all at the School’s New Bolton Center campus in rural Chester County. Kelly received funding throughout his career. He was a PI for grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of America, and a co-PI on grants from the National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Kelly was a member of various prestigious societies including the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine, the American Society for Cell Biology, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners. He was also the recipient of the 1974 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. “I remember my first contact with Alan as a gifted, witty, reflective, and rigorous teacher,” said Joan C. Hendricks, VMD, PhD, who succeeded Kelly and served as the School’s 12th dean from 2006 to 2018. “Later, I knew him as a gifted, witty, reflective, and rigorous chair, and then dean. He was a huge cheerleader for me; awarding me an endowed chair, I was the first woman in the School to receive such a distinguished honor; and advocating for me to succeed him as dean. He could not have been more gracious as he offered advice and introductions during my transition into the deanship. Alan’s legacy is apparent in the good works he did with his hard work and love for our School, and our profession.” WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

IN MEMORIAM

DR. LESZEK K. KUBIN Leszek K. Kubin, former research professor of physiology at Penn Vet, passed away on May 26, 2023. He was 70. Born in Poland, Kubin received an MS in biomedical engineering from Warsaw Technical University in 1976. He then earned two PhDs in physiology, one each from University of Pisa and Warsaw School of Medicine. Kubin arrived at Penn Vet in 1983 and served as research associate in the Department of Animal Biology (now Biomedical Sciences) for two years, followed by faculty appointments at Warsaw School of Medicine and Polish Academy of Sciences. Richard O. Davies, emeritus professor of physiology, shared a lab and research with Kubin from 1983 until Davies retired in 2007. “Working with Leszek was enjoyable. He was highly skilled and driven, and I admired his intelligence and cleverness in devising experiments and interpreting data,” said Davies. “When I think about my friendship with Leszek, I remember a man of great commitment and integrity, and the warmth shared with him and his family.”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Allan I. Pack, P.I.0). Their success positioned the academic community in sleep and circadian research to establish the Center for Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology at Perelman School of Medicine in 1991. Kubin also offered his time and effort to the wider scientific community. He edited for several international physiology/neurophysiology journals and served as guest reviewer for over 50 international journals. He also organized or chaired many international symposia on sleep and breathing, including the annual Neuroscience of Sleep and Circadian Biology Data Blitz.

In 1988, Kubin joined the faculty at Penn Vet as research assistant professor of physiology, becoming full professor in 2003. He was dedicated to his students, teaching animal physiology and biochemistry, and was an invaluable mentor to many postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty. Kubin retired in 2019.

“Leszek Kubin was a gentleman and a scholar,” said Dr. Ellen Puré, who served as chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences during Kubin’s last six years before retiring. “We were near neighbors for a decade, so I had ample opportunity to observe his devotion to his research and the research enterprise. We shared a number of other interests and he always offered insights and angles I had not previously considered. His open-mindedness impressed me in contrast to his uncompromising standards in science. I was very fortunate to have him share his wisdom with me. He faced his challenges toward the end as he lived his life, with true grace and strengthened by his love for his family.”

Kubin conducted research on respiratory, sleep, and metabolic disorders associated with sleep-disordered breathing, as well as homeostatic regulation of sleep. He played a major role in developing the first sleepfocused center at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1988, in collaboration with Davies, he led a wellreceived grant that was part of an application to establish an NIH-funded Special Center of Research in

Kubin is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joanna; daughters Kasia and Ania; and cherished grandson Franek. Kubin enjoyed the outdoors and made innumerable trips with the family to hike, swim, and canoe in the Adirondacks. An avid reader, Kubin and his grandson built a Little Free Library and installed it in front of Kubin’s house. A lasting legacy, the library will serve the neighborhood for many years to come.

BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

IN MEMORIAM

DR. LINCOLN PARKES Dr. Lincoln John “Nick” Parkes, GV’68, a former Penn Vet faculty member, died on February 7. He was 94. After enlisting in the U.S. Naval Air Corps at the end of World War II, Parkes attended Dartmouth College before earning a DVM at Colorado State University. He then interned at Penn Vet. After a brief stint as a solo practitioner, Parkes worked at the Animal Medical Center in New York. He then returned to Penn Vet, where he served as a faculty member and, in 1968, received a certificate of veterinary medicine. At Penn, Parkes did research in small animal surgery, specifically in bone healing and collagen. In 1971, Parkes left Penn and started the first veterinary orthopedic referral private practice on Philadelphia’s Main Line. Parkes developed the concept of wheelchairs for dogs who became paralyzed in the hindlimbs. He obtained two patents for the K-9 Cart wheelchair, which is still sold. In 1991, he retired from practice and continued to sell wheelchairs.

BARBARA MOUNTAIN BELT Barbara Mountain Belt of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, died on Friday, June 16. She was 58 years old and a dear member of Penn Vet’s Institutional Advancement team for more than a decade. Barbara was born in Washington, D.C., in 1964. A graduate of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, she studied music and vocal performance at Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Institute of Music, and at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where she received her Master of Music. She married Don Belt in 1991. Through 32 years of marriage, they remained the love of each other’s lives. Barbara was the light in every room she entered. She performed with several choral groups, taught piano and voice, and worked in fundraising at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the McDonogh School, the Kennett Symphony of Chester County, and most recently as associate director of annual giving and donor relations at Penn Vet. Barbara was the organizer of New Bolton Center’s First Tuesday Lecture Series; and she led the development of Penn Vet’s Annual Calendar Report to Donors, which garnered a 2022 Bronze Medal from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She is survived by her husband, Don; daughters, Sarah, Caitlin, and Rachel; parents, Ray and Mary Jo Mountain; her sister, Martha Mountain; her brother, David Mountain; and several nieces and nephews. She loved her family fiercely and dedicated herself to creating a dynamic and loving life with them. Memorial donations may be made to the Kennett Symphony, https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?donation=kscc

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER

CALENDAR

2023–2024 JANUARY 6-13 PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW Harrisburg, PA

NOVEMBER

V’25 WHITE COAT CEREMONY Philadelphia Campus

VMX ALUMNI RECEPTION Orlando, FL

FEBRUARY

STUDENT SAVMA AUCTION Penn Vet

MAY

17-18

WVC ALUMNI RECEPTION Las Vegas, NV

DECEMBER

WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU PENN VET

AAEP ALUMNI RECEPTION San Diego, CA

AASV ALUMNI RECEPTION Nashville, TN

V’24 COMMENCEMENT Philadelphia Campus

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BELLWETHER FALL/WINTER 2023–24

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PENN VET NEW BOLTON CENTER @NEWBOLTONCENTER

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ALUMNI AND REUNION WEEKEND

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Last A Sight to See! In May, New Bolton Center ophthalmologists conducted free eye exams for working horses as part of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. Three members of the Lancaster City Police Mounted Unit — King (pictured here), Angus, and Jake — received ocular screenings, ensuring that their eyes are healthy and ready for duty.

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