School Notes
Honors and Awards
Boaz Arzi, DAVDC, DEVDC, DVM, was accepted as an affiliate member to the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons, making him the first veterinarian accepted into the society. Membership requires significant surgical experience and an interest in performing research or clinical studies of orthopedic disease or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint system. Arzi was also honored with the 2023 American Veterinary Medical Foundation/ EveryCat Health Foundation Research Award. Established in 2009, the award honors a candidate’s contribution to advancing feline health through their research.
Chris Brandt, DVM, received a Golden Sustained Impact Award at the 2023 UC Tech Conference by the UC Tech Awards Program. This award recognizes an individual who has contributed significant expertise, passion and commitment to UC over a sustained period of time, as evidenced by a portfolio of work supporting the technology arena. As Chief Information Officer at the School, Brandt has spearheaded the adoption of cutting-edge technologies that have revolutionized operational, teaching and learning experiences, as well as created innovative digital tools that have empowered students, faculty and staff.
Kate Hopper, Ph.D., DACVECC, was awarded the 2023 Zaslow Distinguished Service Award by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication while making significant contributions to VECCS and the practice of veterinary emergency and critical care.
Barry Kipperman, DACAW, DACVIM, DVM, was honored with the Shomer Award for Veterinary Ethics by the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics. This award recognizes leaders in the field of veterinary medical ethics who have made significant contributions through mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy. Kipperman is an instructor of veterinary ethics, as well as a prolific researcher and author focusing on the ethical dilemmas and moral stress experienced by veterinarians.
Christopher Lucchessi, Ph.D., and Stuart Meyers, DACT, DVM, Ph.D., have been honored with 2023 Academic Senate and Academic Federation awards. These are the campus’ most prestigious awards– recognizing exceptional research, teaching and mentoring, and public service. Lucchessi has made significant recent advancements in potential treatment for osteosarcoma. Meyers has shown outstanding commitment to his students, mentees, peers and community.
Philipp Mayhew, DACVS, received the 2023 Simon Award of The British Small Animal Veterinary Association, which recognizes his outstanding contributions to the advancement of small animal surgery. As a veterinary surgeon experienced in soft tissue surgery of dogs and cats, Mayhew has pioneered minimally invasive surgical techniques to specific differences in canine and feline anatomy and physiology. He has also developed novel techniques that avoid the need for open abdominal or thoracic surgery.
Jonna Mazet, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D., was awarded the K. F. Meyer/James H. Steele Gold-Headed Cane by the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society. Dating to 1964, this award recognizes career accomplishments and contributions to veterinary epidemiology, public health, and One Health. Recognized as a global leader in One Health Initiatives, Mazet serves as the Vice Provost of Global Challenges, helped found the UC Davis One Health Institute, and remains active in international One Health education, service, and research.
Stuart Meyers, DACT, DVM, Ph.D., received the annual David E. Bartlett Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Theriogenology. The award serves to recognize an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the discipline, which encompasses all aspects of veterinary reproductive medicine and surgery. Throughout his career, Meyers has also provided exceptional teaching, leadership, and research mentorship.
Catherine Outerbridge, DACVD, DACVIM, DVM, was honored with the Kral Award by the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology. This award is bestowed to individuals who have demonstrated
an outstanding career in veterinary medicine and the veterinary dermatology specialty, produced major published works, and contributed to veterinary organizations. She is double board certified in internal medicine and dermatology and has mentored more than 20 residents throughout her career.
In Memoriam
Arthur Bickford, M.S. ’64, Ph.D. ’66
Joanne McCallum, DVM ’95, MPVM ’00
Celebrating 75 Years!
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine kicked off its 75th anniversary over the course of a beautiful spring weekend with a host of celebrations and activities. Friday began with a luncheon for key donors and guests—including Dr. George Puterbaugh from the inaugural Class of 1952. Gunrock and the triathlete pup, Cori, were on hand to greet guests as they arrived.
Dean Mark Stetter presented Valerie and Larry Casey with the El Blanco Award—one of the school’s highest honors that animal owners and other benefactors have made to advance animal health and well-being.
Dr. Crystal Rogers served as master of ceremonies while the luncheon continued with a panel discussion on recent scientific discoveries and the future direction of veterinary medicine. Guests then had the opportunity to visit the veterinary medicine campus and listen to presentations on curing cancer in dogs and humans, saving shelter animal lives and helping animals during disasters. Saturday afternoon concluded with tours of the Center for Advanced Veterinary Surgery and the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center.
That evening, our greater veterinary community gathered with alumni for a BBQ accompanied by live music from a band that included faculty members Brian Leonard and Scott Katzman. Dean Mark Stetter thanked everyone for joining in the celebrations and highlighted Mieko Temple from the Class of 2025 for her winning 75th anniversary poster design.
Saturday morning kicked off with the annual Oscar W. Schalm Lectureship, established in 1988. Dr. Ivan Schwab, professor emeritus of ophthalmology, presented a lecture on “Sensory Diversity and the Eye,” describing how some animals use alternate sensory mechanisms combined with visual pathways, as well as the evolution of these animals.
The Class of 1973 then enjoyed a 50th reunion brunch (along with other class years) followed by student-led tours of the teaching and clinical facilities.
On Saturday evening, alumni gathered for a celebration dinner—that began with a standing ovation for Puterbaugh—and the presentation of the Alumni Achievement Awards to Dr. Roxann Brooks Motroni, Ph.D. ’12, DVM ’13; Dr. Kimberly Dodd, Ph.D. ’14, DVM ’15; Dr. Jeffrey Boehm, DVM ’90; Dr. Laurel Gershwin, DVM ’71, Ph.D. ’79; and Dr. Christopher Murphy, DVM, Ph.D. ’84.
The school’s position as a national leader in veterinary medicine is made possible by the ingenuity and dedication of individuals who built the school’s foundation and continue to advance veterinary medicine today. Their commitment to a world-class institution continues to be reflected in our research facilities, classrooms, clinics and beyond—making a difference for animals, people and our planet.
Commencement 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 who received their degrees in the school’s 73rd Commencement Ceremony held at the Mondavi Center on May 26th. Among those graduating were 144 DVM students, 23 residents and 15 students in the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine program.
Drs. Terrence Ferguson and Vernard Hodges, hosts of the popular Critter Fixers series on Disney+ and Nat Geo WILD, served as guest speakers. They shared their journey from growing up in rural Georgia to veterinary school at Tuskegee University to celebrity veterinarians with a worldwide following. They credit their success with the supportive team of people they have chosen in their lives and pouring from full cups.
We see giving back and pouring into others as our responsibility, and we are happy to do it. We have an incredible team of people who work to lift us up, and that’s the only way we can do what we do. Investing in other people not only helps them, it helps you too.”
—Dr. Terrence Ferguson
They closed their remarks with the following charge to the new graduates:
Do good works.
Practice good medicine.
Never stop learning.
Help as many people as you can. Enjoy the journey!
Jenn Cossaboon, Chase Garcia, Erin Hisey and Aryana Razmara received prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) F30/F31 awards. As participants of the Veterinary Scientist Training Program, these students are pursuing dual DVM and Ph.D. degrees with the goal of becoming clinician scientists. These NIH multi-year fellowships are crucial to achieving that goal by providing students with financial support and training to incorporate research and clinical skills in their future careers.
The UC Davis Center for Equine Health’s Horse Report publication was awarded a national Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2023 Circle of Excellence award, receiving a silver award in the University General Interest/Targeted Audience Magazines category. Winners were recognized for overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its communities. The judges commended the Horse Report for its “excellent representation of the target audience, capturing their interests and preferences effectively” as well as for “creating an aesthetically pleasing and visually engaging experience.” Congratulations to editor Amy Young and designer Steve Dana!
Endowed Chair to Improve Access to Care
PetSmart Charities will support a $6 million endowed chair at the veterinary school, marking the largest gift to date made by the nation’s top funder of animal welfare to bolster access to veterinary care.
The new PetSmart Charities Endowed Chair in Accessible Veterinary Care will leverage UC Davis’ breadth of research strengths to continue to build innovative, compassionate care for all pets, ensure hands-on clinical training for veterinary students, and develop research models that can scale nationwide. UC Davis veterinary students, a few faculty, and community veterinary professionals have delivered innovative, free veterinary care in underserved rural and urban communities for years through the Knights Landing One Health Clinic and Covelo Clinic in Mendocino County. The Mercer and DPAW clinics for pets of unhoused people are run by UC Davis students and collaborate with Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento and the City of Davis to also provide care in their communities.
UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine was chosen to receive the gift for its sustained priority of improving access to veterinary care and integrated approach to student training. Our experience in serving communities in need and commitment to attracting a more diverse population of students to the field also made for an ideal match in supporting PetSmart Charities’ initiatives. The school is in the process of filling the chair through a national hiring process.
I’m thrilled to join forces with PetSmart Charities to make a greater impact on an issue that affects many animals and their owners. Together, I believe that we can advance new models that can expand veterinary care to those who need it most.”
—Dean Mark Stetter
Dr. John Pascoe Leaves a Legacy
After 40 years of service to the school, Executive Associate Dean John Pascoe celebrated his retirement this year. He joined the faculty in 1983 and served as professor of surgery, chair of the Department of Surgery and Radiological Sciences, and chief of the Equine Surgery Service.
He is also a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Pascoe served as associate dean for academic programs prior to becoming executive associate dean—a post that gave him broad responsibility for academic leadership, academic and facilities planning, and academic personnel administration, along with development and stewardship of the school’s resources, programs and infrastructure.
Throughout his career, Pascoe has served as a mentor, inspiring students and early-career professionals to aim high, in ways that would impact
the profession and benefit the world. He also ensured that art appears prominently across the school to balance the rigors of the sciences with the beauty of life itself.
Congratulations, Dr. Pascoe! We wish you many happy adventures in the outdoors as you enjoy a well-reserved retirement. You will be missed, but your legacy will continue to impact the profession for years to come.
