Dean Stetter speaking at the Limitless launch event.

A Message from the Dean

by Mark Stetter
November 05, 2025

On September 18th we marked a milestone that will shape the future of veterinary medicine. More than 250 people came together to launch the next chapter of our Veterinary Medical Complex—an ambitious expansion that reflects not only our vision, but also the extraordinary generosity of our community.

Thanks to the trust and partnership of our wonderful donors, we have already secured more than $110 million to begin this work. You can learn more and see renderings in our article here of the planned facilities that will address some of the most pressing needs of our time: preparing additional veterinarians to meet workforce shortages, treating more patients, supporting animal shelters, and advancing discoveries in veterinary science and medicine to benefit both animals and people.

At the same event, we launched a campaign called LIMITLESS that keeps the momentum going because it captures the spirit of what’s possible when knowledge, compassion, and innovation come together. It reflects the way we see our role at UC Davis—to remove boundaries, push science forward, and train the next generation of leaders.

We kicked off the day with a ribbon cutting celebration for the new All Species Imaging Center, a donor-funded facility unlike any other in the world. With the most advanced imaging technologies for both large and small animals, we are opening new frontiers in patient care and research.

On another topic, I’m delighted that we’re featuring wildlife medicine in this issue. It is, of course, something that is near and dear to my heart, and reading these stories brings back fond memories of my days as a wildlife veterinarian. UC Davis has served as a leader in training professionals to work with both free-ranging and captive wildlife for many decades and we’re grateful to the legacy of mentors in that field.

I am profoundly thankful for everyone who shares in our vision for the future of veterinary medicine. Your generosity fuels discoveries, inspires our scholars, and helps us deliver healing to animals every day. Together, we are building a future that is truly limitless.