Class Notes
In Memoriam
2000
Anne E. Hessinger (V00) recently finished a two month internship with the World Organization for Animal Health at its headquarters in Paris, France. Dr. Hessinger became board certified in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in June 2007. She has been promoted to the rank of major in the U.S.Army and is awaiting her next assignment as a civil affairs veterinarian. (BW Winter 2009)
Amy L. Holford (V00) DACVIM completed a two-year internship (general and internal medicine) at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ followed by a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, TN, and became board certified in small animal internal medicine in June of 2008. Amy is currently employed as a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee and teaches general medicine through a community practice program she helped to co-create. (BW Fall 2010)
Hillary Gorman Israeli (V’00) is featured in the February 2010 issue of DVM Newsmagazine, regarding her online comic video “Generation Vet.” (BW Spring 2010)
2001
Since 2007, Leo Egar (V01) has served the animals at the Arizona Humane Society through spay and neuter services and investigations of animal cruelty. Before coming to AHS, he worked with the Rural Area Veterinary Services program of the Humane Society of the United States to lead spay/neuter service trips to remote areas of the county such as to Native American reservations. He also provided veterinary medical response to major disasters including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. (BW Fall 2010)
Elizabeth Johnson (V01), in her role as Manager of Veterinary Services at Putney (a pet pharmaceutical company), helps to introduce generics to the pet pharma industry by providing medical and technical customer support to veterinary customers as well as strategic input into future product developments. (BW Fall 2010)
Brennen McKenzie (V01) MA, works as a small animal veterinarian in private practice in California, with a special interest in promoting science-based veterinary medicine and is currently chair of the Practitioner Committee for the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medical Association. He has published articles on evidence-based medicine in veterinary science journals, and he also writes about both science-based and “alternative” veterinary medicine as the SkeptVet. (BW Fall 2010)
Larkin Veterinary Hospital, owned by the National Veterinary Associates, announced the appointment of Lisa V. Noble (V01) to the practice in West Lawn, PA. (BW Spring 2010)
2002
Amy Hancock-Ronemus (V'02) and husband James welcomed a daughter Julia on December 1, 2009. (BW Spring 2010)
Christine (Bohn) Kirnos (V02) and husband Paul proudly welcomed a bouncing baby boy, Julian, on April 25, 2009. (BW Fall 2009)
Margaret Mudge (V00) DACVS, ACVECC, and assistant professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine will speak at the All American Quarter Horse Congress on October 17, 2009 in Ohio on the topic of "So, You Want to be a Vet? Tips for How to Get Into and Succeed in Vet School." (Fall 2009)Amy L. Hancock-Ronemus (V02) recently accepted the position of Campus Veterinarian at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. (NYP)
2003
Alison Joy Abramson (V03) married Matthew Adam Hasson on January 19, 2008. Dr. Abramson is associate veterinarian at the Park East Animal Hospital in Manhattan. Mr. Hasson is an associate specializing in mergers and acquisitions at the CIT Group, a commercial and consumer finance company in Manhattan. (BW Spring 2008)
Nathan Harvey (V’03) passed the ABVP boards in December 2009, and has been chosen as the PVMA 2010 emerging leader of Pennsylvania for the AVMA Annual Leadership Conference. (BW Spring 2010)
Herb Maisenbacher (V03) assistant clinical professor of cardiology at University of Florida's Veterinary Medical Center, has been noted in the September 12, 2009 issue of the Horse.com for his treatment of horses with life-threatening bleeding from the guttural pouch by a fungal infection, called guttural pouch mycosis. (BW Spring 2010)
DermaPet has announced that after an internship and over 5 years of practicing small animal medicine and surgery in New York City, Jessica Melman (V03) has decided to join DermaPet as Director of Veterinary and Technical Services, and will represent the company at most future meetings. (BW Spring 2009)
2004
Lori Duggan-Mazzagatti (V04) owns a traveling pet zoo called “Party Animals to Go” to educate and expose children and community groups to different animals. In addition to dogs and cats Lori but also has a strong interest in small mammals and reptiles, and also volunteers with For Bunny Sake Rabbit Rescue. (BW Fall 2010)
Joshua Seth Eaton (V04) completed a residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis and is now a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Joshua has accepted a position as associated ophthalmologist at the Animal Eye Center of New Jersey in Little Falls, NJ, also providing services at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ. (BW Spring 2010)
Cailin Heinze (V04) has begun her first year of a small-animal clinical nutrition residency at the University of California at Davis. (BW Spring 2008)
Laura Javsicas (V04) DACVIM has accepted a position as the internal medicine specialist at Upstate Equine Medical Center, outside of Saratoga Springs, NY. After four years at the University of Florida, she is looking forward to being closer to family and friends in the Northeast. (BW Fall 2009)
2005
As owner of Wandering Vet: Veterinary Housecalls in San Francisco, CA, Adam J. Behrens (V05) offers home care veterinary services for cats, dogs, and small mammals. He has also volunteered with Veterinary Street Outreach Services, providing free care to the San Francisco homeless population. (BW Fall 2010)
Michael Pierdon (V05) received the Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award. Established in 2008, the award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in his or her career. Dr. Pierdon was born in Michigan, moving to Pennsylvania when he was five years old. Not having been exposed to animal agriculture as a child, he became interested in animal agriculture and husbandry while he was an undergraduate at Virginia Tech. During his third-year in veterinary college he was named "top presenter" in the 2004 AASV Student Seminar. After graduation, Dr. Pierdon conducted research with Dr. Gary Althouse on bacterial growth curves and semen extenders. In 2006, he joined the Swine Vet Center in Minnesota, where he worked for a year. Coming back to Pennsylvania, Dr. Pierdon had the opportunity to purchase a swine-exclusive veterinary practice. He has owned and operated Pierdon Swine Veterinary Services since that time. (BW Spring 2009)
2006
In August , 2009, Kathleen A. Dunn (V06) was named Veterinary Chief of Staff and Vice President of Medical Services for North Shore Animal League, a non-profit charitable corporation located in Port Washington, NY that is the world’s largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization. (BW Spring 2010)
Congratulations to Kate Masek Hammerman (V02 GR06) who completed her postdoctoral studies at
Harvard and has taken a new position at Pfizer as a Pathologist and Principal Scientist in
Investigative Pathology. (BW Fall 2010)
Christin Veeder (V06) returned to Penn after completing her residency training in laboratory animal medicine at Emory University and joined ULAR as a clinical staff veterinarian in December, 2008. (BW Fall 2009)
2007
Jeffrey Burdick (V07) was named as Veterinarian of the Year 2008 by the Delaware County SPCA in Pennsylvania. As volunteer clinician, "Dr. Jeff" provides surgical and medical services pro bono to the animal shelter by spaying and neutering, and by providing medical care and vaccinations to adoptive pets on weekends. Dr. Burdick currently is employed by GlaxoSmithKline in King of Prussia, PA, and owns a small livestock veterinary practice in the Delaware and Chester County regions. (BW Spring 2009)
After serving in the White House as Domestic Policy Advisor and Deputy Director of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government under then Vice President Al Gore before attending Penn Vet, Jennifer Muller (V07) has launched a mobile veterinary office in Philadelphia in November 2008 called “Mobile Veterinary Services.” MVS provides full physical exams, bloodwork, vaccines and medical testing for small animals. Dr. Muller also continues to work on governmental policy issues by serving on Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s Dog Law Advisory Board since 2006, and as Chair of the Canine Health Board since 2009. Dr. Muller’s husband, Todd Bernstein, is president of Global Citizen. He is also known for his work in creating the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, which he first started in Philadelphia. The couple shares their home with many cats, dogs and a cockatoo. Dr. Muller can be reached at mullervmd@gmail.com (BW Spring 2009)
2008
The French Creek Veterinary Hospital in Pottstown, Pa., and its sister hospital, the County Companion Animal Hospital in Morgantown, Pa.,announced the hire of Casey Kurtz (V08), whose professional interests include orthopaedic surgery, dermatology and ophthalmology. (BW Winter 2009)
2009
Heather Balmer (V09) joined the Animal Hospital of Dauphin County as a staff veterinarian, where she worked as a young person cleaning kennels and exercising pets. (BW Spring 2010)
The Delaware County SPCA, Springfield, PA, hired Kimberly Boudwin (V09) as new staff veterinarian in April, 2010. (BW Fall 2010)
Rachel Toaff-Rosenstein (V09) and husband Arye welcomed twins Matan (boy) and Gefen (girl) on February 22, 2010. (BW Fall 2010)
1990
Timothy J. Ireland (V90) and staff will opened a new state-of-the-art small animal hospital "Newtown Veterinary Hospital" at 107 Penns Trail, Newtown, PA 18940 on Monday February 16, 2009. (BW Spring 2010)
Michael R. Moyer (V90) received the Student AVMA Community Outreach Excellence Award, presented at the AVMA 147th Annual Convention in Atlanta Georgia in August, 2010. The Student AVMA gives this award to recognize a professor who goes beyond collegiate responsibilities to focus on education in the community. Dr. Moyer is the Rosenthal Director of Shelter Animal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the owner of Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital in Bensalem, Pa. He is president-elect of the American Animal Hospital Association, and is past president of both the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Medical Alumni Society of Penn Veterinary Medicine. (BW Fall 2010)
Marian Siegel (V90) was named Good Doctor of the Year by the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association for her work with feral cats. The award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership, dedication and continued commitment to the veterinary profession, namely her involvement in the rescue of feral and tame unwanted cats and kittens and mentoring to numerous high school students. Dr. Seigel works at the Metropolitan Cat Hospital in Owings Mills, MD. (BW Fall 2009)
1991
Christopher Bonar (V91) DACZM became a Board-Certified in October, 2009 as a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine. In May of 2010, Dr. Bonar left the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after nearly 16 years to become Chief Veterinarian of the Dallas World Aquarium.
Michael Dym (V91) posts a “vet blog” via Pet Meds almost three to four times weekly to address general pet owner concerns. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education. (BW Spring 2010)
Carrie Schlachter (V91) IVC serves as Medical Director and Staff Veterinarian at the Circle Oak equine clinic, a private, state-licensed veterinary facility in Petaluma, CA, specializing in sports medicine and rehabilitation and fitness services for active and retired performance horses. While at Penn Vet, Dr. Schlachter received the Charles F. Reid Clinical Excellence Award for Sports Medicine and Imaging as well as numerous scholarships. She has also served as a member of the Large Animal Services External Advisory Board of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Hospital and as authors a veterinary column for Ride Magazine under the name “Dr. Carrie.” (BW Fall 2010)
Heidi Stout (V91) has been named Executive Director of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware. For more than 20 years, Dr. Stout served first as an intern and later as an employee and oiled wildlife responder, including the director of oil programs since 2000. Although taking on new administrative responsibilities, she will remain part of the oiled wildlife response team. Heidi is excited about her new position and having the opportunity to continue moving the organization forward. (BW Spring 2009)
1992
Jennifer Baez (V92) Veterinary Oncologist with the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services in Langhorne, PA, commented to WSOTC.com about a canine melanoma vaccine study. She noted that “ideally, the non-canine version will train the dog’s immune system to recognize tyrosinase on melanoma cells as different from the protein on normal cells. If that happens, the dog’s immune system may mount an attack against the cancer.” WSOTC.com is based in South Carolina. (BW Fall 2009)
Bradford Bentz (V92) is slated to speak at the Brumfield Hay and Grain Co. conference on September 5, 2009, a live natural horsemanship demonstration, on the pre-purchase exam for the competitive horse. Dr. Bentz is board certified in Large Animal Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and Equine Practice (ABVP) and has worked for the U.S. Equestrian Team. He has served as an endurance veterinarian, has worked extensively with show jumpers, hunters, dressage horses and eventers, and was a professor of equine internal medicine at Oklahoma State University where he was the team veterinarian for the Oklahoma State University’s Equestrian Team. (BW Fall 2009)
In April, Patty Hogan (V92) opened a new clinic, Hogan Equine LLC at Fair Winds Farm in Brattleboro, VT. Dr. Hogan also will continue to work at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. She is perhaps best known for saving the eye of Smarty Jones after he seriously injured himself at Philadelphia Park Racetrack in 2004. Earlier this year, the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., honored Dr. Hogan with the “Spirit of the Horse” award, which recognizes people whose lives have been profoundly changed due to their involvement with horses and who have acknowledged the impact on their lives by giving back to horses or the horse industry. (Spring 2009)
Jersey City's Maureen Hargaden (V92) is the recipient of the Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) award from the YWCA of Bergen County in recognition of her work as director of research in safety and technical sciences, at Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley. A Roche employee since 1998, Hargaden heads a 45-member research team that aims to develop and apply the most effective scientific protocol for testing the effectiveness of new drugs. (BW Spring 2010)1993
Adam Denish (V93) was the vet for the City of Philadelphia Police Canine Department for 13 years, and is now in charge of Arcadia University's Lab Animal Department and serves on their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. For the last 7 years, Adam has been Director of Veterinary Services for the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA, and as well as the Consulting Veterinarian for the Bucks County Zoo for two years. Adam also maintains a family with a wife, 2 kids, 25 pets, and is working on my second black belt in martial arts. (BW Fall 2010)
1994
Camille DeClementi (V94) DABT, DABVT is responsible for the management of medical records in the Animal Health Services Department which includes the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Mobile Clinics. (BW Fall 2010)
The 2010 Public Service Award of Merit of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) was awarded to Kenton Rexford (V94) on August 13, 2010, in recognition of his instrumental founding role in the creation of the non-profit organization Animal Care and Assistant Fund (ACAF) and for its efforts to provide funds for the treatment of pets who owners cannot afford care. (BW Fall 2010)
“Sea” Rogers Williams, III (V94), Science Director and Attending Veterinary at the National Marine Life Center, spoke at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies in Massachusetts in April, 2010 on “One Health, the role of the National Marine Life Center and the implications for improving the health of stranded marine animals, the environment, and human health.” The talk was sponsored by the Community Leadership Institute of Cape Cod and the Islands and focused on the Environment of Cape Cod. Dr. Williams also owns and operates the Vineyard Veterinary Clinic in Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard. (BW Fall 2010)
1995
Eric Bregman (V95) has been named President-Elect of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, and will serve as President in 2011. (BW Spring 2010)
Patty Khuly (V95 WG97) is Dolittler's founder and a small animal veterinarian in Miami, Florida where she practices at Sunset Animal Clinic. She writes a weekly pet health column for The Miami Herald and serves as regular contributor to Veterinary Economics, The Bark and Veterinary Product News in addition to her role as reporter for the Veterinary News Network. Dolittler, Dr. Khuly's brainchild and passion since December of 2005, has won accolades from the veterinary community as one of the "Ten Best Blogs in Pet Health" (Fox News, 2007), while Dr. Khuly has been voted one of the "25 People to Watch in 2008" by Pet Product News. Dr. Khuly is an obsessive knitter, nerdy reader, nascent triathlete and indefatigable foodie. She lives in South Miami with her son, Max, her French bulldogs, Vincent and Sophie Sue, her goat, Poppy, and her corn snake, Dart. (BW Spring 2010)
Kimberley (Breslee) Knipe (V95) has opened her own mobile veterinary hospital called “Dr. Knipe’s Veterinary Service” in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Dr. Knipe brings pet care to the home of clients to prevent stress to the animal and owner, remove the risk of unruly pets in the waiting room, and contain infectious disease. The service provides well and sick visits, domestic health certificates, blood-work and monitoring of chronic diseases. (BW Fall 2009)
Steven Suter (V95 GR01) is the veterinary oncologist in charge of the Canine Bone Marrow Transplant Program at North Carolina State University. Dr. Suter treated Maverick, a seven year old Weimaraner diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, using the dog’s own stem cells harvested prior to full body irradiation. The relatively new procedure involves the use of Leukophoresis machines—the same equipment used in human medicine—that are designed to harvest healthy stem cells from the peripheral blood. The machines are used in conjunction with drug therapy to harvest stem cells that have left the patient's bone marrow and entered the bloodstream. (BW Spring 2009)
1997
Bonnie S. Barr (V97) an Internal Medicine specialist at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, has written an article related to Botulism in Horses for dressage.com. Dr. Barr has special interests in neonatology and Infectious disease. She raises Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses with her husband. (BW Spring 2010)
Amy Bentz (V97) is appointed veterinarian manager of the Professional Service Center of Veterinary Learning Systems, a division of MedMedia USA, Inc. Dr. Bentz, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, also serves as equine chair for the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s Scientific Program Committee. In 2005 she received an award for the Most Outstanding Equine Abstract from the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Since 2006 Dr. Bentz has served as a National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellow at Penn Vet. (BW Winter 2009)
Stacy Fuchino (V97) published “Head to Tail Wellness: Western Veterinary Medicine Meets Eastern Wisdom,” which links a pet’s overall makeup with its health and wellness. Using Asian therapies - a blend of Western veterinary medicine with the wisdom of the East – pet owners are shown how to expand the limits of their pet care in a way that specifically and organically suits the in¬dividual pet. Fuchino is a graduate the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been practicing a blend of East/West veterinary pet care for more than ten years. Dr. Fuchino also part of, and producer of, Housecat Housecall® on Animal Planet, a show designed to help cats and their owners. (BW Fall 2010)
In March 2008, Alisa Siceloff (V97) gave birth to Savannah Isabella Siceloff. Dr. Siceloff has two other children, Alexis and Rex. (BW Winter 2009)
Bonnie Shope (V97) recently passed the boards in veterinary dentistry and is now a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College. Dr. Shope works at Veterinary Dental Services in Acton, MA. (BW Winter 2009)
The University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine announced that its section of Fish Health Services is now available for ornamental and commercially-raised fish. Scott Weber, MSc (V97) will continue to provide aquatic animal health consultations at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. His expertise includes freshwater, brackish and marine fish, amphibians, reptile and aquatic vertebrates. (BW Fall 2009)
Richard A. Zappala (V97) teaches the course “Bringing Recovery to Diverse Populations” as part of the UCLA Extension program. Dr. Zappala serves as Assistant to the Director of Client Services at Cri-Help, Inc. in North
Hollywood, California after completing the UCLA Extension Certificate Programs in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies and Counseling in 2008. He also worked as a patent attorney for a law firm in Washington, D.C. and later as an equine veterinarian in Bucks County, Pennsylvania before his career in addiction counseling. (BW Fall 2010)
1998
Joan Capuzzi (C86 V98) has published “Puppies: A Complete Guide to Raising A Happy Puppy in a Positive Environment” which hit the book stores on July 1, 2010. (BW Fall 2010)
Anson J. Tsugawa (V’98) DAVDC recently opened a new specialty clinic dedicated to veterinary dentistry and oral surgery, Dog and Cat Dentist, Inc., at the City of Angels Veterinary Specialty Center in Culver City, CA. In addition, the Tsugawa family welcomed a new baby girl in December, 2008, Jamey Antoinette. (BW Fall 2009)
1999
Emily Graves (V99) and her husband, Eric Liprandi, welcomed a healthy baby boy, Michael, on April 9, 2010. Michael weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz. and was 21.5". All is well at home with his big sister, Nivea, a black Labrador retriever. (BW Fall 2010)
Patrick Mahaney (V99), President of the California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness Hospital, provides conventional and complementary veterinary medical care in veterinary hospitals and clients’ homes. Patrick enjoys the opportunity to utilize internet, print, radio, and television outlets to educate clients on how they can achieve the best quality of life for their pets, specifically through his regular e-mail stories and tip alerts “The Pet Care Examiner” to clients and friends of animals. (BW Fall 2009)
1980
Steven W. Atwood (V80) MRCVS, MD, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Falmouth Academy, an academically rigorous, coed, college-preparatory day school for grades 7-12. He has also been re-appointed to the Board of Overseers of the School of Veterinary Medicine by the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (BW Fall 2009) The National Academies of Practice (an organization founded in 1981 for interdisciplinary collaboration in human healthcare) elected and installed Steven W. Atwood (V80) MD as a distinguished practitioner on March 20, 2010 in Washington, D.C. (BW Fall 2010)
James Dougherty (V80), co-owner of Metropolitan Veterinary Associates & Emergency Services in Valley Forge, PA, a small animal emergency and specialty hospital, moved the practice to a new state of the art facility in 2006. New services include onsite MRI’s through a partnership with Veterinary Imaging Partners. Alumni clinicians in the practice include Laurie Bergman (V93), James Buckman (V07), John DeBiasio (SAS99), Hilary Fordyce (V96), Stephen Gross (V77), Jennifer McGough (V02), Paul McGough (V02), Robert McLear (V96), Michael Miller (V79), Timothy Schwab (V07) and Franciszek von Esse (V99), and former Penn Vet residents and interns Drs. Lori Cabell, Karen Farver, Owen Fink, Jon Nannos, Jerry Northington, Paul Orsini, Catherine Popovitch and Risa Roland. (BW Fall 2009)
Caroline Hughes (V80) is serving as Acting State Veterinarian of Delaware, a position housed in the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Dr. Hughes also received the 2007 H. Wesley Towers Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association for her work in revising the state’s veterinary practice act and with other legislative efforts. (BW Fall 2009)
Founder of the Young Horse Program at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., Sarah Ralston (CW73 V80 GR82) has included the handling of mustang yearlings into the program which teaches students about handling, training, and nutrition of young horses. Mustangs have more life experience, are less expensive, and offer Dr. Ralston to explore the nutritional needs as compared to yearling draft horses. (BW Spring 2010)
1981
Michelle Gerhard Jasny (V81) writes a regular column called the “Visiting Veterinarian” in The Martha’s Vineyard Times. Written through the eyes of a small animal clinician, topics and stories range from ringworm to cancer and from swallowed pennies to bloat. (BW Fall 2009)
Published by Bow Tie Press/ Kennel Club Books, Deva Khalsa’s (V81) Natural Dog: A Holistic Guide for Healthier Dogs was released in June of 2009 and before the month was over it was on the pet book best-seller list. It has been rated by professionals as a ‘10’ out of ’10’ and repeatedly declared the best book of its kind on the market. (BW Fall 2009)
Ted Spinks (V81) started an expansion and renovation of his Animal Hospital of Sussex County in Augusta, NJ. The hospital will double in size to 6,400 square feet. (BW Spring 2008)
1982
Rose Fiskett (V82) of Scotland, PA, was elected as vice president and conference chair of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians at the organization’s business meeting in 2009. The AEMV hosts annual continuing education events in conjunction with the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). This combined conference will be hosted in San Diego in 2010. (BW Spring 2010)
In October 2007, the The Class of 1982 collectively endowed a student scholarship as their class gift, and served as the first 25th reunion class to raise $100,000 to support students into perpetuity. (BW Spring 2010)
Sarah Ralston (CW73 V80 GR82), Associate Professor at Rutgers University, NJ, won the 2010 SEBS Academic Professional Excellence Award under the category of Academic Innovation. As noted in her nomination letter: “For 20 years, Dr. Sarah L. Ralston has developed and implemented several creative academic innovations that have raised the level of excellence in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. She has taken advantage of the power of the Internet to enrich her Horse Management and Equine Nutrition courses for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students and offered these courses online to students throughout the United States. In doing so, Dr. Ralston has expanded the scope and impact of her teaching to reach a larger number and variety of students well beyond what could be accommodated within Rutgers University classroom walls.“ (BW Fall 2010)
1984
Stephen J. Peoples (V84) has been elected to membership in the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), Class of 2008. The AOA is the oldest orthopaedic surgery professional association and represents the top 5% of academic, research, and clinical leaders in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Peoples is currently Vice President of Graduate Medical Education at the DePuy, Inc. group of Johnson & Johnson companies where is directs collaboration with orthopaedic surgery residency programs and fellowship Graduate Medical Education training programs in joint replacement, trauma, hand surgery, spine, sports medicine, and neurosurgery. (BW Spring 2010)
Mary Lombardo (V84) received the Veterinarian of the Year Award on August 13, 2010 by the PVMA as a member of the PVMA and in recognition of her outstanding work and dedication to the health and welfare of surrendered commercial kennel dogs, and for her commitment to educating the public, breeders and kennel owners about the proper care and vaccination of animals. (BW Fall 2010)
On Sunday Sept 19, 2010, Andrew Nebzydoski (V84) completed his first 100-mile bike marathon in the Tour de Shunk in Monroeton, PA. (BW Fall 2010)
Stephen J. Peoples (V84) MS has been appointed to the Orthopaedic Institute of Medicine Task Force on Conflict of Interest. He was also recently elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Human Implant Performance Laboratory.He is currently serving as Visiting Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago and providing consulting services to the healthcare industry. (BW Fall 2010)
1985
Mark Cofone (V85) DACVS, co-owner of the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware, a small animal emergency and specialty hospital, moved the practice from Newport, DE to a new state of the art facility in New Castle, DE in August, 2009. The practice offers dermatology, surgery, ophthalmology, internal medicine, cardiology, dentistry, radiology and 24-hour emergency services. New services include CT scanning, and an oncology service set to open in December, 2009. Other alumni partners include Art Jankowski (V94) DACVS and Michael Miller (V79) DABVP. Alumni clinicians in the practice include Michael Cohen (V02), Van William Knox, (V94) DACVR, Kelly Krell (V04), Robin Pullen (V92), DACVIM-IM, Carrie Tupper Hume (V03), and Erin Vicari (V97), and former Penn Vet residents and interns Drs. Jeremy Diroff, Alexandra Frank and Brian Palmeiro. (BW Fall 2009)
Shelley Epstein (V85) was highlighted in the September issue of “Veterinary Practice News” for her career path and homeopathic choices for care in her small animal practice in Wilmington, Delaware. (BW Fall 2010)
Jamie Thomson (V85 GR88) was elected into the National Academy of Science for being a pioneer in his field and his success in culturing and maintaining human embryonic stem cells. Membership in the Society is considered one of the greatest honors for a scientist or engineer. Earlier this year, Dr. Thomson was appointed director of the Morgridge Institute for Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. (BW Winter 2009)
Ava Logan (V85) is an award winning singer-actress from Washington, D.C., who now lives in the Chicago area. A graduate of Yale and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Logan is a veterinarian by day and a jazz singer at night. The classically trained vocalist has performed jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues in the U.S. and abroad! She has portrayed two of her idols, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson, at the Black Ensemble Theater. She most recently produced a CD with Henry Johnson, who played guitar for Joe Williams for many years. She worked with world renowned musicians on this project, Larry Novak (who has played for Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole and Sarah Vaughn) on piano, Larry Gray on bass, and Leon Joyce on drums (the latter two gentlemen presently of the Ramsey Lewis trio). (BW Winter 2009)
1986
Kim Blackwell (V86 GEN87 GR88), professor at George Mason University, published an article in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11:239-251 (2010): Kotaleski, J.H. and Blackwell, K.T.- “Modeling the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity using system biology approaches.” (BW Fall 2010)
Spencer A. Johnston (V86), formerly professor of veterinary medicine at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, has been appointed the Edward H. Gunst Professor in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. The Gunst Professorship was established in 1995 by Richard and Joanne Moyer of Richmond, Va., honoring a long-standing relationship the Gunsts have had with the College. (BW Spring 2010)
The 2010 PVMA Animal Welfare Advocacy Award was presented to Tom Parsons (V86 GR89) on August 13, 2010 in recognition of his compassion, dedicated professional leadership, and innovative vision in the improvement of swine well-being, specifically related to the redesign of the newly-reopened Swine Teaching and Research facility at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center. The building now has crateless farrowing rooms, with an expanded gestation area, and an overall state of the art environment for applied swine research and husbandry. (BW Fall 2010)
Donald Sankey (V86) of Harveys Lake, PA, joined the West Side Veterinary Hospital as an associate veterinarian, after practicing veterinary medicine for 23 years in Wyoming Valley, Western Pennsylvania and Southern California. (BW Spring 2010)
1987
Susan J. Colbassani (V87) was highlighted in the October 6, 2010 copy of The Abington Journal for offering pet owners a more holistic approach to diagnosis and treat using Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. (BW Fall 2010)
1988
Eric Dunayer (C79 V88) MS, DABT, DABVT serves as a senior toxicologist at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) as well as consultant on the toxicologist section of the Veterinary Information Network. (BW Fall 2010)
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service named Patrice Klein (V88) as the new Chronic Wasting Disease program manager, effective June 21, 2010. Most recently prior to this appointment, Dr. Klein served as a Senior Staff Veterinarian and Avian Disease Specialist at the USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services- National Center for Animal Health Programs, Riverdale, MD working as a National Program Coordinator for Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5/H7 LPAI and HPAI) disease control and prevention in commercial poultry and live bird marketing systems. She also currently serves as the AVMA VMAT2 team commander and volunteers as Veterinary director for Second Chance Wildlife Center in Maryland since 2001 providing veterinary care to over 4000 wildlife rehabilitation animals per year including songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, reptiles, and small mammals. (BW Fall 2010)
In September 2007, Gregory A. Lewbart (V88), professor of aquatic animal medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine was named Exotic DVM [VMD] of the Year during the AVMA Convention in Washington, DC. The award is presented annually to an individual embodying the essence of stewardship of exotic companion animal species, contributes to the education of veterinary students and clinicians and serves as international ambassador of goodwill for the exotic animal profession. (BW Spring 2008)
1989
Philippe Coudrai (V89) and his wife, Lee, owners of Winslow Animal Hospital in Sicklerville, NJ, for the past 10 years, wish to announce the grand opening of their new facility September, 2009. At 10,500 SF, it is the largest small animal general practice solely dedicated to medicine and surgery (no boarding or grooming) in South Jersey. This state of the art hospital features 10 exam rooms, two operating rooms, digital radiography, a dental suite, a special procedures room, as well as more than 500 square feet for rehabilitation, including a Ferno underwater treadmill. Rehabilitation, as well as puppy training classes will be some of the new services offered in this 3 million dollar facility. www.winslowanimalhospital.com (BW Fall 2009)
1971
David Jackson (V71) offers a free e-book on his new blog, YourPetYourVetAndYou.com. The e-book is called “Making It Work: A Veterinary Guide To Your Pet’s Health”. (BW Fall 2010)
Larry Samples (V71) received the 2010 PVMA Distinguished Veterinary Service and the Board Service Recognition Awards on August 13, 2010 in recognition of his years of service to the field of large animal medicine, his dedication to the PVMA through his career and for his membership on the PVMA Board of Trustees from 1973 to 2009. (BW Fall 2010)
Gerald Snyder (V71) publishes Veterinary Productivity, a newsletter for practice productivity. He also provides the regular column, “Practice for Profit” for the DVM Newsmagazine. (BW Spring 2010)
Leon Weaver (V71) owner and operator of Bridgewater Dairy in Montpelier, Ohio, was appointed in April 2010 by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland to the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. (BW Fall 2010)
1972
In June 2008, Catherine Walleigh Carnevale (V72) retired after 34 years of service with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She was director of international affairs at FDA’s the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and served as the country’s lead delegate to the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Import/Export Inspection and Certification Systems. Dr. Carnevale also was the FDA’s lead foods negotiator in the North American Free Trade Agreement and in the Uruguay Round negotiations that resulted in the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures in 1994. (BW Winter 2009)
In August, 2009 at the 34th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Peter Ihrke (V72) became the recipient of the 2009 WSAVA Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award. The WSAVA is an association of veterinary organizations from all over the world, which are concerned with small companion animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. Currently there are 76 member and affiliate associations, representing over 70,000 individual veterinarians from around the globe. (BW Spring 2010)
1973
In January 2009, Jerry D. Frantz (V73) retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute after a 19-year career there that culminated in his serving as Vice President of Drug Safety Evaluation. Dr. Frantz is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American Board of Toxicology, Inc. and a Fellow of the International Academy of Toxicologic Pathologists (IATP). He served as President of the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists and was a Founding Member of the IATP. (BW Spring 2009)
1974
Nancy M. Bromberg (V78), participated in the second annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Exam week in May, 2009, examining more than 40 service and therapy dogs. Her participation was highlighted in the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun newspapers. (BW Fall 2009)
Theodore B. Robinson (V74) was selected by the American Veterinary Medical Association to receive the 2008 Meritorious Service Award for the volunteer project involving veterinary care on Native American reservations he began eight years ago, in which PennVet students still participate. (BW Winter 2009) The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) 2009 Public Service Award was also presented to Dr. Robinson. This annual award is given to a member of PVMA for an outstanding act or achievement outside the veterinary profession. Dr. Robinson was awarded in recognition of being the founder of the Native American Veterinary Services, which includes veterinarians and nurses whop provide free veterinary care for Native Americans in the United States. (BW Fall 2009)
John Simms (V74), is the first recipient of the George B. Wolff Legislative Leadership Award. Named for PVMA’s long-time lobbyist George Wolff, Dr. Simms received the award for serving as an active member on behalf of the organization and the veterinary professional in the Pennsylvania state legislature. (BW Spring 2010)
Harry W. Werner (V74) was installed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners as the AAEP's 2009 president at its 54th Annual Convention, December 6-10, in San Diego, California. Werner officially began his term at the President's Luncheon on December 9, 2008. (BW Spring 2010)
1977
The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) has appointed Christian E. Newcomer (V77) as executive director. In this position, Dr. Newcomer will serve as the chief executive officer of AALAC International. Dr. Newcomer currently is associate provost for animal research and resources and associate professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University. (BW Winter 2009)
Sydney M. Evans (V77 G86 HOM98) has been accepted into the year-long Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine SM Program for Women at Drexel University for 2009.The program is the nation’s only in depth program focused on preparing senior women faculty at schools of medicine, dentistry and public health to move into positions of leadership. Dr. Evans is a faculty member in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine. (BW Winter 2009)
1978
The United Way of Boyertown Area, Gilbertsville, PA presented their Gold Award to Deborah Patt (V78) for her increased giving to the 2009-10 United Way Campaign through the Patt Veterinary Hospital which her parents, John Patt (V52) and Virginia, started in 1952. (BW Fall 2010)
1979
Ella S. Boyd (V79) serves as the Ocean County, New Jersey, Health Department Public Health Coordinator. (BW Winter 2010)
Governor Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania appointed Sherrill Davison (C79 V83 G88 GR04) to the Governor’s Food Safety Council. (BW Winter 2010)
Amy Marder (CW73 V79) currently serves on the Advisory Board of the National Canine Research Council. (BW Fall 2010)
1960
Walter Woolf (V60) is the Prinicipal Owner and Managing Director of Air Animal Pet Movers, a company he founded with his late wife Millie in 1977. With a staff of eight talented individuals, Dr. Woolf moves on average 1500 dogs, cats, birds, and other animals annually, for relocating families, nationwide & worldwide. Air Animal Pet Movers recently completed a 19-animal move from California to Quebec -- five different species, requiring three different veterinarians in California, and three different service partners between California and Canada. The move involved five horses, four dogs, three cats, two pygmy goats, and five chickens. The logistics of the move involved Continental airlines, Delta Airlines, and FedEx. The horses flew FedEx cross country -- as did all the animals -- over a period of 48 hours. The story was recently featured in ERC's MOBILITY magazine, the monthly journal of the ERC / Employee Relocation Council. (BW Fall 2009)
1965
Seth Koch (V65 GV70) recently produced an instructional video, Parotid Duct Transposition in the Dog. Considered an expert in the area of parotid duct surgery, Dr. Koch is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group in Brooklyn, N.Y. (BW Spring 2009)
Willi Weichelt (V64) was awarded the 2010 PVMA Lifetime Achievement Award on August 13, 2010 for a lifetime of selfless dedication to veterinary medicine, the health and welfare of animals, and the betterment of the profession – by addressing the need for animal emergency care and rehabilitation in his community, and for being an advocate and positive role model for veterinary medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Willi also just opened the West Chester Veterinary Rehabilitation Specialty Center which offers several different type of physical therapy for animals. (BW Fall 2010)
Richard P. Streett, Jr. (V69) serves as secretary of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, a philanthropic extension of the American Veterinary Medical Association which funds the AVMA and its initiatives, humane outreach and animal welfare, education and public wwareness, research, and student enhancement. (BW Fall 2010)
1958
Under the direction of president Max Herman (V58), the American Museum of Veterinary Medicine held its first Veterinary Career and Family Fun Day on May 30, 2009. Aspiring veterinarians viewed an ultrasound performed on a dog, listened to a dog’s heartbeat, drew blood from the neck of a rubberized dog, viewed animal dental models, and gave simulated intravenous and intramuscular injections, as well as participated in Penn Vet’s MASH TENT. (BW Fall 2009)
1959
In 1997, Uri Bargai (C55 V59) was awarded an honorary distinction of merit at the Annual Conference of the Israel Dairy Cattle Sciences for his lifelong contribution to the promotion of the Israeli dairy industry. Dr. Bargai is professor emeritus at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University in Israel. (BW Fall 2009)
H. L. Todd Addis (V59) has completed A Backward Glance: Hounds, Horses, Veterinary Medicine. "The memoirs of Dr. Addis portrays a childhood of hard work and play and an adult life of veterinary practice, hounds, horses, and the sport of fox-hunting in Chester County, Pennsylvania. There are 88 chapters that Dr. Addis wrote during the past twelve years. Many of his experiences are laced with humor. There are over 100 pictures and sketches of family, friends and animals that he touched. Doc's late mother and friend Cookey McClung spice up the memories with verse and vision." (BW Fall 2009)
1942
Charles Raker (C41 V42) received a commendation from the Pennsylvania State Senate—sponsored by Senators Andrew Dinniman and Mike Brubaker; the certificate is awarded to “those citizens who, through dedication and excellence, contribute in a meaningful way to the well-being of their communities and ultimately to all the people” of Pennsylvania. (BW Spring 2008)
1944
Mary Clark Keiser (V44) has written two novels: The Secret Lives of Doctors and Mary,Mary, Quite Contrary (a murder mystery based on her time as a student at Penn Vet). She is working on a third book, Mary, Mary, Do Be Wary, in which the action starts the day she graduated from veterinary school. (BW Fall 2009)
Jack Robbins (C44 V45) will be honored in late 2009 by the National Turf Writers Association with an award. Robbins, a president of Oak Tree and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, will receive the Joe Palmer Award. Named for the former New York Herald Tribune Turf writer, the Palmer Award is presented annually for meritorious service to racing. (BW Spring 2010)
Dr. Glenn Lawhon (V47) owner for 63 years of the Sandy Memorial Animal Hospital in Hartsville, SC for 63 years, celebrated his 85th birthday on July 3, 2010. To honor Dr. Lawhon, Hartsville Mayor Mel Pennington issued a proclamation declaring July 3, 2010 as “Dr. Glenn J. Lawhon Jr. Day” and urged all citizens “to join me in wishing him a happy 85th birthday and honoring him as a good and faithful servant of our great city.” (BW Fall 2010)
In Memoriam
2000
Teresa Garofalo on August 21, 2010.
1989
Deborah J. Pitt on November 22, 2009
1985
Neal C. Ralston on September 28, 2009.
1982
Abbie Browning Moos on May 15, 2009.
1981
Roland E. Fuhrman on February 20, 2009.
1979
Francis “Frank” Bertozzi, Jr. on March 10, 2010.
Patricia Whittaker (Briggs) on July 26, 2009.
1978
Anna Elizabeth Worth on May 16, 2009.
1977
Richard J. Clement on February 4, 2009.
1973
Ronald F. Hurley on January 28, 2010.
1971
Carol High on August 26, 2009.
James F. Hyssong on March 14, 2010.
1967
William J. O'Reilly on April 27, 2009.
1965
Albert F. Moraska on May 2, 2010.
1964
Clark Dickinson on September 12, 2009
Jonathan Meincke on January 23, 2010.
John J. Schelly, Jr. on February 6, 2009.
1962
John T. Lopatofsky on September 9, 2010.
1961
Harriet Doolittle on January 29, 2009.
1960
Richard W. Kennedy on February 1, 2009.
1958
Bruno J. Tibolla Jr. on October 3, 2009.
William R. Williams on January 25, 2009.
Donald "Doc" Williamson Hostettler on February 12, 2010.
1955
William Harker Rhodes on September 29, 2010.
1954
J. Harold Landis on May 4, 2009.
1950
Frederic Bathke on April 24, 2009.
Graham M. Miller on January 2, 2009.
Arthur H. Peck on August 2, 2009.
1948
Alan Creamer on January 4, 2010.
David M. Hopkins on February 11, 2010.
Marvin Rothman on March 17, 2010.
1947
Jules Silver on May 18, 2009.
1944
Robert E. Gibbs on July 15, 2009
1943
Ira M. Fridirici on December 7, 2009.
Robert E. Swope on March 29, 2010.
1940
Harold Schaden on April 6, 2009.
1939
William “Bud” Wright on July 10, 2010.
1938
M. Josephine Deubler on May 17, 2009.
1936
Lucien LeJambre on June 29, 2006.
1934
Robert L. Ticehurst, October 28, 2009, his birthday.
1950
Leonard B. Simmons on October 5, 2010.
1953
Glenn C. Bullock on November 9, 2009.
1957
Allen C. Sayers on December 13, 2008.