Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD, received the Proctor Medal from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) at the ARVO 2017 Annual Meeting this past May in Baltimore. He received the award for his development of unique canine models of retinal degeneration, which provides basic information about their counterpart human diseases. This preclinical work has established safety and efficacy for most of the clinical trial work in progress on neurotrophic factors as well as gene therapy. Aguirre presented the 2017 Proctor Medal Lecture, From the Cage to the Bedside – Concepts and Strategies in Retinal Gene Therapy, at the Annual Meeting.
Sly Broxton retired after 22 years as parking attendant at Ryan Hospital. For many clients bringing their sick pets in, Sly was often the first person they would see. His calm manner and helpfulness made a difference during a stressful situation. Ryan Hospital held a luncheon in his honor and many clinicians, staff, and students stopped by to give their thanks, well-wishes, and goodbyes. Sly always had a kind word or a joke. He will be missed tremendously.
Mary Beth Callan, VMD, earned the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Callan is one of eight faculty members at Penn to receive the award this spring. Callan is a Professor of Medicine at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, where she also serves as Medical Director of the Penn Animal Blood Bank. Additionally, she serves as Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, a position she has held for the last 10 years. Her students describe special moments when she took the time to clarify complex material, comfort their anxieties about managing ill patients, and strengthen their clinical skills. Callan imparts knowledge by example, while treating her patients with the utmost care and attention. The Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Award winners are determined by nominations and recommendations made by faculty and students based on detailed criteria.
David Galligan, VMD, MBA, and Raymond Sweeney, VMD, have been named to the Marilyn M. Simpson Professorship and the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professorship, respectively. Candidates for endowed professorships are selected for their expertise, research, and high regard in the academic community. Galligan is currently Professor of Animal Health Economics and Director of the Center for Animal Health and Productivity at Penn Vet. He also mentors students enrolled in the newly endowed VMD-MBA degree program at Penn Vet and the Wharton School. Sweeney has spent his entire 35-year career at New Bolton Center, where he is 
currently Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Section of Medicine and Ophthalmology. He has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards. The Marilyn M. Simpson Professorship was established in 1983 in memory of Marilyn Simpson, a long-time benefactor of the School and New Bolton Center who was instrumental in establishing the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at Penn Vet in 1979. The Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professorship was established in 1980 by Elizabeth R. Moran in honor of Dr. Mark Allam, who was Penn Vet’s eighth Dean and co-founder of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. As part of University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann’s initiative to create up to 50 endowed professorships by 2018, these Professorships enable Penn Vet to advance the strategic priorities of the Penn Compact 2020.
Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, won the International Award category at the International Canine Health Awards, where he was awarded £40,000 towards his future work. The awards, which are run by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and underwritten by a major gift from Vernon and Shirley Hill of Metro Bank, highlight those individuals who go the extra mile to promote the health and wellbeing of dogs through their work in the world of veterinary science. The award was given to Garden in recognition of his tireless work as a small animal internist and immunologist. Garden worked at the Royal Veterinary College in London for 12 years and currently serves as Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine. The awards were presented in May at the Kennel Club in London, on behalf of the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation.