Topics: Alumni

    Penn Vet Announces the Appointment of Dr. Jonathan Sykes, C’77, to its Board of Advisors

    January 15, 2026
    By: Martin J. Hackett
    An image of a man in front of a window.
    Jonathan Sykes, MD, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Penn alumnus, has been appointed to the Penn Vet Board of Advisors. Dr. Sykes brings decades of clinical leadership, humanitarian service, and a lifelong passion for Penn to his new role.

    The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) welcomes Jonathan Sykes, MD, as its newest member of the Board of Advisors.

    A nationally respected facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Sykes is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is the practice owner of Sykes Plastic Surgery with locations in Beverly Hills and Roseville, California. For more than 35 years, he served as the director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UC Davis Medical Center, where he trained generations of fellows and resident physicians and helped advance the field through clinical innovation and scholarship. Throughout his distinguished career, Sykes has been a frequent guest lecturer, published hundreds of peer-reviewed professional articles, and designed patented surgical instruments aimed at simplifying procedures and enhancing patient recovery times. His contributions have had a lasting impact on both surgical practice and patient care.

    Equally central to Dr. Sykes’s career is his passion for humanitarian service. He has participated in more than two dozen international medical missions, providing life-changing surgery for children with cleft deformities and complex craniofacial conditions in underserved communities around the world.

    A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Sykes earned his Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Sociology from the School of Arts and Sciences in 1977. He received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

    Dr. Sykes is also an accomplished winemaker and the owner of Newfound Wines in the Sierra Foothills. Originally from Southern New Jersey, he is eager to deepen his engagement with Penn and is particularly pleased to bring his professional expertise and personal passion for dogs to his role on Penn Vet’s Board of Advisors.

    “I am very excited to welcome Dr. Sykes to Penn Vet’s Board of Advisors,” said Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “His exceptional career and spirit of service make him a tremendous addition to our Board. Dr. Sykes’s perspectives and shared enthusiasm for Penn Vet will be invaluable as we advance our priorities and extend our impact on veterinary medicine.”

    A person in a light blue buttom up shirt stands in a hallway.

    Behind the Breakthroughs: David Holt

    In this edition, we sit down with small animal Professor of Surgery, David Holt, BVSc, DACVS. Dr. Holt is redefining how cancer is seen and removed during surgery. A Diplomate…

    Two veterinarians examining a cat wearing a red beaded collar, one holding the cat while the other checks its neck.

    Annual Penn Vet Clinic Delivers Preventive Care to Hundreds of Philadelphia Pets

    The Ryan Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) hosted the 16th annual Dog and Cat Wellness and Vaccination Clinic on the Martin Luther King,…

    A man and a woman shake hands at a table. Another man smiles behind them. Several other people and displays are visible in the background.

    At the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Penn Vet and Agriculture Make For A Winning Partnership. And Don’t Forget the Milkshakes.

    Just as Penn Vet has been a partner in Pennsylvania agriculture since its founding in 1884, the School has been an integral part of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. At this…

    About Penn Vet

    Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

    Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 30,000 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,300 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 22,400 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.