December 2013 Edition
FROM THE COLLEGE
Last week the college community--along with alumni, campus leaders, and representatives from many veterinary organizations in the state--gathered to express appreciation for the leadership provided by Dean Herb Whiteley. On behalf of the College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association, Dr. Matt Allender presented the dean with an honorary lifetime membership in that organization. At the end of this month, Dean Whiteley will resume a faculty position within the college and begin a much-deserved sabbatical year.
During his tenure, the college implemented an innovative veterinary curriculum that has garnered attention from educators around the globe. A world-class clinical skills facility was developed to support students’ mastery of veterinary skills. And a new Chicago headquarters for the college was established. Dean Whiteley led a campus initiative to build strength in biomedical research that will lead to health advances for humans and animals. Through his efforts the college forged strong ties to organized veterinary medicine in the state and nation.
Please join us in thanking Dean Whiteley for his tremendous years of service. You can reach him at dean@vetmed.illinois.edu.
FACULTY IN THE NEWS
Adjunct professor of comparative biosciences Fred Kummerow, 99, was the subject of a full-length New York Times profile detailing his decades-long work on the negative health effects of trans fat. The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed that trans fats should be eliminated from the food supply.
Dr. Kummerow was also cited in Scientific American for his research that reported that trans fats had adverse effects on arteries in his studies of pigs.
Professor of pathobiology Daniel Rock and postdoctoral researcher Diego Diel are part of a team that will work to create a one-dose vaccine for livestock that will prevent multiple diseases for an extended period of time. Read more in this Chicago Tribune article (access may be limited) or in this UI News Bureau story. .
Professor and interim head of pathobiology Mark Kuhlenschmidt is part of a team that will develop a new system to study a parasite, Cryptosporidium, which causes diarrheal disease in humans. Read more.
MEET DR. LAURA SELMIC
Dr. Laura Selmic, pictured with Kipper, one of her two border collies, is one of the new members of the teaching hospital's surgery team. After completing a surgical residency at Texas A&M, Dr. Selmic entered a fellowship in cancer surgery at Colorado State University.
Most recently, she completed a Master of Public Health degree, also at Colorado State. The benefit of her epidemiology training is "being able to take a more theoretical look at systemic issues by looking at evidence from all perspectives." Dr. Selmic is excited about the translational capacity of her work and, she notes, "the ability to impact future research."
Dr. Selmic is "looking forward to meeting referring veterinarians, new clients, and collaborating with other surgical faculty and research investigators." She can be reached for soft tissue and cancer surgery consultations by phone at 217-333-6808, or by email at VTHSoftTissueSurg@vetmed.illinois.edu
Watch Dr. Selmic's short welcome video. Read more about Dr. Laura Selmic
KUDOS
A group of veterinary students, led by Dr. Cliff Shipley, veterinary clinical medicine, have been helping to vaccinate bison and elk at Wildlife Prairie State Park in Hanna City, Ill. The article includes video and a photo gallery. Read more. View the online video and photo gallery.
GIFTS THAT SUPPORT A HEALTHIER WORLD
As you plan your end-of-year gifts, consider making a tax-deductible donation that advances animal and human health through the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Year-end gifts can be made through December 31 by check or by visiting our secure online giving site. Your gift must be posted by 11:59 pm CST on December 31 to receive a 2013 tax credit.
If you would like to make a contribution via check, it also needs to be postmarked by December 31 to receive a 2013 tax credit. Checks should be made payable to the “University of Illinois Foundation” and mailed to us at: University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Advancement, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802.
PET COLUMNS
- The Holiday Naughty and Nice List for Keeping Pets Safe
- Diabetes Risks and Treatment in Pets
- Let Your Veterinarian Get to the Bottom of Pet Ear Problems
UPCOMING ALUMNI RECEPTIONS
- NAVC Alumni Reception, January 19, 2014, 7:00-8:30 pm, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
- WVC Alumni Reception, February 17, 2014, 7:30-9:00 pm, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Save the Date for the 2014 Awards & Scholarships Luncheon, March 15, 2014, 11:30 am, I Hotel & Conference Center, Champaign, Ill.
THREE GREAT WAYS TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE
Run Wild for Wildlife, Sunday, April 6, 2014, 9:00 am, Homer Lake, Homer, Ill. - Walk on the Wild Side, Friday, May 2, 2014, 6:00 pm, Pear Tree Estate, Champaign, Ill.
- Sponsor a Day at the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or milestone while advancing the care of local wildlife and the education of our veterinary students.
For more information, call 217-333-2761, or e-mail advancement@vetmed.illinois.edu
UPCOMING CONTINUING EDUCATION
- February 1, 2014: Horseman’s Clinic, Urbana, Ill. Note: This program is open to the public and also provides CE for veterinarians and technicians.
- February 8-9, 2014: Executive Veterinary Program Small Animal Ultrasound, Module 5, Urbana, Ill.
- March 5-6, 2014: Canine and Feline Dental Techniques for Practitioners, Urbana, Ill.
- April 25, 2014: College Research Day, Urbana, Ill.
- September 11-12, 2014: Fall Conference, Champaign, Ill.
