Dr. Stephanie Bruner, Clinical Assistant Professor, began working at the college in 2024.
When did you begin working at the College of Veterinary Medicine?
I’ve been a faculty member of the College of Veterinary Medicine since June 2024. Prior to moving to UIUC, I practiced veterinary dermatology and co-owned a multi-specialty hospital in
the Greater Cincinnati area for 20+ years. This is my return to academic medicine after a rather
long separation, and it’s very good to be back.
Describe your role at the college.
My role as a Clinical Assistant Professor involves seeing clinical patients in the Veterinary
Teaching Hospital while teaching dermatology to veterinary students, interns, and residents. I
am also responsible for some of the didactic dermatology instruction of first- and third-year
veterinary students, and I am here to support and engage in clinical research. It’s a rather tall
order, so I’m very glad that these are my favorite things to do.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is being able to teach and see clinical cases at the same time. It’s the
perfect combination for me. I love to talk, and most of all, I love to talk about dermatology. I’ll
talk about skin and ears to clients, colleagues, students—anyone who will listen.
I also like to listen and learn. I work with highly skilled and intelligent individuals, so I learn
something new every day. The Certified Veterinary Technicians, Delaney and Miriah, are
amazing instructors. Our resident, Dr. Jennifer Clegg, is beyond impressive; Dr. Clarissa Souza
has been a wonderful source of information and guidance, and that’s just the
Dermatology/Otology Service. The entire veterinary teaching hospital has been welcoming and
supportive, which has made my onboarding experience very smooth. I still have a lot to learn,
but I’m enjoying every minute of it.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I am soaking in the whole University of Illinois experience. My husband and I
have attended a wide variety of concerts and plays, watched outdoor movies on the Quad with
our dogs, enjoyed wandering through the arboretum, visited numerous restaurants in
Champaign-Urbana, and shouted the cheers at Illini football games. I-L-L…
What is something your co-workers may be surprised to know about you?
My co-workers would be surprised to know that I’ve hiked three days through the Andes to
Machu Picchu. It was rugged but worth it.
What is one thing on your bucket list?
My bucket list is very long and mostly involving travel. While I always enjoy going abroad, I still
want the RV across America experience. The only problem is that I am a “travel princess” who
doesn’t like to drive.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
A day without coffee has the potential to be an unhappy day. I’m generally a very optimistic and
cheerful individual, but caffeine is the fuel that keeps my happiness motor running. I can handle
nearly anything after my morning coffee.
Do you have any pets?
I am a pet parent to a macaw, a gargoyle gecko, a turtle, and three French bulldogs. My three
human offspring are convinced that as each child left for college, they were replaced by a
Frenchie in a vain attempt to prevent Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS). In truth, the Frenchies were inspired by the charcuterie board trend. Their names are Brie, Emme (Emmental), and Cam (Camembert). Yes, the cheese board is now complete, and no, I do not suffer from ENS.
