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Year
in Review
The Administration
of the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) is committed
to effectively chronicle the activities and
accomplishments of the SVM during the last Fiscal Year,
and communicate these to the SVM Community. The
collective efforts and contributions of many individuals
have allowed the School's programs to continue moving
forward, and the administration is greatly appreciative.
The combination of progressive ideas and suggestions,
combined with an energetic faculty and staff, make this
all possible, and we will continue to work on creating
an environment conducive to our collective future
success.
In March of 2008,
the SVM was placed on limited accreditation by the
American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on
Education based on substantial compliance in two
educational standards:
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Facilities: The AVMA – CoE advised
the School that progress toward construction of a
Large Animal Disease Isolation was imperative, and
that the flooring surface in the Large Animal Clinic
also needed repair.
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Outcomes Assessment: The CoE
indicated that the SVM needed to establish
performance metrics for the clinical competency of
its graduates.
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Considerable
attention will be given to remediating these
deficiencies as we prepare our next Annual Report to
the CoE in late fall of 2008.
The School's
Planning Document has continued to guide the
administration in terms of program direction and
strategic action items, and the December 2005 version
again served us well during the last year. The Planning
Document will be updated during the Fall of 2008 and
should be ready for ratification by the faculty in early
Spring of 2009. As in the past, this Administration's
Report is generally presented based on the general
headings of our planning document.
Continue to advance the School’s
“Agenda for Excellence” through an enhanced funding
portfolio emphasizing faculty salaries and equipment,
and more effective utilization of space to support
programmatic advancement at all levels:
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Increases in financial support were
obtained from a variety of sources:
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The SVM realized a net increase
of self generated revenue of approximately
$289,000 resulting from a $2,000 tuition
increase for non-resident students, a slight
increase in non-resident student and a slight
decrease in the resident student enrollment in
the professional curriculum. The increase in the
non-resident student tuition based upon the SREB
Contract Program Fee went from $20,400 to
$22,400 per year.
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The School received an increase
in State Appropriated Funds of $2,233,000:
$701,000 of this was a 3% funding allocation to
provide some financial flexibility to formula
institutions currently at 100% formula level;
$479,000 was for mandated costs; $738,000 was
for faculty merit raises; and $315,000 for Civil
Service and Professional Administrative pay
raises.
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State funding provided for a 5%
aggregate average salary increase for faculty
effective 07/01/07 at an annualized cost of
approximately $738,000. The SVM provided an
additional 1% (approximately $143,000) from its
budget to bring the total average salary increase
for faculty to 6%. State funding also provided
$1,500 for each professional / administrative and
classified staff member effective 07/01/07 and the
SVM provided an additional $73,000 from its budget
to bring the total average salary increase for
professional / administrative staff to 6%.
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Approximately $3,228,000 in equipment
investments were made in the SVM and were funded
from a variety of sources:
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The SVM provided approximately
$2,025,000 of this support, with an additional
$1,203,000 from restricted funds (i.e., grants
and contracts). Key pieces of equipment included
a Storz telepack mobile endoscopic imaging
system, anesthesia monitors, pediatric
laparoscopic equipment, force triad
radiofrequency unit, multispectral imaging
system, programmable density gradient
fractionation system, telemetry system upgrade,
nucleofector device, triple stage quadruple mass
spectrometer, Olympus laboratory microscopes,
and a red diode laser.
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The Equine Health Studies Program
provided $69,000 in equipment utilizing both GBI
funding and its dedicated funds. Key pieces of
equipment included an endoscope and a
“SmartPill®” system.
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Approximately $844,000 was spent on
the installation of a 2000 KW generator and the
renovation and updating of approximately 2,375 NASF
of facilities. These renovated facilities primarily
included our BSL III laboratory, general research
laboratories, and office space. Other projects
included sidewalks for small and large animal clinic
and new equine recovery stall doors.
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House Bill 2 of the 2008 Regular
Legislative Session maintained authorization of the
$10,000,000 capital outlay project for “Veterinary
Medicine Roof Replacement and Facility Repairs.”
Funding will provide for project design with
construction planned to start in FY 2008–2009. In
addition, $1,990,000 was authorized for the
continued planning of the Louisiana Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory. This funding will provide for
project design and construction documents with
construction planned to start in FY 2009–2010.
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House Bill 734: This bill authorized
the System Boards to implement up to a 5% tuition
increase annually for four years, starting in the
fall of 2008.
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House Bill 1287 (Supplemental
Appropriation): This bill provided $4,540,000 for
the construction of a Large Animal Disease Isolation
Unit (the SVM was able to leverage $800,000 in
private funds raised to facilitate this
legislation). Architectural selection should occur
in the fall of 2008 with the start of construction
late in 2009. This project will be pivotal in
restoring the SVM to full accreditation by the AVMA
– CoE.
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Start-up funding commitments to new
faculty hires amounted to approximately $1,150,000
for equipment, supplies, personnel, and other items
needed to initiate clinical and research programs
for 16 new faculty members.
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The Office of Institutional
Advancement continued to provide support and
visibility for the SVM’s programs through
development and public relations activities.
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The following activities reflect
the enhancement of the SVM’s development
programs:
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Total gifts of $868,838 were
realized with unrestricted gifts of $74,959 and
total alumni giving of $74,682. The total number
of gifts received was 1,384 (up from 1,352 gifts
in 2006-07).
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In November 2006, Emmett and Toni
Stephenson pledged $25 million to LSU, with $1
million dedicated to the LSU SVM to enhance the
advancement program. The 2007-08 FY was the
first year of distribution of this fund.
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The Office of Institutional
Advancement developed a comprehensive
advancement program, including the promotion of
Dr. David Senior to the position of associate
dean for advancement and strategic initiatives,
effective August 15, 2007. To further enhance
the program, LSU Public Affairs was hired to
design templates for all SVM publications, and a
monthly e-mail newsletter (SVM Update) was
created.
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The Annual Fund was redesigned
and giving levels were established. A
three-pronged approach for alumni was
formulated: Class agent appeal, followed by a
telephone appeal, and completed by an appeal
letter from the Dean. Additionally, an appeal to
non-alumni was incorporated in the annual fund
program.
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A campaign to appeal to new
clients of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital was
planned.
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Meetings of the Dean’s Leadership
Council and the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana
Advisory Board were held.
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A search was begun for a new
Executive Director of Advancement following the
resignation of Ms. Pat Edwards in the spring of
2008.
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Development of “Connections”
sculpture for the Serenity Garden continued.
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The following activities were the
focus of our Public Relations program:
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The SVM published five issues of
La Veterinaire, 12 issues of the SVM
Update (e-mail newsletter), the 2006 edition of
the Equine Research Report, one issue of the
EHSP magazine, two issues of the Wildlife
Hospital newsletter, and various brochures and
flyers for SVM departments and events.
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The SVM issued 61 press releases
(31 news-oriented press releases, 28 event
releases, and 2 wildlife releases). Press
releases generated 12 feature stories in La
Veterinaire.
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The SVM was featured or mentioned
on the front page of the Baton Rouge Advocate
12 times and in other items in the Advocate
at least 12 more times.
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The SVM was featured in the
following publications: Wall Street Journal,
New York Times, USA Today, University Business,
Indiana Journal and Courier, Daily Reveille,
Tiger Rag, Southern Living, City Social,
InRegister, New Orleans Times-Picayune,
Shreveport Times, Veterinary Technician Journal,
and LSU Today.
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The SVM was featured on local
television news programs at least 18 times.
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Approximately 47 tours were conducted for
prospective students; alumni; LSU staff and the
Honors College; groups of high school, middle
school, and elementary school students; AHEC
high school groups (summer program for students
interested in medical careers); new St. George /
Ross students; 4-H groups; families of new
students; LASPCA Summer Cadets; and visiting
dignitaries (namely, a group of Taiwanese
veterinary students and a political contingent
from the city of Cobh in Ireland).
Maintain a quality and
contemporary veterinary medical educational program:
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There were 33 electives offered
during the 2007–08 year.
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The Class of 2008 graduated 83
veterinarians on May 12, 2008. The Class of 2008
pass percentage on the NAVLE was 89% for first time
takers and 99% at graduation.
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The Class of 2008 participated in 75
externships and 106 out-rotations.
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Following graduation members of the
Class of 2008 were employed in 17 states, with
Louisiana the most popular (17), followed by Nevada
(7), Georgia (6), Arkansas (5), and Texas (4).
Twenty-seven percent of the Class of 2008 entered
post-graduate studies, engaging in internships,
residencies and graduate programs.
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The mean starting compensation
package (excluding advanced studies programs) for
the Class of 2008 was $75,300, approximately $2,200
more than the Class of 2007.
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The average debt load for the Class
of 2008 was $120,500 (range $0-335,000) up from
$99,700 in 2007.
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The new Class of 2012 includes 86
students. Students are from Louisiana (56), Arkansas
(9), and out-of-state (21). Sixty-four of 86 in the
class are women, and the average age is 24 years.
The average GPA was 3.76, and the average GRE was
1149. Applications (713) for the Class of 2012 were
up 15 from the 698 received for the Class of 2011.
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Seventeen
students were involved in the 2008 Student Summer
Research Program funded by grants from the NIH,
Merck-Merial, and the Comparative Gastroenterology
Society.
Improve the Graduate Academic
and Graduate Professional Programs:
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The advanced studies program during
2007–2008 included 58 graduate students.
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In 2007–2008 there were three
anatomical pathology residents, one clinical
pathology resident, two DLAM residents, and 26
interns and residents for a total of 32 clinical
house officers.
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Seventeen graduate students were
supported totally or in part by SVM stipends, six by
Board of Regents training grants, and two by
Economic Development Assistantships. Ten graduate
students were supported on extramural funds obtained
by faculty. Thirty house officers were supported by
SVM funds, with nine seeking advanced degrees.
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Two additional Board of Regents
Graduate Fellows applications were submitted and
four new Fellows were funded ($400,000 plus tuition)
beginning in fall of 2007 and 2008. The total number
of graduate fellowships obtained from the Board of
Regents to date is 21 for a total of $1,580,000.
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Support for departmental seminar
series continues at $2,000 per department per year.
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The NIH T32 training grant, “Research
Training in Experimental Medicine and Pathology,”
submitted with the Tulane National Primate Research
Center (TNPRC) currently has three PhD students.
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Awards for the Outstanding MS Thesis
and PhD Dissertation were established in 2006 and
these awards are now made at the annual SVM Faculty
and Graduate Student Research Dinner during the
spring semester.
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Four MS and six
PhD degrees were awarded.
Enhance basic, applied, and
clinical research productivity:
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Ninety extramural grant proposals
were submitted by faculty for a total of $25.9
million requested. This represents a 6.8% decrease
from FY 2008. Total extramural support during FY 08
was $7.7M which does not include funds obtained from
the NIH INBRE grant noted below. Another measure of
research activity, the SVM’s Restricted Federal
Research Expenditures was $5.18 million slightly
increased over FY 2007.
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The SVM continues to participate in
the Louisiana NIH INBRE grant, “Louisiana Biomedical
Research Network,” together with the college of
Basic Sciences and other Universities within the
state. The grant was funded this year for a total of
$16.6 million. Five faculty within the SVM will
serve as the PI or on the steering committee and /
or as mentors in this program.
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A Merck-Merial grant to support
summer research experiences for DVM students was
submitted and funded for $20,000 in FY 08. This
required an equal match, which was supplied by the
SVM. Together with the NIH T35 grant, 17 DVM
students participated in the summer research program
in FY 2008.
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The SVM library continues to enhance
and expand electronic access to research journals
for our students, faculty, and staff at an annual
cost of approximately $285,000.
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The replacement
/ recruitment of research faculty continued with the
hiring of faculty in all departments. (See last
section of this report).
Provide quality clinical,
consultation and diagnostic services:
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The Veterinary Teaching Hospital and
Clinics (VTH&C) saw a 10% increase in cases this
year over last year from 20,539 to 22,660 cases.
This increase in cases generated approximately
$9,272,000 in revenues, which translated into about
$220,400 in excess of expenses. Last year we handled
2,100 emergency cases after hours and this year we
saw 2,198 emergency cases. Based on the fact that we
saw 237 daytime emergencies last year and 520 this
year we hired a daytime emergency clinician to
handle this huge increase of patients.
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The VTH&C purchased almost $250,000
worth of new capital equipment this fiscal year.
Additionally, well over $2,000,000 worth of
equipment and supplies were received from the
Veteran’s Administration Hospital in New Orleans as
a result of Hurricane Katrina. The biggest single
piece of equipment was a 16-slice GE CT Scanner.
Also included was an MRI compatible anesthesia
machine.
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The VTH&C had several small
construction and renovation projects completed this
year including the large animal receiving area and
one of the recovery rooms. Our parking lot was
expanded and our sign replaced.
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The VTH&C were
surveyed by the American Animal Hospital Association
and received a full accreditation.
Continue institutional
advancement through public programs and cooperative
endeavors:
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Continuing Education:
The SVM hosted the Annual Conference for
Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians & Support
Personnel; Equine Artificial Insemination Workshop
for Owners and Breeders; Veterinary Dermatology
Conference for Veterinarians; Companion Animal
Internal Medicine Seminar; Certified Animal
Euthanasia Technician Course; Chemical Capture
Certification Course for Animal Control Officers;
Louisiana Animal Control Association Annual
Conference; Safe Capture International Certification
Course; and the Louisiana Academy of Veterinary
Practitioners quarterly meetings. Approximately 797
attendees participated in the 128 hours of available
continuing education during this period.
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International Programs: The Office of
International Programs (OIP) develops and
coordinates international research and education
programs and exchange opportunities for students and
faculty and provides a central clearing house and
source of information on international activities in
the school. Activities in this area included:
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Veterinary Medicine in
International Development: This course
offering was taken by four Year I and two Year
II veterinary students, wherein they developed
overseas summer studies proposals.
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International Study Travel Grants
Program: Three applications were received for
summer programs in 2007. Dean’s travel grant
funds were provided to Nathalie Petersen (Class
of 2011) for summer studies in Thailand on
“Zoonotic Opisthorchis in Cats and Dogs”
(Mentors: Smarn Tesana and JB Malone).
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Gordy Labbe (Class of 2010) and
Paula Mischler (graduate student in PBS)
received funding ($4,500) from the FIPSE
US-Brazil Exchange program (see below).
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US-Brazil Student Exchange
Program: A 2004֪2008 project funded by
the Foundation for the Improvement of
Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) of the US
Department of Education continued as an
international veterinary medical summer
scholar’s student exchange program with Brazil.
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In 2008, two SVM students,
one student from Southern, and two students
from the LSUHSC - New Orleans School of
Public Health completed summer mentored
research in Brazil.
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In 2007, eight Brazilian
veterinary students and two medical students
spent the fall semester at the LSU SVM,
Southern University, or Minnesota pursuing
mentored project studies.
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Veterinary Public Health
Elective Studies: In addition to
providing international studies opportunities
the FIPSE/CAPES program promoted action toward
development of a DVM—Master of Public Health
degree elective between LSUHSC - New Orleans and
the SVM. In November 2007, a model Veterinary
Public Health certificate program for LSU
veterinary students was submitted for approval
of the respective Deans at the SVM and the
LSUHSC School of Public Health.
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International Cooperative
Exchange Agreements: To facilitate
international study opportunities by SVM
students and faculty, exchange agreements
continued in South Africa, the West Indies,
France, Argentina; the Peoples' Republic of
China, Brazil. New agreements were initiated /
in progress in 2008 with programs in Thailand
(completed), and two more in Brazil.
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Alumni & Public Programs
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Alumni receptions were held at
the North American Veterinary Conference
(Orlando, FL); the Louisiana Veterinary Medical
Association Winter and Summer Meetings
(Shreveport, LA, and Ft. Walton Beach, FL); the
Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association Winter
Meeting (Hot Springs, AR); the Western
Veterinary Conference (Las Vegas, NV); the
Southwest Veterinary Symposium (Dallas, TX); the
American Veterinary Medical Association Annual
Convention (Washington, DC); and the American
Association of Equine Practitioners Convention
(Orlando, FL) to promote awareness of the School
and the development program.
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On-site visits were made to
30 veterinary clinics and over 40 alumni to
maintain external connectivity.
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Alumni activities in
conjunction with the LSU SVM’s Annual
Conference included recognition of Dr.
Robert Simmons (LSU 1977) as a Distinguished
Alumnus, milestone alumni reunion activities
for classes of 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997,
and 2002, a pre-game tailgate party attended
by over 200 alumni and family.
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Activities related to our public
programs and student support functions included:
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The SVM’s Annual Open House
attracted over 4,500 attendees.
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The International Exhibition
on Animals in Art received 452 entries from
over 200 artists representing 40 states and
three countries and the opening reception
was attended by approximately 200 people. A
record 21 pieces were sold. The show netted
$2,700, which was split between the Library
and the Wildlife Hospital.
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One hundred and sixteen
children registered for Pets & Vets in June
2008. Fourteen sessions were held, with
30-50 children in attendance at each one.
Sessions included caring for your pet,
exotic animals, wildlife, and farm animals.
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The Great Rover Road Run had
over 250 participants (almost double from
2007). One hundred and ninety-nine ran the
one mile, 111 ran the 5K, and approximately
150 dogs participated.
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Pharmacy and Supply Day was
held in conjunction with SCAVMA, with 18
companies represented (up from 15 the year
before). The event earned $4,500 for SCAVMA.
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The Job Fair was held for the
first time in conjunction with Pharmacy and
Supply Day. Sixteen clinics were
represented, and approximately 35 students
participated.
Other notable personnel items:
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Faculty retirements included Drs.
Carol Foil (VCS), William Henk (CBS), and Clay
Hodgin (PBS/LADDL).
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Faculty resignations included Drs.
Jeremy Hubert (VCS), Dario Marchetti (CBS), Glenna
Mauldin (VCS), Ray Wilhite (CBS), G. Neal Mauldin
(VCS), and Karin Peterson (PBS).
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Dr. Abolghasem Baghian (PBS) died in
a car accident on June 27, 2008.
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New faculty hires include Dr. Julia
Buchholz (VCS, Visiting Professor / Radiation
Oncology); Dr. Marxa L. Figueiredo (CBS, Assistant
Professor / Cell & Molecular Biology); Dr. Ji-Ming
Feng (CBS, Associate Professor / Cell & Molecular
Biology); Dr. Tracy L. Gieger (VCS, Assistant
Professor / Medical and Radiation Oncology); Dr.
Samithamby Jeyaseelan (PBS, Assistant Professor /
Immunology); Dr. Yu-Ming Kang (CBS, Research
Assistant Professor / Cell & Molecular Biology);
Dayle G. Malen (VCS, Instructor of Social Work); Dr.
Christopher Mores (PBS, Assistant Professor /
Epidemiology); Dr. Javier Nevarez (VCS, Assistant
Professor / Zoological Medicine); Dr. Romain Pariaut
(VCS, Assistant Professor / Cardiology); Dr.
Patricia Queiroz (VCS, Assistant Professor /
Anesthesiology); Dr. Natalie Rademacher (VCS,
Assistant Professor / Diagnostic Imaging); Dr. Laura
M. Riggs (VCS, Assistant Professor / Equine
Surgery); Dr. Tara S. Snook (VCS, Assistant
Professor / Dermatology); Dr. Noboku Wakamatsu (PBS,
Clinical Track Assistant Professor / Pathology); Dr.
Xiaochu Wu (CBS, Instructor / Microscopy).
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Faculty
promotion / tenure actions effective in FY 2008–2009
included: Dr. Loretta Bubenik to the rank of
Associate Professor with tenure; Dr. Susan
Eddlestone to the rank of Associate Professor with
tenure; Dr. Frederic P. Gaschen to the rank of
Professor; and Dr. Amy M. Grooters to the rank of
Professor.
FINAL - - 01/05/09,
pfh
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