Looking back on 2023
2023 was a year of great accomplishment for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Animals were successfully treated, groundbreaking research was undertaken, alumni were influential across the nation and around the world, and faculty and students were honored for excellence. Below is a sampling of some of the veterinary college's top stories of the year.
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Former police dog Thor swallows hard for holidays, receives compassionate, life-saving care at Veterinary Teaching Hospital , articleIt’s much easier to get a cloth elf and a plush teddy bear chew toy into a dog than to get them out. But out they came, thanks to the combined efforts of more than 20 personnel at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, within the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, just before the holiday break. Thor’s care was financed by compassionate care donations through Paws of Honor and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Working & Service Dog support fund.
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Retiring to Australia, Hodgsons give $1 million estate gift to veterinary college scholarship , articleDavid and Jennie Hodgson have exciting plans for their retired life back in their native Australia, so they’re not looking for their $1 million estate gift to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to be activated soon.
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Memorial scholarship honors much-loved rural veterinarian, will assist veterinary students from rural areas , articleThe Dr. Bill W. (Doc) Fuller Veterinary Scholarship has been established by Barbara Blevins and her husband Marty, with an initial gift of $100,000, which includes contributions from friends, family, clients, and colleagues.
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Virginia Tech Students Stroll with Shelter Cats , articleJulianna Scardina, Class of 2024 at the veterinary college, and Allie Andrukonis a CALS animal science student, are participating in the Summer Veterinary Student Research Program. Their project aims to train shelter cats to ride in carriages, making them more adoptable and socially involved in the lives of pet owners.
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Equine Veterinary Crisis - sustaining emergency and critical care services in an ever-changing landscape , articleThere is a crisis silently brewing in the equine veterinary world. The combination of older veterinarians leaving the field, current equine veterinarians leaving for better pay and work/life balance, and fewer numbers of veterinary students choosing equine as their elective field of specialty have seriously affected the availability of primary and emergency care for horses throughout the United States and beyond. And, if nothing is done now this could be greatly problematic for horse owners who need to seek medical care for their horses in the coming years.
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From Animal Lovers to Vet Techs: How a 30-Year Experienced Technician is Igniting Passion in High School Students , articleTerry Wnorowski is spending the last years of her career sparking new beginnings for others. For 30 years she has worked as a licensed veterinary technician at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Kendall Taney among fewer than 20 recognized as American Veterinary Dental College Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fellows , articleKendall Taney ’97, DVM ’02, owner of the Center for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is now one of the most highly recognized experts in how to help animals suffering from dental pain.
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Phillip Sponenberg retires after 42 years of helping veterinary college and its students thrive , articleSponenberg has been present at every veterinary college commencement since the first one in 1985 and has attended every university graduation since he arrived on campus. Graduates from five different decades extol Sponenberg as a beloved professor who consistently dispensed knowledge, wisdom, and kindness.
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Bonnie Smith honored with emerita status , articleBonnie Smith, associate professor of biomedical sciences and pathobiology in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
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Trained in human medicine, four times bereaved by cancer, MaLora Bush finds purpose in treating pets , articleFor four close family members who died of cancer, for her three furry “babies” at home, MaLora Bush has found more than just a job she loves, but a life’s mission.
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Student Spotlight: Michael Marciano , articleIn a departure from our regular student profiles this month we are featuring Michael Marciano, an undergraduate student studying pre-veterinary dairy science within the three-plus-one program at Virginia Tech. He will be in the DVM Class of 2027.
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Veterinary College unveils tranquil wellness room to support mental wellbeing , articleThe veterinary college has introduced a new freestanding wellness room within its library to prioritize the mental health of its community members. The room or pod serves as a peaceful enclave for students, staff, and faculty, providing a space for spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being.
Top Success Stories of 2023
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Team Tootsie: Veterinary hospital and owners help poodle walk again , articleTootsie, began to trip and fall in early 2023. Her owner, Mary Jane Barrett of Roanoke, described it as a “belly flop” as Tootsie’s legs stopped working. Tootsie’s primary veterinarian determined that Tootsie’s problem was neurological and referred her to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. By the time Tootsie arrived at her appointment at the VTH the very next day, she was unable to stand up and had to be wheeled in on a gurney.
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After backyard snakebite, 12-year-old dog Rusty goes from swollen to smiling with care from Veterinary Teaching Hospital , articleRusty, a 12-year-old miniature American shepherd, recently faced a life-threatening encounter in his own backyard. A suspected copperhead bite left him in a critical state, but thanks to prompt and specialized care from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Rusty's story is one of resilience and recovery.
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Eye tissue from one dog used to save another dog’s eye at Virginia Tech veterinary hospital , articleClinicians with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech used corneal tissue from an eyeball lost by a dog brought into the hospital’s emergency room hours earlier, with consent from the owner, to replace that taken during a surgery to remove cancer from the eyeball of another dog.
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Jada the Siamese cat saved by challenging brain surgery at Veterinary Teaching Hospital , articleThanks to a four-hour double operation, including complex brain surgery, Jada, a 3-year-old Siamese cat, is beginning to return to her old self.
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From paralysis to championships: Veterinary college supports Belle's agility comeback , articleIn a tale of resilience and collaborative care, Belle, a 4-year-old Australian shepherd, made an uplifting return to her beloved dog agility competitions after a harrowing bout of paralysis.
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Trump recovers from second colic surgery at the ripe old age of 32 , articleFrederica Wheeler first met Trump, a dark-bay, non-gaited Tennessee Walker gelding, now aged 32, at The Greenbrier resort in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Trump was named after the most powerful card in the game of bridge and is affectionately known at home as Trumpie.
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Hard-luck horse Kit in recovery after complex orthopedic surgery at Equine Medical Center and long rehabilitation , articleKit, a once perfectly sound horse owned by Michael Hillman, faced a dramatic turn of events when he became severely lame after a day in the field. Rushed to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, Kit underwent complex orthopedic surgery and an extensive 50-day rehabilitation journey. Despite the challenges, Kit is now on the path to recovery and expected to return to his home pastures later this month, thanks to the dedication of his caregivers and the success of his treatment, including pastern joint fusion and stem cell therapy.
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Jennie the donkey and her newborn filly Sparkles return home after receiving emergency treatment , articleAfter a multiple-day history of lethargy and lack of appetite and after treatment on the farm, Jennie, a 7-year-old donkey jenny, owned by the Maruca and Witt families from Leesburg, Virginia was referred to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) by Gabrielle Care, a veterinarian from Total Equine Veterinary Associates, Leesburg, for further diagnostics and treatment.
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Mona Lisa keeps making smiles thanks to cancer treatment, Petco Love funds , articleWhen adopting a cat, some people pick out their new feline friend from pictures online. For Gary and Rebecca Davis, Mona Lisa—Mony for short—was different.
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Pet owners join forces with veterinary oncologists to unravel cancer mysteries through clinical trials , articleThe Animal Cancer Care and Research Center(ACCRC) is increasing its clinical trials as it seeks to develop better treatments for several types of cancer. Clinical trials are essential for modern medicine, enabling research and development of new therapies, drugs, and techniques to fight diseases. But these advances can only happen with the support of pet owners and their participating pets.
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Helen the Cane Corso helps humans and animals through osteosarcoma clinical trial , articleHelen is an 8½-year old gentle giant who’s fighting osteosarcoma and, through participation in a clinical trial through the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center (ACCRC), is helping develop a new cancer treatment.
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For Bambi, the border collie, oral cancer clinical trial offers hope , articleBambi is enrolled in a clinical trial at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center (ACCRC) in Roanoke. In the clinical trial, veterinary radiation oncologist Ilektra Athanasiadi aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating oral cancers with a device that delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor.
Faculty Spotlights of 2023
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Faculty Spotlight: Jamie Stewart , articleJamie Stewart, DVM, PhD, MS, DACT Assistant Professor in Production Management Medicine
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Faculty Spotlight: Rachael Carpenter , articleRachael Carpenter, Clinical Instructor
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Faculty Spotlight: Tom Cecere , articleThomas E. Cecere '01, DVM '05, Ph.D. '12, DACVP–Anatomic Pathology Assistant Head for DVM Curriculum Coordination and Associate Professor of Anatomic Pathology
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Faculty Spotlight: Jennifer Davis , articleMeet Jennifer Davis, a dedicated faculty member at the veterinary college since 2017. She's not just a teacher; she's a graduate of the college herself, with a deep passion for educating future veterinarians.
Student Spotlights of 2023
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Student Spotlight: E'lisia Davis , articleAn aspiring veterinarian in the DVM program at the college, E'lisia Davis is fueled by her lifelong devotion to animals and a deep-rooted desire to advocate for their welfare. With a harmonious blend of compassion, creativity, and unwavering family support, E'lisia's journey stands as a testament to her commitment to becoming an exceptional and caring veterinarian.
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Student Spotlight: Chris Hollingsworth , articleClass of 2023, Public/Corporate Track Hometown/State: Silver Spring, Maryland
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Student Spotlight: Meghan Albritton , articleSecond-year Master of Public Health, infectious disease concentration and second-year geography M.S. student Home Town/State: Rockmart, Georgia
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Student Spotlight: Sam Johnson , articleContinuing our monthly student spotlight series, this month, we feature third-year DVM student ambassador Sam Johnson. Find out when Sam knew he wanted to be a veterinarian, his superpower, and the best part of being a VMCVM student.
Staff Spotlights of 2023
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Staff Spotlight: Katherine Harshman , articleKatherine Harshman serves as a receiving technician in the ViTALS laboratory at the veterinary college. She plays a crucial role in screening and handling various samples, whether they are for in-house testing, research projects, or specialty reference laboratory send-outs.
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Staff Spotlight: Maryann Cline , articleMaryann Cline serves as the veterinary technician supervisor at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center. She has been with the veterinary college since 2007 and has a passion for teaching and working with students.
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Staff Spotlight: Katie Reuss , articleMeet Katie Reuss, an experienced large animal veterinary technician at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Katie's role in the college revolves around the care and well-being of horses and she has made it her mission to instill her passion for these majestic creatures in the hearts of aspiring veterinarians.
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Staff Spotlight: Angela Webb , articleAngela Webb has been an integral part of the veterinary college for nearly a decade, with 26+ years at Virginia Tech. As the Academic Affairs Office Manager and Event Coordinator, Angela plays a pivotal role in the college's operations and student support.
Alumni Spotlights of 2023
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Alumni Spotlight: Viner (DVM '98) , articleTabitha Viner has been at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory since 2010. She is part of the pathology section at the lab and works with other Fish and Wildlife Service scientists in the fields of genetics, morphology, and criminalistics on crimes involving birds and endangered species.
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Alumni Spotlight: Marianne Martinson '87, DVM '92 , articleMarianne Martinson fondly reflects on how VMCVM prepared her for the 'real world' through enhanced communication, collaboration, and resourcefulness. And as an unexpected bonus, those all-nighters seemed to have readied her for the challenges of motherhood!
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Alumni Spotlight: Patrick McGlone (DVM '10) , articlePatrick McGlone currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with my wife Alida (his VMCVM classmate) and their two kids. He has been working for Banfield for the past 13 years, starting as an associate DVM, then a Chief of Staff, then Director, and now Vice President.
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Alumni Spotlight: Bom Harris (DVM '08) , articleBom Harris has been practicing in Virginia since graduating from the college in 2008. Harris hails from Birmingham, Alabama, and now resides in Beaverdam, Virginia. She is active in her community, focusing on producer and 4H education.