As we continue to show our resilience through the pandemic and now the wildfires, I am inspired by the resounding teamwork I see daily at the VMTH. A letter I received a few weeks ago speaks to the power we hold as a team to make a difference in the lives of our patients and clients. The letter came from the owner of Sunny, an oncology patient who has battled his terminal disease for more than a year. The owner made it a point to name every clinician and staff member he could remember—and even describe some whose names he couldn’t—who played a part in Sunny’s care. The list is extensive and truly showcases our Cultural Pillar of “One Team.” So thank you to Drs. Sami Al Nadaf, Angela Borchers, Rhonda Burge, Jenna Burton, Michelle Giuffrida, Maureen Griffin, Jessica Jones, Karen Park, Joseph Raleigh, Marissa Ruppel, Imke Schoepper, Katherine Skorupski, Sridhar Veluvolu, and Jennifer Willcox; staff members Elizabeth Bishop, Dakin Oliver, and Kriste Sein; and everyone from the Client Services team, the Intensive Care Unit, the Oncology Service, the Diagnostic Imaging Service, the Anatomic Pathology Service, and the Soft Tissue Surgery Service. You went above and beyond to do your best for a dog that was up against some pretty tough odds. Thankfully, he is still fighting and showing us the reason why we work so hard for these animals. I forwarded the letter to Rob Warren who highlighted Sunny as the August “Case of the Month.” You can read more about Sunny on our website and in the Key Cultural Pillar section of this newsletter. Every day in 2020 is trying, but teamwork is getting us through. |
Dr. Jane Sykes
Chief Veterinary Medical Officer
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Recognitions
The hospital’s Focused Recognition Award Program provides an opportunity to highlight our ongoing Cultural Journey and recognize those who have provided remarkable progress within our five Cultural Beliefs: One Team, Trusted Dialogue, Pursue Excellence, Realize Our Vision, and Value People.
August recipients:
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Samantha Jones was recognized for exemplifying our Cultural Beliefs of One Team, Pursue Excellence, Realize Our Vision, and Value People, which contributed to the Key Result of Outstanding Patient Care.
“Samantha is a great technician and team member. I never have to ask her for help, as she is prepared and jumping in at all times. Thank you for your help, great patient care, and patience.”
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Vinnie Doyle was recognized for exemplifying our Cultural Beliefs of One Team and Value People, which contributed to the Key Result of Outstanding Patient Care.
“Vinnie helped take pictures and mop up water from a leak in the reception area. He made sure things were good to go so we could open on time, and made sure the area was safe for staff and patients.”
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Key Cultural Pillar
"One Team"
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One year ago, Sunny, a 9-year-old male Labrador retriever/pit bull mix, was lethargic and hadn’t eaten in several days. His owner took him to his primary veterinarian, and x-rays revealed a large mass in his abdomen. Sunny was referred to the UC Davis veterinary hospital for further evaluation. Additional tests performed at UC Davis by the Diagnostic Imaging Service, including an ultrasound and a CT scan, detected a large mass in the region of his colon, a small mass in his spleen, and a septic abdomen. Because of the infected nature of his abdomen, emergency surgery was performed by the Soft Tissue Surgery Service to remove the mass and the affected portion of his colon, and also remove Sunny’s spleen. Surgeons also placed a feeding tube and a drainage tube. Sunny stayed in the Intensive Care Unit for eight days before he was finally well enough to go home. Unfortunately, biopsy results from Anatomic Pathology Service revealed that Sunny had hemangiosarcoma, a terminal cancer. Chemotherapy would give him the longest potential survival time, so he immediately began treatments with the Oncology Service. When the chemotherapy was not stopping the progression of the disease after five months, Sunny’s owner ceased the treatments and opted for supportive care, with the hope of only a few more months. But now more than a year after diagnosis, Sunny is still alive – something only about one percent of dogs with hemangiosarcoma cancer achieve. |
COVID-19 Update:
- The VMTH is experiencing increased difficulty in obtaining PPE (both sterile and non-sterile), with certain items like disposable surgical gowns reaching critical levels. Unless disposable gowns are critical for the surgical procedure being performed, cloth gowns should be used as an alternative. Please carefully consider usage of the following limited supplies which may become scarce in the future, and ways to be conservative in their use without compromising biosecurity to extend our current stock: nitrile exam gloves, sterile gloves, surgical gowns, chemo gowns, isolation gowns, surgical masks, bouffant caps, surgical caps, shoe covers, and surgical beard/head covers. You may soon see different versions of these products, as we are reaching out to as many distributors as possible and looking at equivalent alternative products.
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Wellness Tip of the Month:
Florence Soares-Dabalos, MS, LMFT, the VMTH’s client support/grief counselor, offers a brief tip on managing stress through the current crises. Please see the full website of services that Florence offers.
- Sometimes when stressed, we fall back on unhealthy coping strategies. Therefore, I recommend keeping a list of the things you enjoy on your refrigerator or desk as a helpful reminder. When stressed, you can look at the list and choose something to help you relax. You can use the picture below to give you some ideas on what can be kept on your list.
- House Officers are invited to participate in “Take-A-Break Thursdays,” the VMTH’s new virtual drop-in group facilitated by Florence. This group allows House Officers to share whatever is on their mind and to receive support in a safe, confidential space. Register here
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