MAY 2022
Introductory Message

From the VMTH Small Animal Clinic Director
As our lives slowly return to normal since the start of the pandemic, we have all been surprised by the unprecedented demand for veterinary services. The small animal emergency room had its busiest day on record earlier this month, so it appears this demand for our services may be here to stay. Despite the many challenges along the way, I am so proud of all the members of the VMTH community who have risen to those challenges, remained dedicated to their hard work, and maintained the highest level of patient care. Every case we’ve seen throughout the pandemic has been a valuable contribution to our teaching mission, as well as providing a valuable service to our community and helping to relieve the pressure on our colleagues in the local area.

We are aware that every member of the clinical team is currently under a greater amount of stress and strain than usual, and we are continually working on ways to improve hospital operations. I would like to highlight the vital role our technical staff play in keeping the VMTH running and how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. We have many new staff members, and I watch with pride as I see our experienced technicians share their knowledge and expertise with new members of the team. We are so lucky to have such incredible technical support throughout the hospital and welcome the new members to our VMTH family.

While we work to meet the current demand for veterinary care, we have many exciting changes underway. I am excited to see how our expansion of the small animal ER and ICU will improve efficiency in those areas and help traverse the ever-growing caseload. The new Cardiology Service space on the ground floor of VM2 is largely complete and provides a spacious, attractive work environment that benefits both the patients and the clinical team. These are great examples of how much improvement we can make to our existing facilities, and how valuable and much-needed our expanded spaces will be as we continue to grow with Veterinary Medical Center projects. As we break ground on the All Species Imaging Center, we are finally seeing the VMC come to fruition. I look forward to its completion and the improvements to patient care that will come with it.

After working at the VMTH for many years with few changes to our physical work environment, it is clear we are entering a new era – one that puts faculty, staff, and student wellness at the forefront and brings our level of patient care to new heights. I am excited for the future of the VMTH and look forward to helping all of you achieve new career goals as we advance veterinary medicine together.

Kate Hopper
That May Be The Chancellor
UC Davis Chancellor Gary May recently visited the VMTH to film an episode of “That May Be the Chancellor,” his series of videos to introduce audiences to various aspects of campus. In this episode, Chancellor May meets with SVM Dean Mark Stetter, sits in on an equine integrative sports medicine lesson, observes a horse treadmill demonstration, and visits with DVM students. Thank you to everyone who participated in the video to accommodate Dr. May.
In Memoriam: Paul Primas
We are saddened to report the passing of former VMTH staff member Paul Primas (obituary). Paul’s long-term career at the VMTH included coordinating the former feline renal transplant program and supervising the Medical and Radiation Oncology Services. We offer our sincerest condolences to our colleagues, his widow Cheryl (Stafford) Primas and his niece Brianna Ortiz. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on July 16 from 4-6 p.m. at the home of Harold Davis: 3329 West Dominica Street, West Sacramento, 95691. All are welcome to this informal event.
Hospital / VMC Updates
Staff Update:
  • Congratulations to Hospital Administrator Joy Hoover on her upcoming retirement. Over the past five years, Joy has worked closely with the Chief Veterinary Medical Officers (CVMOs), Clinic Directors, the Financial Officer, and the Dean’s Office to oversee the management and fiscal integrity of the VMTH. She advised CVMOs Jane Sykes and Josh Stern on a wide range of operational, financial, staff personnel, programmatic, facilities, equipment, compliance, and academic support issues, and oversaw all fiscal and operational management responsibilities of the hospital. Under Joy’s leadership, the hospital achieved several major accomplishments, including the creation of a client services call center, a first-ever hospital-specific strategic plan, the “Cultural Journey Toward Excellence” initiative and the VPETT employee recognition program, and helped to maintain accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association, a distinction less than 15% of animal hospitals in North America achieve. Joy’s fiscal acumen helped the hospital create the Feline Treatment and Housing Suite, several new examination rooms, renovated space for surgical and clinical services, infrastructure improvements throughout the hospital, as well as secured several new pieces of imaging equipment and vital medical devices. Thank you, Joy. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
  • Congratulations to Radiology Service Manager Rich Larson on a much-deserved retirement. Rich has been with the VMTH for more than 20 years, and we are so thankful for his leadership of the Radiology Team. He played a pivotal role in day-to-day patient care, as well as keeping the service running smoothly. Thank you, Rich. You will be missed for sure!
  • Please welcome new Radiology Service Manager Jason Peters. Jason is familiar to most everyone at the VMTH, having been with us for 25 years. A Louisiana native, Jason pursued a veterinary career after graduating high school in 1992. He attended Mississippi State University for Animal Science and Veterinary Technology. After graduating from the veterinary technology program, Jason stayed at MSU and worked at their College of Veterinary Medicine as a laboratory animal technician. Since coming to the VMTH in 1997, Jason has co-authored numerous scientific papers and books, trained countless residents and students, and helped pioneer new imaging protocols and techniques. He also designed and fabricated the currently-used Peters’ Large Animal Carbon Fiber CT Table. Jason was chosen to help design and implement our new AGFA PACS and Ambra platforms and remains a PACS and Ambra administrator. When not enjoying the VMTH, Jason adores spending time with his wife Shawn and their daughters, Skye and Olive. He also cares for the beloved herd of a dog, a cat, and four chickens. Congratulations, Jason!
  • Congratulations to Theresa Varland on her upcoming retirement. Theresa has played a pivotal role for many years as a referral coordinator for the surgery services and a leader in Client Services. With some of the busiest services to manage referrals for, Theresa has built lasting relationships with many clients and members of our referral community. Her cheerful energy was contagious, and her excellent customer service was second to none. Thank you, Theresa. You will be greatly missed!
Faculty Update:
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties has provisionally recognized the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology (ACVNU) as veterinary medicine’s newest specialty discipline. Decades in the making, the charge for ACVNU’s establishment was led by Dr. Larry Cowgill, along with an organizing committee of leading experts in the field. Dr. Cowgill will serve as ACVNU’s first president, and under his guidance, the VMTH and UCVMC-SD will be prominent initial training centers for ACVNU’s residency program, as we help establish the initial benchmark for the new college’s training programs.
“Case of the Month” Featured on Good Day Sacramento
Ghost, our April “Case of the Month” patient, was featured on a recent episode of Good Day Sacramento. He was treated by the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service for a congenital anomaly called calcinosis circumscripta, a condition of unknown origin that causes calcium deposits to build up along a dog’s spine, causing him to be paralyzed. The calcium buildups were surgically removed in order to decompress his spine, allowing his spinal cord to function properly again. With proper rehabilitation after surgery, Ghost was able to walk again.
Recognitions

NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES TODAY

Recognize the hard work
your team performs every day.
Please utilize the PerfectForm icon link available on every VMTH desktop (or through VIPER>VMTH>Forms>VPETT) to nominate your colleagues for recognition of an outstanding example of one of our five Cultural Pillars: Realize Our Vision, Value People, Pursue Excellence, One Team, Trusted Dialogue.

The Cultural Pillars Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the VPETT Recognition Award for the month of May.
May Recipients:

Francisco Gonzales, an animal technician in the Ophthalmology Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural belief of One Team, which contributed to the key results of Excellent Patient Care and Student Teaching.
“Francisco took the initiative to come in early and cover for another staff member who was out sick, knowing that the need in the Ophthalmology Service would be greater earlier in the day. Francisco is always willing to adjust as needed to cover the needs of the service in order to provide exceptional care to our patients, and he is always such a positive member of our team. Thank you, Francisco!”
Natalie Litton, an animal health technician in the Community Surgery Service, was recognized for exemplifying our cultural beliefs of Pursue Excellence and One Team, which contributed to the key result of Excellent Patient Care.
“Natalie has been with our service for just a few short weeks but has already accelerated through our training program. She is an incredible asset to our service, and we appreciate her willingness to learn and her eagerness to enhance her student instruction skills.”
 
Thank you, Francisco and Natalie, for your hard work and dedication to the VMTH.
 
In addition, Rodney Santos and Krystal Scott also received awards for recognizing their colleagues’ hard work.
Key Cultural Pillar
“One Team”
On an evening swing shift a few weeks ago, only half of the usual small animal patient care staff were available. A call went out to any who could help and was answered swiftly by many staff, students, and faculty who stayed late or came in early to complete evening treatments, feedings, and walks. Staff members Nicole Jeffries, Pam Moreno, Tianjiano (Ariel) Li, and Jessica Llamas all came in early or as an extra shift to accompany technicians Mary Duryea and Karina Lara who went above and beyond on their usual shift. Additionally, technicians, residents, faculty, and students from surgery, neurology, and internal medicine all pitched in with assistance. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the night went smoothly, and all our patients’ needs were met. Thank you all for your dedicated efforts.
Wellness Tip of the Month

Florence Soares-Dabalos, MS, LMFT, the VMTH’s client support and wellness professional, offers a brief tip on managing stress through the current crisis. Please see full website of services that Florence offers.
  • Did you know June is National PTSD Awareness Month? Did you know that compassion fatigue carries an element of trauma and can produce PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and isolation? And I’m sure you know those who work in veterinary medicine are at risk for compassion fatigue. As a community, the VMTH can support each other by recognizing the signs, as well as knowing how to address it. This AVMA webpage offers insight into compassion fatigue to better prepare us in this understanding.