Michael Lairmore, Dean, Veterinary Medicine – Page 2

These Perspectives are drawn from the weekly updates provided by Dean Lairmore to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine community during the coronavirus crisis.

April 6

Practicing new physical distancing

As we enter another week, I want to thank you for your continued flexibility and patience. The disruptions and tragic consequences of the pandemic to our society and the global community are unprecedented. We are learning daily how to interact and perform our jobs in new ways to protect our safety, yet continue to move forward.

I am inspired by how the academic transition is happening. We are adjusting our educational delivery to meet the requirements of our students to become trained veterinary professionals. In the past week, we saw 30 different hands-on clinical rotations reimagined into distance learning ‘virtual’ training experiences. In addition, our staff have completed 149 clinical skills training kits for our third-year students to use at home, and supported new lecture and exam delivery options.

Our Office of Research and Graduate Studies is proactively assisting graduate students and their advisors to safety complete our student’s research projects and fulfill their educational degree requirements.

These quick adjustments are a testament to our faculty, who have worked hard to maintain quality while shifting formats, our staff, who are dedicated to making it happen, and our students, who have remained positive and engaged.

We will never think the same way again about how we teach and learn, and once we return to normal, we will undoubtedly take lessons from this experience to make our curriculum and methodologies even stronger.

Career Choices that Make a Positive Difference in the World

By Michael Lairmore

On March 3, 2020

In Dean's Perspectives

“Long-term career aspirations encompass emotional and intellectual impact of work on society.” —Henry Samueli

First-year DVM student Tiffany Tse conducts research on cat viruses in the Pesavento lab.

When I speak to students about the career opportunities offered by our training and educational programs, I often mention how our work influences the world we all share. Our vision to address societal needs and lead veterinary medicine were illustrated throughout this past month, filled with news stories of our research and discovery, our compassion for those we serve, and the examples of the impact we are making in the world. We have set this aspirational vision to let the world know how we aspire to bring our knowledge, skills, and passion to our work and through our collective actions.

Dr. Niels Pedersen has researched coronaviruses in cats for more than 50 years.

Work performed by our research scientists, led by Emeritus Professor Niels Pedersen and colleagues, have demonstrated the value of novel treatments against deadly coronavirus in cats. Feline infectious peritonitis is one of several chronic viral infections of cats that resemble those in people, and serves as a naturally occurring model of human coronavirus infections. These same types of treatments are now on the frontlines serving as therapies for human patients suffering from the SARS-CoV2 epidemic.

The Global Impact of Preparation, Training, and Cooperation – One Health in Action

By Michael Lairmore

On February 3, 2020

In Dean's Perspectives

“Synergy is what happens when one plus one equals ten or a hundred or even a thousand! It’s the profound result when two or more respectful human beings determine to go beyond their preconceived ideas to meet a great challenge.” —Stephen Covey

Workers assemble detection kits for the coronavirus.Credit: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

When the U.S. Senate declared January “One Health Awareness Month,” they may not have had the current coronavirus epidemic or Australia’s wildfires on their minds. However, these crises provide dramatic illustration of the need for a more comprehensive One Health approach to solving our complex environmental and health problems. One Health Awareness Month has passed, but it’s important to keep advocating year-round for the One Health approach.

One Health recognizes the interconnections between people, animals and their shared environment, and uses collaborative approaches to achieve optimal health outcomes that benefit them all. Traditionally, our society has worked in silos to try to solve individual issues; with a One Health approach, shared goals and knowledge are central to addressing big picture problems.

At the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, we’ve seen important results from One Health approaches that would not have been achieved otherwise. Our One Health Institute has been working with the United States Agency for International Development to understand what leads to human pandemics. Pandemic diseases tend to be zoonotic in nature, so having veterinarians, public health workers, physicians, and scientists working collaboratively has yielded important results like finding the Marburg virus and a novel ebolavirus in new locations. By identifying these potential pandemic threats in animal populations, we are helping to prevent them from jumping to humans.

Celebrating a Decade of Innovation and Discovery

By Michael Lairmore

On January 6, 2020

In Dean's Perspectives

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

The end of a decade brings reflections on the past and hope for the future. Organizations that continue to provide an environment of innovation and embrace change are often those that lead us toward the future. As we have done since our inception, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s faculty, staff, and students have continued to create the future of veterinary medicine through the generation of novel ideas, unique discoveries, and creativity in teaching and service.

During the past decade, our people have pushed boundaries to produce new treatments, pioneer approaches to solve complex programs, and serve their communities in caring and compassionate ways to address societal needs. Through our innovations, we have helped make veterinary medicine even more vital not just to the treatment of animals, but to human and planetary health. View Decade in Review video.

Reflecting on the Past, Looking Toward the Future

By Michael Lairmore

On December 17, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.” –Leonardo da Vinci

This time of year brings us reflections of the past year and ways to consider the events of our lives as a collection of memories both good and bad. We can then look to the future with expressions of hope. It is easy for me to be optimistic when I think of all that has occurred at the School in the past year—because those accomplishments are helping to create a better future.

This year our scientists made discoveries of novel infectious disease agents at the interface of nature, animals, and people. They led efforts to uncover patterns in the world around us to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms and how to predict their impact in the future. Our clinicians, residents, and staff developed and executed clinical trials that translated their clinical perceptions about the conditions of their animal patients into evidence-based treatments to improve their lives. Our clinicians and staff, working in interdisciplinary teams, produced new tools to inform treatment plans and preserve animal health. Throughout this past year, our scientists reported on studies that helped us understand our natural world and ways to help preserve the animals and ecosystems we value.

Gratitude As Health Benefit

By Michael Lairmore

On November 25, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” –William Arthur Ward

Dean and Denise Tracy deliver lunch to students, staff and veterinarians working in the large animal hospital.

As the winter rains approach and the air turns chilly, we turn our attention toward the holiday season and reflect on those that hold special places in our hearts and mind. The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to take a few moments to appreciate those who make our lives better or our jobs easier. At our School, we have a unique perspective on gratitude from watching the animals we treat heal or from receiving the appreciation expressed by the owners who love them. We are privileged to support a mission that addresses societal needs through our education of the next generation, through our research discoveries and through our service to our communities.

I recently had the great pleasure to see Dean and Denise Tracy, clients of our Large Animal Clinic and owners of an animal sanctuary. In 2017, they brought Shrek, the mini-horse, to our clinic to have a large growth on his jaw examined. It kept him from eating and he was miserable. Thankfully, it was not cancerous and the veterinary team was able to remove part of Shrek’s lower mandible. In the process of Shrek’s stay, the Tracys became familiar with our dedicated staff and students, but noticed they were tired and hungry after a full day of clinical duty. To express their gratitude Dean and Denise started bringing dinner to our staff and students on a weekly basis.

Collaboration Required to Solve Global Problems

By Michael Lairmore

On October 15, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“Nature is based on harmony. So it says if we want to survive and become more like nature, then we actually have to understand that it’s cooperation versus competition.” —Bruce Lipton

Homo sapiens, the dominant species on planet Earth, has a growing impact on the natural systems that all living species depend upon to exist. The challenges we face are not all regionally defined; they involve global systems to produce safe and sustainable food sources to feed an expanded population, control and prevent infectious trans-boundary diseases, and limit the negative effects of climate change on interlinked ecosystems.

As a result, how we cooperate across geographic, political, and cultural boundaries will determine our collective future. To educate the next generation of healthcare workers capable of addressing societal needs, our approaches to train this workforce must adapt to create professionals that bring together multiple disciplines with knowledge and skills to solve complex problems at the interface of people, animals, and the environments we share.

Wellness Critical to Navigating Stress of Veterinary Medicine

By Michael Lairmore

On September 10, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“There are many trials that seem hard to bear at first which prove true blessings later when we see of what false materials they were first composed.” — Stephen Vincent Benet

I distinctly remember the first time that I euthanized a client’s dog. All veterinarians must face this daunting moment in their career, to take the life of an animal we are trained to save from pain and suffering. In my case, I was an associate veterinarian in private practice only months after graduating with my DVM degree. A client’s dog was suffering from a fatal condition and after a prolonged struggle, the owner had decided to end her pet’s pain. She also requested that she hold her beloved pet during the procedure. I froze for an instant upon hearing her wish, adding to my anxiety and guilt. In that moment, the exam room became very small and I felt the ceiling lights intensely across the back of my neck, now moist with sweat. My hands and fingers trembled and seem to betray me as I aspirated the blue-green euthanasia solution into the syringe. The dog calmly watched me with trusting eyes as the owner wrapped her arms around his neck and chest, softly sobbing. Fortunately, the procedure was successful and the dog eased toward death with a final exhale. The memories and images from that moment have followed me throughout my life.

Welcome to the Class of 2023

By Michael Lairmore

On August 20, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” – John F. Kennedy

The incoming class of 2023 of the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine

In our annual activities to orient and welcome new students to the next step in their academic journey, we are reminded of the potential of the future. By introducing them to our traditions, we are, in turn, inspired by their energy to define what lies ahead. In listening to their dreams, we reflect on our past and renew our belief in change.

Ali Pankowski and Elizabeth Grant (left to right in center) are both from multigenerational DVM families.

I like to remind each class that they have all worked extremely hard to get the chance to pursue their dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Each of them had the ability to apply to medical school and become doctors who treat humans, instead they were accepted into a profession that treats humanity. Our new class of veterinary students, like so many before them, come to us with their own histories, talents, and dreams—each with their own story to share with us. For example, the class includes members whose parents include past presidents of the California Veterinary Medical Association and family histories built upon veterinary medicine.

Observations in Nature Leading to Scientific Discoveries

By Michael Lairmore

On July 19, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” — Albert Einstein

Curiosity is a basic characteristic of scientists in many fields. The ability to observe and form hypotheses to verify or refute is a foundation of the scientific method. Edward Jenner, an English physician and scientist in the late 1700s, pioneered smallpox vaccination by using lesions from workers who milked cows with cowpox, a less virulent form of pox that rendered them immune to smallpox. His understanding of the natural world inspired him to create an effective way to block the scourge of his country and a global threat. Edward Jenner and those like him sought knowledge by embracing the animal-human interface. Today, our scientists are continuing in the footsteps of Edward Jenner. By seeking answers to complex biological questions in nature, these modern-day pioneers are providing fundamental knowledge to advance the health of animals, people, and our planet.

Cycle of Rift Valley fever. (From “Towards a better understanding of Rift Valley fever epidemiology in the south-west of the Indian Ocean” – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate.)

This week, CEPI—the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations—announced an initiative to create a human vaccine for Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus. The virus causes an acute, febrile disease most commonly observed in domesticated animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels), with the ability to infect and cause illness in humans. The majority of human infections result from contact with the blood or organs of infected animals or from the bites of infected mosquitoes. Vaccines against RVF have been effective in livestock, and one of these vaccines, DDVax, will be the basis of the human vaccine candidate. DDVax was developed at the Centers for Disease Control by a team including Dr. Brian Bird, now of UC Davis.