Tag: DVM students Page 1 of 3

Welcome to the Class of 2023

On August 20, 2019

“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.

Congratulations Class of 2019!

By Michael Lairmore

On June 4, 2019

In Dean's Perspectives

“We need to have a vision of the world we want to create so that we can see ourselves as collaborators with future generations in the project of shaping it.” David Grinspoon

As each academic year comes to a close, I reflect on how our school has shaped the future of the next generation of veterinarians and scientists that we have mentored, taught, and bonded with during their training with us. In our case, 181 graduates completed DVM studies, a graduate degree, or a residency at UC Davis. I am proud that they have received their education and training from the country’s premier veterinary school, a global leader in veterinary science.

The Class of 2019 is a particularly determined group. For instance, we celebrated Ferrin Peterson, a graduate who pursued a jockeying career while undergoing the rigors of the DVM program. Ferrin would rise at 4:15 a.m. to be on a horse at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco by 6 a.m., and then head back to school at 7 a.m.

Ferrin won her first race on a steed named Lovely Lioness, which earned her an opportunity to race at Del Mar. In her first race, she took fourth place, riding Chocolate Goddess. She heads out in the world today as a jockey who can double as a track veterinarian.

UC Davis attracts students with that kind of passion—and who, as graduates, make an impact on medicine and the world.

Since the formation of the school in 1948, we have addressed societal needs by working to benefit the health of animals, people, and the environment in California and beyond. Our school, and its alumni, have shaped the field of veterinary medicine, from developing innovative education programs, to discovering mechanisms of diseases of animals and humans.

A Year of Innovation and Discovery

By Michael Lairmore

On December 11, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

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

As the year of 2018 comes to a close, it is a good time to celebrate our accomplishments. For the school, this past year was a time of innovations and discoveries in multiple areas of our mission—from basic science to community building.

DVM students welcomed into our Class of 2022.

We welcomed a diverse incoming class of students who are academically gifted and prepared to serve in our global society. They joined and strengthened a community united by our common sense of purpose to serve society.

Talented teams of researchers, clinicians, students, and staff used novel techniques and approaches. They advanced new treatments and helped answer fundamental questions to explain our world and advance the health of animals, people, and our planet.

Resilient Solutions for Growing Populations–a One Health Approach

By Michael Lairmore

On November 5, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.” –Mark Hyman

The recently completed 5^th Annual One Health Symposium, focused on “Resilient Solutions for Growing Populations,” was a vivid example of how our community comes together to focus on the health of animals, people, and the environment. The symposium brought together veterinarians (faculty, alumni, and invited speakers), veterinary and medical students, staff, as well as physicians, public health officials, and other scientists promoting diverse networking opportunities and transdisciplinary approaches to one health.

Dean Michael Lairmore with Dr. Laura Kahn (center) and Dr. Jonna Mazet.

Dr. Laura Kahn, a world-renowned physician and research scholar served to frame the issues of the day and to honor, with her lecture, legendary former faculty member, Dr. Calvin Schwabe. Dr. Kahn highlighted the global challenges in food production in the 21st century, including policy and social issues that serve as barriers to progress. Her talk served to demonstrate the sobering facts of planetary concerns such as climate change, and outlined what will be needed to find solutions for the future.

New Beginnings for the Class of 2022

By Michael Lairmore

On September 5, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” –Harriet Tubman

Our recent induction ceremony for the veterinary class of 2022 was a celebration of new beginnings and the fulfillment of dreams. The event represented an academic and career milestone for our new students. Their nervousness and joy was on full display as each walked across the stage to put on the white coat, a symbol of entrance into their professional lives and a first step toward their goal of becoming a veterinarian.

The academic cycle is one of constant renewal as each new class of students comes to us to learn the knowledge and skills that will launch them into the world. Our new class of veterinary students, like so many before them, comes to us with their own histories, talents, and dreams. Each of them has their own story to share with us. As we teach them, they will impact our lives, adding to our own tapestry of experiences.

Resiliency as a Critical Component of Success

By Michael Lairmore

On May 14, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.”- Bernard Williams

Members of the Class of 2018 during their White Coat ceremony in 2014 at their induction into veterinary school.

As commencement season begins, my thoughts turn to our new graduates who will soon receive their DVM degree. Since the establishment of the school in 1948, we have been leaders in veterinary medicine by working to benefit the health of animals, people, and the environment in California and beyond. Our school, and its alumni, have shaped the field of veterinary medicine, from developing innovative education programs to discovering mechanisms of animal and human diseases. Our new graduates join this legacy.

The Class of 2018 came to us with an intense desire to gain the skills of this great profession and a passion to advance animal health. They are graduating into a world of great promise, and many challenges. Along the way, they have enriched the school’s history with their own unique characteristics that bonded them to each other and to those that trained them. The many hours of study and exams, along with the countless time spent with their animal patients, are the tip of the iceberg of the journey it took to get them to this moment. Each of them has their own unique story to tell. Each of them has overcome barriers, faced doubt from others and in themselves, or may have endured heartbreaking events that changed their path along this voyage.

Importantly, they would not be at this touchstone along their career unless they possessed a trait that is critical to anyone’s success in life—a characteristic as important as the knowledge learned in veterinary school. They had to be resilient in their own way. Resiliency is defined as the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Celebrating Diversity as a Source of Strength

By Michael Lairmore

On April 9, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will be brittle in the face of adversity.” -Joshua Waitzkin

As I watched our students celebrate our annual Diversity Day, I was impressed with their unity expressed through their voices, spirit, and talents. Our students’ energy reflected the strength that is exhibited when we celebrate our nation’s multicultural tapestry. We celebrate those that join us from various backgrounds and cultures, learning from each other as we come together with a common purpose to foster education, research, and service to society.

It is no surprise that in the business world, companies with top quartile diversity (defined as women and international representatives) on their executive boards, generated returns that were ~50% higher, on average, than the companies in the bottom diversity quartile. We should not be surprised that in our profession, when we harness the power of a diverse workforce, we better position ourselves to address society’s problems. Our school has consistently demonstrated our commitment to recruit a diverse workforce and student population. For example, we consistently rank in the top three institutions nationally in our numbers of under-represented groups for our veterinary professional students.

These statistics, while impressive, do not measure what empowers our students, faculty, and staff. Equally important to a successful and diverse workforce is resiliency. Diversity is synergistic with resiliency; mirror images of each other. When we open ourselves to learn from others and listen to their experiences, we draw strength from their ideas and history. The characteristic of a resilient person is not easy to quantify, as it is often only revealed after adversity is introduced to their lives, shattering their plans and perceptions of the future.

Excellence as a Result of Habit

By Michael Lairmore

On March 5, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” — Aristotle

The school has been recognized for the fourth year in a row as the #1 program in the world in veterinary science by QS World University Rankings. So how is excellence measured? It is my belief that the quality of any organization is built from the character, values, talent, and work ethics of its people. Without the habits of excellence brought to work each day by our faculty, staff, house officers, graduate students, and veterinary students, we would not be recognized as the global leader in veterinary medicine. While our buildings, laboratories, hospitals, and other resources are critical for us to do our work, we would be a far less effective organization if it were not for the quality of our people.

At the heart of what we do is the education of the next generation of veterinarians, research scientists, and veterinary specialists. Our educators work tirelessly to improve our curriculum, bringing outcome-driving, and adult-learning models to spark life-long learning as a habit in our trainees and students. The many hours our teachers and staff put into their lectures, teaching laboratories, notes, and course materials is paid back to them in the success of our graduates, who fill important jobs throughout the world in private practices, industry, and government. We seek to develop leaders in all facets of jobs that are filled by our alumni, and desire to reconnect with them as we delight in their successes.

Love and Compassion–Essential to Humanity

By Michael Lairmore

On February 14, 2018

In Dean's Perspectives

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” – Dalai Lama

On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate our love for others through gifts, flowers, or other expressions of our feelings. Daily, we may observe acts of love and compassion, but not fully appreciate how important these traits are to our feelings of fulfillment and belonging. We are fortunate to work in an environment that celebrates the human-animal bond, which at its core is a mutually beneficial relationship between animals and people, reflected in emotional, psychological, and physical interactions. Scientific research has verified the physiologic effects on both pet parents and dogs who are bonded. Anyone who has been emotionally touched by their pets understands the depths of our love for animals.

Dean Lairmore surrounded by students at the Knights Landing One Health clinic.

We extend our compassion to our community in a variety of outreach programs such as our student-run Mercer and Knights Landing Clinics. These clinics provide healthcare for pets of those in need, but who lack adequate resources. I recently visited our Knights Landing One Health Clinic on a busy Sunday morning. The clinic was a hub of activity with more than thirty students, volunteers, and clients gathered in the local community center. The compassion and dedication of our students was on full display as they interviewed clients and examined anxious pets on make-shift exam tables. Our students’ desire to serve the underserved of our society is a clear expression of their humanity.

Another form of compassion is expressed for our co-workers in their times of need. We express sympathy towards our co-workers following the loss of a family member or in times of severe stress. In addition, while less obvious, we show we care in small acts of daily kindness. The affirmative effects of kindness are experienced in the giver and to those that witness the act of kindness, spreading good feelings and positively influencing the work environment. As we envision our future, we must acknowledge the importance of compassion in solidifying the bonds between us that bring satisfaction in our work and warmth to our souls.

Training a Veterinary Workforce to Feed a Hungry World

By Michael Lairmore

On December 11, 2017

In Dean's Perspectives

“We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry.” —Jimmy Carter

Earlier this year, fourth-year students Margaret Austin (left) and Hannah MacDonald received hands-on training at Tulare-area dairies under the guidance of Dr. Wagdy El-Ashmawy.

At UC Davis, we believe deeply in the interdependency of animals, people, and the planet we all share. It is with this core value that we look to the future. To feed a hungry world, we must train a veterinary workforce that is capable of addressing some daunting statistics. According to the 2017 report of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one of the greatest challenges the world faces is how to ensure that a growing global population – projected to rise to around 10 billion by 2050 – has enough food to meet their nutritional needs.

By 2050, food production needs are expected to increase by 50 percent. While global food security requires a complex series of approaches, it is clear that the production of healthy animal-sourced proteins will play a significant role in the solution.

An artist’s rendering of the future Livestock and Field Service Center.

We have come a long way since the inception of our school in the late 1940’s. Delivery of veterinary services and the education of veterinarians have significantly evolved over the past six decades. We are planning our Livestock and Field Services Center to meet these emerging needs of our regional clients and stakeholders, but also to train our students to be ready for the challenge of animal agriculture in all of its forms around the world.