Connect to Veterinary Medicine: March/April 2008
News at the College, Upcoming Events, Vet Med in the News, Alumni Updates, In Memorium
Welcome to the March/April 2008 edition of Connect to Veterinary Medicine, the latest news and information from the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University.
News at the College
Annual Open House
Do you know anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine? If so, please invite them to attend the Annual Open House, Saturday, April 12th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with registration in the Veterinary Medicine Academic Building. Feel free to contact April Pugh assistant director of Student Services if you would like to receive a copy or copies of the Open House brochure, (614) 247-1512 or pugh [dot] 102 [at] osu [dot] edu.
Veterinary Brochures Now Available for Purchase
The College of Veterinary Medicine now offers several of our most popular brochures for purchase by veterinarians for distribution to their clients.
The brochures, which cover a broad range of topics, are available in packets of 25 for just $12 each (including shipping).
The brochures available are:
- MRSA information: Two brochures with information on Staphylococcus aureus regarding its spread and tips for preventing contamination are now available. One is written for veterinarians and one is targeted towards pet owners. (Members of OVMA should have received a copy of each of these in the February newsletter).
- Frequently Asked Questions: Two brochures, one designed for middle school students and the other directed towards high school students, offer answers to frequently asked questions about pursuing careers in veterinary medicine.
- New Puppy Guide: This brochures offers a brief overview of puppy behavior and training basics for new owners.
- "So you want to be a Vet?": This brochure describes a new Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Web site designed to engage middle school students in activities about the field of veterinary medicine.
An online order form is available. Those interested in purchasing a packet(s) are encouraged to print the form, fill it out and mail it in.
"Projects To Aid the College"
Eleven proposals were submitted to the Alumni Society by our faculty, staff and students requesting funding for a variety of "Projects to aid the college."
$20,000 was distributed to fund the following five proposals:
- Advances in Veterinary Medicine (Student Research Day), submitted by Dr. Larry Mathes
- Veterinary Student Day at Colerain Elementary School in Clintonville, submitted by the class of 2010
- Sound System for SAOP - submitted by Dr. Jon Dyce and Jennifer Simmons
- Small Animal Hospital Reference Library - submitted by the Class of 2008 - partial funding
- LCD Monitors for Wenger Computer Lab - submitted by Dr. Steven Weisbrode and Jennifer Simmons - partial funding
Continuing Education Calendar
Remember to check the CE calendar for updates.
Some upcoming sessions of interest:
- April 15 - Small Animal CE Series: Anesthesia
- April 18-19 - Total Hip Replacement
- April 29- Equine Owner, Breeder & Caretaker CE Series: Equine ER Equine Veterinary Emergencies
- May 15-18 - AO North America: Fracture Management
- May 20 - Small Animal CE Series: Theriogenology
- June 21-22 - Basic and Advanced Veterinary Ultrasound
- September 5 - Alumni Reunion Weekend CE Course
Breakfast of Science Champions
Students from St. Timothy's and Westerville Public Schools participated in February in the Breakfast of Science Champions. Thanks to the Department of Veterinary Biosciences for their assistance with the event, especially Jennie Winck, Larry Stone, Clarence Pointer, Dr. Steve Weisbrode, Dr. Michael Lairmore, Dr. Holly Borghese and Dr. Nong Inpanbutr. Thanks to Kristine McComis for taking students on a tour of the VMC, and Ken Matthias for assistance in the computer lab, while students tried out the new College of Veterinary Medicine outreach web site: "So You Want to Be a Vet?"
Donor Support for the College
Welcome to Ja'Marcus Hampton, who has joined the College of Veterinary Medicine Development Office from the University of Akron where he spent two years in fundraising. The other big news in fundraising in addition to the gifts that enabled us to purchase our canine rehabilitation equipment (see story below) is a recent gift of $150,000 to support two fellowships in advanced specialty training: a cardiology fellowship for Dr. Brian Scansen and an equine emergency fellowship for Dr. Sam Hurcombe.
Last month we received a wonderful gift from Dr. Elbert Jasper for graduate student support in Veterinary Public Health (VPH). Dr. Jasper's gift of $152,000 is set up as a charitable trust and eventually will help fund a scholarship for deserving students enrolled in the Veterinary Public Health program.
Canine Physical Rehabilitation Unit Now Open
The Canine Physical Rehabilitation Unit located in the northwest corner of the basement of the Veterinary Medical Center (room 0156 - follow the signs) is now open to patients. A Ferno Veterinary Systems underwater treadmill is the centerpiece of the Canine Physical Rehabilitation Unit. The facility will assist in convalescence from orthopedic and spinal medical and surgical conditions. Other patients that will benefit from the treadmill include the arthritic and the obese, as part of a weight control program. In addition, strength and conditioning training for working dogs and rehabilitation of athletic injury will be offered. A Terrestrial treadmill, as well as ultrasound and laser therapy will also be available. This project was facilitated by a generous anonymous gift as well as other donors, including Leota and John Folsom and William Meeks. Mr. Alex Lentsner is also to be congratulated for a job well done in facilitating renovation of the space. (See "Research Day" entry under Upcoming Events for tour information.)
A Special Message from Archie Griffin
Archie Griffin, President and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, is a firm believer in the principle of "paying forward," a concept he learned from Woody Hayes and which has helped frame Griffin's life accomplishments in the years since. It is in the same spirit that Griffin devotes his efforts to Ohio State and our alumni. His message regarding the benefits of paying forward can be found in its entirety on our website.
Vet Med in the News
Space Shuttle Endeavour Makes History with First Bowtie in Space!
The space shuttle Endeavour (Mission STS-123) made history during its longest-ever mission to the International Space Station. It also had a little piece of Ohio State, courtesy of alumnus-astronaut Dr. Richard Linnehan. Linnehan, who received his DVM from Ohio State in 1985, is NASA's first veterinarian. He made history in a special way for The Ohio State University: he took with him a scarlet and gray bowtie owned by university President E. Gordon Gee. President Gee offered the tie in lieu of agreeing to go himself at a special event last autumn. Gee assured the audience that he was not interested in space travel, and the tie would have to do! Now that the shuttle has safely returned to Earth, Dr. Linnehan plans to present the tie to Dr. Gee in a special commemorative frame . (The date of the presentation has not been chosen.)
More information about this mission is available at NASA's website.
The story was carried by 84 media outlets including the AP Newswire, all major daily newspapers in Ohio, and dozens of newspapers and radio programs across the country.
Students Featured on Ohio State Web page!
Over winter break, a group of veterinary students from Ohio State and Texas A & M traveled to Costa Rica. Ohio State sent them with a video camera and asked them to capture their story. The edited video (about four minutes) and accompanying transcript is now available on the Ohio State Home page.
For Fido on a Diet
Dr. Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, is the featured expert in a February 7, 2008 Wall Street Journal article by Anjali Athavaley. The article discusses the growing demand for nutritious pet food and can be found in its entirety on the web.
Imaging Sheds Light on Cancer Drug's Activity
Researchers at Ohio State University led by Thomas Rosol, DVM, PhD, Dean and Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine, used bioluminescent imaging to determine that both a proteasomal inhibitor (PS-341) and zoledronic acid were effective in reducing tumors in a mouse model of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). They reported their results in the December 15 issue of Cancer Research.
More information: see the entire story.
Greyhounds at Ohio State
NBC 4's Erin Tate took advantage of the Greyhound adoption program by adopting a Greyhound after reporting on the animals rescued and treated at The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.
See her story and coverage of the efforts to save retired racing Greyhounds.
Pet Toys, Bowls, Dishes Tested For Lead
Featured Experts: Drs. Shane Bateman, professor, leads emergency clinic, Veterinary Medical Center; and Diane Gerken, associate professor, veterinary toxicologist, were featured in a story on Channel 10.
Upcoming Events
Research Day AKA "Advances in Veterinary Medicine Day"
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend Research Day on Thursday, April 10, 2008. Posters will be on display from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. (judging takes place from 7:30-11.) Our lunchtime awards ceremony will be held in the VMC auditorium from 12-2 p.m., and will include an awards presentation followed by the keynote address, which will be given by Dr. Natasha Olby, associate professor of neurology at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. New this year! Tours and demonstrations of college basic and applied technology cores will be given from 2:00-4:00 pm. Included are the Cytometry Core, Mouse Phenotyping, Clinical Laboratories, and the new Clinical Trials Office, Tissue Bank and Canine Rehabilitation Unit.
Komen Columbus Race for the Cure
Please plan to join faculty, staff, students, friends, family and alumni of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure on May 17 as a member of the "OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Team." To register, go to www.komencolumbus.org/race/. After clicking the "Click Here" button to be directed to the register page, click the green "Register Now" button. Select the "Team Registration" circle to register as a team member. Don't worry about having your T-shirt sent, we will pick them up for you. Search the list of teams to find and select "OSU College of Veterinary Medicine." If you have any questions about getting involved by collecting pledges, feel free to e-mail Erica Barron (barron [dot] 52 [at] osu [dot] edu). Encourage your friends and family to join you and get ready for an awesome race with over 30,000 participants!
Also, mark your calendars for Pink Week, May 12-16. Activities are being planned for this week leading up to the race on Saturday. Included in the events are lectures on a variety of topics such as genetics, oncology, veterinary research and a survivor panel, as well as a special visit by Stefanie Spielman, wife of Ohio State football great Chris Spielman, and founder of the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Harcha (harcha [dot] 2 [at] osu [dot] edu) or student coordinator Erica Barron (barron [dot] 52 [at] osu [dot] edu).
Annual Golf Outing
The College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society will hold its annual golf outing on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the Foxfire Gold Club in Lockbourne, Ohio. The golf outing is a great opportunity to reunite with friends and enjoy a day of golf. Sponsored in part by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the College of Veterinary Medicine, the event includes 18 holes of golf in a four-person scramble format, lunch and a reception with dinner and awards. Each golfer's fee will include a donation of $30 to the Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society Scholarship Fund. Additional (non-golfing) guests are welcome at the dinner and awards ceremony. Reservations must be received by May 23, 2008.
Buckeye Cruise for Cancer
Travel Partners in Dublin is proud to announce the second annual Buckeye Cruise for Cancer hosted by Stefanie and Chris Spielman, February 12-16, 2009. The four night cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will sail out of Tampa Florida to Key West and sunny Cozumel, Mexico. The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer will unite Buckeye fans in the tradition of team spirit to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Funds raised on board the Grandeur of the Seas will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Alumni Updates
Dr. Rick Linnehan Returns to Space
Dr. Rick Linnehan, (DVM '85) made his fourth space flight as a mission specialist for NASA on March 11, at 2:31 a.m. Dr. Linnehan was selected by NASA in 1992, and has since logged over 43 days in space. The Flight is delivering both the first component of the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo and the new Canadian Dextre robotics system to the International Space Station. (See additional story under "Vet Med in the News") The Endeavour returned to Earth on March 26.
Dr. Heather Stone headed to China for 2008 Summer Olympics
Dr. Heather E. K.(Kaylor) Stone (DVM '97) will be traveling to China this summer for the Olympics. An ad in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association indicated that the Hong Kong Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation was looking for veterinarians to assist with the import, export and quarantine phase for the 2008 Summer Olympic and Para-Olympic games. After responding to the ad and participating in an extensive, several month interview process, which included two trips to the San Francisco/ Hong Kong Economic Trade Center, Dr. Stone received notice shortly after the holidays that she had been selected to participate as a quarantine veterinarian. Her post lasts from July 1 to October 1 and she will primarily be concerned with the risk of infections considered contagious prior to, during and after the events. Note: During her absence, a part time position is available with the State Regulatory Veterinarian/ PA Harness Racing Commission/ Meadows Racetrack:
- Temporary position available from Monday June 30th, 2008 to Friday Oct. 3rd, 2008, Post-times are every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Duties mainly consist of blood sample collection for various drug testing for the Commission, also, observation of Standardbred horses in warm-up and during racing. Contact George Crawford, Meadows Racing Commission Office at 724-223-4585
In Memorium
Dr. Charles C. Capen, professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences
Dr. Charles C. Capen passed away March 1, 2008 following a courageous battle with cancer. Recognized worldwide as one of the foremost experts on calcium metabolism and tumors of endocrine glands, he was one of a few veterinarians in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences. Considered by most to be the world authority on veterinary endocrine pathology, he was renowned for his work in the use of animal models to study human diseases.
Dr. Capen was born in Washington and grew up on a small dairy farm near Yelm, southeast of Tacoma. He graduated from Yelm High School and entered Washington State University in 1954. Dr. Capen developed an early interest in veterinary pathology and worked in the veterinary pathology department at WSU as an undergrad. He went on to earn MS and PhD degrees from The Ohio State University in 1961 and 1965 respectively and earned Diplomate status by passing the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1965. He was hired as instructor in the Department of Pathology (now Veterinary Biosciences), where he became professor in 1972 and served as chair from 1982 to 2002. Charles married Dr. Sharron Martin, a fellow professor in the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. Over the past 4 decades they traveled the world together on photographic safaris, bringing back treasured images.
Dr. Capen helped shape the Department of Veterinary Biosciences into a significant link between the veterinary and human health communities. His former students are leaders throughout academia, government, and industry and have contributed significantly to his reputation as an outstanding teacher and research mentor. Dr. Capen published over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the top journals of his fields. Dr. Capen received dozens of honors, including Ohio State’s Distinguished Scholar Award in 1993. Other honors include election into the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2006), Career Achievement Award for the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (2006), American Veterinary Medical Association Awards (Gaines, Ralston, Purina, Canine and Borden), The Ohio State University Distinguished University Professor (2002), and Distinguished Member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (1999). In addition, he was elected to leadership positions in major scientific societies including the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, the Society of Toxicologic Pathology, Association of Veterinary Pathology Chairpersons in North America, and the Society of Toxicology. These awards and positions of honor reflect his sustained excellence as a scholar and the respect he garnered as a researcher and as a mentor/teacher.
Dr. John Paul Shebanek
Dr. John Paul Shebanek Jr., D.V.M., age 85, passed away February 29, 2008 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He graduated from John Carroll University and earned a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. He served our country in the U.S. Air Force in WWII. He owned and operated the West Bend Animal Hospital in West Bend, Wisconsin for 35 years. He is preceded in death by his son John Shebanek III; and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; daughter, Linda (Keith) Beauchamp of Yardley, PA and grandchildren, Katy and Emily.
