Veterinary college presents annual fall teaching awards

The CVM recently recognized teaching excellence in the college. Drs. M.M. Chengappa, Matthew Basel, Butch KuKanich and the late Warren Beard were each named as the respective top teachers for the first, second and third years of instruction, as voted on by each respective class of students for their teaching efforts in the 2022-2023 school year.

K-State partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition combines strengths to advance student learning, elevate patient care

The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University helps students and clients realize their dreams, thanks largely to long-running support from Hill's Pet Nutrition, who provides new resources and facilities at K-State through a partnership designed to enhance medical and nutritional care for pets.

Video — Happy Holidays from the College of Veterinary Medicine

Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush and the College of Veterinary Medicine wishes you and your family the very best this holiday season! Click on the link and/or service puppy McFly to view a special video greeting that looks back on the many ways that made 2023 a special year!

Dr. Nathan Kapaldo hosts Anesthetic Monitoring CE event in Hays

By Rylee Coy

Dr. Nathaniel Kapaldo, assistant professor, anesthesiology, planned and hosted a single day continuing education event in Hays, Kansas, in October. This training targeted not only veterinary technicians, but also practicing veterinarians. The event drew about 300 people online and 60 people who came in person.

Clarenburg Lecture features cancer/fibrosis researcher

For the annual Clarenburg Lecture, the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, hosted Dr. Ellen Puré Nov. 16, who presented “Stroma as a Therapeutic Vulnerability in Solid Tumors.” Dr. Puré is a Grace Lansing Lambert professor of systems pharmacology and translational therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Video — Scholarship Reveal: Wiltfong Scholarship to Melissa Hill

Fourth-year student student Melissa Hill receives a special surprise during the Vet Town pre-game festivities held Oct. 21. Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush shared the story of the Wiltfong brothers: Drs. Phillip '52, Meredith '55, and Richard (Willy) '58 Wiltfong; and how a scholarship was created in their honor. Watch the video at the link.

Westfall Fellowship goes to Dr. Thitikan Jirakittisonthon

Dr. Thitikan Jirakittisonthon, a Ph.D. student under Dr. Mark Weiss, has been awarded with the Dr. Jane A. Westfall Graduate Student Fellowship for Women. The award was established by Dr. Westfall through an endowment fund when she retired in 1999. She served on the faculty 32 years, and passed away in 2021.

U.S.-China Joint DVM program holds homecoming event abroad

The U.S.-China Joint DVM Program held its China Homecoming event in Beijing, China, on Sept. 8 and 9. It was co-organized by the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, Chinese Veterinary Medical Association and Zoetis. About 70 people attended.

ICASA grants seek to address liver abscess formation in cattle

By Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)

The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) awarded four grants totaling roughly $1.15 million to identify why liver abscesses occur and develop diagnostic tools to enable informed decision-making to treat the condition, including two grants, one each, for Drs. Raghu Amachawadi and T.G. Nagaraja.

Cattle Chat: Managing tick-related sickness in the herd

By High Plains Journal/Lisa Moser, Kansas State University Research And Extension

When hiking, many know to check their bodies for ticks to avoid Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In the same way, ticks can carry diseases that make animals sick, said the veterinarians with the K-State Beef Cattle Institute, or BCI. A recent Cattle Chat podcast discussed the impact ticks can have on cattle diseases.

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

Dr. Brian Lubbers accepted the nomination to serve as a voting member on the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial (PACCARB). He is picking up in the spot vacated by Dr. Mike Apley, who served on this council since 2015. The council provides advice and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and supports and evaluates U. S. government activities focused on fighting antimicrobial resistance in human health, animal health and environmental health. Using a One Health approach, members have expertise from a range of backgrounds, including academia, industry, public health, advocacy, veterinary, and agricultural production.

Dr. Ron Orchard was appointed and approved by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly to serve on the state's Pet Animal Advisory Board. The board reviews the status and make recommendations to the Animal Facilities Inspection program especially in regard to the Kansas Pet Animal Act.

Dr. Shaun Huser presented, “Evaluation of Herd and Within-Herd Prevalence of Bovine Leukemia Virus in Eastern Kansas Beef Cattle,” at the International All Things Bovine Leukemia Virus Conference in Lansing, Michigan, held Nov. 7-9.

Dr. Dylan Lutter presented at the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association Annual Conference in Dallas in Nov. 12-13. He presented two lectures: “Lifting the Veil from Equine Navicular Syndrome: Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Management” and “Guide to Design & Publication of Clinical Research Studies;” and a lab, “Incorporating the Equine Lameness Exam with the Chiropractic Exam.”

Dr. Matt DiFazio passed the American College of Veterinary Radiology board exams and is now a diplomate of ACVR.

Drs. Chieko Azuma and Dave Hodgson (professor emeritus) presented the Intercultural and Inclusion Lunch & Learn, “Japanese American Culture" and the "Effects of War," on Oct. 10.

Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn presented, “Diabetes Masterclass: Troubleshooting & Complications,” at the American Association of Feline Practitioners 2023 Annual Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 12.

The KSVDL's Rabies Team attended the Rabies in the Americas (RITA) Conference in Bogotá, Colombia. Dr. Roman Pogranichniy represented KSVDL at Swine Day this year.

Dr. Elizabeth Davis attended the American Royal Barn Raising event as a VIP attendee Nov. 28. The American Royal is building a brand-new facility on approximately 100 acres in the Legends area of Wyandotte County. The new American Royal facility is expected to be fully utilized by December 2025.

K-Staters participate at ACVP

K-State pathologists, residents and students attended the 2023 ACVP meeting in Chicago. Top row: Dr. Shakirat Adetunji, DVM, MS, Ph.D., received the Davis-Thompson Foundation 2023 Pathology Training and Scholarship Award on Oct. 30. Bottom left: Jiashi Feng, DVM class of 2025, presented a poster at the student poster session Oct. 28. Bottom right: Dr. Julia Lombardo, second-year anatomic pathology resident, presenting a case report titled, "Intestinal cryptococcosis causing intussusception in a young canine') at the Natural Diseases Scientific Session II," on Oct. 31.

Veterinary Nurses lead sessions at Colby Community College

Seven veterinary nurses from the VHC attended this year's Veterinary Nurse Conference at Colby Community College. Each presented a seminar in their specialty and promoted the Nurse Intern Program. Top row: Jen Klingele and Jen Free. Bottom row: Catherine Lowry and Morgan Lease. Not pcitured: Maddie White, Tina Banman and Christine Hackworth.

Showcasing Clinical Skills to Kind Hearts

The duo of Susan Rose and Dr. Shane Lyon gives a presentation on the the Clinical Skills Lab at the Kind Hearts celebration held at the KSU Foundation in early November.