2 Healing Hands

ContentsCOLLEGE OF

VETERINARY MEDICINE ADMINISTRATION

DeanDr. Ralph Richardson

Associate Dean, Admissions and Diversity Programs

Dr. Ronnie Elmore

Interim Associate Dean, Academic ProgramsDr. Melinda Wilkerson

Associate Dean, Clinical ProgramsDirector, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Dr. Roger Fingland

Hospital AdministratorVeterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Dr. Shirley Arck

Head, Anatomy and PhysiologyDr. Frank Blecha

Head, Diagnostic Medicine/PathobiologyDr. M.M. Chengappa

Head, Clinical SciencesDr. Bonnie Rush

Director, Diagnostic LaboratoryDr. Gary Anderson

Veterinary Medical Continuing EducationDr. Bob Larson, Executive Director

Director, Veterinary Medical LibraryProf. Gayle Willard

Director, Graduate ProgramsDr. Michael Kenney

Healing Hands is published by the Office of Development

and Alumni Affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

Editor, DesignerJoe Montgomery

Contributing writers and layoutKayla Chrisman

Dusty Dhuyvetter

Tyler Nelssen

Brandee M. Werth

PhotographyDave Adams

joe Montgomery

Director of DevelopmentChris Gruber

Development OfficersMegan KilgoreChris Stephens

Marketing/Development OfficerPatrice Scott

Pet Tribute CoordinatorSharon Greene

Alumni Affairs CoordinatorCheri Ubel

Development Coordinator Diana Sarfani

MAILING ADDRESSDean’s Office

College of Veterinary MedicineKansas State University

101 Trotter Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5601

About the cover: Dr. Robin Hughes vaccinates catsand dogs in Colombia as part of a humanitarianmission organized by the Alliance for Rabies Control.

Bits & bytesNews from the College of Veterinary Medicine

Diagnosing your problemsKansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab offers fullvariety of services

Why I teach veterinary medicineMeet Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical assistant professor

Protecting public healthK-Staters find wide range of career options inUSDA-APHIS

Where the buffalo roamDr. Tolani Francisco checks herd health and more

Cover story: Bringing comfort Dr. Robin Hughes goes on a humanitarian missionto Central and South America for rabies control

More bits & more bytesJune Conference awards; Dr. Klocke’s double de-light; Dr. Cates picked for One Health spot

Thank you to our gracious alumni Gifts to veterinary college provide keys to growth

One Health Fest & Rabies Symposiumdraw crowds/Research tips & assistance

VMAA letter from president

Alumni news & In MemoriamRomantic novel features fictional alumnus

Alumni Recognition Awards

Reunion sparks great memoriesDr. Andy Stewart recalls presidential adventure

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WEB ADDRESSwww.vet.k-state.edu

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Fall 2009 3

It is an honor to represent the College of Veterinary Medicine and its alumni.Along with the leadership of many others at K-State, the city of Manhattan and thestate of Kansas, we have played an important role in solidifying and growing ourreputation at Kansas State University and beyond.

Last spring, we announced the selection of Manhattan, Kan., as the site for thenew federal National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). This will be theleading institution for zoonotic disease research in the world. It is being broughthere because of our strengths in food safety and security and animal-diseaseresearch.

As of Oct. 1, 2010, Manhattan will also be the new site for the USDA’s Antropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Laboratory (ABADRL), which is being relocatedfrom Laramie, Wyo. Its scientists work on vector-borne diseases transmittedthrough fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. ABADRL will be a wonderful fit for the CVMand for K-State with its Department of Entomology, as well as the many researchactivities already taking place in the nearby Kansas City Animal Health Corridor.

We now need to plan where our college should be in 10 or 15 years when theseand other new facilities are up and running. In order to prepare an adequateworkforce, we must expand our capabilities of preparing graduates to enter careerpathways that address the bio and agro defense concerns in the world.

In this issue of Healing Hands, you will read about alumni who work in publichealth, such as with USDA-APHIS. Notice how they credit their core education inveterinary medicine at K-State in helping them be successful public health officers.

While our core focus will always be on preparing graduates for veterinarypractice, we see greater interest among our undergraduate and graduate students inpublic health and infectious disease research. A K-State veterinary educationprovides a foundation for good science and research practices. I envisionManhattan as becoming the next “CSI-Miami,” where our profession will play animportant role in unraveling the puzzles of maladies that affect both animals andhumans.

Please keep in touch. We want to hear from you and we hope you enjoy readingthe many stories about the CVM and alumni activities in this issue of HealingHands.

Sincerely,

Foreword — progress

Ralph C. Richardson, DVM, Dean

Public health ventures due to CVM’s strong core

PHOTO BY JOE MONTGOMERY

Fall 2009 5

CVM faculty lead national and international organizations

Students win essay awardsThe 2009 JF Smithcors

Essay Contest was held inMay and proved to be asuccess for K-State Collegeof Veterinary Medicinestudents Tiffany Lee andValerie Livingston. Tiffanycaptured third place withher essay, “Brisket Disease inCattle: A Brief Overviewand History.” Valerie tooksecond place in the contestwith her essay titled “Footand Mouth Disease: A Storyof Resilience.”

The contest received atotal of 12 papers from threeinstitutions. Ashley Mitek,from the University ofIllinois, took the top placefinish with an essay titled,“From Early Man to Man o’War: A History of theCribbing Horse.”

4 Healing Hands

After 80 yearsat the CVM, theK-State RabiesLaboratorymoved to newfacilities. The newlocation is in theManhattan/K-StateInnovationCenter at theResearch Park onthe top of the hilleast of Mosier Hall, where it was previously located.

“This was a good move for us” said Dr. GaryAnderson, director of the KSVDL. “Many people wereinvolved in securing this new location for us — from theKSVDL, CVM, K-State’s administration, and,significantly, the city of Manhattan. We want to thankthem for their support.”

The Rabies Laboratory is one of the highest volumerabies serology centers in the world handling over 55,000samples annually in service to veterinarians and animalowners through tests to measure antibodies to rabies.

Rabies Laboratory moves to new site

bits & BYTES from the Colle ge of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Bonnie Rush, head ofClinical Sciences in the CVM,was honored by her alma materwith a Distinguished AlumniAward in June.

“Recognition from thefaculty responsible for trainingme to become a veterinarianand a specialist is the mostsignificant event of my career,” Dr. Rush said, who received her DVM from The OhioState University in 1989. She also completed a master’sdegree in 1993 in conjunction with a three-yearresidency in equine internal medicine in OSU’sDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

Upon completing the residency, Dr. Rush joined thefaculty at K-State where she has served as the head ofEquine Medicine and Surgery, the Associate Dean ofCareer Development, and her current position.

In 2004, the National Association of WomenVeterinarians honored Dr. Rush as OutstandingWoman Veterinarian of the Year (also won by Dr. LisaFreeman in 2002 and Dr. Melinda Wilkerson in 2008).

Dr. Rush becomes distinguished OSU alum

Brandy Gowdy, research assistant ,(center) gives a tour of the new RabiesLaboratory.

Dr. Bonnie Rush

Dr. Fred Oehme retired inJune after 50 years with theCVM. He began his career as aclinical instructor at K-State in1959 and became a facultymember in 1963.

Dr. Oehme received abachelor’s degree in biologicalscience from CornellUniversity, master’s degree intoxicology and medicine fromK-State and doctorate intoxicology from the Universityof Missouri. He received his DVM in 1958 from CornellUniversity.

Since 1969, he led the Comparative ToxicologyProgram, an internationally recognized postgraduatetraining center for toxicologists and a research andclinical service facility. Dr. Oehme installed a 24 hours aday, seven days a week Information Response Center toanswer requests for information on potential chemicalhazards, clinical emergencies and environmentalcontamination.

He said the teamwork and positivity of his colleagueshas helped make the CVM a great place to work.

Dr. Fred Oehme retires

Dr. Fred Oehme

TV correspondent speaks at White Coat CeremonyThe Class of 2010 will

have many specialmemories by the timethey graduate from theCVM. It’s considered atremendous accomplish-ment when a student getshis or her White Coatbecause it signifies thetransition from preclinicalto clinical studies. Thisyear’s class will also havethe special memory of

being addressed by a television news correspondent andformer Miss America: Dr. Debbye Turner Bell.

Since 2001, Dr. Turner Bell has been a staff correspondenton CBS’ “The Early Show,” where she covers a variety ofsubjects as a feature reporter and as a veterinarian hostsregular pet segments titled “Pet Planet.”

Dr. Turner Bell has been a motivational speaker for severalyears. Since being crowned Miss America in 1990, she has

spoken to more than a half million students at hundreds ofschools, youth organizations and college campuses. Her topicsinclude personal excellence, determination, goal setting andthe importance of a solid education.

Dr. Turner Bell’sbeliefs reflect her own lifelessons — it took sevenyears and 11 tries in twostates before she wascrowned Miss America.

Dr. Turner Bellgraduated from theUniversity of Missouri-Columbia in 1991 with aDoctor of VeterinaryMedicine degree. Sheearned a bachelor’sdegree in agriculture in1986 from Arkansas StateUniversity.

Dr. Debbye Turner BellTiffany Lee

Valerie Livingston

Students from the Class of 2010prepare to take the oath of professionalism after receiving their white coats.

Dr. Meena Kumaribecame a member ofthe Neurotoxicologyand Alcohol Study Sec-tion, Center for Scien-tific Review for theNational Institutes ofHealth. She will helpreview grant applica-tions and research.

Dr. Howard Ericksonwas elected president ofthe American Veteri-nary Medical HistorySociety and has alsojoined the Vet 2011National Committee toplan for the 250thanniversary of the vet-erinary profession.

Dr. Roman Ganta waselected president of theAmerican Society forRickettsiology. “Thoseattending our confer-ence were very comple-mentary about K-State’sorganizational contri-butions for the meet-ing,” he said.

Dr. Dan Thomsonchaired the OIE BeefCattle Production andAnimal Welfare com-mittee in July, whosemembers includeexperts from Uruguay,Kenya, Australia, Chinaand Ireland.

Dr. Michele Borgarelliwas elected president ofthe European College ofVeterinary InternalMedicine-CompanionAnimals. Dr. Borgarelliis also an officer in theCardiology SpecialtyGroup of the sameorganization.

Fall 2009 76 Healing Hands

DiagnosingYour Problems

“What can the Kansas State VeterinaryDiagnostic Lab do for you?

The technical answer to this question would endup being quite a list, but a simple “more thanyou think” would work for most people. While

the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (KSVDL)is already highly regarded, it serves functions thatmany people aren’t even aware of.

To begin with, the KSVDL is a full-service,American Association of Veterinary LaboratoryDiagnosticians (AAVLD) accredited laboratory,offering a complete range of diagnostic services for allspecies. The KSVDL is pleased to be part of theCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas StateUniversity and, along with the Veterinary MedicalTeaching Hospital (VMTH), serves as one of the twomain service units for the college.

Director of the KSVDL, Dr. Gary Anderson said,“We are concerned with giving the very best results nomatter the test — our goal is to treat each and everycase and/or sample as if it was our own.”

The testing, evaluation and interpretation that takeplace serve as the core of what the lab is all about. TheKSVDL provides testing in bacteriology, clinicalpathology, molecular diagnostics, parasitology,pathology, rabies, serology, toxicology and virology.Whether it is testing on large numbers of productionanimals to potentially save someone a lot of money oron companion animals to save important friendships,the KSVDL is capable.

There is no other lab in Kansas that canaccommodate the wide range of tests, technologies

and services available in the Diagnostic Lab. Manytimes, tests cannot provide the very best answerswithout the technology and expertise provided by theDiagnostic Lab.

Pathology is a foundational discipline for the lab,and while it is not always the most glamorous divisionof any veterinary diagnostic lab, it is hard to think of amore important one. There are three areas thatencompass pathology services in the Diagnostic Lab:Necropsy, Histopathology, and Immunohistochemis-try. These sections are responsible for preparinganimals and tissues for careful examination by board-certified veterinary pathologists, which providesessential diagnostic information. The KSVDL haseight pathologists who are certified by the AmericanCollege of Veterinary Pathologists.

Another prominent division of the KSVDL is theRabies Lab. The Rabies Lab is one of only two labs inthe United States that routinely evaluates rabies titers,which tests the level of imm unity in a patient afterreceiving rabies vaccine. The lab is also the primaryrabies diagnostic testing lab for Kansas and Nebraska,testing approximately 2,500 specimens annually.Animals headed to any rabies-free areas such asHawaii, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and NewZealand can also be certified to travel because oftesting done in the Rabies Lab.

Outside of testing, there are other convenientservices the lab provides on a regular basis. Some ofthese include: receiving samples to test, offeringsupplies for others’ use and giving referrals to wherecertain tests might be run. The Diagnostic Labreceives samples from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday

To learn more about the KSVDL, visit its Web site:www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/dmp/service/index.htm

through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. If you arewithin Manhattan, Junction City or Fort Riley theDiagnostic Lab provides courier service to local clinics. Inaddition, the KSVDL offers supplies for the use of others.Biopsy containers, tube mailers, ear notch containers andshipping boxes can all be obtained through the lab, ifneeded. Finally, if for some reason the Diagnostic Lab can’trun a test that is needed, they can refer orforward the sample to a laboratory that will beable to accommodate special needs.

Because the services of the KSVDL are not aswidely known as they might be, with input from avery active external ad visory board, theDiagnostic Lab has embarked on a campaign tocommunicate more effectively with veterinariansand other stakeholders. As the place that oftengives the final answer to veterinary problems, Dr. Anderson says, “The Diagnostic Lab justneeds to be branded.”

This should not be too steep of a challengeconsidering all of the great things going on,including recently expanded services andfacilities, and a very capable staff.

So if the question is still “what can the KansasState Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory do foryou?”, why not take the time to find out? You willnot be disappointed.

Dr Bhupinder Bawa (center), pathology resident, leads fourth-year studentsthrough necropsy procedures during Diagnostic Lab rotations.

Pilar Gunter and Angie Baker work on animal export cases inthe Serology Lab.

Alyssa Humbarger checks a 96-well plate that has been drying (acetone fixing oftissue culture cells) prior to staining the cells in the wells as part of the FAVN rabiesserology test.

By Dusty Dhuyvetter

PHOTOS BY DAVE ADAMS

at the

Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

8 Healing Hands

‘Why I teach veterinary medicine’Dr. Susan Nelson teaches students and public about animal healthDr. Susan Nelson is a clinical assistant professor in general medicine and works in the Pet Health Center/Community Practice sectionof the K-State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Hastings (Neb.) College in 1985 andher DVM from K-State in 1989. Originally from Albion, Neb., Dr. Nelson worked in private practice 14 years in Manhattan beforejoining the faculty. She’s frequently featured by K-State Media Relations in news stories about pet health, where she offers timely, no-nonsense advice for pet owners.

What made you want to be a veteri-narian? I’ve always loved animals.When I was 5, I went with my family towatch a veterinarian, who was a familyfriend, perform a C-section on a cow. Ithought that was one of the most amaz-ing things I had ever seen and was pretty much hooked from then on.

How did you transition from practic-ing medicine to teaching?Between regular hours and workingemergency at our clinic, I saw manycases and gained much experience. I was also able to play a role in prepar-ing our clinic for AAHA accreditationand reaccreditation while workingthere. This process was also an invalu-able experience. After becoming amother, I decided it was time for sometype of change. A friend let me knowthere was a position at K-State. I’d neverreally thought about there being a placefor me at the VMTH, but the more Ithought about it, the more I thoughtthat this just may be it, so I applied andthe rest is history.

What lessons have you applied toteaching from your time as a student?Be open to new ideas. The great thingabout veterinary medicine is that it is

ever-evolving. One has to be open to new ideas in order to keep up with changes in technolo-gy, treatment, etc.

What has been most rewarding about teaching? Seeing the “light bulb” go on when a stu-dent perfects a technique or starts finding things on physical exams which previously eludedthem. It is also rewarding to know you played some small part in the development of a stu-dent into a successful practitioner. An added bonus is that students are just fun to be around.

What trait do you think helps a teacher be successful? Honesty and a sense of humor —OK, that’s two, but I think they are both equally important. Students are smart. They knowwhen you’re not being totally on the level with them, so to be anything but honest with themseems pointless and ineffective for a good relationship. Humor is also important. I think vet-erinarians have some of the best senses of humor. There is enough stress when one is goingthrough clinics, so being able to crack a joke now and then can be very therapeutic.

Fall 2009 9

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DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING ATLAS

10 Healing Hands

From hands-on animal care to administrative work in thenation’s capital, the Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service(APHIS) protects and promotes U.S.agricultural health, regulates geneticallyengineered organisms, administers theAnimal Welfare Act, and carries outwildlife damage management activities.

There are numerous K-State CVMalumni who are employed by APHIS,which is a branch of the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA), theagency that works 24/7 to defendAmerica’s animal and plant resources

APHIS. He was employed by the FoodSafety and Inspection Service for 10years before being hired by APHIS.

Dr. Ellithorpe’s job consists ofdetermining if owners want todepopulate their herd for indemnity orcontinue their operations as a huntfacility when there is a positive case ofCWD diagnosed.

Dr. Ellithorpe’s favorite aspects of hisjob include visiting the various elkranches, instructing employees onproper methods for taking CWD tissuesamples, APHIS training sessions, andfield work with the VMOs. Some of hismost significant accomplishmentsinclude instilling a level of trust with thecaptive elk ranchers and Colorado ElkBreeder’s Association and helpingcommercial elk ranches find suitableslaughter facilities for their animals. Healso assists Dr. Terry Spraker withtaking rectal biopsies for CWD researchat the CSU College of VeterinaryMedicine Diagnostic Lab.

“K-State was a great environment fordeveloping a good work ethic and thepersonal and professional qualities todeal with a large variation ofpersonalities in often difficult situations.Thank you faculty members from 1966to 1970,” Dr. Ellithorpe said. “I stillderive a great deal of personalgratification from communication withmy former classmates.”

Roger Perkins, DVM Veterinarian in Charge

Dr. Roger Perkins, class of 1970,works in conjunction with Colorado’sState Veterinarian in administering

from agricultural pests and disease byimplementing emergency protocolswithin affected states. Employees can beactive in areas such as: animal healthand welfare, biotechnology, emergencypreparedness and response, import andexport, international services, permits,plant health, regulations andassessments, and wildlife damagemanagement.

Jack Ellithorpe, DVMCWD Specialist VMO/F ield

Dr. Jack Ellithorpe, class of 1970, is aChronic Wasting Disease Specialist for

P r o t e c t i n g P u b l i c H e a l t hP r o t e c t i n g P u b l i c H e a l t hCVM alumni find wide range of career options with USDA APHIS

By Brandee M. Werth and Kayla Chrisman

Chronic Wasting Disease Specialist , Dr. Jack Ellithorpe examines an elk in Colorado. He regularly helps with CWD research at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Lab.

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Fall 2009 11

animal health andwelfare requirements.

“The job gives mea strong sense ofbeing helpful on anumber of levels,” Dr. Perkins said. “Ihave a feeling ofhelping theproducers on a largerscale by surveillanceand elimination ofdiseases that maythreaten our herdsand flocks.”

Dr. Perkins saidone of his biggest accomplishmentshas been his involve-ment in several suc-cessful animal and germplasm importationsinvolving a highlevel of disease riskcontrol. He helpeddevelop and implement procedures tomitigate disease risk while importinggenetics from foreign countries whichwould expand the U.S. genetic pool.

“I was given a broad-based pragmaticeducation at K-State and was taught tocombine solid science with commonsense and practical approaches toproblem solving,” Dr. Perkins said. “InVeterinary Services, as in practice, itisn’t a matter of always knowing all thatyou need to know, but rather knowingenough to begin without causing harm,and being able to find out the rest ofwhat you need to know to correctlycomplete the task.”

He and his wife, Sherri, have beenmarried 47 years. They have threemarried daughters and two grandsons.

“In federal service I worked withsome fantastic colleagues worldwide,” Dr. Perkins said. “I’ve enjoyed someinternational travel and have had sometruly unique experiences. I feel like Ihave done a little bit of good in theworld. What more could you ask for?”

John Honstead, DVMRegional Epidemiologist Western Region

Dr. Honstead, class of 1977, iscurrently the Regional Epidemiologist ofthe 23 Western Region states. Heprovides technical and scientific supportto the region for the National AnimalIdentification System, Johne’s Diseaseand several special projects such asimport and export user fees.

Dr. Honstead started in APHIS byfollowing in his late father’s footsteps.His father, Dr. Herndon Honstead,worked as a field veterinarian for theBureau of Indian Affairs in 1950 aftergraduating from K-State. “I grew up inVeterinary Services so it was just naturalthat I follow him,” Dr. Honstead said.

Along with working for APHIS forthe past 10 years, Dr. Honstead has alsoworked as a staff officer in the Food andDrug Administration, providing BSE(“mad cow” disease) expertise for all fivecenters in the FDA. He was able to travelto the UK, Berlin, Mexico City andCanada for BSE issues. Dr. Honsteadalso took time to earn a master’s degree

in medical microbiology at theUniversity of Georgia in 1990.

Dr. Honstead’s favorite part of his jobis interacting and being able to provideepidemiology support to our AreaVeterinarians In Charge and AreaEpidemiology Officers with programand agency issues.

“K-State provided me an excellentprofessional education in my DVM,especially with an attitude to work as ateam member and looking toward thebig picture,” Dr. Honstead said.

Currently, Dr. Honstead and his wife,Sherry, live on a small horse farm 20miles north of Ft. Collins, Colo., withthe coyotes, prongh orn antelope andeagles.

Dr. Honstead’s son and two grand-daughters reside in Lakeside, Calif.,while his two stepdaughters with onegranddaughter each live in Denver. Hisdaughter, Marci, who was born while heattended K-State, died of frontaltemporal dementia in San Diego inMarch after four years of illness.

Dr. Honstead says he looks forwardto retiring in the next few years.

Dr. Roger Perkins helped develop procedures tomitigate disease risk while importing genetics fromforeign countries to expand the U.S. genetic pool.

Dr. John Honstead is the regional epidemiologist ofthe Western Region. He enjoys assisting VeterinariansIn Charge and other area epidemiology officers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. PERKINS PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. HONSTEAD

12 Healing Hands

Dr. Tolani Francisco, class of 1990, is the AreaEpidemiology Officer in Colorado. She becameinvolved with APHIS after learning they had a

program for practitioners to become federal veterinarians. Herjob consists of managing program diseases, keeping databasesand tracking disease outbreaks in Colorado, and rating howthe state ranks on a national basis.

The most appealing aspect of her job, Dr. Francisco states, isthe travel. Some places she has been to include: Bolivia (whileworking for the USDA as the FMD coordinator for theDepartments of Beni and Pando in charge of overseeing avaccination program for over 5 million head of cattle); theUnited Kingdom (spending three months working on FMD);Alaska (to work on the Caribou and Reindeer villages aroundNome and Kotzebuk); and most recently Cairo, Egypt, (towork on the Avian Influenza problem in the Egyptian Deltaregion).

“I never imagined I would be working for the government,”said Dr. Francisco. “I have always wanted to open a clinic onmy reservation in New Mexico, but financial obligations haveprohibited that since I know the area is greatly impoverished.Now, in the work I do, I rely heavily upon the education Ireceived from Dr. John Noordsy and Dr. David Schoneweis.”

Tribal family and K-State familyDr. Francisco’s K-State story is unique. She was born on the

Navajo Reservation in a little community called Leupp, Ariz.Her father had been an agricultural extension agent for theBureau of Indian Affairs.

“I’ve always been my father’s daughter,” Dr. Francisco said.“Because he never made it to veterinary school, I decided inmy high school years I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

Her family had lived on the White Mountain ApacheReservation in Arizona and the Choctaw Indian Reservationsin Mississippi. They spent every summer on their ownreservation, the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico, workingcattle, sheep and horses with Dr. Francisco’s grandfather.

“My family had always used veterinarians in Albuquerquethat had been K-State veterinarians,” Dr. Francisco said. “I hadwanted to go to Colorado State University like all my friends inundergraduate school [Editor’s note: Dr. Francisco earned herbachelor’s degree at New Mexico State University in LasCruces]. My dad convinced me to apply to K-State eventhough it was not a WICHE [Western Interstate Commissionfor Higher Education] school, and I’d be paying full out-of-

state tuition. I was accepted by both schools, so I had to make adecision. For spring break, I flew into Manhattan in the middleof a snow storm where Dean Coffman’s wife met me at theairport with one of her son’s jackets and a spare pair of snowboots! Dr. Noordsy and Dr. Sam Kruckenberg showed mearound the school explaining that at K-State I was not justanother student, but part of a huge family. I was hooked! Laterthat week I went to Ft. Collins, but the feeling was nowherenear what I’d felt at K-State.”

Where the Buffalo RoamDr. Tolani FranciscoAPHIS Epidemiologist and ‘Vet Detective’

By Joe Montgomery

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF WONDERWISE / UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA STATE MUSEUM

Fall 2009 13

Dr. Francisco’s decision was soon validated by difficultcircumstances.

“On my way to college in August 1986, my dad and I wereinvolved in a very bad automobile accident with a semi truck,”Dr. Francisco recalled. “While I was in the hospital, my parentscalled Dr. Noordsy, and he told them to have me come a yearlater. They would hold my place for me. I didn’t want to dothat. When I got out of the hospital, it was two weeks into thesemester, but I had my family take me to Manhattan. I had towear a cervical collar and use a walker to get around, buteveryone welcomed me and helped me get going in school. Ihave such good memories of everyone being so helpful.”

A role model and a ‘Vet Detective’“As far as I know, there are maybe 15-20 American Indian

veterinarians across the U.S.,” Dr. Francisco said. “We are still asmall minority and those of us from reservations are very smallin number. Most of the Indian veterinarians I know do smallanimal work, but not too many want or like the food and largeanimal route.”

Because Dr. Francisco does work with large animals inconnection with tribal lands, she was chosen in 2000 toparticipate in a unique project produced by the University ofNebraska State Museum and Nebraska 4-H YouthDevelopment through NET Television. The project was calledWonderwise and featured video profiles of nine women indifferent science disciplines. Dr. Francisco represented herfield as the “Vet Detective.”

The Wonderwise series offers an educational kit targeted atgrades 4-6, which includes a “Vet Detective” video, CD-ROMwith additional videos and educational information, and a 48-page activity book. The kits, offered in both English andSpanish, have been used nationwide by schools and 4-Hprograms.

Joe Turco, manager of television content production andexecutive producer at NET, said, “Dr. Francisco is an amazing

person, as well as an impressive veterinarian. Producing herprofile in New Mexico was an enlightening experience. Themission of Wonderwise was to show the science process inaction, and we were able to do this through Dr. Francisco’swork with bison and other large animals in the field. She is alsoa great role model for young women.”

“Vet Detective” won several awards including the CineGolden Eagle award, Best Instructional Media Product fromthe National Educational Telecommunications Association(NETA), Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner, GoldenAurora Award from the Aurora Awards Film and VideoCompetition, and an Honorable Mention in the ColumbusInternational Film and Video Festival. More information about“Vet Detective” and the Wonderwise series can be found onlineat: http://wonderwise.unl.edu/ and a copy of the DVD is on filein the CVM’s Veterinary Medical Library in the Animals inSociety Collection, under call number SF 996.36 .F73 v48.

Committed to public serviceDr. Francisco’s other significant accomplishments include

being selected by Agriculture Secretary Ann Venneman in2000 to be the Native American Liaison for USDA to all tribesin North America and being ranked captain as a Public HealthOfficer while she was in the Air Force. Part of her job as aPublic Health Officer included being in charge of as many as22 Public Health Technicians and working on many specialdeployment assignments of the Iraq and Afghanistan theater ofoperations.

“Now I have aspirations of being an Area Veterinarian inCharge or a Regional Director, so I am currently pursuing aMaster of Public Administration degree at the University ofColorado-Denver,” Dr. Francisco said. “Someday I still hope toreturn to my reservation and work with my tribe on allveterinary, agricultural and public health issues. Maybe I canafford to open a small clinic too!”

14 Healing Hands

By Dr. Robin Hughes

Bringing comfort

C over story

“Horses are an importantanimal in Nicaragua fortransportation and work. Here, I am vaccinating a foalfor rabies and tetanus and amassisted by Staff Sgt. Chad Rix,U.S. Army.”

Dr. Hughes lends her veterinary skills on humanitarian mission to Central America

Fall 2009 15

I’m Dr. Robin Hughes, DVM class of1987. I have done private practice,zoo practice, wildlife and zoo cura-

torship, flight training, and now, sheltermedicine. I currently live in Bradenton,Fla., but have practiced in New Jersey,California, Michigan and Virginia. Whatinspired me to pursue public health wasmy interest in zoonotic diseases and thehigh percentage of human diseases thatoriginate in animals.

This field experience came aboutfrom connections I made with our statepublic health veterinarians, Dr. LisaConti and Dr. Carina Blackmore. Theyput me in touch with a local retiredveterinarian, Dr. Bruce Kaplan, who isinvolved in the One Health Initiative.

Another group, the Global Alliancefor Rabies Control, was contacted by theNavy, which was looking for aparticipant for Operation ContinuingPromise. The Alliance’s representative,Dr. Debbie Briggs, contacted Bruce, andhe thought of me. I chronicled my tripby posting periodic entries at theAlliance’s Web site, which you can readbelow.

Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Antigua - approaching theUSNS Comfort

Operation Continuing Promise is aninternational, joint military and civilianeffort. On board the ship are membersof the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force,Coast Guard, US Public Health Service,Reservists and Merchant Marines.Additionally, military personnel are

present from the Netherlands,Nicaragua and Canada.

The non-governmental contingentconsists of six charitable organizationsincluding Project Hope, OperationSmile, the Rotarians and the Church ofthe Latter Day Saints.

The medical capabilities of the shipcomprise most procedures except openheart surgery, joint replacement andtransplant surgery. Most patients areseen in an outpatient setting on land,but surgical patients are screened andthen brought aboard ship for theirprocedures. The ship has the capabilityfor 1,000 hospital beds.

Date: May 26, 2009 Location: Colon, Panama

This morning, we visited theMinistry of Agriculture to determinewhat their needs are for our mission.Their main concernsare bot flies, screwworm and rabies.

The ministry, inconjunction with theUSDA, carries outthe screw wormeradicationprogram, wherebyadult male flies areirradiated andreleased, therebyinsuring theirsterility. In thisparticular area ofPanama, the screwworm is present, and

we are checking the cattle, goats andother livestock for this parasite when weprocess them for vaccines anddeworming.

We are vaccinating all the livestockand small animals for rabies, which ispresent in this area. Vampire bats are animportant vector here. The ministrypractices nighttime capture of bats andtesting for rabies.

Date: June 1, 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama

Today we took a break from ourrabies prevention efforts in the locallivestock and domestic animalpopulations and visited the screw wormeradication facility in Panama City. Thisis a joint effort between the USDA andthe Panamanian Ministry ofAgriculture. The plant rears screwworms, irradiates the pupae and releases

In El Salvador, Dr. Hughes enjoys socializing with a native parrot.

The U.S. Naval Ship Comfort sets off fromPanama City, Panama, one stop on its publichealth mission to Central and South America.

PHOTOS COUR TESY OF DR. ROBIN HUGHES

16 Healing Hands

the flies in mass from airplanes.Recently, there has been a screw wormoutbreak in this area, but it appears tobe fairly localized.

Screw worms once caused significantlosses in the U.S. cattle industry, becausethe maggots invade living tissue,burrowing deeply, causing infection andgangrene. Any animal with a skinwound is a target. Humans can even beaffected. Screw worms in the U.S. havebeen extirpated since the 1960s, and theline of extinction has been rolled back toPanama. Thus, the USDA maintains apresence here to safeguard the U.S. andall countries north of this line fromrecolonization by this fly.

Research is being done on variousaspects of rearing the flies, separatingthe sexes prior to irradiation to targetmales only, and understandingdifferences in fly strains from otherlocales. COPEG, as theorganization is called, is hopingsoon to get a chance to eradicatescrew worms in Cuba.

Date: June 10, 2009Location: Tumaco, Colombia

We are staying ashore inTumaco. The thrust of the missionhere is vaccination of the small andlarge animals. We are handing out alot of the rabies brochures as well,and the people seem grateful forthe information. Dr. CynthiaHoobler, a public healthveterinarian from Texas has joinedus, and we are happy to have herperspective on things.

Date: June 15. 2009 Location: Tumaco, Colombia

We are preparing to finish ourmission in Colombia tomorrow. TheColombian people have been verygrateful to have their large and smallanimals vaccinated and dewormed. Wealso have cared for some sick animals,and done a few necessary surgeries, oneof which was to remove a screw worminfested mass from a dog.

We have been handing out Spanish-language rabies information to all petowners, and the people seem genuinelyinterested and happy to receive thisinformation. In some cases, they haveeven come to us asking for it. Overall, Ibelieve we reached quite a few needyindividuals, and spread the word aboutrabies prevention.

Date: June 17. 2009 Location: Tumaco, Colombia

Tumaco is an area of Colombia wheremany factors favor the transmission ofrabies to humans. One factor is largenumbers of stray (and unaltered) dogsthat come in contact with children. Mostof these dogs are not vaccinated forrabies; of the approximate 100 dogs wesaw, only two had a current rabiesvaccine. Children carry the local dogs bygrabbing the front legs or both the frontand back legs, and haul them bodily tothe desired location. This positions thedog’s head at the level of the child’s face,making it easy for a bite to occur.

Additionally, the country ofColombia is in a state of “civil war” dueto well-organized and well-fundednarcoterrorism. This constant unrest

causes disruption in the villages, sothat local people leave their homesand animals while seeking safety.

Without adequate stray dogcontrol and vaccination, rabies willremain a problem for the populationin rural Colombia.

Date: June 26, 2009 Location: El Salvador

The mission in El Salvador ismuch the same as in previouscountries: that is, vaccinating anddeworming cattle. We also vaccinateother animals as the people bringthem to us. One observation ofinterest in this country, as comparedto the other countries we’ve visited,is the fact that domestic animals runloose and species mix

Dr. Hughes (center) prepares for being airlifted from the ship to Nicaragua in a Navy helicopter.

“Although we mostly did vaccinations anddewormings, we also operated on a few sickanimals. This dog’s puppies had died in utero a weekor more before, and she was becoming toxic. Thissurgery saved her life. I am assisting Maj. RonPowell, U.S. Army, by showing him the modifiedMiller's knot.”

Fall 2009 17

indiscriminately. We see horsesuntethered by the side of the road, cattlewalking down the highway, pigs on thebeach, packs of dogs roaming free, and,of course, chickens and turkeys every-where. Surprisingly, though, I have seenvery few stray or free roaming cats here.

Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Nicaragua

We are getting a lot of goodreceptivity with the rabies pamphlets,and I see people reading them at everyplace we go. The animals here are verythin and have poor hair coats. Thehorses are small in body size, and thesame goes for the dogs and cats.Sometimes I think I am dealing with akitten or puppy, and in reality it is anadult.

The cattle seem to be in a bit bettercondition, although some of them arethin as well. Many farmers don’t haveadequate pasture for their cattle tograze, so they take them to graze by theside of the roads and other commonareas. I haven't seen much quality grasshere; instead, the cattle are eating broad-leafed plants and weeds. Some farmersbelieve that a red cloth wrapped aroundthe cow’s neck will help prevent vampirebats from biting.

The pigs, on the other hand, seemfairly well fleshed.

The Surgeon General of the UnitedStates made a brief visit to the ship tolearn about Operation ContinuingPromise and visited us at our work site.

Date: July 13, 2009 Location: Nicaragua

We are finishing our mission inNicaragua and are in the process ofreturning to the boat. The NicaraguanMinistries of Agriculture and Healthseem very proactive in rabies control inthis country. They vaccinate all dogsyearly, so there was not a great need forus to vaccinate the dogs here. Cats areuncommonly kept as pets, becauseNicaraguans “don’t like cats.” Hence,they do not receive vaccination by thegovernment. The entire time we werethere, we saw probably five cats.

According to one of the instructors atthe veterinary college in Leon,government officials are in the processof eliminating the vampire bat, which isone of the principal rabies vectors inNicaragua. Rabies from vampires is nowonly found in one area in the north ofthe country. The last known human caseof rabies occurred in 1996.

While I was ashore, one of theNicaraguan health officials came ontothe ship to give our crew a lecture onrabies, which was very informative andcomprehensive.

Horses are an important animal inthis country, and we saw horses beingridden for transportation, pulling cartsand helping herd cattle. We vaccinatedand dewormed a large number ofhorses. Unfortunately, many horses areturned loose to graze the highwayshoulders, and get hit by cars.

Back at homeOperation Continuing Promise

achieved its goal of spreading the UnitedStates’ goodwill to Central and SouthAmerican countries. The veterinaryteam cared for thousands of animals ineight different countries. The mainimpact of this mission for me wasobserving the level of the human-animalbond, which is still present despitepoverty. However, in the U.S. the humananimal bond achieves its highest formbecause not only do we have a strongregard for the life of our animals but wealso have the economic means toproperly care for them. This I love aboutmy country.

Dr. Hughes speaks through an interpreter to a woman with a sick puppy in Tumaco, Colombia.

PHOTOS COUR TESY OF DR. ROBIN HUGHES

more bits

18 Healing Hands

The 71st Annual Conference for Veterinarians resulted in the distributionof several awards. Two special Distinguished Service Awards were givenout at the Heritage Evening banquet to former CVM employees. At theluncheon meeting of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, severalawards were presented including some to K-State alumni.

Heritage Evening Distinguished Service AwardsDr. Roger Fedde, an emeritus professor in the veterinary college, wasrecognized for educating more than 3,000 veterinary students inphysiology, mentoring students, advising graduate students and servingon numerous committees for the college and university. He taught atK-State from 1964 to 1998 and pursued research in respiratory andexercise physiology, as well as avian physiology.

Linda Johnson was recognized for her 38 years of devotion to thepromotion of continuing education and her unwavering loyalty to thecollege and its alumni. She was an instructor and director of theVeterinary Medical Continuing Education office. As director, sheorganized all the college’s continuing education conferences. Lindaretired in 2009.

Kansas Veterinary Medical Association AwardsDr. Mike Apley, Olsburg, Kan., was presented with the KansasVeterinary Medical Association’s 2009 KSU Distinguished ServiceAward for his work with the state’s veterinary practitioners on beefproduction issues. He is a national and international leader in foodanimal therapeutics. Dr. Apley is a professor in production medicineand clinical pharmacology in the CVM.

Dr. Sam Graham, Kingman, Kan., was chosen winner of the KansasVeterinary Medical Association Lifetime Service Award. Dr. Grahamhas been on the regulatory medicine staff of the state of Kansas AnimalHealth Department since 1988.

Dr. Marty A. Vanier, Manhattan, Kan., was chosen by the KVMA as the2009 Veterinarian of the Year for her efforts to increase thepreparedness of Kansas and the nation against biological terrorism andfor serving many years as chair of the KVMA Legislative Committee.

Dr. Bob Gentry, Beloit, Kan., was recognized for his service as the2008-2009 Kansas Veterinary Medical Association president by beingpresented with the KVMA Past President’s Award. Lesley, his wife, wasalso honored as the KVMA Spouse of the Year.

Dr. Roger Fedde

Linda Johnson, Ph.D.

Dr. Mike Apley

Dr. Sam Graham

Dr. Marty Vanier

Dr. Bob Gentry

CVM and KVMA present awards atJune conference

Fall 2009 19

more BYTES

Dr. Michael Cates, director ofK-State’ s Master of Public Healthprogram, has been namedsecretary and treasurer of the OneHealth Commission, a nationalgroup established to spotlight theconnections between human,animal and environmental health,and the benefits of a collaborativeapproach to better health for all.

The commission comprisesrepresentatives from eight majororganizations involved in healtheducation, research and practice,

and represents a call for greater cooperation across multipledisciplines at the local, national and global level. The goal isoptimal health for people, domestic animals, wildlife and theenvironment.

Dr. Cates, who is also K-State’s James B. Nichols Professorof Veterinary Public Health, will represent the AmericanVeterinary Medical Association as a member of thecommission's board of directors.

The formation of the commission comes at a time ofheightened concern by policymakers and public healthofficials about the potential spread of newly emerginginfectious diseases, such as the H1N1 influenza virus, andincreasing threats posed by emerging zoonotic diseases, food-and water-borne diseases and environmental change.

Dr. Cates has long been an advocate for using the entire

spectrum of expertise in human, animal and environmentalhealth to find innovative ways to improve overall health.

“It makes a lot of sense to find synergistic, joint solutionsto our health challenges in our nation and our world,” Dr. Cates said. “The health of our planet and the health of allits inhabitants are inextricably linked, and our traditionalmethods are no longer adequate. The One Health approachencourages and facilitates collaboration among medical,veterinary, public health, environmental health, wildlife andthe many other experts who can impact global health.”

Dr. Cates explained that K-State’s Master of Public Healthprogram is a good example of such an interdisciplinaryapproach to education because it leverages faculty and stafffrom at least eight departments in four colleges and theK-State Graduate School.

In the MPH program, students develop a broad under-standing of traditional public health while also addressing awide variety of specific issues such as zoonotic diseases, otherinfectious diseases, environmental toxicology, food safety andbiosecurity, human nutrition and physical activity.

“We are very fortunate at K-State to have such breadth anddepth in health-related expertise among our faculty and staff.This allows us to offer a tremendous blend of core publichealth courses and more specific ones in our four uniqueareas of emphasis in our Master of Public Health degreeprogram,” Dr. Cates said. “It’s exciting to see such interest andwork in One Health here and other locations around ournation. Now, we just need to build on these successes andstrengthen the impact.”

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Receiving a teaching award is considered to be one of the highest distinctionsfor a university professor, but to receive two awards in one year is a specialaccomplishment. Such was the case for Dr. Emily Klocke, clinical assistantprofessor of small animal surgery, who won the Fort Dodge Excellence inTeaching Award and Carl Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award last spring.

“This was a very nice surprise,” Dr. Klocke said. “To win either one of theseawards would be quite an honor. To win both is a little overwhelming, so I’m veryhumbled to be recognized this way. Past winners of this award are teachers whomI truly look up to and to be part of this group is just amazing. We have wonderfulstudents and an excellent department full of extraordinary teachers that thisaward represents.”

Dr. Klocke’s clinical interests are focused on teaching senior veterinarystudents and training interns and surgical residents in all aspects of soft tissuesurgery. She enjoys the diversity of cases that soft tissue surgery provides.

“Every day is unique, so we are able to give our students a wide variety ofexperiences and help them understand how to make the most of the skills theylearn while at K-State,” she said.

Talented teacher takes two ... teaching awards

Dr. Michael B. Cates

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Dr. Emily Klocke receives a pair of plaqueshonoring her excellent educational efforts.

K-State’s Dr. Cates joins One Health Commission

20 Healing Hands

Become a visible part of the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine history!

Honor your achievements, promoteyour clinic or business, or create amemorial with a personalized granitetile. Imagine the joy a gift of this typewould provide for the veterinarymedical professional in your life.

Each donation to this programsupports the College of VeterinaryMedicine. Granite tiles are displayedprominently in the Centennial Plazabetween Mosier and Trotter halls.

To place an order, please visit us online athttp://www.vet.ksu.edu/centennial/plaza.htmor call us at 785-532-4043.

Kansas State University

College of Veterinary Medicine

WalkDecades

Walk throughthe Decades

Leave A Legacy .. .Remember the College of Veterinary Medicinein your estate plan!

If you decide to include the college in your will, IRA, lifeinsurance, etc., you may use this official language:

I give and bequeath to the Kansas State University Foundation, Manhattan,Kansas, Federal Identification Number 48-0667209, a nonprofit corporation or-ganized under the laws of the State of Kansas, the sum of $____ or percentage of ____%, to be used according to the Memo of Understanding onfile with said organization OR for the general purpose of said Foundation.

If the college is included in your plan, PLEASE let us know!We’d like to personally thank you for your support.

For more information, please call 785-532-4378, e-mail chrisg@found.ksu.edu or visithttp://www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/development

Kansas State University

College of Veterinary Medicine

Fall 2009 21

We are blessed tohave wonderful-ly dedicated

alumni and friends whosupport our college by vol-unteering time and provid-ing much-needed financialresources that make atremendous difference inhow our college operates.

Many of you have toldme firsthand your plans to

make a donation through your estate. We are trulygrateful, but that is half of the equation. If you havemade provisions for the college in your will or trust,please let us know what you want done with your futuregift. Our experienced colleagues in the developmentoffice are ready to help you document your gift.Development Director Chris Gruber (785-532-4465) andhis staff will make the process as easy as possible.

Why is this important? Because our deepest desire isto make sure your wishes are met, and that donatedfunds expressly support the area(s) you intended. Overthe years, we’ve wrestled with some difficult issues. For

example, an undocumented gift comes in that was set upin a will 20 or even 30 years ago, yet the programtargeted by the gift no longer exists. Or, language in awill may be ambiguous and lead to considerablydifferent interpretations of the donor’s intent.

As Dean, I want to help our donors fulfill theirdreams of helping the college. This is best done by tellingus your wishes today so we can ensure properdocumentation. When the gift is realized in 10, 20, 30 ormore years, there will be no question on how to use thefunds. If things change over that period — a program iscancelled, new ones are added — we’ll have time toupdate the documents to reflect your wishes.

Often, donors hesitate to document a gift by beinguncertain of the exact amount that will come to thecollege. Don’t let that be a concern. We understand thegift’s final value may be significantly different based onmany factors. It’s more important to document yourwishes so whatever amount comes to the college is usedas you intended.

Please feel free to call or e-mail me or one of ourdevelopment staff with any questions: 785-532-5660,rcr@k-state.edu.

Thank you to our gracious alumni and friends

The economy is big news thesedays, although for challengingreasons. The good news is that

generous support from alumni andfriends like you has helped the veteri-nary college continue to strive for excel-lence. We thank you for allowing us intoyour homes and answering the phonewhen we call. The most rewarding partof our job as development staff is whenwe get to travel and meet the greatalumni from this college.

Last year, we raised $7 million for thecollege through cash and deferred gifts.Out of K-State’s nine academic colleges,only four were able to increase theirfundraising efforts over the previousyear. Thanks to you, we were one ofthose four colleges. We dearly appreciateall that you do for the K-State College ofVeterinary Medicine.

As we move forward, we seek yourcontinued support, whether through an

annual gift or through largergifts that can be endowed —every gift is important for thecollege. Annual gifts are used bythe dean to:

• Contribute toward thepurchase of a key piece ofequipment (used as matchingfunds with departments)

• Provide travel stipends foran unexpected opportunity for astudent, graduatestudent/resident or facultymember

• Support travel expenses fora visiting speaker

• Support staff appreciation picnicand the college’s recognition awards

• Provide recognition awards foroutstanding teachers, researchers,technicians

• Supplement scholarships,particularly during times of economic

downturn when the yields oninvestments are low.

All gifts, whether small or large, addup to big things for the college. Pleasecall the Development Office with anyquestions at 785-532-4378 or e-mailDevelopment Director Chris Gruber atchrisg@found.ksu.edu.

Dean Ralph Richardson: Giving your gift more impact

Annual gifts can provide travel stipends for studentsto present research and attend conferences.

22 Healing Hands

Veterinary Medical LibraryKansas State University

408 Trotter Hall

RESEARCH TIPS RESEARCH TIPS & ASSISTANCE& ASSISTANCE

by Carol Elmore

The death of a pet can be an emotionallydraining experience in a person’s life. Manyresources are available to help parents,veterinarians and others in dealing with the grieffelt when this happens. The Veterinary MedicalLibrary (VML) has many such items that can bechecked out locally or borrowed throughInterlibrary Loan.

Several books recommended by one of ourfaculty members are: “Grieving the Death of aPet” by Betty J. Carmack and “Saying Good-byeto the Pet You Love” by Lorrie Greene andJacquelyn Landis. Both are available at the VMLin our Animals in Society collection. Search ouronline catalog under several subject headingssuch as Pets — Death or Pet Loss — Psycho-logical Aspects to find other books and videos.

The VML also has a special Pet Tribute areawith notebooks listings contributions made tothe College of Veterinary Medicine in memory ofpets. See www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/development/PetTribute/index.htm for moreinformation on how to contribute. The library’sspecial area contains statues and other items thatpeople have contributed in memory of their pets.

If you need help locating information aboutpet loss and bereavement, remember the VML isopen to everyone. Document delivery andsearches on many topics can be provided on a feebasis through Library Research Services to thosenot currently affiliated with K-State. For specificsabout the services that can be provided, seewww.vet.ksu.edu/depts/library/info/research.services.htm on our Web site.

Some other resources include the DeltaSociety (www.deltasociety.org) who has a linkabout pet loss and bereavement resources andinformation. The Association for Pet Loss andBereavement at www.aplb.org also lists helpfulinformation. Some of the other veterinarycolleges in the United States have hotlines thathelp with pet loss.

K-State hosts Merial Rabies Symposiumand One Health Fest in September

Dr. Deborah Briggs, adjunct professor and consultant to K-State’s Rabies lab,explains the history of World Rabies Day. Dr. Briggs is also a member of the UKAlliance for Rabies Control board.

Several CVM students brought their dogs for a group dog walk at the OneHealth Fest, held in the Manhattan City Park. There were also obstacle coursesfor dogs and children, as well as a 5 kilometer run for adults.

Massage makes up one of the manyactivities at the One Health Fest.

In support of World Rabies Dayefforts, Student American VeterinaryMedical Association chapterscompeted to raise funds for rabiesprevention programs. K-State won lastyear and earned an on-site rabiessymposium sponsored by Merial,hosted in September 2009.

“Merial is pleased to partner withstudent AVMA chapters, and this yearbrings a unique rabies education eventto K-State students and stateveterinarians,” said Dr. Hal Little,director of Veterinary Field Services atMerial. “As a global leader in rabiesprevention, we truly understand theimportance of educating communitiesabout this fatal disease.”

K-State also held a One Health Festin conjunction with the symposium.

Fall 2009 23

PresidentDr. Mike MooreDVM 1968mk.moore@novartis.com

President-ElectDr. Pete She rlockDVM 1980peteams@bluevalley.net

Past PresidentDr. Gregory BogueDVM 1991greg@bogueanimalhospi-tal.com

Secretary/TreasurerDr. Howard EricksonDVM 1959erickson@vet.k-state.edu

Senior Member-At-LargeDr. Orval Gigstad IIIDVM 1976orv.gigstad@ wind-stream.net

Members-At-LargeDr. Justin JanssenDVM 1972JustinJanssenDVM@gmail.com

Dr. Todd KnappenbergerDVM 1999kvc4ksu@sbcglobal.net

Dr. Julie EbertDVM 1996julieebert@twinvalley.net

Executive Board Members

Veterinary Medical Alumni Association

The K-State College of VeterinaryMedicine (CVM) was established in1905 with the first graduation in 1907.Since then more than 6,000 men andwomen have been granted the doctorof veterinary medicine degree.

The college’s Veterinary MedicalAlumni Association (VMAA) wasorganized in 1958 through the initia-

tive of Dr. E.E. Leasure, dean from1948-1964. The association has sincehad oversight of the alumni programfor the college.

Membership activities and privilegesinclude:• Alumni Receptions • Awards• Alumni Records • Biographies• Reunions • Class Initiatives

Join the VMAA today!Membership dues are used for alumnireceptions at veterinary conferences,five-year reunions, alumni awards andpromoting other alumni activities andevents. See the Web site for moreinformation on how to join.

www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/alumni

Drs. Sam Strahm, Howard Erickson, NormanMorrow, Sam Graham, Richard Hackler, JamesSmart and Dale Hodgson, class of 1959, accept the2009 Reunion Achievement Award. About 56 percentof their classmates gave a cash gift to the Collegeof Veterinary Medicine in fiscal year 2009.

Learn more online at: www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/alumni

Fellow K-State veterinary alumni:

It is my distinct honor to serve you aspresident of the Veterinary Medical AlumniAssociation for the coming year. One of theobjectives of the board is to get moreinvolvement from recent graduates in ouractivities. We realize these graduates havemany other obligations such as business,

family and community, but we want them to stay connected sothat they feel a part of the organization.

One objective of the VMAA is to support alumni activities andhonor distinguished graduates. Our alumni receptions are themost popular and populated at any of the major conventions.These receptions create an excellent opportunity and venue topresent awards and recognition. We are always seeking deservingcandidates for these honors, so please send nominations to thedevelopment office or contact a board member. Awardnomination forms are available on the K-State CVM Web siteunder the alumni link. By the way, this is an excellent site to seewhat is going on at the college.

Be sure to join us at tailgate functions before the footballgames, which are ever so popular. This allows you to meet andvisit with some of your fellow grads and also get a bite to eat.

Remember this is your organization and we are always lookingfor new ideas and ways that we can promote K-State and yourVMAA.

Dr. Mike Moore, DVM 1968

Message from VMAA President Dr. Mike Moore, DVM 1968

2009 Class Initiative Award

24 Healing Hands

1952Dr. Dan Upson, Manhattan, Kan., wasgiven the Intervet/Schering-PloughMentor-of-the-Year award. This awardwas presented at the 2009 meeting ofthe American Association of BovinePractitioners (AABP) in Omaha, Neb.,in September.

1956Dr. John Kuenzi, Waukesha, Wisc.,was given the 50-year award at the94th annual convention of theWisconsin Veterinary MedicalAssociation. The award is given tohonor veterinarians who have servedtheir community and been membersof the WVMA for 50 years. Dr. Kuenziwas the WVMA president in 1979.

1966Dr. Charles Helwig, Tucson, Ariz., wasbrought on as the new ExecutiveDirector for the Southwest VeterinarySymposium on June 16, 2009 by theSWVS Managing Board of Directors.

The Southwest Veterinary Symposiumrepresents innovative partnerships thatstrive to create an unparalleledcontinuing educational experience andpromote the entire veterinaryprofession.

1969Dr. Dean Henricks, Carmichael, Calif.,was installed as president-elect of theCalifornia Veterinary MedicalAssociation (CVMA) on June 19, 2009in Anaheim, Calif., during the annualPacific Veterinary Conference. TheCVMA is a membership organizationthat represents more than 6,000veterinary professionals in California.

1975Dr. Jim Johnson, Waukesha, Wisc.,was given the WVMA MeritoriousService award at its annual conventionin October. Dr. Johnson has dedicateda great deal of time to the WVMAsince joining in 1978 through serviceon the grievance and alternative

therapycommittees. Hewas recognizedfor hisprofessionaland quickmanner inopeningcommunicationbetween thepublic andveterinarians.

1976Dr. Patrick Long, Corvallis, Ore., wasnamed the 2008 Small AnimalRuminant of the year by the AmericanAssociation of Small RuminantPractitioners. For more on his award,please see the AASRP Web site.

1978Dr. David Rethorst, Red Cloud, Neb.,was given the Merial Excellence inPreventive Medicine award in the beefcategory. The award was presented atthe 2009 AABP meeting.

1987Dr. Kelly Lechtenberg, Oakland, Neb.,was honored by the Beef CattleInstitute at K-State when it presentedhim its annual recognition award. Dr. Lechtenberg earned his DVM in1987 and Ph.D.in 1988, bothfrom K-State.The award waspresented at theK-State receptionduring the AABPmeeting inSeptember.

2001Dr. Nancy Adams, Seabrook, Texas, iswith the Pet Medical Center of ClearLake and wishes to announce that heroffice manager has recently beenaccepted into the class of 2013. Way togo Gail!

2003Dr. Jason Grady, Sapulpa, Oklahoma,is a new addition to the AmericanCollege of Veterinary InternalMedicine-Large Animal. Hecompleted the requirements forcertification and has been approved bythe ACVIM Board of Regents. Dr. Grady finished a large animalinternal medicine residency at K-Statein July 2008.

Drs. Dan Upson and David Rethorst at theAABP Meeting in Omaha, where they eachwon awards (see class of 1952 and 1978).

Send us your newsWe want to hear about you and let yourfellow CVM alumni and friends knowwhat’s happening in your life by printingyour good news in the Class Newssection of Healing Hands.

Send news (and any address or occupation changes) to:

E-mail: alumni@vet.k-state.edu

Or by snail mail:Office of Alumni and DevelopmentCollege of Veterinary MedicineKansas State University103 Trotter HallManhattan, KS 66506-5604

Visit: www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/alumni. Click on Address andNews Information Update at the bottom right side of the page.

Dr. Kelly Lechtenberg

Class news

Dr. Jim Johnson

Fall 2009 25

CORRECTION: In the Spring 2009Healing Hands, we misreported the deathof Dr. Gary L. Zimmerman, class of 1977,who lives in Livingston, Mont. The listingshould have been for Dr. Gary R.Zimmerman, which is corrected below. We regret the error and apologize.

Joseph L. Cavanaugh, DVM 1935Wabasha, Minn., April 20, 2006

Herbert P. Bolks, DVM 1939Hull, Iowa, May 8, 2009

Robert K. MacDonald, DVM 1940Newburgh, N.Y., April 21, 2009

Warren J. Dedrick, DVM 1941Jamul, Calif., April 17, 2009

Bill J. Myers, DVM 1943Norman, Okla., Aug. 17, 2009

Buford Winters, DVM 1943Nowata, Okla., Oct. 10, 2009

Walter C. Bowie, DVM 1947Tuskegee, Ala., Oct. 25, 2009

Z. Olen Pumphrey, DVM 1947Fort Branch, Ind., July 18, 2009

Arden G. Kemler, DVM 1950Corinth, Texas, April 23, 2009

Ross K. McPhail, DVM 1952Republic, Mo., June 7, 2009

Charles L. Page, DVM 1952Frisco, Texas, March 16, 2009

Edward J. Ackerman, DVM 1955Omaha, Neb., April 13, 2009

William A. Welty, DVM 1962Phoenix, Ariz., April 8, 2009

Jerald T. Waite, DVM 1964Fenton, Iowa, June 1, 2009

Garry J. Rokey, DVM 1970Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 14, 2009

Ronald D. Schulte, DVM 1971Houston, Texas, Sept. 6, 2009

Gary R. Zimmerman, DVM 1973 Holton, Kan., Dec. 23, 2008

Donald H. Mueller, DVM 1976Vestal, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2009

Hugh A. Rogers, DVM 1985Whitefish, Mont., April 1, 2009

In MemoriamPrescription for romanceFictional alumna heats up story set in Kansas

Large animal veterinarians now have a fictional character they can relate to.Meet Dr. Mattie Evans, an imaginary

K-State graduate who finds romance anddrama in the new novel, “Snow Melts inSpring,” by a Kansas author, Deborah Vogts.The bacground for Mattie’s character relied onbeing a veterinarian.

“I knew I wanted the story to start with ahorse injured in an accident, so from there, mycharacters began to take shape,” Vogts said.“The female lead would be struggling to keepher business going, and the male lead would bethe horse’s owner. The story pretty much tookoff and ran from that point on.”

Vogts says she had to do some research tobetter understand and develop Mattie’scharacter. “I needed Mattie to save a horse,Dusty, and not put him down,” she said. “Itwas integral to manipulate all the details of thecar accident just so. To do that, I visited withfour different veterinarians about possiblescenarios and recovery plans.”

Although “Snow Melts in Spring” iscategorized as a romance novel, Vogts saysthere’s much more to it. “My readers areconnecting on various levels — familyrelationships, horse lovers, lovers of the FlintHills — even football fans,” Vogts said. “As forhow Mattie’s profession shapes her personality,her love for life and animals come throughstrong and clear in the book. In one scenewhen her clinic burns, she risks her life in repeated attempts to save herpatients. And when she’s unable to save them all, she considers herself afailure. The fact that she lost several of her patients prior to the openingscene in the book is also of great concern for her. She struggles not tobecome attached to Dusty, for fear she’ll lose him too.”

Vogts says her book mirrors many of the interests in her life. Vogts grewup in southeast Kansas on a farm with pigs, cattle, horses and sheep. Shestudied English and journalism at Emporia State University. After college,Vogts lived in Topeka, but missed the wide-open spaces of her childhood, soshe went back home where she married a high school classmate. Vogts andher husband have three daughters and raise and train American QuarterHorses.

Vogts says she has heard from one veterinarian about the book. “Thisveterinarian now lives in Texas, but had once lived in the Flint Hills and hadworked as a large animal veterinarian,” Vogts said. “In fact, it was uncannyhow much of her life mirrored that of Mattie’s. She hasn’t read the book yet.I’m praying she likes it and approves of my veterinary scenes.”

The Veterinary Medical Library has a copy of “Snow Melts in Spring” inits Animals in Society collection, call number: PS 3622 .O363 S66 2009.

Novelist Deborah Vogtswrites about a fictional CVMgraduate in her book.

26 Healing Hands

Dr. Terry Wollen (‘72) was given a2009 Alumni Recognition Award atthe annual American VeterinaryMedical Association conference July 13in Seattle.

Dr. Wollen graduated from K-Statewith a bachelor’s degree in animalscience in 1970 and a DVM in 1972 andis director of Heifer International. Hisearly career started in the U.S. ArmyVeterinary Corps. Following this

service, he joineda large animalveterinarypractice in Idaho,working with beefcattle, dairy cattleand equinemedicine. He thenspent 20 yearswith Bayer Animal Health in TechnicalServices and Research and

Development, finally serving as aproject manager for productionmedicine projects.

Because of a strong desire to pursue acareer in international livestockdevelopment, Dr. Wollen joined theUnited Methodist Committee on Relief(UMCOR) NGO in Armenia. He wasinstrumental in starting the newprogram office for Heifer Internationalin the Caucasus region.

Dr. Guy H. Palmer (‘80) received the2009 Distinguished Alumnus Awardat the 71st Annual Conference forVeterinarians at K-State in Manhattanon June 8.

Dr. Palmer received his bachelor’sdegree summa cum laude in 1977 andDVM in 1980, both from Kansas StateUniversity, and a doctorate in pathologyfrom Washington State University in1984. He is board-certified in anatomic

pathology and is amember of theNational Academyof Sciences. Dr. Palmer’s goalas a researcher isto improve controlof animal diseaseswith direct impacton human health and well-being.Within this focus, he has led

collaborative research programs oninfectious disease in southern andeastern Africa, the Middle East andLatin America, where he currentlydirects a multi-institutional researcheffort studying genetic change inmicrobial pathogens and the risk forshifts in disease pattern and emergence.Dr. Palmer serves on the Board ofDirectors of the Washington StateAcademy of Science.

Dr. Martin C. Langhofer (‘75) wasgiven a 2009 Alumni RecognitionAward at the annual CentralVeterinary Conference in Kansas Cityon Aug. 29.

Known to his friends and clients as“Dr. Marty,” he has served his localveterinary association as a boardmember as well as president of theMichiana Veterinary MedicalAssociation. Dr. Langhofer served as

the areacoordinator of theNorthern IndianaLarge AnimalTreat and Triagefor the StateAnimal VeterinaryEmergencyCommittee. Hestarted an equine lecture series forveterinarians within a 50 mile radius of

South Bend and neighboringcommunities in Michigan and Indiana.He received the Indiana 2001Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Since 1994, Dr. Langhofer has raisedfunds for the shipment of human andveterinary medical supplies to medicaldoctors and veterinarians in countriesincluding Haiti, Ethiopia, Nigeria andothers.

Dr. David S. Hodgson (‘68) receivedthe 2009 E.R. Frank Award at the 71stAnnual Conference for Veterinariansat K-State in Manhattan on June 8.

Dr. Hodgson grew up in centralKansas. He obtained his DVM degreefrom Kansas State University in 1968.After service with the military inVietnam and California, he was in amixed veterinary practice in Lyons,Kan., for 10 years. Following two years

of teaching andtraining veterinarytechnicians atColby (Kan.)CommunityCollege, Dr. Hodgsonreturned toK-State to pursuegraduate studies in physiology. Dr. Hodgson was instrumental, with

Dr. Rose McMurphy, in establishing anoutstanding veterinary anesthesiaservice at K-State.

In 2007, Dr. Hodgson traveled toAfghanistan for six months to teachveterinary students at Kabul Universityand to treat patients daily at the KabulUniversity Veterinary Clinic. Hereturned to Afghanistan for two monthseach in 2008 and in 2009.

Read more about these recipients and awards online at www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/alumni/recognition.htm

CVM alumni recognition awards

Fall 2009 27

Reunion sparks Presidential memories

From an early age, Dr. Andy Stew-art had made some life goals forhimself. One was to play football

like his father, and the other was tobecome a veterinarian. Fortunately forhim, both of these dreams were about tobecome a reality.

Born in Davenport, Iowa, it seemedalmost inevitable for him to be aCyclone. “I wanted to go to Iowa State— I thought I was going to go to IowaState,” Dr. Stewart said when askedabout college.

After a trip to the university hissenior year, Dr. Stewart was confident inhis decision, that was, until he gothome. His high school football coachinformed him that K-State was offeringhim a full-ride scholarship. His decisionhad changed — he would become aWildcat. In August 1953, he packed uphis things and moved to Manhattan.

As a veterinarystudent and a guardfor the Kansas StateWildcats, college lifefor Dr. Stewart wasrather busy.

“We’d get homefrom a gameSaturday night, andI’d go study — I didn’t even dateuntil my senioryear,” Dr. Stewartsaid.

That was allabout to change. Inhis senior season, hesuffered a brokenmetacarpal and aneck injury thefollowing year. Dr. Stewart’s footballdays came to an end, allowing moretime for him to work on becoming aveterinarian, and to participate in otheractivities around campus.

Meeting with TrumanIn 1957, Dr. Stewart was positioned

as chairman for the VeterinaryMedicine Open House. Being its secondyear, Dr. Stewart and the others

involved wanted to spice upthe event. With only a coupleof months to plan, the groupgot together and startedworking right away. Ideaswere tossed around, butnothing ever stuck.

“We needed somethingwith recognition —something to give the peoplea reason to come — so wedecided upon a ribboncutting ceremony, but notjust anybody could cut theribbon it had to be some-body big,” Dr. Stewart said.

Before they knew it heand his team were in a carheading to Independence,Mo., to see former PresidentHarry Truman. They arrivedin Independence, Mo., that afternoon

and went straight tothe President’sLibrary. SincePresident Trumanwas too busy thatday, they rescheduledfor six weeks later.

When theyreturned the secondtime, PresidentTruman informedDr. Stewart and hisgroup he couldn’tparticipate in theribbon-cuttingceremony. Instead hesuggested that theyask the governor ofKansas to do it — asTruman’s idea. They

stopped at the Capitol building inTopeka to take a chance on speakingwith Gov. George Docking. As luckwould have it, the governor was thereand happily agreed to head theceremony.

Along with cutting the ribbon, Gov.Docking declared the week of OpenHouse as Kansas Veterinary Medicineweek. The Open House event had awonderful outcome, eventually sparking

the rest of the university to hold its ownuniversity-wide Open House event.

Life after K-StateUpon his graduation, Dr. Stewart

worked for the Eli Lily pharmaceuticalcompany, where he was placed in manydifferent job positions.

Shortly after that time, he wasdrafted into the Air Force and wasstationed in Alaska. After the Air Force,Dr. Stewart made his way to PurdueUniversity for a new career as aninstructor. Planning to continue hiseducation, he decided to study for anadvanced degree. These plans wereshort-lived as he took a trip touringEurope with his roommate. When hereturned he was offered his old positionback at Eli Lily. He figured he couldhold the job for a couple years and thenhead out to California where he wouldwork alongside a fellow veterinarian. Dr. Stewart ended up staying with EliLily for 31 years. During his career, helived in many different places, rangingfrom Mexico, Taiwan and Canada.

Now Dr. Stewart has retired from hiswork as a veterinarian, yet he still keepsup with his responsibilities as a grand-father, babysitting his two grandchildrenand keeping books at his son’s jewelrystore in Florida.

Dr. Andy Stewart visits campus for theK-State Family Reunion at the openingfootball game in September. He playedvarsity football while working on hisveterinary degree in the 1950s.

Open House 1958 starts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Left to right: M. Hendrickson, Dean Leasure, Gov. GeorgeDocking and Andy Stewart, class of 1959.

By Tyler Nelssen

Development and Alumni OfficeCollege of Veterinary MedicineKansas State University103 Trotter HallManhattan, KS 66506-5604

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonprofit OrganizationUS POSTAGE

PAIDPermit #525

Manhattan, KS 66502

$32 million appropriation keeps NBAF on trackIn the last issue of Healing Hands, we told you the Department ofHomeland Security had selected Manhattan, Kan. as the new site toreplace its Plum Island zoonotic disease research facility. The NationalBio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is scheduled to begin constructionin 2010 with completion in 2015.

In October, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to allow $32 million for thenext fiscal year to prepare the plans and site for construction. Beforeconstruction can begin, a safety study has been requested.

“We simply need to show that safe infectious disease research can beperformed in a facility built and maintained correctly,” Dean RalphRichardson said. “The educational opportunities are immense. TheCollege of Veterinary Medicine is being joined by the other departmentsat K-State and the Manhattan Area Technical College in providing thekind of education necessary to prepare the workforce for NBAF. Therewill be a continuum of laboratory technicians and researchers, master’sand Ph.D. graduate students, and of course, veterinarians continuingdown the path of a research career who will be primecandidates for employment at NBAF and the otherrelated facilities and businesses that are expected tooperate in Manhattan and the Kansas City AnimalHealth Corridor.”

College of Veterinary Medicine — www.vet.k-state.edu