Dr. Dana Zimmel
Greetings, fellow Gators!
What an eventful and inspiring past few months it has been for our college community! The highlight, of course, was witnessing our exceptional Class of 2024 proudly receive their D.V.M. diplomas at commencement in late May.
As they celebrated this milestone achievement with loved ones, faculty, staff, and mentors cheering them on, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. This resilient group began their veterinary journey in 2020, navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with remarkable fortitude. From pivoting to remote learning to grappling with new health concerns, they persevered through it all, emerging as passionate, strong-willed professionals poised to change the world.
Our cover story highlights a program near and dear to my heart. The college’s Veterinary Business Management Certificate program marks its 10th year, with more students participating in this particular program than any other program we offer — and we offer several. I started this program when I served as lead administrator for the UF Veterinary Hospitals and recognized we needed a means to incorporate business training into the curriculum so that students who sought to gain more knowledge about how to prepare themselves for careers in veterinary practice — from negotiating contracts to conducting effective interviews to practice ownership — would have a means of doing so. Under the capable leadership of Dr. Martha Mallicote, the program has grown and thrived.
In fascinating research-related news, in June, Dr. Emma Schachner, a faculty member in our Department of Physiological Sciences, reported in Nature the fascinating discovery that soaring birds possess a unique air sac that is believed to increase the birds use to power flight muscles while soaring. We have that story for you in this issue, along with an article about UF researchers reporting the first diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Florida dolphin. You might remember we covered this story soon after the discovery, but the report published in Communications Biology brought additional attention to the important findings, made possible through a network of important collaborations with state and federal agencies.
I’m delighted to officially welcome Dr. Jada Lewis, a distinguished neuroscience researcher, as the new chair of our Department of Physiological Sciences. With her wealth of expertise and leadership experience from the McKnight Brain Institute, Dr. Lewis is a fantastic addition to our team. I also want to acknowledge Dr. Nancy Denslow’s valuable contributions and service as interim department chair, a role she played since 2021. She provided stability and continuity during the search process and during the leadership transition, and I greatly appreciate all she has done for the college and her department.
In a remarkable development, our veterinary forensic pathology program, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Adam Stern, has received a staggering $7 million in private donations. This incredible support will fuel major expansions, providing invaluable resources for animal forensics partners across Florida and beyond. It’s a testament to Dr. Stern’s dedication and the program’s vital work.
Among our faculty making waves is Dr. Robin Bell, an equine sports medicine specialist at the UF Veterinary Hospital at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. This native Australian and lifelong show jumping enthusiast will soon embark on an exciting journey as a team veterinarian for Team Australia in Paris, caring for some of the most elite equine athletes in the world. We couldn’t be prouder!
There’s so much more to celebrate within these pages, showcasing the remarkable achievements of our college community. I hope you enjoy learning about the inspiring stories and groundbreaking work happening right here at UF.
Take care, and Go Gators!
