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UF veterinary oncologist receives Withrow Award from national surgery group

Dr. Sarah Boston

 Dr. Sarah Boston, an associate professor of small animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has been honored by the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology.

Boston, who also serves as the group’s president,  received the Stephen J. Withrow Award during the society’s annual meeting, held Oct. 23-26 in San Antonio, Texas as part of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons’ annual conference. The award is given for “advancing the art and science of surgical oncology,” according to the society’s Facebook page.

A native of Calgary, Canada, Boston joined UF’s veterinary medical faculty in 2011. She received her D.V.M. degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996, and a D.V.Sc. degree from the University of Guelph in 2003.

Subsequently, Boston performed a residency in small animal surgery at the University of Guelph, followed by a fellowship in surgical oncology at Colorado State University. Board-certified in small animal veterinary surgery, Boston is also a founding fellow of surgical oncology in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Her research interests include osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma and cancer staging.

Surgical oncologists are trained surgeons who have completed a post-residency sub-specialist training program in surgical oncology. Surgery is the oldest treatment for cancer, and as a single modality, cures more animals and people with cancer than any other treatment, according to the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology’s website. The society consists of associate and affiliate members who are either trained or have a special interest in surgical oncology.

According to its site, the society aims to advance the art, science and practice of surgery for the treatment of cancer in animals and people, and to disseminate knowledge to help provide the highest possible standard of surgical treatment for cancer.

Withrow, for whom the award is named, established the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center and currently serves as its executive director.