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Longtime faculty member named interim associate dean for clinical affairs

Dr. Chris Sanchez with a foal outside UF’s Large Animal Hospital (File photo)

Dr. Linda C. “Chris” Sanchez, a professor of large animal medicine and chief medical officer for the UF Large Animal Hospital, has been named interim associate dean for clinical services at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

The permanent position was previously held by the college’s newly appointed interim dean, Dana N. Zimmel, D.V.M. Sanchez’s appointment was effective January 1.

A member of the college’s faculty since 2003, Sanchez received her D.V.M. degree from UF in 1995 and completed a residency in large animal medicine from UF in 1999. She subsequently completed her Ph.D. degree at UF in 2003, joining the college faculty that same year. Most recently, Sanchez has filled the role of chief medical officer for the UF Large Animal Hospital, holding that position since January 2019. Prior to that, Sanchez served as interim chair of the department of large animal clinical sciences from January 2018 through November 2018.

A board-certified large animal medicine specialist, Sanchez’s specific interests include gastrointestinal diseases and neonatology. She heads the UF Hofmann Equine Neonatology Intensive Care Unit and her research in the area of gastric ulcerations in foals has changed the therapeutic approach in clinical care.

In her new role, Sanchez will work closely with Zimmel and with her associate dean counterparts in education and research to address daily operational issues, as well as long-term strategies.

“The UF Veterinary Hospitals are a huge component of what has made our college so successful, and have critical impact across the college’s four-part mission of teaching, research, patient care and extension,” Zimmel said. “Dr. Sanchez is uniquely suited to the lead hospital administrator position due to her years of experience, clinical expertise and leadership skills. The hospital is in good hands, and I am thrilled that she has agreed to accept this new role.”