A message from our dean

Dr. Dana Zimmel

Greetings!

This has been an unusual and unsettling past month at the college in some respects, as well as for many of our Florida stakeholders. The challenges posed by both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in such a short time span have tested all of us in different ways, and I want to share some of my reflections regarding the ways in which everyone in our college community has responded.

Most importantly, it was deeply gratifying to observe the unwavering commitment shown by our faculty and staff to helping our animal patients, our hospital clients, and each other navigate these back-to-back storms, ensuring that our college and hospital operations continued seamlessly. That commitment is part of our college community’s collective DNA, and these recent weather events were simply the latest reminder of the passion that drives us, not only to be better as an institution, but to offer real-time help and assistance wherever it is most needed to our constituents.

Our veterinary team of doctors and staff worked tirelessly to care for critical patients needing emergency care and surgery during both weather events. Our shelter medicine team played a key role in coordinating animal rescue efforts before and after both hurricanes.

While we were fortunate that impacts in Gainesville were relatively mild, we recognize that many in our broader community, including veterinary practices in central Florida, may have suffered significant losses. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we stand ready to support them as needed.

In other news, we recently acknowledged the first anniversary of our successful open heart surgery program for dogs. This issue has an overview of the program, and a wonderful video I hope you make time to watch. Another fascinating story involves a French bulldog treated for a rare and aggressive cancer by our oncology team at the UF Small Animal Hospital. Thanks to innovative approaches, including precision medicine, the dog was able to live several months longer than expected, and what was learned during his treatment may benefit other animal patients, as well as children, in the future.

This past month, we celebrated National Veterinary Technician Week, honoring the incredible veterinary technicians who form the cornerstone of our hospital operations. These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of our animal patients through their expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

To express our gratitude, we organized a week-long celebration across all our hospital locations. Our vet techs were treated to special gifts, surprises, and delicious meals to energize them during their demanding shifts. Additionally, we provided a wellness lecture and workshop specifically designed for veterinary technicians, featuring a nationally renowned speaker.

While no gesture can fully convey the depth of our appreciation, these activities were our way of recognizing the invaluable contributions of our veterinary technicians. Their skills and dedication are essential to the high-quality care we provide, truly making them indispensable to our veterinary services.

Thank you all for everything you do for the college, whatever your role may be. Let’s hope the coming weeks are calmer for everyone! Please continue to take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Dana

Dana N. Zimmel, D.V.M.
Dean and Professor