Tribute originally published in San Francisco Bay Times
It’s hard for us to use the past tense when describing our phenomenal sister and sister-in-law Patty Gaffney. But slightly less than two years ago, Patty was diagnosed with aggressive metastatic breast cancer completely out of the blue. And in July, she passed away at age 48–yet another life tragically cut short by the disease.
Dr. Sandy Willis, a 1984 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was elected chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Board of Directors (BOD). Dr. Willis, District 11 representative on the AVMA BOD, was elected chair on July 20 while meeting during AVMA Convention 2025 in Washington, D.C., held in conjunction with the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress.
This summer we sat down with 2021 grad, Dr. Sean Gadson, this year’s White Coat Ceremony Alumni Speaker, to chat about his experience attending UC Davis and what he’s been up to post-graduation.
Dr. Sanam (Sunny) Thukral was close to graduating from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine when she passed away in November of last year after a 30-month battle with glioblastoma. She was awarded a posthumous DVM during commencement ceremonies this May with her family accepting it on her behalf.
Dr. Douglas Mader, Class of 1986, was recently honored with the UC Davis Lifetime Achievement Award. Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist [(DABVP (C/F, R/A), DECZM (Herpetology)] and has been a practicing veterinarian for nearly four decades. He is an internationally recognized expert and lecturer in exotic animal medicine and has written three medical textbooks, numerous book chapters and dozens of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Dr. Pam Clark’s path to veterinary school wasn’t traditional or easy, but it was driven by unwavering determination. As a young girl, Pam dreamed of becoming an “animal doctor,” and growing up in Southern California, UC Davis was the only realistic option for veterinary school as out-of-state tuition was financially impossible. Pam excitedly wrote to UC Davis veterinary school during high school, only to be discouraged when a letter came back telling her, “don’t even bother applying, we don’t take women” (which, in reality, they did—just very rarely).
From growing up a 3-block walk to the San Francisco Zoo and going on “stroller safaris” with her family, to becoming a Board-Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine™, Dr. Daniela Yuschenkoff’s career has recently come full circle. It was a proud moment for Dr. Yuschenkoff finding out she had passed the rigorous, 2-day exam. After over 3 years of preparation and 6 weeks of serious studying, she claimed that those two days were the “smartest I’ll ever be!”
Guided by compassion, collaboration, and connection, Dr. Michelle (Sanborn) Schack's passion for large animal health and well-being has been at the forefront of her inspirational career as a dairy cattle veterinarian, DairyKind educator, and food safety advocate.
Dr. Kimberly Dodd, DVM, PhD, MS has been recommended to serve as the new dean of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, effective August 1. Pending board approval, she will succeed Doug Freeman, who has served as interim dean since April 2023.
Dr. Dexter Onuoraegbunem Chukwuneke Atuora, a proud alumnus of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 3rd, 2024, at the age of 85.
