The school had an incredible time hosting nearly 300 alumni and friends the last weekend in October to celebrate milestone reunions, outstanding achievements, and so much more. Classmates enjoyed reconnecting, hearing stories and memories and learning about all the new and exciting things happening at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
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. Cindy Trice, a distinguished alumna of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, embodies the spirit of innovation, compassion, and entrepreneurialism within the field of veterinary medicine. Graduating in 2004, her journey since then has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to making a profound impact on both human and animal lives.
Dr. Keith Rode, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2006, was recently installed as president of the California Veterinary Medical Association.
The US Department of Agriculture has nominated UC Davis Master in Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) graduate Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban for the position of undersecretary for food safety. Esteban, a veterinarian who trained at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, has two degrees from UC Davis, an MPVM and a Ph.D. in epidemiology.
UC Davis alumnus Dr. Don Janssen (DVM ‘78) was recently awarded the Dr. Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM).
We are sad to announce the passing of Dr. Leland E. (Skip) Carmichael, an esteemed UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine alum from the Class of 1956. He died peacefully on Monday, July 27, in Ithaca, NY, at the age of 90.
Harold “Hal” Parker was a proud member of the Class of 1952—the school’s inaugural graduating class of 42 students, nearly all World War II veterans. He was pivotal in building the foundation for excellence in veterinary medicine at UC Davis, starting with the groundbreaking ceremony for Haring Hall in 1948.
Dr. John Zimmerman, DVM ’62 can’t thank the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine enough for giving him the training to pursue a fulfilling career. After graduation, he worked in dairy production and equine medicine for two years in Los Angeles before establishing the Sonoma Marin Veterinary Service in Petaluma, California, where he has been practicing for 57 years.
“Veterinary medicine has been a great fit for me,” he said. “I like cattle and ended up coming back to my home town. It’s given me a wonderful life.”
Dr. Jackie Gai ’01 serves as the director of veterinary services for the Performing Animal Welfare Society and works with elephants, lions, tigers and bears. But she still has a soft spot for ducks.
