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Ryan Boyd (DVM ’06, MS ‘16) received the Best Resident Basic Science Research Manuscript Award during the annual meeting of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in October 2016 in Monterey, California for his manuscript “Photoreceptor-targeted gene delivery using intravitreally administered AAV vectors in dogs.” Co-authors: DG Sledge, SL Boye, SE Boye, WW Hauswirth, AM Komáromy, SM Petersen-Jones, JT Bartoe.
Susan Myers (DVM ’98), of West Michigan Veterinary Services (WMVS), has been elected president of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP). Myers has been a partner at WMVS since 2000, working at their home clinic in Coopersville, Michigan and their affiliated clinic Zeeland Veterinary Service. The AASRP exists to improve the health and welfare of sheep, goats, camelids, and cervids.
Tracy Nyberg (DVM ‘11) was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine. She will serve a four-year term ending in 2020. Nyberg is an associate veterinarian at Bayshore Animal Hospital in Marquette, Michigan. Maciej Parys (PhD ’16) was awarded first place in the 2016 Young Investigator Award competition held at the Merial NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium for his work “Characterization of Immunomodulatory Properties of Feline Mesenchymal Stem Cells.” This award, co-sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, is given to graduate veterinarians pursuing advanced research training through doctoral or postdoctoral programs.
Bob Peterson (DVM ’70) received the Birth of a Purebred Award at the MSU Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Reception during the 2017 Michigan Veterinary Conference. This award is presented to an alumnus or private practitioner in Michigan who works primarily in food animal medicine and has demonstrated zeal for advancement in clinical/production medicine, as well as excellence in student mentorship.
Michele Sauerbrey (DVM ’97) was awarded the SEMVMA Contribution to the Community Award during the Southeast Michigan Veterinary Medical Association Installation dinner in January. Sauerbrey, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology), is an oncologist at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. At OVRS, Sauerbrey created the Oncology Cancer Fund in 2009, which merged with the OVRS TEAR Foundation to create the TEAR Cancer Fund. This fund provides financial assistance to qualified oncology patients and helps support research that advances the prevention and treatment of cancer for pets. Sauerbrey also runs an ultrasound wet lab for referring veterinarians in her community.
Keith Sterner (DVM ’69), of Ionia, Michigan, was inducted into the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame for his work in dairy practice. The Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame celebrates the rich traditions of cattle production veterinary medicine by honoring the exceptional men and women who have made lasting contributions to their profession.
Anne M. Zajac (DVM ’82), of Blacksburg, Virginia, was awarded the AAVP-Merial Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of veterinary parasitology. Zajac is a professor of parasitology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Zajac’s research focuses on biology and control of gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants and camelids. A past president of the AAVP, she is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.
James Ziegler (DVM ’87), of Weyauwega, Wisconsin, was awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association (WVMA). The Meritorious Service Award is given to veterinarians in recognition of their service, commitment, and contributions specifically to the WVMA and organized veterinary medicine. Ziegler founded Wolf River Veterinary Clinic in 1996, a companion animal practice in New London, Wisconsin with a part-time satellite location in Manawa. The clinic also houses S.A.F.E. (Stray Animal Fund Endeavor), a 501(c)(3) program which takes in strays from the area, houses them, cares for their medical needs, and helps them become adopted.
In Memoriam
Harold S. Bryan (DVM ’44), of Sun City, Arizona, died November 8, 2016. After earning his DVM from Michigan State, Bryan obtained a doctorate in bacteriology from the University of Illinois and became a member of the veterinary faculty, where he remained for several years. From 1956–1966, he was head of Veterinary Research for the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He subsequently traveled to India and Indonesia on United States Agency for International Development projects via the University of Illinois, taught at the university, and was assistant dean of Admissions for several years. Bryan also served two years as charter dean of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies.
Vince J. Dilella (DVM ’65), of Mims, Florida, died February 7, 2017. Dilella was a veterinarian at Broward Animal Hospital and a past president of the Broward County Veterinary Association. Prior to graduating cum laude and on the honor board from Michigan State, he served with the US Marines.
David M. Gregg (DVM ’65), of Winchester, Virginia, died September 11, 2016. Gregg practiced mixed animal medicine at Berryville Avenue Animal Clinic in Winchester for more than 40 years, and helped establish the veterinary emergency clinic in Winchester. Early in his career, he worked in Woodstock, Virginia and Rogers City, Michigan. Gregg’s brother, Dr. George W. Gregg (DVM ’74), is a small animal veterinarian in Oswego, Michigan.
Gordon Higgins (DVM ’62), of Big Canoe, Georgia, died January 26, 2017. During his career, Higgins practiced small animal medicine in Detroit for 15 years, in Roswell, Georgia for 27 years, and in Marble Hill, Georgia for 5 years. Robert A. McGarva (DVM ’65), of Boyne City, Michigan, died December 7, 2016. McGarva began his career in Birmingham, Michigan and soon after, he purchased and operated the Boyne Animal Hospital until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed his many clients and their pets, and was known as a veterinarian who would treat animals for whatever the owner could afford to pay. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church–Boyne City.
Monica Kucher Mueller (DVM ’89), of Athens, Georgia, died July 6, 2016. She established the Good Hands Veterinary Hospital in Athens in 2001, where she practiced small animal medicine. Mueller began her career as an associate veterinarian at Companion Animal Hospital in Athens. She was a past president of the Animal Emergency Hospital of Athens and a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, and the Oconee Country Chamber of Commerce. Her husband, Dr. Eric Mueller (DVM ’89), serves on the veterinary faculty of the University of Georgia.
Donald L. Piermattei (DVM ’54, MS ‘60), of Fort Collins, Colorado, died January 28, 2017. Piermattei was internationally known for his teaching, writing, and surgical expertise in the field of small animal orthopedics. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Founders Award by ACVS, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European College of Veterinary Surgery, as well as the Paatsaama Award by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. During his career, Piermattei was head of Surgery at Texas A&M, earned his PhD at Colorado State University in cardiovascular surgery, accepted the position of chief of Surgery and Radiology at the University of Minnesota, and, after private referral surgery practice in Denver, returned to Colorado State University as chief of Small Animal Surgery. He was author or co-author of more than 90 book chapters and journal articles, as well as author of the book An Atlas of Surgical Approaches to the Bones of the Dog and Cat and co-author of the book Atlas of Orthopedic Surgery of the Bones of the Dog and Cat. Piermattei received the CVM Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1980 and the CVM Distinguished Postdoctoral Veterinary Alumnus Award in 1995.
John H. Wright (DVM ’47), of Edina, Minnesota, died September 16, 2016. In 1954, Wright opened the Wright Animal Hospital (later renamed Eden Prairie Animal Clinic and Hospital), the first veterinary practice in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. After practicing for 37 years, he sold his practice and retired in 1991. Wright was active in community service as a key founder and charter president of the Eden Prairie AM Rotary and as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He assisted the Eden Prairie Police Department in forming a canine unit in 1981 and volunteered his professional services until his retirement, for which he received an Award of Merit from the City of Eden Prairie. Wright also served in the US Army from 1950–1954 as a first lieutenant during the Korean War, and was a member of Legion Post 320.
