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2025 UW School of Veterinary Medicine Class Notes

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SVM ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES Alumni Updates

vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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Dear SVM alumni:

In This Issue

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1975-1988 Donald Bliss Jeffery Zuba Carolyn Deegan Alice Van Maastricht Rebecca Stepien Paul McGraw

Thank you to all who took time to send us your updates! We love to hear from you and spread the word about what our UW School of Veterinary Medicine alumni have been up to. It’s a pleasure to share your news and to recognize your successes and milestones.

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1990 Dale Cooper John and Heidi Hallett Kristine Hoyt

This publication is just one way to stay connected with your fellow alumni and with the SVM. We also encourage you to check out the following opportunities:

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1990-1991 Beth Gerhardson Walter Kathy Reilly Ann Sherwood Zieser Manette Kohler

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1991 Nancy Rogge Jeff Lohmiller Ron Biese

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1994-1997 Kei Hayashi Mark Thompson Laura McLain

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1997-2001 Lisa and Paul Schultz Deann Miller Kristie Ponce Mandi Lopez

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2002-2007 Erin RIbka Rebecca Johnson Lorin Shearburn Tracy Olson

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2008-2009 Jennifer Bennett Noemi Plantz

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2010-2013 Michelle McDonough Katie Kuehl Nicole Sarver

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2013-2019 Kendra Bauer Valerie Baumgart Mee-La Fowler Tiffani Turinski Taylor Opgenorth

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1991-1993 Kay Nelson Douglas Gensel Tami Zalewski Laurie Brignolo

2020-2022 Lisa Grulke Sarah Nelson Bailey Ryback

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• • • •

Attend one of our alumni receptions, which we host at the VMX, WVC, AVMA and AAEP conferences each year Join our annual alumni reunion: In 2025, will welcome the classes of 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 (vetmed.wisc.edu/alumni/alumnireunion/) Keep an eye out for the 2025 tailgate party invite – we host one each fall before a Badger football game Join the SVM Alumni Association - visit go.wisc.edu/svmaa to learn more Connect with the school on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/school/uwvetmed) Utilize your class listserv (email YEARdvm@g-groups.wisc.edu (e.g., 1999dvm@g-groups.wisc.edu) Read our bi-monthly alumni e-newsletter at vetmed.wisc.edu/news/alumnie-news/ (If you are not receiving this and would like to get on the list, email alumni@vetmed.wisc.edu)

We always love to hear from you, so please reach out anytime with updates, questions or story ideas.

Kristi V. Thorson Associate Dean for Advancement and Administration kristi.thorson@wisc.edu 608-265-9692

JOIN OR RENEW TODAY

A COMMUNITY FOR SVM ALUMNI, LED BY SVM ALUMNI. visit GO.WISC.EDU/SVMAA Please address correspondence to:

On the cover

The UW DVM Class of 1987 gathers in Bayfield, WI.

SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025

Kristi V. Thorson kristi.thorson@wisc.edu 2015 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706-1102 Phone: 608-265-9692


Alice Van Maastricht

[1975]

I retired this year and am enjoying more time with family, friends and pets.

Donald Bliss

Donald owns and operates a parasite diagnostic laboratory in Verona, WI. He also released a book about parasitology procedures for veterinary technicians.

Rebecca Stepien

After 30 years at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and UW Veterinary Care, I retired from clinical cardiology in May of 2024. I am still getting used to a different lifestyle (and better sleep!), but am still involved in continuing education, so have shifted to “cardiology as a hobby” more than “cardiology as a job.” My husband Shawn Kennedy and I took a wonderful trip to Iceland in October and loved it so much that we’re already planning a return trip.

[1987] Jeffery Zuba

Dr. Zuba consults and lectures internationally on a wide range of subjects including mega-vertebrate anesthesia and conservation medicine and serves as a scientific advisor for several conservation and educational institutions. He is an appointed Board of Visitors member for the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine and two charitable organizations dedicated to animal rescue, health, and welfare as well as humanitarian efforts. Dr. Zuba is owner and founder of In Case of Anesthesia which designs and manufactures specialized mega-vertebrate anesthetic equipment. He won a UW School of Veterinary Medicine 2024 Alumni Award.

Above: Rebecca Stepien (DVM’87) & Shawn Kennedy at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, October 2024.

[1988] Paul McGraw

Jeffery Zuba (DVM ‘87)

Carolyn Deegan

(Photo on cover)

The Charter Class of 1987 gathered in Bayfield last summer. Whether it was sailing, hiking, biking or chatting around the campfire - we had a wonderful time reconnecting. Special thanks to Laura Carey for suggesting such a beautiful destination and Mark Hein for organizing the sailing trips. We are looking forward to our next time together!

After 16 years in large/mixed animal practice, 14 years in regulatory medicine, nine as Wisconsin Assistant State Veterinarian and five as State Veterinarian, I retired from traditional veterinary medicine in 2018. I joined the Doctor’s Office as the general manager of a “Human” medical clinic. We do not accept insurance, instead collect cash, debit or credit at the time of service. Our company provides the location, equipment, medicine, supplies and administrative staff to support health professionals that want to build their own practice. We currently have five clinics, over thirty providers and have had over 20,000 patient visits this year. We are taking care of people without necessarily following all of the “system” protocols… With my wife Heidi along with some family and friends we have opened Geneva Tap House and Kenosha Tap House, both self-pour 50 plus taps. You never know where the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine may lead you. We have two daughters, one amazing granddaughter and a grandson due in February. We have definitely been blessed. If you are ever traveling in southeast Wisconsin, look me up.

vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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[1990] Dale Cooper

I’m ecstatic to announce that I retired this year to dedicate my life to sloth and hedonism. Thanks to UW for a great education and a great career.

John & Heidi Hallett (DVM ‘90) at their son’s graduation. Dale Cooper (DVM ‘90)

John and Heidi Hallett

Heidi and I have both retired from Hallett Veterinary Hospital in Oconomowoc. I just graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a Master of Fine Arts degree so I am now a full time sculptor and Heidi is a painter and poet with several publications. Our oldest son, Torrin, also graduated this year with his Master of Musical Arts from Yale School of Music and is a professional French Horn player in NY. Tanner, our youngest son is an engineer for SpaceX in California. Our art studio in Hayward, WI is nearly complete and ready for visitors.

Kristine Hoyt

I retired from domestic practice last year. I am just volunteering in Africa now and loving every minute of what was my first love in vet school. Funny to be full circle in this profession. I am also helping in organized medicine as the AVMA rep for my state and on board of Vet Tech School. I welcome anyone who wants to visit the beautiful state of Maine- vacationland !

John Hallett (DVM ’90) with sculpture exhibit. Kristine Hoyt (DVM ‘90) volunteering in Africa.

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SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025


Beth Gerhardson Walter

Beth completed her 75th half marathon this year.

Ann Sherwood Zieser

I have worked at Middleton Veterinary Hospital, just 10 minutes down the road from our Alma mater, since I graduated in 1990. I will spare you the math - that’s 34 1/2 years! It’s nearly inconceivable that I have been in this profession and at the same clinic for 3 1/2 DECADES! Anyway, circumstances (my full time technical service veterinarian position with PetVivo) required a schedule shift, so I recently joined forces with another UW alum, Dr. Barb Huie, at Knight Veterinary Clinic in Middleton. It’s wonderful to continue to practice veterinary medicine on a weekly basis at a small privately owned clinic.

Beth Gerhardson Walter (DVM ‘90)

Kathy Reilly

Looking forward to seeing all my classmates at our 35th reunion in June! Be there. We are living in our bright future! I live on a small pond in southwestern New Hampshire. I am on the UW SVM Alumni Association board and enjoy working with docs from other years. We award Distinguished Service Awards. Do you know a UW grad that has contributed to veterinary medicine, our school and community? Please go to the alumni page of the SVM website and nominate a DVM, PhD or a Young Grad (within the last 10 years). We want to find our brightest grads and honor them!

Ann Sherwood Zieser (DVM ‘90)

[1991] Manette Kohler

Kathy Reilly (DVM ‘90)

Greetings to my classmates and other alumni. As some of my classmates know, our youngest daughter, Nyah, is a veterinary student at UW SVM. She’s just completed 2nd semester of her 3rd year as I write this and will be heading off to SVM Clinics within just a short few months. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying watching her grow and learn and I find myself reflecting on my years at the SVM. So much hard work but many fond memories and great friendships formed. I’m also so proud that some of my veterinary school friends are now Nyah’s teachers. As she prepares to start her veterinary career, I’m approaching the end of mine. I still have my behavior practice and am thoroughly vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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enjoying what I do, so much so that I’m not considering retirement just yet. I am, however, gearing up to make a shift into consulting with clinics on implementing more behavior wellness into their practices. On another note, our oldest daughter, Marissa, just got engaged so we’re excited to do some wedding planning! I wish all of you well as we make our way into 2025. I’m including a picture of Nyah that was taken this past Summer when she did a Summer Internship at the Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in Currumbin, Australia. Greg and I flew to Australia to do some exploring with Nyah. Total bucket list trip for me, complete with petting kangaroos!

Nancy Rogge (DVM ‘91) will be working with the Maasai tribe.

Jeff Lohmiller

Manette Kohler (DVM ‘91) and daughter Nyah in Australia.

Nancy Rogge

After many years working locally in Dane County, including a 15 year stint running my bicycle-powered mobile veterinary practice, I pulled up roots and followed my dream of working internationally in the global south. This was not easy, as I left behind my home, grown children, business, and pets. I volunteered for the first few years at an animal shelter in Tanzania, setting up and running their first veterinary clinic, but now I have started my own nonprofit, to pursue my passion for outreach work. I am lucky enough to have Ruthanne Chun (DVM’91), on my board- many of you know her through her role as associate dean at UW SVM. I will be working with the Maasai tribe, targeting two diseases that center on the dog population. If you are curious and want to know more, I would love it if you looked up my website and signed up for updates. The more people spread the word, the greater my chance of success! dogsandgoats.org

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SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025

January started with our youngest daughter having her twins 6 weeks early and I went out to help. William and John were born on January 6 and each were in the NICU for 9 and 5 weeks respectively and their big brother Eli enjoys helping Mom out. While I was there, Sue started looking for a new job and found one and then started looking for an apartment for us. I returned to NY at the end of February to move to NH. So far so good, Sue enjoys her job as a registered dietician focusing on diabetes care and management. After looking for consulting jobs over the spring and summer, I’ve decided to retire. I am volunteering and supporting others which provides me joy and a purpose each day. We will be looking to purchase some property and build and perhaps get some beef cattle and chickens to keep me out of trouble. Happy holidays!

Ron Biese

The most exciting news for us is the announcement of our upcoming 9th and 10th grandchildren due early next year. It will be our son’s 6th child and our daughter’s 4th child. Needless to say we are busy with the grandkids. Our daughter, Kayla, and her family moved next door to us in June of this year. It’s great having them so close. Our son, Kevin, and his family are only 10 minutes from us. So, family time is often and a huge blessing. Michele is retired and enjoying playing racquetball and pickleball as much as time allows. I am still working full time, but since we sold a few years ago, it’s more enjoyable than ever before in my career. I get to practice veterinary medicine with no managerial role at all. After all, that is what I went to school for.


We recently purchased a motorhome and plan to do more camping and long distance trips...hopefully with some or all of the grandkids.

[1993]

I hope life is treating all of you well! May God’s blessings always be upon you!

I retired from veterinary medicine and the U.S. Army in 2015, but not really retired. When I moved back to WI in 2020 to help out my parents, I bought an old stone cottage on Lower Genesee Lake. I decided to remodel it myself so am the plumber, electrician, carpenter, and painter (an old dog CAN learn new tricks!); I hire contractors for the heavy stuff. I also stepped into the quicksand of volunteer work running my local VFW (Post 2260 in Oconomowoc) and serving on the board of directors and operations committee for Oconomowoc Silver Streak, a ride service for the elderly and disabled. I do fit in some fun, enjoying my furkids, Katy (Pyrenees-Cocker mix) and Rip (Bernese Mountain Dog), and doing as much adventure travel as my body will tolerate. This year, I explored five more countries in Africa, helicoptered/ hiked/ kayaked western Greenland, and toured four other countries for a total of eighty-two, so far . . . Have more trips planned for 2025, if all goes well.

Kay Nelson

Still doing this, only slower.

Tami Zalewski

Kay Nelson (DVM ‘91)

[1992] Douglas Gensel

Saying hello to all my vet friends. I am looking forward to retirement and then relief work. Would love to know if there are any new veterinarians at UWMadison that are interested in my practice. We are a small animal practice with 19 employees and we are productive and very humble. Check out our social media sites. elizabethtownveterinaryhospitalnc, FB and elizabethtownvethospital on Instagram. Tami Zalewski (DVM ’93) in Greenland.

Laurie Brignolo

Douglas Gensel’s (DVM ‘92) small animal practice.

I retired on July 1st of this year after 31 years at the University of California, Davis. When I retired, I was serving as the university’s first Associate Vice Chancellor of the Research and Teaching Animal Care program. I started as a laboratory animal veterinary resident right after graduation in 1993 and stayed at UCD my entire career. After finishing my residency, I worked at the California National Primate Research Center for 16 years. During that time I sat for boards and became an ACLAM diplomat in 2004. I moved from the CNPRC to the campus lab animal program in 2011 and was very proud to initially serve as the associate director of Campus Veterinary Services and Director of the Lab Animal Medicine residency (the same residency I completed several years before). In retirement, I’m vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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continuing to serve on AAALAC council and doing some lab animal related committee work and I am traveling just as much as possible.

Guidelines, a topic I’m passionate about. I’ll also continue my service on AAHA’s Board of Directors and several committees, further supporting the organization’s mission.

[1994]

At home, I continue to own and operate two practices in Eden and Waupun, Wisconsin, with the Eden location serving as our main practice. On the personal side, my family is thriving.

Kei Hayashi

Kei edited a book about diagnosing the lameness in dogs this year.

My daughter, Courtney, who holds a master’s degree in social work, will be joining our practice in a few weeks to launch a new program dedicated to helping clients navigate loss and grief. My son, Sawyer, is pursuing his studies to become a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) and is currently working at the practice. My wife and I are enjoying life in Fond du Lac, staying deeply involved in both our community and work. As always, I’m grateful for the relationships and experiences that have shaped this journey.

[1996] Mark Thompson

This past year, I had the honor of serving as president of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). It was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to travel extensively, meeting and learning from veterinarians across the United States, Canada, and even Japan. I also had the opportunity to present at various speaking events, both online and in Las Vegas, focusing on topics related to small business and veterinary business. This year, I’ve worked on numerous projects, but one that stands out is co-authoring the AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines, which were recently published. I take great pride in contributing to this important resource for our field. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring. I plan to participate in more speaking engagements, particularly on AAHA’s Community Care

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SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025

Mark Thompson (DVM ‘96) speaking in Maryland.

[1997] Laura McLain

This year I was certified as a Working Dog Practitioner through the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. I love working dogs! I was team vet on FEMA Urban Search and Rescue


- Utah Task Force 1 for eight years. My patients include search and rescue, law enforcement, and avalanche K9s. I also worked with a local medical transport group to establish policies and protocols to transport injured working K9s in the helicopter to 24-hour veterinary speciality hospitals.

[1998] Deann Miller

After selling my practice, and leaving practice there, I have moved back to New England, and am working part time so I can still get my pet fix, while also starting to relax.

[2000] Kristie Ponce

Lisa and Paul Schultz (DVM ‘97)

Still operating the small animal clinic I purchased in 2015. We’ve weathered a few storms and are going strong, with a UW-Madison grad joining our staff (she’s already been on our team as an assistant/technician) in June! We’ve also got a second year vet student working with us that we expect to come on board as a third DVM as soon as she graduates, so life at the clinic is good! On the home front, little Jaden, who was born during my third year at UW VMTH, is a stuntman. You can see his face in Cobra Kai and Red One! He has an IMDb profile if you’re interested in seeing what else he’s done. His brother Gabe is literally helping to build America as a travelling welder, specializing in stainless steel. I’m hoping they hold off on providing me with grandkids until I’m able to retire and be obnoxiously close to them!

[2001] Mandi Lopez Laura McLain (DVM ‘97) working with a local medical transport group.

Lisa and Paul Schultz

Paul continues to work at Muskego Animal Hospital where he started as an associate right after graduation. Lisa made a move to Waukesha Animal Hospital in 2021 after 24 years at a practice in Brookfield. They both stay busy with outdoor activities such as biking, cross country skiing, camping, canoeing/kayaking and nature photography.

Dr. Mandi J. Lopez (PhD ‘01) led the research to develop a novel device for administration of bioengineered treatments that has potential for use in many biomedical fields. Known as the TiRinge, treatments can be shipped, stored, and given to the patient from a single device. Louisiana State University is currently seeking a patent for this novel technology. The work was featured in local news media (https://www.wbrz.com/news/lsu-invention-mayrevolutionize-stem-cell-research/).

Mandi Lopez (PhD ‘01) with TiRinge. Lisa and Paul Schultz (DVM ‘97) vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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[2002] Erin Ribka

After almost a year of unfortunate delays, I opened a new facility with almost triple the area in a beautiful space, and expanded capabilities like Cone Beam CT. It was great to meet up with classmates (hi again Erica, Tina and Sarah!!!) at the Veterinary Dental Forum in Palm Springs in September, as well as Dr. Gengler and the rest of the UWSVM crowd. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in San Antonio in 2025. Our twin children started college this Fall - Nora at UCDavis, where I did my undergrad (Go Aggies!!), and Damon is at Loyola Chicago (Go Ramblers!) as well as working with Ballet Chicago as a trainee and Studio Company member. Our younger son is a junior in high school and also training with New Orleans Ballet Theatre. We’re all busy!

Rebecca Johnson (DVM ‘02) receiving an SVM Alumni Association award.

[2006] Lorin Shearburn

In spring 2024, I attended Ladies Rock MKE, an adult female focused weekend music camp. Playing electric guitar, I collaborated with four amazing women. Our band, Edie Current, played an all original set of seven songs at JoyFest MKE in December.

Erin Ribka’s (DVM ‘02) new facility.

Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca currently is a Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pain Management and the Research Anesthesiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her interests include: 1) investigating novel anesthetic and analgesic techniques for companion, exotic and laboratory animals and 2) providing education on pre-hospital emergency care and the unique anesthetic and analgesic requirements of law enforcement K9s. She won a UW School of Veterinary Medicine 2024 Alumni Award.

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SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025

Lorin Shearburn (DVM ‘06) and her band Edie Current.

[2007] Tracy Olson

This past year was one of change. After 16 years at Packerland Vet Center in Green Bay, I moved to Oak View Veterinary Hospital in Bellevue (east side of Green Bay). It has been a welcome change of pace and is a wonderful work environment. It also helps that I now live about two minutes away from work. With three kids between seven-14 years old (one is a freshman!), we are very busy with lots of evening activities. We also have a hound puppy- very different from our old Labs- and we’re still adjusting to this little crazy girl.


Tracy Olson (DVM ‘07)

Jennifer Bennett (DVM ‘08)

[2008]

[2009]

Jennifer Bennett

Noemi Plantz

Dr. Jenn Bennett has been named as the new Director of Shelter Medicine Access to Care at the University of California-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program beginning in October of 2024, where she will lead a team of outreach veterinarians with a mission to support shelter veterinarians and shelter medicine programs state-wide and nationally. She was previously the Chief Veterinary Officer and interim Chief Operations Officer for the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County from 20222024 and was appointed to the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee in 2023 for a three-year term representing Humane Organizations. She is an active participant in organized veterinary medicine, most recently serving as President and Board Director of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association from 2019-2023. She is excited to return to Northern California, where she grew up, to support students and veterinarians in shelter medicine with the tools and resources they need to provide access to care programs in their communities. Jenn is an active participant in AKC confirmation shows with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and serves on the ACKCSC and CKCSC-USA health committees, loves baking holiday treats, horseback trail riding, and traveling with her family for sight-seeing vacations.

I opened my own clinic almost 5 years ago - Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic in Oakdale, Minnesota. It’s me and two associates. We see dogs, cats and, last we checked, about 40% exotic pets including small mammals, birds and reptiles. It makes every day a surprise and keeps me loving our profession. In addition, clients love to give us gnomes as gifts, we’ve lost count of how many we have but are hoping to someday break the world record!

Noemi Plantz (DVM ‘09) with her veterinary clinic.

vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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[2010] Michelle McDonough

In June of 2024 we opened our brand new, 9k+ square foot veterinary clinic in Greendale Wisconsin. When I bought the practice in 2021 I never dreamed that we would be able to achieve such great things. I am very proud of the team that we have built and our accomplishments that we have made to better serve our community, clients, and patients.

Katie Kuehl (DVM ‘12) with students and patients Grace and Nugget at the One Health Clinic in Seattle, WA.

[2013] Nicole Sarver

I recently completed another degree in conservation medicine through the University of Edinburgh and married my partner of 10 years, Jeff Vredenburg. We then decided to embark on a one year journey around the world including a full month in Madagascar to experience it’s incredible biodiversity, which had been a longtime bucket list item for the both of us!

Michelle McDonough’s (DVM ‘10) veterinary clinic and staff.

[2012] Katie Kuehl

Time flies when you are having fun! I was promoted to associate professor this summer, still focusing on shelter medicine and outreach based in Seattle, WA. Around the same time I was honored to be chosen by my students to receive an award for clinical teaching excellence at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I continue to focus on how I can create opportunities to combine student education in the art of surgical and medical contextualized care with creating access to veterinary care for vulnerable members of my community.

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SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025

Nicole Sarver (DVM ‘13) hiking across the Grey Tsingy of Ankarana National Park.


Kendra Bauer

Our family grew as we welcomed our second son, Owen Maxwell Bauer, in January 2024. Both boys are thriving and keeping us busy every day!

[2015] Mee-La Fowler

My husband and I added a second child to the family in October. Madison Lee Fowler (Maddie) has brought us so much joy. I currently teach for my local licensed veterinary technician program.

Kendra Bauer (DVM ‘13) and her family.

[2014]

Mee-La Fowler (DVM ‘15) and her family.

Valerie Baumgart

[2019]

Livestock, much like life itself, are unpredictable. Prioritize what matters (faith, family & friends) and lean in. Broken legs heal, but life is still short. Hang in there everyone! Blessings for a safe 2025!

Tiffani Turinski

This summer I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the United States Public Health Service. I also recently started a new position at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Surveillance and Compliance, helping to protect human and animal health by regulating marketed animal drugs and animal devices for safety and effectiveness.

Taylor Opgenorth

I finished my residency this summer and passed boards, officially a DACVO! Finding that life on the other side really is better and am reinvesting time into old hobbies.

Valerie Baumgart’s (DVM ‘14) broken leg X-ray.

Taylor Opgenorth (DVM ‘20) was awarded the 2024 ACVO Clinical Research Manuscript Award. vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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[2020]

[2022]

Lisa Grulke

Sarah Nelson

I’m preparing to open Madison’s first veterinary urgent care clinic with my business partner, Cat Munson! This spring, Animal Center for Emergency and Specialty (ACES) will open our doors in east Madison to provide timely care for issues that can’t wait for a primary vet but aren’t pressing enough for an emergency clinic. We both dove headfirst into emergency care after graduating, and weathering COVID and all the burnout, long wait times, and stress that came along with it helped us see that the industry needed help.

Sarah and her husband Bobby had a boy in March named Roch Alan Nelson.

We’re excited to offer a way to fill a gap in services for people in our area—with flexible same-day appointments, we’ll provide urgent care with access to ultrasound, radiography, in-house analyzers, surgery for stable patients, and end-of-life care. We’re also taking on primary care overflow services for patients who need overnight monitoring after surgery, overnight hospitalization, outpatient ultrasonography, screening echocardiograms, and surgeries and tests that primary vets can’t provide. Check us out online at acesvetmed.com and follow us on Facebook! Hope to see you this spring for our open house!

Sarah Nelson (DVM ‘22) with husband and son at the Florida Panther’s arena.

Bailey Ryback

We got married!! Bailey & Jon tied the knot on 9/21/24. Our day was perfect & married life has been amazing

Lisa Grulke (DVM ‘20) breaking ground at ACES in October.

Bailey Ryback (DVM ‘22) and husband Jon tying the knot. 14

SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025


All alumni and their families are welcome as we celebrate graduates from the classes of 1990 • 1995 • 2000 • 2005 • 2010 • 2015 • 2020

Alumni Reunion JUNE 21, 2025 MADISON, WISCONSIN REGISTER TODAY

www.vetmed.wisc.edu/alumni-reunion

Recognize graduates of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the school.

ALUMNI AWARDS NOMINATIONS DUE MAY 1, 2025 www.vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-awards

SVM Alumni Class Notes is published by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. We welcome your suggestions and contributions, though we reserve the right to edit submissions.

To make a gift, contact: Pat Bowdish, Associate Vice President & Managing Director, UW Foundation pat.bowdish@supportuw.org // 608-332-4750

The printing and distribution of this magazine were funded by donations to the school.

Heidi Kramer, Senior Director of Development, UW Foundation heidi.kramer@supportuw.org // 608-327-9136

vetmed.wisc.edu/svm-alumni-class-notes

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Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID MADISON, WI UMS

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CLASS NOTES Alumni Updates 16

SVM ALUMNI CLASS NOTES | 2025


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