E-Insight

October 2005

CVMA Recognizes CVMBS Faculty at Annual Conference

The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) honored three individuals from Colorado State University at its annual Awards Breakfast held Sept. 13, in Keystone, Colorado. Dr. Barbara Powers was named Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Richard Park received the Outstanding Faculty Award, and Dr. Lance Perryman was recognized with the President’s Award.

Dr. Barbara Powers

 Dr. Powers is Director of the Colorado State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories and past president of the CVMA. She graduated from Purdue in 1981, completed an internship at CSU in small animal medicine, and later returned to school to receive her PhD in pathology. She joined the oncology faculty where she worked in research and service diagnostics until being appointed director of the Diagnostic Laboratories in 1996. Although she does not work directly work with animal patients, Dr. Powers provides diagnoses daily to veterinarians from across Colorado and around the nation to assist them in their veterinary medical work.

“What I really enjoy about pathology is that we take veterinary medicine as far as it can go to answer diagnostic questions,” Dr. Powers said. “It’s a lot of detective work and each day brings new and interesting challenges.”

During her 10 years as director, Dr. Powers said the biggest changes in diagnostics have been the advent and application of immunohistochemistry (IHC) to discern tumors and infectious agents, and polymerase chain reaction as a general diagnostic tool. As far as accomplishments during her tenure at the Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Powers is proud of several. The Diagnostic Laboratory is recognized worldwide as a leader in development of tests and diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies including chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The Rapid ELISA test for CWD was validated at the laboratory. Under her leadership, the laboratory also became one of five core laboratories for the National Animal health Laboratory Network related to detection of foreign animal diseases. Lastly, the Diagnostic Laboratory installed new methods of carcass disposal, including adoption of novel techniques to reduce solid waste and potentially convert it to a useful energy source..

“Of course, we are continuing our work in tumor diagnostics and are recognized as experts in that field,” said Dr. Powers, who also is currently vice president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. “With samples submitted to us by specialty clinics and the Animal Cancer Center at CSU, making a diagnosis is more challenging and complex than it used to be. It used to be we would get a sample and simply report if the tumor was benign or malignant. But, over the years, we have had to become much more precise with our diagnosis to help veterinarians develop the optimum treatment programs for their cancer patients. It’s been exciting to be a part of these changes and see the positive outcomes for clients and their companion animals. I'm also very proud of the high quality faculty and staff we have been fortunate to have in the lab. ”

Dr. Richard Park

Dr. Park has been a faculty member of the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences since joining the University in 1975. During that time, he has seen the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Service grow from two X-ray machines to a state-of-the-art imaging service with CT scanner, ultrasound, MRI, and additional x-ray capacity for both large and small animals.

Dr. Park came to CSU in 1964 from a small town in central Utah. He graduated in 1968 and completed a residency in radiology at the University of California-Davis, and was board certified in 1971. He then joined the faculty at the University of Illinois for several years before taking a position at UC-Davis, where he intended to stay for some time. When a position opened at Colorado State, he had a change of heart.

“It was a sense of loyalty,” said Dr. Park. “I had fond memories of Colorado State and knew it was a good school. I wanted to be here and give back to the institution that gave me such an exceptional education. I wanted to help provide that to other students.”

Though he enjoys the clinical and research work associated with the Diagnostic Imaging Service – his research focuses on orthopaedics and orthopaedic imaging -- Dr. Park said he particularly enjoys working with students.

“I love to teach, especially when I am able to work one-on-one with students,” Dr. Park said. “Didactic learning is important, but I really enjoy when I am able to connect with students. My students see that I’m also learning all the time, too. One on the challenges and rewards of this field is that the technology is constantly changing and advancing, so you have to work pretty hard to keep up.”

Dr. Lance Perryman

Dr. Perryman is dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and recipient of this year’s CVMA President’s Award, presented by outgoing president Leesa McCue, DVM. The award recognizes Dr. Perryman for “decisively and energetically strengthening the CSU-CVMA relationship, his thoughtful participation in dialog about professional issues, and his accessibility to practitioners, students, and all who seek his counsel.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and the award was quite a surprise,” said Dr. Perryman. “I’ve enjoyed working with members of the CVMA and believe that as an organization it strengthens the field of veterinary medicine in the state of Colorado, and acts as an advocate for veterinary professionals.”

Dr. Perryman joined Colorado State University as Dean of the College in 2001. He had been with North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine since 1994 as Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Parasitology. Prior to that, he was Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and Director of the Animal Health Research Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. A native of Tacoma, Wash., Dr. Perryman received his DVM and his PhD from Washington State University in 1970 and 1975, respectively, and his MS from Ohio State University in 1973.

“The four years I have been at CSU have been very rewarding and very challenging,” said Dr. Perryman. “We continue to strive toward excellence at our College and have had some major accomplishments, including selection as a Regional Center of Excellence and the construction of the Flint Animal Cancer Center, but we also are facing budgetary concerns that will test our mettle. I look forward to an on-going positive relationship with the CVMA as we progress toward our mutually beneficial goals.”