In a time of financial constraints and cutbacks, faculty members at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic 
Laboratory are seeking creative ways to maintain and advance their mission of promoting and protecting human and animal health.
“We provide diagnostic support in a multidisciplinary fashion to the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and, in a greater capacity, to the outside community at a local, regional, national, and even international level,” said Dr. Debra Kamstock, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, and chair of the newly created endowment committee. “Because of the structure of the laboratory, support for research, teaching activities and professional development is often a challenge and the potential to create new positions for trainees or expand faculty is limited.
“The endowment fund will allow more flexibility to expand current services, develop new and improved technologies for disease diagnosis, enhance support for research and diagnostic investigations, and upgrade equipment. We’ll also be better able to provide continued educational advancement for our clients, veterinary students, postdoctoral students, and specialty training including residencies.”
Because the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory works in the background at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, most clients are not aware of the important role the laboratory plays in the care of their animals. Veterinary pathologists mostly consult with VTH or referring veterinarians for individual client care, as well as work statewide and nationally on infectious diseases. Dr. Kamstock and co-chair Dr. Kristi Pabilonia, also an Assistant Professor with MIP, want to use the activity around the endowment fund to publicize and educate people about the vital role the laboratory plays in veterinary medicine as well as human health.
“As we look to establishing and growing the endowment fund, we are reaching out to our veterinary community as well as to those who have been personally impacted by our work,” Dr. Kamstock said. “The new Diagnostic Medicine Center, which houses the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, provides us with increased visibility and potential sources of funding through naming rights to laboratories, conference rooms, equipment, and even the building itself.”
The goal for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Endowment Fund is to become fully endowed at $25,000 and continue to grow. For more information on the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Endowment Fund, or to make a contribution, contact Paul Maffey, Director of Development for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, at Paul.Maffey@colostate.edu or visit the development web site at www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/development/.
