Contact:          Tania Banak, University Relations Specialist
608/263-6716, banakt@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Date issued:    May 7, 2008

MADISON – Teaching and research skills were the main criteria for multiple awards bestowed on University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff during the school’s annual Awards Celebration on Saturday May 3, 2008.

Dr. Lauren Trepanier, associate professor of internal medicine in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Medical Sciences, received the Pfizer Animal Health Research Excellence Award.  This award is presented to further foster innovative research by recognizing a faculty member for outstanding research efforts and productivity.  Dr. Trepanier studies genetically determined differences in drug metabolism and their effect on the individual risk of drug toxicity.

Dr. Charles Henrikson, senior lecturer in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Biosciences, received the Carl Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award.  He was selected based on nominations from the four classes of veterinary medical students and departments in the School based on strength of character, leadership and teaching ability in the DVM curriculum.  Dr. Henrikson teaches veterinary histology, anatomy of large domestic animals, and veterinary neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to first-year veterinary medical students.

Dr. Calico Schmidt, clinical instructor in primary care in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Medical Sciences, was chosen as SCAVMA (Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association) Instructor of the Year.  Classes nominate the instructor they feel exhibits distinguished teaching and exemplary contributions to the students of the School.  Dr. Schmidt teaches students about routine office visits.

Gerianne Holzman, a certified veterinary technician (CVT) in the UW-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital’s Orthopedic Service, received the Veterinary Technician of the Year Award.  Students vote on the veterinary technician who demonstrates distinguished teaching and exemplary contributions to the students in the School.  This is the fifth time she has won this award.

Dr. Daniel Foy, resident in small animal internal medicine at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, received this year’s Bayer Small Animal Resident of the Year Award.  This is awarded to the small animal resident who is elected, by a vote of the fourth-year class, as outstanding in their contribution of time and expertise as a teacher.

Dr. Keith Poulsen, resident in large animal surgery at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, received the Bayer Large Animal Resident of the Year Award.  The recipient is elected by vote of the fourth-year class based on outstanding contribution of time and expertise as a teacher.

Dr. Jason Soukup, resident in dentistry at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, received the John Sowers Memorial Veterinary Dental and Oral Surgery Resident Award for exceptional enthusiasm and performance in the residency program.