Staff Appreciation Lunch 2022
In June, the Equine Medical Center held a Staff Appreciation Lunch. This annual event honors departing residents and interns and individual members of staff who have done exemplary work during the past year.
Receiving internship completion certificates this year were Bruno Malacarne, Julia Borgens Castela, Lina Cortez Kwapisz and Stephanie Ortiz. Bruno will remain at the center for an additional one-year surgery internship and Julia will stay on and move into the role of medicine resident.
Stephanie Hernandez received her medicine residency completion certificate and will be travelling soon to take up a new position at Newcastle Equine Center, New South Wales, Australia.
Susan Egerton, an Equine Medical Center customer service specialist, was selected by the center’s director Dr. Michael Erskine, to receive the Directors Award.
The center’s faculty team selected Sarah Repta, LVT, patient care veterinary technician to receive the Faculty Award.
Nominated by the center’s staff, the Above and Beyond Award was presented to Taylor Martin, clinical veterinary assistant.
These three awards recognize individuals who provide exceptional support to their colleagues and who go to extreme lengths for patients and clients.
Nicole Lambert, patient care veterinary assistant, received The Paige Messick Memorial Award. This award honors the memory of a very special person who was a great supervisor and mentor to her staff and who was fondly dubbed “The Foal Queen” due to her patience and love for our smallest and most vulnerable patients.
The Equine Medical Center is proud to be a vital part of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine @VaMdVetMed and its work to support the health and well-being of animals, people, and communities.
This Wednesday, you can make a difference in our efforts to provide our equine companions with the best care possible.
#VTGivingDay kicks off at noon on Feb. 23 ... and for 24 hours, until noon on Feb. 24, we’ll be calling on you to help us purchase vital equipment that helps our clinicians provide safe and effective treatment to equine patients.
Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you next week!
Learn how you can show support for what you love about the Equine Medical Center 👉 givingday.vt.edu/vmcvm
#VTGivingDay kicks off at noon on Feb. 23
#VTGivingDay kicks off at noon on Feb. 23 ... and for 24 hours, until noon on Feb. 24, we’ll be calling on our alumni, faculty, staff, families, friends, and students to step up for the college and its mission.
Mark your calendars and we’ll see you next Wednesday!!
Learn how you can show support for what you love about VA-MD Vet Med 👉 givingday.vt.edu/vmcvm
Our work at the Equine Medical Center wouldn’t be possible without our outstanding veterinary technicians!
On call 24/7, our veterinary technicians are extremely important to the everyday operation of the hospital, assisting the center’s clinicians with elective and emergency appointments. We value their hard work and dedication to the horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys that they care for here at the Equine Medical Center every day.
This week — and every week — be sure to thank vet techs for all they do to keep your animals healthy!
Virtual Open House, Nov. 10 and 12, 2020
Arabian mare treated for strangles
Encore AA, a purebred 5-year-old Arabian mare owned by Amanda Compton of Middletown, Virginia, was referred to the Equine Medical Center by Dr. Sabine Taylor of Taylor Made Equine Services after it was suspected that the mare had contracted strangles from a horse housed in an adjoining field.
Upon arrival at the center, Encore had a fever, was lethargic, and was showing signs of anorexia. She was immediately admitted into a self-contained stall in the Biosecurity Level 2 Isolation Unit to separate her from other hospitalized horses.
An ultrasound and an upper-airway endoscopy revealed that Encore had a large abscess that was causing compression of her pharynx. Purulent fluid collected from the abscess was submitted to the center’s laboratory for culture, which confirmed strangles. With assistance from Dr. James Brown, clinical associate professor of equine surgery, the abscessed lymph node was drained.
The center’s medicine group and support staff, led by Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, clinical instructor of equine medicine, provided Encore with 24/7 care, including antibiotic treatment. All the while, Encore wasn’t very happy with her enforced incarceration: As soon as she started feeling better, she began frequent rearing and itching.
Encore is now back at home, enjoying her freedom in her paddock!
Mama Shah and her new foal
Throughout 2020’s unique challenges and long foaling season, EMC’s medical and surgical teams have treated many mares and foals. One particular case in June illustrates a close collaboration between two faculty that ensured a successful outcome for both Mom and her baby.
Mama Shah, an 18-year-old Egyptian Arabian mare, was admitted to the EMC on day 331 of pregnancy after she had sustained a prepubic tendon rupture, an uncommon complication in heavily pregnant mares that can have catastrophic consequences for both mare and foal.
After careful evaluation by the internal medicine service led by Dr. Krista Estell, clinical assistant professor of equine medicine, a treatment plan was created to help control the mare's discomfort and ensure the safest outcome for both her and her foal. Throughout Mama Shah’s hospitalization, fetal wellness ultrasounds were performed once to twice daily to check on fetal activity and fetal heart rate.
After seven days of treatment under close monitoring, Mama Shah began to show signs of impending birth, including the relaxation of her pelvic muscles and an increase in the calcium concentration in her milk.
When a change was noted in fetal activity, it was decided to induce labor. Because of the serious consequences of immature foals, induction of labor is not a common practice; but under these circumstances, it was considered a safe option.
With the help of Dr. James Brown, clinical associate professor of equine surgery, who specializes in both surgery and reproduction, Mama Shah was induced into labor, and her colt was born via assisted vaginal delivery without complication. The mare and foal remained hospitalized for stabilization and monitoring for five days before returning home.
Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony 2020
On Thursday, June 17, EMC held its annual Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony as a remote event for the first time! This special ceremony honors departing residents, interns, and fellows and recognizes individual EMC staff members who have done noteworthy, outstanding work during the past year.
Dr. Michael Erskine, EMC director, hosted the event and was joined remotely by Dr. M. Daniel Givens, dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine; EMC Advisory Council members, EMC staff and friends, and family members of the award recipients.
This year, Dr. Jairo Perez, fellow in surgery and emergency critical care, was presented with his fellowship completion certificate, while equine medicine and surgery interns Dr. Anne Hutton and Dr. Emily Mangan were presented with their intern completion certificates.
EMC staff recognized with individual awards were Faculty Award recipient Meaghan Dunn, veterinary technician; Above and Beyond Award recipient Rachel Enger, clinical support; and Director’s Award recipient Karen Mills, dispensary supervisor.
Congratulations to all, and thank you for your dedicated service. We look forward to watching the careers of our departing veterinarians unfold, and we wish you all the very best of luck!
Nugget, the tiniest foal at the Equine Medical Center
Last week, the EMC admitted, treated, and discharged the tiniest foal of the 2020 season!
Presented at 14 hours old for an inability to nurse, the miniature horse filly was very weak with a severely low blood glucose.
Too small for the center’s regular scale, the foal had to be weighed daily on our feed scale! She clocked in at a whopping 22 pounds.
The internal medicine team, led by Dr. Emily Schaefer, clinical assistant professor of equine medicine, treated the foal for failure of transfer of passive immunity. Within no time, the spunky little filly became everyone's favorite in the hospital. After several days of supportive care, including IV fluids, antibiotics, and recheck ultrasounds, the foal was deemed healthy enough to go home to continue her recovery.
As the filly and her mom were loaded into their trailer for the journey home, Dr. Megan Marchitello, resident in equine medicine, said that she would miss the little nugget. Bob and Judy McGinnis of York Springs, Pennsylvania, had been trying to come up with a suitable name, and the name “Nugget” stuck!
“Your team is professional and caring,” the McGinnises said of their experience at the EMC. “We thank you for all your organization has done for Nugget,”
Bon voyage, little Nugget!
In honor of EMC's residents, interns, and clinical support staff
This tribute to EMC’s residents, interns, and clinical support staff salutes their tireless support of the center’s clinicians as all worked to maintain critical emergency services during these unprecedented times.
At all hours of the day and night, in layers of personal protective clothing and under strict biosecurity guidelines, they treated critically ill horses with the same care and attention exhibited during more “normal” times.
On behalf of the horses and clients that you have so diligently cared for, we extend a huge thank you for your hard work, energy, and dedication under such challenging conditions!
(These photos were taken before biosecurity and social distancing protocols were put into place at EMC.)
Wellness Is Important to Us
The Equine Medical Center is proud to be a vital part of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and its work to support the health and well-being of animals, people, and communities.
Just one week from today, you can make a difference in our efforts to provide our equine companions with the best care possible.
Giving Day kicks off at noon on Wednesday, March 18 ... and for 24 hours, until noon on March 19, we’ll be calling on you to help us advance our capabilities in specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment, and diagnostic services.
Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you next week! #VTGivingDay
Learn more: bit.ly/give_2020
Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center
Broodmare Lucky Dance and her filly (by Maryland stallion Great Notion) at Chanceland Farm in West Friendship, Maryland | Video by Ray Meese for Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center saves Chanceland Farm foal
As foaling season swings into full gear, EMC stands at the ready.
Last year, when broodmare Lucky Dance's newborn foal — a filly by Maryland stallion Great Notion — became weak and refused to nurse, Chanceland Farm personnel in West Friendship, Maryland, immediately rushed both the foal and her mare to EMC for specialized care.
Video by Ray Meese for Virginia Tech
What a difference a yearling makes: Tracks Magazine, fall 2019
After adopting a pregnant mare rescued from squalor, Amiya Veatch turned to EMC's Foaling Out Program for specialized care. The foal is now a spirited yearling thriving in a small herd pastured on a pristine farm that overlooks the Potomac River.
Read this and other stories from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in the latest edition of Tracks Magazine ➡️ http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/news/tracks/
Read the latest edition of Tracks Magazine, the flagship publication of VA-MD Vet Med!
Read the latest edition of Tracks, the magazine of VA-MD Vet Med, featuring stories about the college’s people, programs, and hospitals, including the EMC! – http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/news/tracks/
Tracks Magazine, Fall 2019: Coming soon!
Keep an eye on your mailbox for the fall edition of Tracks, the magazine of VA-MD Vet Med, featuring stories about the college’s people, programs, and hospitals, including the EMC!
A Look Back at 2018
As we look back on our many accomplishments in 2018, we are filled with gratitude for the support and contributions of our EMC family. Happy Holidays from the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center! 🌲🐎❄️
Youngkin Equine Soundness Clinic Dedication Event
Guests of all ages had a blast at the Youngkin Equine Soundness Clinic dedication event, enjoying tours of the facility, donkey rides, and a special visit from the HokieBird! Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate, especially Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin. 🎈🏇🍾🎉
See more photos of the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmniKBNY
On Monday, August 6 2018, Miss Beverly Steinman, EMC Advisory Council Chair, hosted EMC Advisory Council Members, clients and Virginia Tech staff and alumni for an afternoon at Saratoga Race Track, followed by a cocktail party at her home in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Race, In Loving Memory of Charles Steger, President, Virginia Tech, race number 5, ran at 3:14 pm. Congratulations to the winner of the race, Abdullah Saeed Almaddah, owner of number 9, 5-year-old Sheikh of Sheikhs, ridden by Jose, L. Ortiz and trained by Wesley Ward.
The cocktail party following the day’s racing was dedicated to the memory of Charles Steger, who attended this event each year, a close friend of Miss Steinman, avid horse enthusiast and lover of horse racing. The party was attended by seventy-two guests, many of whom went on to attend the Fasig-Tipton Sale of Selected Yearlings held later that evening.
Equine Athletic Wellness Program
Is your horse ready for the show season?
EMC’s Athletic Wellness Program is proving to be very popular! Two registered Connemara ponies came to the EMC last week to go through our comprehensive Athletic Wellness Program; MLC Invictis, (stable name “Lark”) a rising 3-year-old dun gelding and Oakfield’s Sienna Sparrow, (stable name “Sparrow”) a rising 6 year old, gray mare.
This program provides owners with an individual base line assessment of athletic health to assist with a suitable training program for peak athletic performance or in the case of “Lark” to make sure that he is physically ready to be started under saddle. Follow the process through the sports medicine examination by Dr. Maureen Kelleher, Clinical Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine and Surgery, Internal Medicine review by Dr. Krista Estell, Assistant Professor of Equine Internal Medicine and podiatry review by Paul Goodness, Certified Journeyman Farrier.
The program covers, internal medicine review, weight, heart rate assessment during exercise, pre (CBC, chemistry) and post exercise bloodwork (muscle enzymes), dynamic orthopedic exam and front feet balance radiographs and Metron DVM front feet digital photographs (precise measurement hoof tracking). This information is gathered into a digital “package” that you can share with your primary care veterinarian, farrier and trainer!
For more information, please contact Kathy Ashland in the EMC admissions office at (703) 771 6875.
On Sunday, October 23 2016 the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center held an Open House. Guests had the opportunity to observe four different demonstrations throughout the day.
A complimentary barbeque lunch was offered at midday, catered by Famous Dave’s, which proved to be extremely popular!
A big thank you to our sponsors; Always There Horse Care, LLC, Dover Saddlery, Back In The Saddle and Foug/Interbuild, Inc. who provided door prizes for the attendees.
Barney the Mini Donkey and Mom Go Home
Barney travels home with his Mom
Barney a miniature donkey was very pleased to be leaving the hospital and going home. His Mom had lifesaving colic surgery at the Center but was not quite so sure about the plan to leave the hospital in the rain!
Barney wore a custom blanket for his journey home.
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