Disaster - College of Veterinary Medicine - Texas A&M University

TThe Development Council of the
College of Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences (CVM) met on
May 21st. Council co-chairman, Dr.
Fred Palmer, opened the meeting and
welcomed everyone.
The Council heard an update from
Dr. Sonny Presnal about the Stevenson
Center. Dr. Glen Laine, Wiseman-Lewie-Worth
Chair holder, discussed the
impact of endowed faculty chair positions
with the Council. Presentations
concerning the costs associated with
professional and graduate education
were delivered by Dr. Joanna Horany,
Pam Ferro, and Dr. Brian Saunders.
Dr Eleanor M. Green, Carl B. King
Dean of Veterinary Medicine, showed a
DDr. James Rohack, president of the
American Medical Association and
senior staff cardiologist at Scott &
White Clinic, and his wife, Charli,
recently donated money to the Texas
A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences (CVM) to start
the Dr. Sharman Hoppes Educational
Endowment Fund. Hoppes is a clinical
assistant professor who has been
teaching in the CVM for five years and
focuses primarily on avian medicine.
The Rohacks are long-time supporters
of Texas A&M, giving back many
times to the university. For their most
recent endowment efforts, they chose
the CVM because Charli Rohack is
a licensed rehabilitator, and wildlife
recovery, specifically with birds, is a
subject that is very close to their hearts.
“The Rohacks have long seen the
need to promote avian and wildlife
medicine to students and we are so
grateful as a department to further our
training and research due to their gracious
efforts,” explains Hoppes.
“When animals from the wild are
brought in, they don’t have advocates
who are passionate about taking care
of them after they have healed. Charli
Rohack is their advocate.”
The main focus of the endowment is
to promote education and enthusiasm
for veterinary students to pursue avian
medicine. Avian medicine is lacking
in veterinary practices, and Hoppes
and Charli Rohack want to encourage
and inspire students to further their
education and experience in this area.
Charli Rohack’s hope is to promote an
interest in birds both captive and in
the wild.
Other projected uses for the funds
are to help train students and interns
by offering specialized labs in avian
medicine and surgery, assisting students
to attend avian meetings, and
providing for additional diagnostics
that may otherwise be unaffordable to
either a client or a wildlife case.
Part of the funding has already been
used in Hoppes’ service. Surgeries have
been done with birds that would have
otherwise died due to the cost. These
surgeries not only kept the birds alive,
Development News
Development Council meets, furthers strategic planning
PowerPoint presentation to the council
regarding priorities for the college
and for the Development Council. Dr.
Green also announced that although
the AVMA Council on Education has
recommended full accreditation for
the CVM for up to seven years, the
AVMA Council did express concerns
regarding the continued adequacy of
the CVM facilities.
Council members then conducted an
exercise to further refine and identify
priorities for the college and for
the Development Council that were
discussed at the November meeting.
Council members were asked to denote
their top five priority selections. Following
the identification exercise, Council
members were asked to place their
names by the subjects for which they
will agree to work and further develop
strategies for accomplishment. After
making significant progress on the
second phase of their strategic planning
work, they also considered and
approved revisions to their bylaws.
Outgoing co-chairs, Dr. Fred and
Vola Palmer were thanked for their
service and presented with a commemorative
gavel. Incoming co-chairmen,
Dennis and Jacqui Johnston were welcomed.
After expressing their appreciation
and enthusiasm for the Council
and its purposes, the Council meeting
was adjourned by the chairmen.
Rohacks fund Hoppes Endowment for avian education
but they were teaching tools for the
veterinary students and residents.
“I am very proud and humbled to
have this endowment as my namesake,”
said Hoppes. “I am excited that James
and Charli Rohack are shedding some
light on this topic as we are all so passionate
about birds and wildlife.”
Although the Rohack’s emphasis for
the endowment is the birds, she has
given Hoppes the opportunity to use
the endowment funds for other species
as well. The Rohacks are true animal
lovers; they have had pet rabbits, rats,
rheas, and hoof stock. Charli Rohack
has proven herself as an advocate for
all of them.
CVM Today • Summer 2010 • 45