Building Upon A Solid Foundation

Two Auburn University alumni have returned home to oversee the College of Veterinary Medicine’s new Department of Clinical Sciences. Yet while they are emphasizing a streamlined method of operation, they are first to recognize that they are building upon a solid foundation -- one that has been constructed over decades.

“Auburn’s veterinary college has been at the national forefront of science and clinical science for quite some time,” said Dr. Robert Wilson, newly appointed department head. “We plan to continue that excellence as we prepare an efficient administrative system that will serve our students and clients for many years to come.”

In the new organizational structure, Dr. Wilson will be followed by new Hospital Director Dr. John Saidla and then section chiefs for various specialties. There will be five sections: equine, food animal, imaging, small animal surgery, and small animal medicine.

“We hope to strengthen the tradition of veterinary medicine at Auburn,” said Dr. Saidla. “We are definitely not saying anything has been done incorrectly, but the efficiency and quality of educational programs can always be enhanced. This is true in any college or business.”

Dr. Wilson, a 1963 graduate, will guide the academic, research and teaching commitments of the faculty, while Dr. Saidla, Class of 1961, will direct the clinical and administrative functions of the teaching hospital.

“Both are widely recognized for their experience in veterinary medicine and for the strong leadership they have provided to our profession,” said Dean Timothy Boosinger. “They will bring many strengths, such as their commitment and dedication to instruction. Both have received the prestigious Norden Distinguished Teacher Award.”

Dr. Wilson was on the Auburn veterinary faculty for 11 years, serving as head of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology from 1992 to 1996. He also spent time as acting associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies and director of the Institute for Biological Detection Systems. He then accepted the position of dean at Oregon State University’s veterinary college where he served three years before retiring to his home state of Florida.

“It’s not often you get to return to your alma mater and help in a situation of significant change,” Dr. Wilson said. “I was enjoying retirement and I would not have accepted a position anywhere but here. It feels good to be back. When you’re away, you forget how nice the people are in Auburn. I have a great affection for Auburn University.”

Dr. Saidla returned to Auburn after serving as director of Continuing Education at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he was also a senior lecturer in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Services, and chief of Dental Services. He joined Cornell in 1988 after 27 years in private practice, the last 22 years of which were in Auburn.

“These are exciting times for veterinary medicine at Auburn, especially with the new Large Animal Teaching Hospital and the emergence of areas such as the Oncology Service, Critical Care, and Sports Medicine Program,” Dr. Saidla said. “I enjoyed what I was doing at Cornell, but I am thrilled to be back in Auburn.”

He says clients will not notice the changes in the clinics since separate receiving areas will remain in place for small and large animals, and he added that plans are underway to make referrals as easy as possible for both large and small animal practitioners. Also, the business functions such as accounting, billing and ordering will be combined into one computerized system. Medical records will be separate physically but will be administrated together.

One concern among the faculty has been the Large Animal Clinic’s programs for food animals, dairy and ambulatory services. “They are a very important part of a veterinary education and we are committed to keeping them and even enhancing them,” Dr. Saidla said. “We want to strengthen every aspect of the teaching hospital.”

While the new organizational structure may be unfamiliar to Auburn veterinary faculty, at least 19 of the 28 veterinary colleges in the United States have similar departments.

During the past 13 years, the College of Veterinary Medicine has reduced its number of departments from seven to three, with the other two departments being the Department of Pathobiology and the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology.

“The experience of Drs. Wilson and Saidla will greatly help our transition to one clinical department,” Dr. Boosinger said. “The new administrative structure will significantly improve our ability to manage our clinical programs and plan more effectively for the future.”