Colorado State University (CSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital is currently building a new 180,000 square-foot horse hospital. The new hospital will be named the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Family Equine Hospital. It is estimated to care for an average case load of 4,000 horse patients per year, with 27 full-time veterinarians. Colorado State University also provides a cancer center for animals, equine orthopaedic research center, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
The university's equine clinical services are currently housed within the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital---but will be moved to the new hospital once complete.
Dr. Kawcak is Professor of Orthopedics. Dr. Kawcak is one of a team of researchers working to find ways to prevent and treat catastrophic injuries in equine athletes. Kawcak is assessing three-dimensional imaging techniques, MRI and CT to diagnose early joint disease and microscopic joint injuries before these develop into serious injuries. Working with researchers in biomedical engineering the team has developed biomechanical models to assess risk factors specific to each individual athlete with implications for human bone and joint disease.
David Frisbie , DVM, PhD, DACVS
Dr. Frisbie is a Professor of Equine Surgery Colorado State University’s Equine Orthopaedic Research Center. He is a partner in Equine Sports Medicine, LLC, specializing in orthopaedics and sports medicine. In addition he is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Frisbie specializes in orthopaedic research, intra-articular therapeutics, new methods of cartilage repair, equine lameness, orthopaedic surgery and biologics for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries (emphasis on stem cells). Equine orthopaedic surgery, intra-articular therapeutics, gene therapy, sports medicine, equine lameness, new methods of cartilage repair and biologic agents for orthopedic injuries
Dean Hendrickson , DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Hendrickson is a Professor of the Clinical Sciences Department at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He is a Board-Certified Surgeon who obtained his Masters of Science at Cornell and his DVM at Colorado State University in 1988. His clinical interests include: Equine Endoscopic Surgery including Laparoscopy, Arthroscopy and Flexible Endoscopy, Wound healing, Lameness. Research Interests: Laparoscopic Surgical Approaches, Wound Healing, Pain Relief, Teaching Methods.
Diana Hassel , DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVECC
Dr. Hassel is an Associate Professor of Equine Emergency Surgery & Critical Care and helped establish the 24/7 Equine Critical Care service at CSU in 2004. She has been a specialist in the area of equine colic since completion of her surgical residency in 1997 and has furthered her background in critical care medicine for the horse by obtaining board certification by the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care in 2007. Her research interests are focused on treatment of the critically ill equine patient, with particular interests in colic, the equine gastrointestinal microbiome and endotoxemia.
Jennifer Rawlinson , DVM, AVDC
Dr. Rawlinson is an Assistant Professor, Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery. She specialists in large and small animal dentistry.
Jeremiah Easley , DVM, DACVS-LA
Dr. Easley is the Co-director of PSRL. He is a DVM graduate from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, completed a large animal surgery residency at the University of Florida. He manages the daily operations of the laboratory and acts as a PI or Co-PI on all research projects performed at the PSRL.
Laurie Goodrich , DVM, MS, PhD, DACVS
Dr. Goodrich is an Associate Professor of Orthopedics in the Department of Clinical Sciences. Her laboratory studies new approaches to bone and joint healing in equine athletes, and employs both gene therapy and stem cell therapy. Ongoing studies include using adeno-associated viral vectors to deliver growth factors and anti-inflammatory molecules important in cartilage and bone healing. Dr. Goodrich has utilized mesenchymal stem cells and platelet rich plasma to improve cartilage repair. Further studies utilizing gene therapy combined with stem cell therapies to improve musculoskeletal repair are currently underway.
Wayne McIlwraith , BVSc, PhD, DACVS
Dr. Wayne McIlwraith's research interests include equine orthopaedic surgery, joint disease research as well as osteoarthritis therapy (including gene therapy and stem cell therapies), articular cartilage repair, early diagnosis in osteoarthritis, and pre-fracture disease using imaging and fluid biomarkers. Dr. McIlwraith, a University Distinguished Professor, has made significant strides in advancing the Orthopaedic Research Center's reputation through publications, scientific presentations, and fundraising. He is a past-president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and a recognized leader in the field of equine orthopaedic research and surgery. He consults worldwide as a specialist equine surgeon and has received media attention for his contributions to joint research. Dr. McIlwraith is the co-author of five textbooks, over 400 textbook chapters and refereed publications, and has given 600 presentations and workshops.
