Body Wall Complications Following Colic Surgery

Dr. Archer graduated from the University of Glasgow, UK, in 1996 and worked in mixed practice before completing a hospital/ambulatory equine internship in a sports horse practice followed by an equine surgical residency at the University of Liverpool, UK, 2000-2003. Dr. Archer gained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine Surgery (Soft Tissue) in 2002 and the European College of Veterinary Surgery Diploma in Equine Surgery in 2004. She completed a PhD between 2003-2006 investigating the epidemiology of colic at the University of Liverpool. Dr. Archer was appointed as senior lecturer in equine soft tissue Surgery in 2006 and subsequently as professor of equine surgery and head of equine surgery at the University of Liverpool in 2013. She divides her time between equine clinical work and teaching at the university's equine hospital and research within the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health. Dr. Archer's clinical interests include all aspects of surgery of the abdomen, head, neck, urogenital tract and skin, equine emergency care, laser and laparoscopic surgery, imaging of the head, and management of traumatic injuries. Her research interests include evidence-based veterinary medicine (including clinical trials, case-control, and survival studies), socioepidemiology, clinical audit, and vector-borne diseases.

Dr. Dechant is a professor in clinical equine surgical emergency and critical care at the University of California, Davis (UC, Davis). She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 1996. After completing a private practice internship in her home province of Alberta, she moved to Fort Collins, CO, to complete a combined master’s and clinical residency in large animal surgery at Colorado State University from 1997 to 2000. After her residency, Dr. Dechant joined the large animal surgery faculty at the University of Saskatchewan for a one-year position as a clinical associate. From 2001 to 2004, she was a visiting assistant professor at Oklahoma State University with clinical responsibilities as an equine emergency clinician. In 2004, Dr. Dechant was hired in an emergency surgery position at the UC, Davis, initially in a lecturer position and then in a clinical track faculty position. Dr. Dechant was honored to receive Faculty Distinguished Teaching Awards from the School of Veterinary Medicine (2015) and UC, Davis (2016). Her research interests are related to improving the diagnosis and care of large animal emergency and critical care patients. She also has a secondary interest in camelid medicine and associated research.

Dr. Freeman graduated from the Veterinary College of Ireland in 1972 and then worked in private practice in Ireland for 10 months. He completed an equine internship at New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania in 1974 to 1975, followed by a residency in large animal surgery at New Bolton Center from 1975 to 1977. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985. From 1981 to 1994, he was an equine surgeon at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania. He became a board-certified surgeon in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1989. He joined the faculty at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994 and became head of equine medicine and surgery in 1998. In 2004, he joined the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, as professor of equine surgery and associate chief of staff, and subsequently as service chief in Large Animal Surgery. He was also interim department chair in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida from 2009 to 2012 and in 2021. He gave the Sir Frederick Hobday Memorial Lecture by invitation to the British Equine Veterinary Association in 2004 and he was recognized by the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for “outstanding contributions to the development of equine surgery worldwide” In 2011. He is the Martha and Arthur Appleton Endowed Professor in Equine Studies, and director of the Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory, University of Florida. Dr. Freeman’s main area of clinical interest is improving survival after gastrointestinal surgery in horses and reducing postoperative complications. He has written 113 original refereed publications, 128 abstracts, reviewed 343 chapters in books and proceedings, given 186 presentations at national meetings, and 326 presentations at international meetings, spanning 16 countries.

Dr. Kilcoyne graduated from the University College Dublin in 2008, then spent a year as an equine surgical intern at the University Veterinary Hospital. Following her internship, she joined the equine field service team at University of California, Davis (UC Davis) for two years after which she completed an Equine Surgery residency at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She obtained board certification with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015 and is currently working as an associate professor in Equine Emergency Surgery and Critical Care at UC Davis. Her main clinical and research interests involve advancements in the diagnostics and management of colic and treatment of orthopedic infections and wounds.