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Tufts University - Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Beyond Boundaries - Index

l I S A F R E E M A N , D V M , P H D ,
D A C V N , J 8 , V 9 1 , N 9
Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences
When Fido has a problem, look in his food bowl. That’s
one conclusion to draw from the research of Lisa
Freeman, who often traces underlying medical problems
in companion pets to poor diet. As one of approximately
60 board-certified veterinary clinical nutritionists in the
world, Dr. Freeman works across an impressive spectrum
of activities to demonstrate the pivotal role of nutrition
in pets’ lives. Her efforts range from teaching and
conducting clinical trials, to designing customized diets
for cats and dogs, to providing nutritional support for
hospitalized animals. Diet, for example, is an important
part of optimal medical care for dogs with heart disease,
a problem that affects more than 10 percent of all dogs.
“I am encouraged that nutrition is gaining wider
recognition as a factor in preventing certain diseases,
and slowing the progression of others,” Dr. Freeman
says. “My focus on clinical research is particularly
rewarding because it represents a partnership between
the veterinarian, the owner, and the animal, all of whom
are working together to improve health and better treat
disease. It’s also important to let students see how
clinical research advances medicine and enhances the
care of individual animals.”
To continue our tradition
must sustain and strength
The Cummings School now stands on the brink of new opportunities
to achieve prestigious accomplishments in the field of veterinary
medicine. Through support from the National Institutes of Health,
the school is constructing one of 13 regional biosafety laboratories
to investigate and combat emerging biological threats. Using this
state-of-the-art facility, the school’s Division of Infectious Diseases
will expand its work with—and understanding of—food- and water-
borne pathogens and other threats to public health.
In addition, we are developing advanced research in the field
of comparative oncology to explore what cancer in animals can
tell us about cancer in humans. We also are developing a shelter
medicine program with animal welfare partners that will allow our
students to tackle complex medical problems at the same time
they develop vital communication skills with shelter clientele.
By developing innovative programs like these, we are training
the next generation of animal doctors and making our profession
indispensable in facing the challenges of the public at large. In order
to achieve our ambitious goals, however, we must first strengthen
the core elements that have made us successful in the first place—
our students, our faculty, our campus, and our curriculum.