January 31 , 2007

Volume IV, No. 19

In Memoriam: Jason E. James, DVM (ILL 1957)

Jason Elliott James, DVM of Sullivan, IL died on January 21, 2007 in St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur.

Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Service, American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net

Jason was born September 28, 1929 in Good Hope, Illinois, the son of Gale and Lois Elliott James. He received his BS Degree from Carthage College in 1951, a MS Degree in Animal Nutrition in 1953 and a DVM Degree in 1957 from the University of Illinois. He operated his general practice in Sullivan from 1957 until his retirement in 1996. He industriously pursued several special fields of interest, one of which was specific pathogen free laboratory established in 1959. He also aided in establishing the Illinois SPF Association. He was instrumental in exporting United States Laboratory reared piglets to foreign countries. He pioneered embryo transfer as a method of introducing new genetics into swine herds. In 1981 the Sullivan Embryo Transfer Center was established. Jason received the National SPF Award in 1980; 25 year Service Award for the Moultrie County Dairy Farmers Association in 1981; 1983 Swine Practitioner of the Year Award; Moultrie County Hog Producer Recognition Award in 1984; and the 1985 ISVMA Special Recognition Award. He had numerous articles published in periodicals concerning embryo transfer 1974-1986 and served as a Adjunct Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in 1984.

During his years of practice, he held membership in the AVMA, ISVMA, American Association of Swine Practitioners, International Embryo Transfer Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association-Swine Disease Research Committee, Illinois S.V.M.A. Economic Management Committee and the Indiana Veterinarian Medical Association.

Jason's most treasured possession was his family. He married Mary E. White on July 3, 1955 in Augusta, Illinois and she survives in Sullivan. He is also survived by his sons; David M. James and his wife Jackie of Lovington, Robert W. James and his wife Sarah of Shelbyville and his special treasure was his granddaughter, Kaya Sue James of Lovington. He also had several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and host of friends.

In Memoriam: John Creasey, DVM (ILL 2006)

Dr. John Creasey passed away suddenly in his home on Sunday, January 28, 2007. The shock of this tragedy is compounded by the fact that it occurred just weeks after the sudden death of Clint Franks (ILL 2007).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 170 West Hurst, Bushnell, IL 61422.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

John was hired upon graduation by Dr. David Hahn at the Spoon River Animal Clinic in Canton. John was excited about the experience he gained while working with Dr. Hahn. He had recently completed his first cruciate surgery and was very proud and excited about the opportunity Dr. Hahn had given him to roll up his sleeves and learn by doing.

Memorials can be made out to: Bushnell Recreation & Cultural Center, 300 Miller, Bushnell IL 61422, (309) 772-3612 or the Bushnell Prairie City Educational Foundation, c/o BPC High School, 845 Walnut, Bushnell IL  61422. There is also a scholarship fund being established in John’s name at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Donations can be forwarded to The Family of John Creasey, 155 Emmy Road, Macomb, IL  61455.

Forever Young

by Renee 'nay' Kristen Kristen

Trapped in the glorious years
within the memory of belief, lost of all grief.
Take the reasons,
which once seemed so clear,
but never mind, you have nothing to fear.
For you my friend will be, forever young,
Forever in the heart of memories.

Lost in the glory of all time,
the wisdom was there within that smile,
You see you could have told us,
there within lies the mystery.

So shed a smile, and grin a tear,
For you my friend, will be,
Forever young, Forever young.
Forever in the heart of memory,
We see not through or misery.
Forever young, forever young.
There's a new angel tonight.

Tax Resources Available on ISVMA Website

The last scheduled tax seminar was held in Rockford, IL on January 31, 2007. Seven seminars were held throughout Illinois - one in each ISVMA region - and hundreds of veterinary professionals and accountants were instructed on the application of the new tax regulation that went into effect January 1, 2007.

The ISVMA has developed a resources page to help practices implement the new rule. Resources will continue to be added as we answer new questions and address issues raised during the seminars. Additionally, ISVMA is working on developing a messageboard so practices can review the questions already addressed by ISVMA and the audit consultants from J.D. Michael.

Please visit the Tax Resources page periodically to get updates and to send questions or comments to ISVMA.

ISVMA Passes 2000 Member Mark

Dr. Amy Gibbs (ISU 2003) from Northgate Pet Clinic in Decatur, IL became the 2000th ISVMA member veterinarian on January 12, 2007. Since then, our membership has grown to 2009 members!

There are still 1010 veterinarians listed in the ISVMA database as prospects. We need your help to encourage these doctors to support organized veterinary medicine through membership in ISVMA.

As of January 1, 2007 dues for the remainder of this membership year (ending June 30, 2007) are pro-rated at 50%. Any 2006 graduate may still join ISVMA at no cost for the remainder of the membership year. It is a great time to sign up an associate or recommend a colleague or classmate to become a member.

Forward this issue of the E-SOURCE to someone that doesn't belong and encourage them to join by filling out the online membership application.

ISVMA - University of Illinois Class Challenge

Did you graduate from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine between 1980 and 2006? If you did, you have a chance to play a vital role in an exciting challenge!

If we can recruit 25% of the prospective members (99 new members) that have graduated from the University of Illinois in the last quarter of a century, Executive Director Peter Weber will make a $500 donation to the Wildlife Medical Clinic at the University of Illinois in honor of the class that has the highest percentage increase in membership! The challenge will run until June 30, 2007.

Since the challenge began, we have added only 5 new challenge qualified members. Help us recruit at least 94 more new members from this group of University of Illinois graduates!

The following chart indicates the membership levels for every graduating class since 1980. In some of the more recent years (2004 to 2006) we have a number of licensed veterinarians in our database who may not be practicing in Illinois. Any updates on the location of your classmates would be appreciated!

If you are willing to assist in this challenge as a class coordinator, please contact peter@isvma.org to volunteer! If you wish to see the list of your classmates and their membership status you can search by graduation year on the special ISVMA - University of Illinois Challenge page on the ISVMA website.

Translational Biomedical Research Seminar Series

The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is offering a Translational Biomedical Seminar Series that is now open to all veterinarians to attend. It is free and each seminar is approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit for DVMs. All seminars are held on Mondays at noon and are in room 80 of the Small Animal Clinic. For more information visit http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/trbioseries.html.

About the Photo in This Issue...

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large, northern circumpolar owl that breeds in open terrain from near tree line to the edge of polar seas, wintering regularly south to the northern U.S. and sporadically beyond. A nomadic species and often unpredictable migrant, its movements are thought to relate to the variable abundance of its main prey species, lemmings. As a winter migrant, it is more regular and abundant in the northern Great Plains than it is to the east, west and south of there. It nests on windswept hummocks and boulders in the arctic barrens, producing large clutches and up to a dozen young per nest where food is abundant. Where food is scarce, it may refrain from breeding for a year or more.

Differing from most owls in being largely diurnal, the Snowy Owl hunts in all weather during winter and the continuous light of arctic summer, at times consuming more than 1,600 lemmings a year. Generally monogamous and territorial, it is often vocal and aggressive in defense of territory and young, sometimes striking humans and even wolves that stray near nests. Adult males are noticeably smaller and paler than adult females, immatures being the most heavily marked as a rule.

This owl is probably the oldest bird species recognizable in prehistoric cave art. Audubon’s 1829 painting of a pair of Snowy Owls depicts the dimorphism in size and plumage of the two sexes. Although these birds often hunt by day, Audubon included them in the only nocturnal scene that he painted.

Of the thousands of wildlife photos I have taken, this is my son's favorite. He calls it the "Peace Owl" because he thinks it looks like the owl is offering the peace sign.

I photographed this Snowy Owl in west-central Indiana in August 2004. It was remarkable to find this owl so far from its breeding grounds in the summer!

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