Steve Dixon, D.V.M., is retiring to Colorado with his wife, after having served for 25 years as director of comparative medicine at UNMC.
They’ll be a short drive from kids and grandkids. “My yard is going to be at 9,060 feet,” Dr. Dixon said.
Retirement event Thursday
An event celebrating the careers of Ernest Prentice, Ph.D., and Steve Dixon, D.V.M., will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Durham Research Center Atrium. Read the story on Dr. Prentice in Tuesday’s UNMC Today.
It will be as good a fit as UNMC was for the Dixons 25 years ago. Looking to return to his native Midwest, Dr. Dixon came to UNMC having served as director for the Center for Comparative Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He’d previously served 20 years with the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps.
He also has a postdoctoral clinical master’s in small animal surgery and is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
Dr. Dixon marveled that some of the work he did in the military supported research that eventually led to improved ophthalmologic laser photocoagulation therapy.
His work at UNMC draws raves from Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research, among others. Dr. Larsen noted that Dr. Dixon helped plan comparative medicine facilities in the Durham Research Center and now the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center — now more than 100,000 square feet in all.
Dr. Bradfield to head comparative medicine
John Bradfield, D.V.M., Ph.D., has joined UNMC as director of comparative medicine, with the upcoming retirement of Steve Dixon, D.V.M.
“One of the last gifts Dr. Dixon has given to UNMC is finding a worthy successor,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research. “Both he and Dr. Ernest Prentice were instrumental in attracting Dr. Bradfield, in addition to our program and facilities, and accreditation and highest rating from AAALAC (Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International).”
Please look for a New Faculty Spotlight feature on Dr. Bradfield in an upcoming edition of UNMC Today.
Comparative Medicine provides maintenance, procurement and quality assurance evaluation of research animals; surgical, radiological and diagnostic services; consultative services for animal welfare and humane use; research protocol review, veterinary public health services, and consultation regarding appropriate animal model and project design.
Comparative medicine boasts state-of-the-art, no-stone-unturned systems to preserve the integrity of research and the health of its animal models.
And, something else: “The most wonderful staff of professional people I’ve ever had is here at the University of Nebraska Medical Center,” Dr. Dixon said.
“Under his leadership, with support from the VCR Office, he has transformed UNMC’s Animal Care and Use Program into a nationally known and respected program,” said Joseph Krajicek, comparative medicine’s assistant director, operations.
“He has continuously adjusted policies, procedures, staffing, and configuration of spaces to address the changing needs of science investigators,” Dr. Larsen said. Research funding has grown exponentially, in part due to comparative medicine’s support, she said.
Tony Hollingsworth, Ph.D., professor and director of pancreatic cancer research, added Dr. Dixon is, “Quick to smile, fix a problem, tell a joke, give advice, help in any way.”
Dr. Dixon lauds the support of UNMC as an institution, and in particular Dr. Larsen, and Ernest Prentice, Ph.D., with whom he will share a retirement celebration tomorrow (see box).
“They deserve a lot of credit for our ability to support research and take care of the animals and make sure they are humanely treated,” Dr. Dixon said.
Congratulations on your retirement, Steve! Enjoy your grandkids and the beautiful mountains of Colorado! I'll miss the occasional hallway visit…
Congrats on your 25 years and your retirement. You will be GREATLY missed by all us….
Steve and the Comparative Medicine staff are truly unsung heroes at UNMC. They play such a key role in our research enterprise. Congrats on the retirement, Steve. You will be missed!
Congratulations on retiring Steve. You have been an inspiration to many throughout the years.
It was a pleasure knowing you.
Steve:
Congratulations of your retirement. Enjoy it to its fullest. Retirement is great, and you've earned it!
You can leave UNMC knowing that you leave a legacy known and appreciated by many current and former UNMC researchers: strong and capable leadership;, willingness to listen and work together, and understanding and cooperative spirit.
Best wishes in all that the future may hold for you and your family. It was a sincere pleasure working with you over the years.
Steve, thanks for all you have done at UNMC. You made a difference. I am sure the next phase of your journey will be exciting and full of adventure. Wishing you and your family only the BEST!
Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Dixon! I know how much you've looked forward to living in Colorado full-time and I know you'll enjoy every moment! Thank you for all you've done for UNMC, and for always having a smile and a kind word. You will be missed!
I'm so proud of my brother-in-law dr. Robert Steve Dixon! I'm so proud of the accomplishments that he is made through his life and I am proud to say that I am his sister in law from Maryland love you!
Steve, Sounds like you did a bang up job there, Good Luck in your Retirement, Enjoy !
Your friend Milt April
Lvu miss ya hope to see u n co
Steve you are a great man and a terrific leader. Remember well our Army days together much before UNMC was on either of our minds. Those days of mission first held always strong and remained the benchmark of the great things you were able to accomplish here. We will miss you very much.
Dr Dixon was my first AAALAC visitor as the manager of the Idaho State University Animal Facility. He taught me much and I appreciate him immensely. He will be missed in the animal research world.
I am a Mexican DVM, MS., my name is Manuel Hernández M.
I have the honor of being Dr. Dixon`s class-mate at the Surgical Lab., College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of CSU.
I am glad to know all the magnificent professional work, that Dr. Dixon has been doing across the years.
Congratulations on your retirement Dr. Dixon! I send you a warm hallo from Morelia, Mich. Mexico!