MEDIA ADVISORY: Colorado State University Dedicates New Diagnostic Medicine Center on Friday, Sept. 11

Note to Reporters: Reporters interested in attending the event should RSVP to Dell Rae Moellenberg no later than 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

WHAT: The new Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine Center – a 100,300-square-foot laboratory at the university’s Veterinary Medical Complex — will be dedicated and media tours are available. The new building provides state-of-the-art laboratory space for the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, office space for both laboratories, the Animal Population Health Institute and the Extension veterinarian.

WHEN and WHERE: Friday, Sept. 11, at the Diagnostic Medicine Center, north of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The schedule:

– 10:30-11:30 a.m., meet Cam the Ram, a Rambouillet ram;
11:30 a.m. to noon, dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting, emceed by Dr. Lance E. Perryman, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, speakers include President Tony Frank and Dr. Barb Powers, director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
-Noon – 12:30 p.m., reception;
-12:30 – 2 p.m., tours of the new building.

DETAILS: CSU broke ground on the Diagnostic Medical Center in December 2007. The university completed the uniquely designed, $42 million state-funded building in June. It houses the college’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, the university’s Extension veterinarian, the Clinical Pathology Laboratory and the Animal Population Health Institute.

The laboratory features a central atrium with abundant natural lighting and 88,000 square feet of modern laboratory and office space.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, processes more than 500,000 diagnostic tests each year and provides animal diagnostic services for veterinarians, agriculture industry, animal owners and state and federal agencies for animal disease diagnosis, monitoring animal health and protecting public health. The Animal Population Health Institute encourages collaboration and expertise exchange in veterinary epidemiology among scientists at CSU, institutions and government agencies throughout the world.

The university’s Extension veterinarian provides services and education to the state’s animal owners to protect animal health and the economic viability of the state’s animal-driven economy. The clinical pathology laboratory provides services such as blood, fluid and urine analysis and cytology to identify diseases and illnesses in animals that are brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital or to veterinarians in the region. The lab also educates veterinary students and residents.

Guests at the event will include Joe Blake, chancellor of the CSU System; Randy Fischer, state representative; John Kefalas, state representative; Steve Johnson, county commissioner; and Patrick McConathy, chair of the CSU System Board of Governors.

Parking will be limited. Overflow parking is available in lots east and north of the Diagnostic Medicine Center.

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