After 40 years of service to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. John Pascoe celebrated his retirement this week. Chancellor Gary May and Dean Emeritus Michael Lairmore sent videos of well wishes while several other colleagues, including Vice Provost Mary Croughan were on hand to extend their gratitude for his many years of service.

“UC Davis is the most influential veterinary medical institution in the world,” May said. “This means that Dr. Pascoe's contributions have had an impact not just here, but on the entire profession. For more than four decades, Dr. Pascoe has kept the school at the leading edge. His unwavering commitment to excellence—not just in his own work, but for the entire school—has inspired all those who’ve had the privilege of working alongside him.”

Pascoe earned a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Queensland, Australia, then came to UC Davis where he completed an internship and residency training in equine surgery and earned a Ph.D. in comparative pathology. He joined the faculty in 1983.

He is a professor of surgery, former chair of the Department of Surgery and Radiological Sciences, and former chief of the Equine Surgery Service. He is also a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

He served as associate dean for academic programs prior to becoming executive associate dean, a post that gives him broad responsibility for academic leadership, academic and facilities planning, and academic personnel administration, along with development and stewardship of the school’s resources, programs and infrastructure.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) recently selected Pascoe to receive the 2023 Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service. This award, established in 1990, recognizes an individual whose leadership and vision have made a significant contribution to academic veterinary medicine and the veterinary medical community at large. Read more here and watch video.

In nominating him for this award, Dean Mark Stetter noted that: “Pascoe’s contributions to academic veterinary education are cumulative, remarkable, and evident at all levels—local, national, and international. He has been an instrumental leader in enhancing and shaping the world of academic veterinary medical education and has worked tirelessly for more than four decades to strengthen veterinary medical education and the profession.”

Throughout his career, Pascoe has served as a mentor, inspiring students and early-career professionals to aim high, in ways that would impact the profession and benefit the world. He also ensured that art appears prominently across the school, to balance the rigors of the sciences with the beauty of life itself.

Congratulations, Dr. Pascoe! We wish you many happy adventures in the outdoors as you enjoy a well-reserved retirement. You will be missed, but your legacy will continue to impact the profession for years to come.