Bill Vernau
Associate Professor of Clinical Diagnostic Pathology
Dr. Bill Vernau is recognized for excellence in teaching of clinical pathology to professional students and residents, contributions in professional continuing education, and sustained investment in improving learning and teaching.
A Professor of Clinical Diagnostic Pathology, Dr. Vernau received his BVMS (1984) from Murdoch University, completed a residency and DVSc degree (1990) at the University of Guelph, and a PhD in Comparative Pathology at UC Davis (2000). Dr. Vernau joined our faculty in 2002 and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (Clinical Pathology).
Acknowledged nationally and internationally as the “go to” clinical pathologist for lymphoproliferative diseases of companion animals, Dr. Vernau is a passionate teacher who enthusiastically gives of his expertise in the classroom, clinic, and in consultations, locally and beyond, to improve interpretation and understanding of clinical pathologic diagnoses. Within the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP), he is a frequent, highly regarded contributor to diagnostic dilemmas posed by colleagues in an on-line forum, and is also sought after as an engaging continuing education speaker.
Contributions in curricular development and teaching effectiveness are considered by peers as exceptional - a sentiment reinforced by student and resident evaluations. From a trainee perspective, Dr. Vernau embodies excellent teaching, devoting himself first and foremost to student learning. He sets clear expectations, designing learning experiences that facilitate understanding at every step, and ensuring that assessments not only test knowledge but prepare the learner for clinical work. He facilitates problem solving and critical thinking through careful design of laboratory experiences and classroom lectures. Reflective and flexible, he elicits feedback regularly and if something is not working well, he adjusts. He works to constantly better his material and sets an example of how excellent teachers operate.
As a member of the Consortium of West Region Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and the School’s Teaching Academy, he has been active in developing better methods for peer evaluation of teaching. He is also a contributing author to Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology and to Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals.
Past Recipients of the School Teaching Award
