Surgery

Sept. 29, 2026

Dr. Rachel Hilliard joins the Oregon State University Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor of large animal surgery. She will perform clinical duties in the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Hilliard earned her veterinary degree from Cornell University, then pursued further specialization through internships and a comparative orthopedics research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. She then completed her large animal surgery residency at Michigan State University.

Dr. Mike Huber performs surgery on a horse in 2025. Photo by Jens Odegaard.

Sept. 25, 2026
 

As a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Michael “Mike” Huber cared for thousands of patients and their owners. Recently retired after 40 years at Oregon State University, he taught hundreds of veterinary students, trained numerous residents and interns and was a trusted colleague to fellow faculty members and referring veterinarians.

Woodford and Samantha Colson celebrate success at the 2025 Arizona National Livestock Show.

March 30, 2026
Words by Jens Odegaard.
Photos courtesy of Samantha Colson.

TS Woodford Reserve is a beautiful two-year-old Charolais bull. Hair shining like ripe white wheat over rolling hills of muscle and healthy fat. Woodford — named after the bourbon — stands shoulder high to Samantha Colson, his owner. He’s just taken Champion Charolais and Reserve Supreme Champion Bull at the 2025 Arizona National Livestock Show held in late December.

Dr. Shantibhushan "Shanti" Jha, BVSc & AH (Hons), M.S., DACVS (Small Animal), joins the Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor of small animal orthopedic surgery. A board-certified surgeon since 2013, Dr. Jha earned his BVSc with honors from Nagpur Veterinary College and his master's of science from Oregon State University, followed by advanced surgical residency training at Tufts University.

We sat down with Dr. Jha for a Q&A.

Dr. Andrea Erickson joins the Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor in soft tissue surgery and surgical oncology.

Originally from Kailua, Hawaii, her family’s golden retrievers sparked her lifelong love of veterinary medicine. She earned her DVM from Colorado State University and completed advanced training including internships at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital and the University of Florida, a surgical residency at The Ohio State University and a surgical oncology fellowship at CSU. She also holds a master’s in biomedical education.