01-11-11

Veterinary emergency hospitals to affiliate

Ames and Des Moines, Iowa -- Two of Iowa's leading providers of veterinary emergency and specialty services have announced plans to form a professional affiliation that will serve Des Moines area veterinarians and their clients.

Pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents at its Jan. 13 meeting, Iowa State University, through a non-profit business entity, will purchase Iowa Veterinary Specialties (IVS), an investor-owned emergency and specialty care hospital located in Des Moines. The resulting affiliation between IVS and the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine will bring together unique strengths and resources to provide enhanced veterinary care in central Iowa.

IVS and the LVMC will continue to focus on emergency and specialty care and will operate independently in their current locations.

"This is a very successful emergency and specialty practice, whose acquisition was begun by my predecessor, Dean John U. Thomson," said Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, incoming dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "This affiliation is synergistic with the partners complementing and strengthening each other to create new standards for quality in education and discovery, offer more diversified services and enable future growth in capabilities and service."

"The timing is right for creating this affiliation," said Dr. L.A. Holmes, a founder of IVS. "Our hospital has grown considerably throughout its 30-year history and is well positioned for future growth. Iowa State can help IVS recognize its potential much sooner than would otherwise be possible."

IVS was founded in 1980 as an "after hours" emergency hospital by 18 Des Moines veterinarians. In 2001 the hospital built a new facility and began employing surgical and internal medicine specialists. It receives patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. IVS staff includes six full-time emergency doctors, two surgeons, one internist, a dermatologist, 30 veterinary technicians and six receptionists. The hospital serves more than 7,500 emergency and special care patients annually.

ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1879 as the nation's first publicly supported veterinary college. Through its Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, Iowa State provides veterinary emergency and specialty care as a referral hospital for large and small animals from throughout Iowa and the region. The LVMC serves more than 11,000 small animal patients annually.

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