A clinical professor of oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine has been named the winner of this year's LaMarr Billups Community-University Engagement Award. Ruthanne Chun is being honored for her outstanding contributions to campus-community partnership initiatives at the Madison campus.
Chun co-founded Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education and Social services, or WisCARES, which is a community veterinary clinic for low income and homeless families. Since its inception in 2014, Chun has helped WisCARES grow from a street medicine project led by a single veterinarian to a fully functioning clinic. It is now open five days a week with a full-time dedicated social worker that extends the reach of care beyond the animal to their owner.
"One of the pillars of our mission at UW-Madison is to reach beyond the borders of the campus to share knowledge that improves people's lives, said Chancellor Rebecca Blank. "Ruthanne Chun is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award as she has created a national model for community outreach and collaboration."
Chun has built partnerships to expand the program within and beyond campus, working with the UW Schools of Pharmacy, Social Work and Medicine and Public Health, as well as Madison Area Technical College and the Dane County Homeless Services Consortium, The Beacon, Community Action Coalition, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin, Reach Dane, the VA, and other local organizations.
The award was named in honor of the late LaMarr Billups, a respected campus and community leader.
Categories: Wisconsin, Education