Profile

Dr. DeBowes previously served as the Associate Dean for Veterinary Development and External Relations. He served previously as the Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Washington State University (2000-2005) and the Chair for Clinical Sciences at Kansas State University (1994-1999). His current responsibilities include directing the professional life skill development program within the college that teaches veterinary students about leadership and communication.

Dr. DeBowes’ veterinary interests include equine general and orthopedic surgery, lameness diagnosis, and joint biology. Dr. DeBowes’ administrative interests include faculty and program development, fund raising, and the promotion of nontechnical competencies (life skills), medical communications and personal/servant leadership. He teaches and coordinates the practice management course (VM 591) and co-directs with Drs. Kurtz and Cary and teaches in the Veterinary Clinical Communication course (VM 502).

Dr. DeBowes works closely with faculty and staff from around the College to promote a professional leadership program for both incoming Washington State students (Cougar Orientation and Leadership Experience: COLE) and at the international level for students, techs practitioners and faculty from around the world. This later program, theVeterinary Leadership Experience (VLE) was co-developed by Dr. DeBowes with Dr. Kathleen Ruby and is presented annually as the AVMA VLE to colleagues from around the world. To support these enterprises (COLE: 10 years; VLE: 8 years; College Leadership Program: 3 years) and the communications program, Dr. DeBowes has raised over $3,800,000.00 of extramural support from corporate partners and donors.

Education

• MS, Washington State University, 1982
• University of Illinois, DVM, 1979

Certifications

• Board certified, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, (Diplomat ACVS)
• MBTI Certified, Center for Applications of Psychological Type, 2004

Research Interest

• Surgical research interests centered primarily in the area of equine clinical orthopedics and more specifically, in the areas of fracture fixation and the properties of normal and arthritic articular cartilage. Past collaborations involve an ongoing clinical investigation using an “immobilization followed by exercise” model for production of degenerative joint disease in young adult horses (Lillich et. al) and in vitro assessment of a circular ring fixator (Valentino et. al).
• Previous work has focused on the biomechanical properties of equine articular cartilage, the effects of methylprednisolone acetate on normal equine articular cartilage (Murray et. al), the biomechanical merits of a novel orthopedic screw (Murray et. al) and the effects of hydroxyapatite coating of orthopedic implants (Anderson et. al).

Publications

PubMed.gov

Professional Service

• member, AAEP, ACVS, AVMA, KVMA and the WSVMA
• member, Executive Committee of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
• past president, American Association of Veterinary Clinicians
• executive board member, AAVC’s delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates
• former member, Board of Regents for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons
• former member, Board of Directors for the Eastern States Veterinary Association
• twice served as President of the NAVC Board of Directors and their founding Director of Education

News

• Equipping tomorrow’s veterinarians to succeed in business