Donald F. Smith, January 2015

Dr. Donald Smith was born in Picton, Ontario, Canada, and currently resides in Ithaca, New York. He attained the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with distinction in 1974 from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1981.

Dr. Smith is currently a Professor of Surgery and Austin O. Hooey Dean Emeritus at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. He served as the ninth dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University from 1997-2007. Prior to his deanship, Dr. Smith was Associate Dean from 2000-2007, and Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences from 1987-1991 at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Dr. Smith began his post-residency career at Cornell, then moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1982, where he worked as an Associate Professor of Surgery and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences, from 1983-1987. Dr. Smith was promoted to Chair of the Department of Surgical Sciences in 1986.

As an accomplished bovine soft tissue surgeon, Dr. Smith’s early research focused on the pathophysiology of the bovine abomasum, especially the development and treatment of metabolic alkalosis. During the last six years, he developed a research program on the history of veterinary medicine and its impact on public policy, and on women’s leadership in veterinary medicine. Dr. Smith is a member of the National Academy of Practices (Veterinary Medicine). He was also the recipient of the AVMA’s President Award in 2013, and named New York State Veterinarian of the Year in 2007.