Postville dairy veterinarian named university veterinarian at Iowa State

AMES, Iowa -- Dr. Bruce Leuschen, Postville, will join Iowa State University as the university veterinarian March 1, 2006.

Leuschen will provide care and services to Iowa State University's livestock farms. He will help teach dairy production medicine courses in the College of Veterinary Medicine and in the College of Agriculture's animal science department. He also will coordinate and assess the food animal internship and preceptorship programs in veterinary medicine.

"Dr. Leuschen is an exceptional dairy practitioner who brings a complete package of food animal production, veterinary medicine and surgical skills to Iowa State University," said Dr. Patrick Halbur, interim chair of the veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine department. "His appointment will add depth and strength to our production animal team at the university."

Leuschen received his veterinary degree in 1983 from Iowa State. For the past 22 years, he has been a practitioner in northeast Iowa and currently is a co-owner and staff veterinarian at the Postville Veterinary Clinic, Postville.

"I am happy to be joining a great team at the university that I love," Leuschen said. "Iowa State University is committed to the livestock industry and has a vision for the future. I am proud to become a part of that vision."

Leuschen is active in veterinary and producer associations. He is past president of the Jackson County and Dubuque County Veterinary Medical Associations. He has presented various demonstrations at the Eastern Iowa Spring Clinics and has been involved in county extension events for dairy producers. He is a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the National Mastitis Council.

Leuschen succeeds Dr. Johann (Hans) Coetzee, who held the position since 2004