On Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m., Virginia Reef, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVSMR, will discuss how veterinarians use ultrasound examinations on mares with high-risk pregnancies as part of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) First Tuesday Lecture Series.

During the lecture, Reef will explain why a diagnostic ultrasound is critical to assessing the viability of a foal in a mare during a high-risk pregnancy. She also will discuss how veterinarians can use findings from the ultrasound to decide when and how to intervene and to prepare for complications.

Reef, the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Medicine, serves as New Bolton Center’s Director of Large Animal Cardiology and Diagnostic Ultrasonography and the Chief of Sports Medicine and Imaging. She is board-certified in sports medicine and rehabilitation, as well as internal medicine. Earlier this year, Reef received the prestigious ACVIM Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence. This award is presented annually to an ACVIM diplomate with an outstanding career in veterinary medicine, including national and international recognition for contributions and service in activities such as clinical medical practice, instruction, research, and public service.

During the First Tuesday Lecture Series, faculty and clinicians at New Bolton Center share current information on topics of interest and relevance to horse owners and caregivers throughout the region via a free lecture on the first Tuesday of each month. Many of the lectures highlight the advanced techniques performed by Penn Vet’s team of leading clinicians and the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities available to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients