Diane Craig, DVM, DACVS, Class of 1983, and her husband Richard (Rich) Pankowski, DVM, Cornell University Class of 1983, recently established a scholarship endowment for UC Davis DVM students through a generous gift. The scholarship will help offset educational expenses as students prepare for advanced training.

The Diane R. Craig, DVM, DACVS, Class of 1983, Scholarship for Aspiring Surgeons supports third-and-fourth year students pursuing surgical specialization or other advanced training. 

“This is an investment in the next generation of veterinary surgeons,” said Rich. “Scholarships like this were the only way that Diane and I could finance our veterinary school educations and become surgeons. Diane’s career is a testament to just how far opportunities like this can take a student.” 

A Trailblazing Career in Veterinary Medicine

Diane was the first ACVS diplomate to become board certified in both large and small animal surgery. She founded Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County (VSSOC, located in Tustin, CA), which they recently sold. Rich served as the hospital’s administrator and Diane continues with VSSOC as an Associate Surgeons. 

A national leader in veterinary medicine, Diane served as president of both the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association. She was also a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors of the CVMA and is currently the California Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association. She has served on several committees for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and the AVMA including a six-year appointment to the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates exam committee.

A Lifelong Passion for Animals

Both Diane and Rich grew up around animals and share a deep connection with horses.  

Diane grew up surrounded by horses, rabbits, cats, and dogs, and worked as a veterinary technician during high school. After graduation, she left home to work with Standardbred racehorses in New Jersey and California, something she continued while in college and veterinary school. Eventually, she directed her internship and residency toward equine surgery.

Rich grew up with dogs and later learned how to ride horses from his brother. From that experience, he was hooked. He began teaching riding at summer camps during high school and college. This connection with horses eventually led him to Cornell, where he earned his DVM and later completed a surgical residency.

Diane and Rich met during their surgical residencies at Cornell. After completing their residencies, the couple opted to relocate to California where opportunities arose that allowed Diane to expand her skills and training in small animal surgery. As small and large animal specialization became the norm within the specialty, Diane pursued and obtained dual certification.

Supporting Women and the Next Generation

For Diane, supporting women in the veterinary profession is important. She acknowledges that women first began to outnumber men when she was a DVM student in the early 1980s. She later built and owned her own veterinary surgical practice at a time when not many women were practice owners, much less specialty surgery practice owners. “As a surgeon, I know that the road is long, and challenging at times,” she said. 

The support of women in leadership roles in any field is so essential, especially in our profession.” 

Diane and Rich had their three children when Diane was just starting to build her practice. Two of their three children are now veterinarians pursuing surgical board certification, including a daughter who earned her DVM at UC Davis. 

“Maternity leave during that time was not really something I could take advantage of as we were building the practice,” Diane said. “It’s another example of what some women must balance when deciding to become a veterinarian, and especially if they choose to become board-certified specialists."

Our hope with this scholarship is that students can envision maybe becoming board certified and pursuing that additional training without the worry of debt upon their shoulders.”

“That’s why we named this scholarship after Diane in this way,” Rich added. “She modeled the way forward – and her role as a mentor is important to recognize. This scholarship, along with her leadership in veterinary medicine, allows us to reach behind us to hopefully pull the next generation forward.”

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Creating a Legacy Through Donor Advised Funds

A donor advised fund (DAF), which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to UC Davis and other qualified charities. With DAFs, donors can recommend a grant or recurring grants to make an immediate impact or as a tool for future charitable gifts. For Diane and Rich, their DAF provided a meaningful way to turn their success into opportunities for future veterinarians.

Rich shared how this type of fund enabled them to make their gift. “A large donation like this would have been difficult for us if we hadn’t established this fund. Sharing our success in this way is a truly special feeling. It helps us direct where funds are spent, and that autonomy helped us make gifts to both of our alma maters and invest in the next generation of veterinarians.” 

Learn more about Donor Advised Funds and other ways to create a lasting legacy at UC Davis.