OVC Professor Appointed Associate Dean, Clinical Program

Dr. Luis Gaitero has been appointed the incoming Associate Dean, Clinical Program at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

A professor in OVC’s Department of Clinical Studies, Gaitero began serving in the capacity of acting Associate Dean, Clinical Program in early 2022.

Gaitero, is an associate professor in OVC's Department of Clinical Studies and a board-certified veterinary neurologist. His specialties include neurosurgery, spinal cord trauma, and neuroimaging.

In his role as Associate Dean, Clinical Program, Gaitero will supervise and mentor the veterinarians and the OVC Health Sciences Centre management team and is responsible for the success and fiscal viability of the OVC Health Sciences Centre.

“I am grateful to the selection committee and to members of the community who participated in this important selection process.  The role of the Associate Dean, Clinical Program is critical to our success as a veterinary college,” says OVC Dean Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel. “I look forward to working with Dr. Gaitero as we embrace the opportunities and challenges of the next five years.”

Gaitero has 15 years combined working experience in veterinary teaching hospitals, which includes his appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Clinical Studies.

He has served in numerous capacities throughout his tenure at OVC including as the OVC Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Neurology Service Chief since 2010, OVC HSC Companion Animal Clinic Head from 2016 to 2019, and as OVC HSC Chief Medical Officer since 2019. 

In addition to his clinical experience, he served as assistant editor for The Canadian Veterinary Journal, as a member of the recertification committee of the European College of Veterinary Neurology, OVC Pet Trust Scientific committee member and on the OVC Pet Trust board.  He was actively involved in OVC and the University of Guelph Strategic Planning. 

Gaitero also served as a University of Guelph Senator from 2017 to 2020, and as a member of the task force that planned the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) Future of Veterinary Medicine Symposium in 2019.