Retirement tea is today for Dr. John Bradfield

The UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research will host a retirement tea for John Bradfield, DVM, PhD, director of comparative medicine, who will retire Oct. 1.

The reception will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. today (Sept. 25) in the Maurer Commons, between the Durham Research Center towers. Brief remarks are set for 2:30 p.m.

A native of the Pueblo, Colorado, area, Dr. Bradfield joined UNMC in 2017 to oversee the Comparative Medicine program.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with John over the past six years,” said Ken Bayles, PhD, vice chancellor for research. “His no-nonsense approach and demand for excellence is infectious and a big reason why our comparative medicine program serves our researchers so effectively.

“He brought a wealth of experience to UNMC, and we have benefited greatly from it.”

Theresa Larson, assistant director for operations in comparative medicine, said: “Dr. Bradfield has served not only as an excellent leader for our comparative medicine staff, but as a mentor to the entire research community. He is always willing to share the knowledge and expertise that he has accumulated over his career, which has been invaluable to our staff and to the researchers at UNMC.

“It has been a privilege to work with Dr. Bradfield, as he is truly dedicated to the important research that is performed here at UNMC.”

Robert Bennett, PhD, executive chair of the UNMC/UNO IACUC, said it would be difficult to overstate Dr. Bradfield’s impact on UNMC during his tenure.

“He brought unmatched experience and expertise to the CM position,” Dr. Bennett said. “He is decisive but considerate, can disagree without being disagreeable, and acknowledges when he is wrong, all hallmarks of a true leader. He is an outstanding veterinarian and scientist. But what I will miss more than any of those is just talking about stuff – our kids, homebrewing, travel. Thank you, John, for all you’ve done for UNMC.”