Skip NavigationSkip to Primary Content

Surgery

Heather Towle Millard, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA

Heather Towle Millard

Surgery

Heather Towle Millard, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA

Prior to joining Wichita Specialty and Emergency Hospital, Dr. Heather Towle Millard spent 7.5 years as a Staff Surgeon at a large private practice in the Kansas City area.  She previously spent six years as a Surgery Instructor and Clinical Assistant Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Kansas State University (3 years) and Purdue University (3 years) where she taught surgery to veterinary students, interns, and surgical residents, while conducting research, writing numerous book chapters and articles, and teaching lectures/laboratories.

Her surgical interests include any soft tissue surgery, particularly reconstructive surgeries, oncologic surgeries, minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy, ureter stent placement and SUB placement (re-routing from kidney to urinary bladder), knee (TPLO) surgery for torn CCL (cranial cruciate ligament), and congenital orthopedic conditions. 

She is a Board-Certified in Small Animal Surgery and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons-Small Animal since 2008.

Education:

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons-Small Animal, 2008

Residency, Surgery, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 2007

Master of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 2007

Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of IL, Urbana-Champaign, 2004 

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 2003

Selected Publications & Articles

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6186-1515

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears in German Shepherd Dogs, The German Shepherd Dog Review, 2022

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in dogs, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021

A case of canine Salmonella spp. osteomyelitis with secondary fracture following dog bite, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2021

Recognizing and treating serotonin syndrome, DVM 360, 2021

Marijuana Exposure and Intoxication in Dogs, The German Shepherd Dog Review, 2022

Occurrence and Clinicopathologic Features of Splenic Neoplasia Based on Body Weight: 325 Dogs (2003-2013). Journal of American Animal Hospital Association, 2016 

Versatility of the Angularis Oris Axial Pattern Flap for Facial Reconstruction. Veterinary Surgery, 2015

Association of gender and specialty interest with video-gaming, three-dimensional spatial analysis, and entry-level laparoscopic skills in third-year veterinary students Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2016 DOI: 10.2460/javma.248.12.1414

Advanced Surgical Platforms: NOTES and Robotic Surgery, Small Animal Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy, 2015 | Book Part of DOI: 10.1002/9781118845912.ch28

Surgeons' Skills Training, Small Animal Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy, 2015 | Book Part of DOI: 10.1002/9781118845912.ch1

Image Quiz: A dental radiography curiosity in a corgi, Veterinary Medicine, 2014

In vitro comparison of output fluid temperatures for room temperature and prewarmed fluids, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2014, DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12236

In vitro effect of multiple hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizations on the rate of closure of ameroid constrictors, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2014, DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.75.10.924

Spontaneous resolution of postoperative chylothorax following surgery for persistent right aortic arch in two dogs. Journal American Animal Hospital Association, 2014

In vitro evaluation of three intravenous fluid line warmers, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2015, DOI: 10.2460/javma.244.12.1423

Effect of cold compress application on tissue temperature in healthy dogs, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2013, DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.74.3.443

Effect of warm compress application on tissue temperature in healthy dogs, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2013, DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.74.3.448

Effects of ampicillin/sulbactam and enrofloxacin on the blood pressure of isoflurane anesthetized dogs, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2013, DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5899

Investigation into the impact of audience response devices on short-and long-term content retention, Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2013, DOI: 10.3138/jvme.1012-091R

Successful treatment of necrotizing fasciitis in the hind limb of a Great DaneJournal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2010, DOI: 10.5326/0460433

Mandibular ossifying fibroma in a dog, Veterinary Pathology, 2008, DOI: 10.1354/vp.45-2-203

Surgical treatment of simple syndactylism with secondary deep digital flexor tendon contracture in a Basset Hound, Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2007, DOI: 10.1160/VCOT-06-11-0086

Syndactyly in a litter of cats, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2007, DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2006.00232.x

What is your diagnosis? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2006, DOI: 10.2460/javma.229.12.1885

Pre- and postoperative radiographic and computed tomographic evaluation of dogs with medial patellar luxation., Veterinary surgery, 2005, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2005.00040.x

Dysostoses of the canine and feline appendicular skeleton, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2004, DOI: 10.2460/javma.2004.225.1685

Honors and Awards:

2022 Honored Mentor Award, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, January 2022

2011 Pet Tribute Compassionate Faculty Teaching Award (voted by Fourth Year Veterinary Students), April 2011

2010 Novartis Teaching Excellence Award 

(voted by Third Year Veterinary Students), Nov 2010

Fort Dodge Award for Excellence in Instruction of Clinical Medicine during 4th year   

(voted by Fourth Year Veterinary Students), May 2010

Honoree Graduation Marshall for Class 2010      

(voted by Fourth Year Veterinary Students), May 2010

Purdue University Resident Teaching Award, April 2007

Surgeon in Training Award

Veterinary Orthopedic Society Conference (VOS), February 2004 

Journal Reviewer: 

Veterinary Surgery, Editorial Review Board, 2018-present

Guest Reviewer, Current

Journal American Animal Hospital Association        Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound Reviewer

Journal of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Journal American Veterinary Medical Association                                       

Leadership:

Medical Director, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital, 2016-2019

Secretary/Treasurer of Veterinary Endoscopy Societyy, May 2011 to 2018

Off Duty:

Dr. Millard’s husband is also a veterinary surgeon at Wichita and together they keep busy with their twin boys, Golden Retriever-Gracie Lyn, German Shepherd Dog-Yukon Arthur Cornelius, cat-Snickers, two gerbils-Tom & Jerry, and a Crested Gecko-Ralphie. Her favorite activities include enjoying family time, hiking, fishing and biking. She’s also an avid traveler (before Covid) and enjoys scrapbooking.