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David Freeman, M.V.B., Ph.D., an equine surgeon and professor in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named interim chairman of the college's department of large animal clinical sciences.

Freeman has been a member of UF's veterinary faculty since February 2004. His research interests include the pathophysiology and treatment of diseases that cause colic in horses, with a special focus on diseases that reduce blood flow to the small and large intestines.

He also serves as director of the Island Whirl Equine Colic Laboratory and will continue in that role after he assumes his new appointment, which was effective March 1.

College Dean Glen Hoffsis appointed Freeman, who had served as associate department chairman, to the position after former department chairwoman Eleanor Green, D.V.M., was named dean at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.

Freeman will oversee the teaching, research, extension and service missions of the UF veterinary college in the primary areas of equine, food animal, aquatic animal and companion animal health. Freeman will also serve as chief of staff of UF's Alec P. and Louise H. Courtelis Equine Hospital, which has one of the largest equine caseloads of all similar referral teaching hospitals in the U.S.