Director of Conservation Medicine

Leading the Clinic/Incubation Rotations

Darren Berger, DVM, DACVD, is a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist® with extensive experience in clinical practice, research and education. Dr. Berger obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. He worked as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Des Moines, IA, prior to completing a private practice dermatology residency in Phoenix, Arizona. He is an author and editor, having written many journal articles, his own textbook, and sits on the editorial board of several veterinary journals. He has special interests in clinical pharmacology and the management of allergic skin diseases. Prior to joining Elanco Animal Health, Dr. Berger was a tenured professor at Iowa State University and taught at the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State.

Veterinary Fellow

Leading the Clinic/Incubation Rotations

Rikki Fitzpatrick, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is a proud Wisconsin native who began her veterinary journey at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of Saint Kitts. After her time in the Caribbean, she was grateful to return home for her clinical year at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She then completed a rotating internship at VCA Aurora and Berwyn, just outside of Chicago, before heading west to Colorado to pursue a residency in Internal Medicine at Colorado State University. Following her residency, Dr. Fitzpatrick spent six years practicing at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center near Indianapolis. She was thrilled to reconnect with her former intern mate, Dr. Bongard, and return to the Madison area to join the Internal Medicine team at VCA Veterinary Emergency Service and Veterinary Specialty Center.
Dr. Fitzpatrick and her husband now enjoy life in Wisconsin with their two daughters. A devoted fan of the Packers and the Badgers, she also loves attending live music events, playing trivia, discovering new restaurants, and getting lost in a good book.

Sandhill Crane Project Manager

Leading the Prairie Restoration Walks and Field Activity Rotations

Dayle Parnell-Lampen, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA, CSCC, received her DVM from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2011. She spent over a decade in small animal general practice and emergency care in New England before earning her CCRP in 2021. She spent the next several years developing and running a new physical rehabilitation department in a small specialty hospital in Massachusetts, followed by a rehab/acupuncture service in a general practice in New Hampshire. Recently relocated to Wisconsin, Dr. Parnell works in canine physical rehabilitation in an established specialty hospital.

In addition to her CCRP, she’s also earned her CVPP, cVMA, and CSCC. She has particular interests in osteoarthritis management, pain management, and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries.

Prepare for Takeoff: ICF History, Mission, & Medicine

1-hour Lecture • 1.2 scientific credits

The story of the International Crane Foundation began in 1971 at Cornell University with two students who shared a passion for cranes. Today, ICF’s impact reaches across the globe. Our staff of about 150 includes associates, conservationists, aviculturists, and veterinarians, working with a network of hundreds of specialists in over 50 countries on five continents. Get to know who we are, where we’re going, and why we do what we do in this welcome session presented by Dr. Diana Boon, Director of Conservation Medicine.

Diana Boon, DVM, Director of Conservation Medicine, graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans with a BS in Biology and a minor in Studio Art. Before attending NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she took a School for Field Studies Wildlife Biology and Management course in Kenya and worked as a wildlife technician on several field projects around the country. Her focus in veterinary medicine was on zoo & wildlife, and she spent her first summer working with the Florida Panther Project near the Everglades. Dr. Boon accumulated a broad knowledge of species and programs through multiple roles with zoos (staff veterinarian, contract & relief veterinarian, consultant) and their associated wildlife conservation programs. She’s fascinated with birds and what they represent, though she may have a few other species she considers favorites. Diana joined the ICF team in September 2023 as the Director of Conservation Medicine..

What’s New, Kitty Cat?
Purrfecting your feline care with new diagnostic and treatment options

1-hour Lecture • 1.2 scientific credits

Get a practical overview of some of the newer (and the not-so-new, but lesser-known) medications and diagnostic tests in the feline world. We’ll discuss the whys and whens of using the new kidney biomarkers (Cystatin-B and FGF-23), and the need for ketometers when using SGLT2 inhibitors. We’ll also explore new treatments for diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, CKD-related anemia, and FIP. Meow!

Tamara Sloan, DVM, originally from Michigan, grew up in the Chicago suburbs. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she attended the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She spent two years in general small animal practice in the Detroit ‘burbs before landing her dream position at Cat Care in Rochester Hills, MI. After 15 years as an associate at Cat Care, she became the Chief of Staff in 2019. Dr. Sloan enjoys general surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, and geriatrics. She and her husband are owned by four cats (Seamus, Aine, Saoirse, and Ardara) who allow their humans to live with them and serve their every need.

Ins and Outs of the Rehab Consult: An Expert’s Overview

1-hour Lecture • 1.2 scientific credits

Curious about the rehab consult? Join Dr. Parnell-Lampen for a detailed discussion of a typical physical rehabilitation consultation. Get an expert’s overview of recommended treatments (beyond the underwater treadmill), discuss the probabilities and possibilities of ongoing care, and have a conversation on the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between the referring veterinarian and rehabilitation specialist.

Dayle Parnell-Lampen, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA, CSCC, received her DVM from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2011. She spent over a decade in small animal general practice and emergency care in New England before earning her CCRP in 2021. She spent the next several years developing and running a new physical rehabilitation department in a small specialty hospital in Massachusetts, followed by a rehab/acupuncture service in a general practice in New Hampshire. Recently relocated to Wisconsin, Dr. Parnell-Lampen works in canine physical rehabilitation in an established specialty hospital.

In addition to her CCRP, she’s also earned her CVPP, cVMA, and CSCC. She has particular interests in osteoarthritis management, pain management, and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries.

Diana Boon, DVM, graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans with a BS in Biology and a minor in Studio Art. Before attending NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she took a School for Field Studies Wildlife Biology and Management course in Kenya and worked as a wildlife technician on several field projects around the country. Her focus in veterinary medicine was zoo & wildlife, and she spent her first summer working with the Florida Panther Project near the Everglades. Dr. Boon accumulated a broad knowledge of species and programs through multiple roles with zoos (staff veterinarian, contract & relief veterinarian, consultant) and their associated wildlife conservation programs. She’s fascinated with birds and what they represent, though she may have a few other species she considers favorites. Diana joined the ICF team in September 2023 as the Director of Conservation Medicine.

Kaycee Daentl, DVM, is the Veterinary Fellow at the ICF. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Kaycee attended Kansas State University for both her undergraduate and veterinary schooling. After graduating from veterinary school, she went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at Virginia Tech, followed by a specialty internship in wildlife rehabilitation medicine in St Paul, Minnesota, at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (U of M) and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. After her internship, she remained on staff as a veterinarian while completing a master’s degree in public health at U of M. She then spent one year working as a locum staff veterinarian at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Sanibel, Florida, before joining the flock at the ICF for a veterinary fellowship in crane conservation medicine. Outside of work, Dr. Kaycee is an avid reader and amateur birdwatcher. She’s excited to be back in Wisconsin, where much of her extended family resides.

Sara Kalani is a dedicated veterinary professional with years of experience providing comprehensive care to a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other wildlife. With a background in diagnostics, surgery, and nursing, her main focus is on exotic species. Sara has worked closely with the ICF as a relief technician and has provided valuable support during the annual crane health checks. This summer, she became the ICF’s Veterinary Technician and continues to provide care for the resident flock of cranes.

Ryan Michalesko is a Communications & Advocacy Specialist at the ICF. He holds both an M.S. in Natural Resources Policy and a B.S. in Natural Resources Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. An award-winning photojournalist, Ryan’s work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, The Guardian, and others. He’s a former Professional Fellow with the U.S. Department of State/International Center for Journalists and a Grantee of the Pulitzer Center. He’s also an avid birder, with most of his free time in the spring and fall spent in the woods soaking in the magic of migration.