NC State CVM Equine Health Symposium

February 21, 2026 • Presented by the NC State SCAAEP

Horses outdoors — Photo by John Joyner/NC State Veterinary Medicine

The NC State Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (SCAAEP) is proud to present the 2026 NC State Equine Health Symposium. Join us on February 21, 2026, for the Equine Health Symposium, a full-day continuing education event designed for veterinarians seeking the latest advancements in equine medicine focused on field applications. This year’s program features expert-led lectures covering respiratory disease, pneumonia diagnostics, endocrine disorders, laminitis, gastric ulcer syndrome, and axial skeleton therapeutics. The program also features hands-on imaging wet labs in ultrasound and radiography. With leading specialists presenting cutting-edge clinical expertise, attendees will gain practical, field-ready knowledge to elevate the standard of care in equine practice.

This year’s symposium will feature programming exclusively for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and offers 8 hours veterinary continuing education credit approved by the NCVMB. As an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited institution this program qualifys for CE from 44 State Medical Boards.

Time	Topic	Speakers
7:15AM-8:00AM	Check-In & Breakfast
8:00AM-8:10AM	Welcome & Introductions
8:10AM-9:00AM	Shock Wave Therapy	Dr. Kim Keeton, DVM, MRCVS, CVA, CVMMP
9:00AM- 9:50AM	Updates on Equine Asthma	Dr. Katie Sheats DVM, PhD, DACVIM - LAIM
9:50AM-10:05AM	BREAK
10:05AM-10:55AM	Beyond Shipping Fever: trick and tips for identifying equine pneumonia in the field	Dr. Kate Hepworth, DVM, DACVIM - LAIM
10:55AM-11:45AM	The metabolic maze: navigating equine endocrine diseases	Dr. Katarzyna Dembek DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM - LAIM
11:45AM-12:25PM	Lunch & Meet Sponsors
12:25PM-1:15PM	Hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis: a decade of advancements in understanding	Dr. Kimberly Hallowell, DVM, PhD Candidate
1:15PM-2:05PM	Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: Clinical Insights and Case Management	Dr. Megan Palmisano DVM, DACVIM-LAIM, PhD Candidate
2:05PM-2:55PM	Axial Skeleton Diagnostics and Treatments	Dr. Emily Martin DVM, PhD, DACVS
2:55PM-3:15PM	Break
3:15PM-4:00PM	Imaging Wet Lab: Thoracic and Abdominal Ultrasounding	Dr. Emily Martin DVM, PhD, DACVS; Dr. Megan Ballou DVM, DACVIM-LAIM resident
4:00PM-6:00PM	Imaging Wet Lab: Cervical and Back Radiographs	Dr. Emily Martin DVM, PhD, DACVS; Elizabeth Lorang RVT

Katarzyna Dembek DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM - LAIM NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Dr. Katarzyna Dembek earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Warsaw University in Poland in 2005. Afterward, she completed a one-year equine internship in Ireland and then worked in a private practice in Saudi Arabia. In 2012, Dr. Dembek completed the Equine Internal Medicine Residency program at The Ohio State University (OSU) and began her PhD training there the same year. In 2016, she relocated to Iowa, where she worked as an assistant professor in Equine Medicine at Iowa State University until joining the equine medicine team at North Carolina State University in 2020
Kate Hepworth, DVM, DACVIM - LAIM NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Dr. Hepworth-Warren grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University in 2010 with her DVM. Following graduation, she did an internship in Florida and then moved back to the Midwest for an equine internal medicine residency at Iowa State University. After achieving board certification she stayed on for a year at ISU and then spent four years in private practice in New Jersey. In June of 2019, she accepted her current position at NC State University and moved south. Her favorite type of cases are neonatology, respiratory disease and neurology. Outside of work she enjoys gardening, running, reading, and traveling.
Kimberly Hollowell, DVM, PhD Candidate NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Dr. Hallowell completed her DVM at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2020, and then went on to complete a one year equine rotating internship at North Carolina State University. She then continued on at NCSU for a three year equine internal medicine residency. In 2024, Dr. Hallowell joined the Schnabel Lab as a PhD student and T32 Postdoctoral Fellow in NCSU's Comparative Medicine and Translational Research Training Program. Dr. Hallowell's research focuses on the crossover between equine endocrinopathies and orthopedic disease with a specific focus on insulin dysregulation and laminitis
Kim Keeton, DVM, MRCVS, CVA, CVMMP Zomedica	With over 20 years of veterinary experience, I currently serve as a Professional Services Veterinarian at Zomedica. My expertise in equine chiropractic techniques and veterinary acupuncture enables me to support innovative healthcare solutions for horses. Alongside my tenure at Zomedica, I continue to manage Coyote Creek Equine Veterinary Services, where I collaborate with clients to deliver tailored, high-quality care. Dedicated to advancing equine health, I am passionate about leveraging my technical skills and client-focused approach to empower teams and elevate veterinary outcomes.With over 20 years of veterinary experience, I currently serve as a Professional Services Veterinarian at Zomedica. My expertise in equine chiropractic techniques and veterinary acupuncture enables me to support innovative healthcare solutions for horses. Alongside my tenure at Zomedica, I continue to manage Coyote Creek Equine Veterinary Services, where I collaborate with clients to deliver tailored, high-quality care. Dedicated to advancing equine health, I am passionate about leveraging my technical skills and client-focused approach to empower teams and elevate veterinary outcomes.
Emily Martin DVM, PhD, DACVS NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Dr. Martin is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed both her DVM and PhD training at NC State as part of the combined DVM/PhD Degree Program in 2018. She completed an internship and residency program in large animal surgery at the University of Georgia. Her main research interests involve identifying novel markers and potential therapeutic targets for treatment of neutrophilic inflammation in equine orthopedic and gastrointestinal diseases.
Megan Palmisano DVM, DACVIM-LAIM, PhD Candidate NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Megan Palmisano, DVM, DACVIM (LAIM) graduated from University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Following graduation she completed a year long equine internship at Rhinebeck Equine L.L.C. in Rhinebeck NY (2021). She then went on to complete a residency in large animal internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center (2024). Dr. Megan Palmisano is currently a first year PhD student at NC State University in the Bayless laboratory. Her previous publications span a wide array of topics with her current research focusing on neutrophil biology, immunothrombosis, and sepsis in neonatal foals
Katie Sheats DVM, PhD, DACVIM - LAIM NC State College of Veterinary Medicine	Dr. Katie Sheats serves as the Associate Dean and Director of Professional Education and Admissions at NCSU State College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a Professor of Equine Primary Care, a specialist in Equine Internal Medicine and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education (RVC). She completed her DVM, Internship, Large Animal Medicine Residency, and PhD at North Carolina State University and is board certified in Large Animal Internal Medicine. As both an equine clinician and veterinary educator, Katie has two main areas of research. One is focused on veterinary education, while the other is focused on equine and human health research. Her education research interests include curriculum development, competency assessment, communication and clinical reasoning. Her equine and human health research is focused on leveraging her understanding of immune cell function and response to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for inflammatory diseases ranging from asthma to sepsis.