Radiation Oncology Staff
DR SUSAN LARUE DVM, PHD
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons & College of Veterinary Radiology (Radiation Oncology)
Dr. Susan LaRue received her undergraduate education at the University of Maryland and received her DVM from the University of Georgia where she also did her internship. She came to Colorado State University in 1983 for a residency in small animal surgery, and subsequently became a Diplomate in the College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). During her surgery residency Dr. LaRue developed a strong interest in oncology. She received her Ph.D from the (then) Department of Radiological Health Sciences working on tumor cell kinetics in canine osteosarcoma and lymphoma. She also did training in Radiation Oncology at Colorado State University under the mentorship of Dr. Edward L. Gillette, considered to be the pioneer of veterinary radiation oncology. Dr. LaRue was a charter Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Radiology, specialty of Radiation Oncology.
Dr. LaRue is currently a professor of Radiation Oncology at CSU and head of the Radiation Oncology Service. Her clinical experience combined with her background in radiation biology makes her the ideal person to apply the new technology available on the Trilogy Linear accelerator to veterinary patients. Dr. LaRue’s passion is translational research using naturally occurring tumors in pet animal patients. Her goal is to design studies that help the individual patient as well as provide information to better understand the biology of the cancer. Dr. LaRue is the director of the Radiation Oncology program at the Animal Cancer & Imaging Center and directs all aspects of treatment planning and patient management.
Rhonda BS, Radiation Therapy
Rhonda received her animal science degree from MSU in 1995. She later went to Baker College in Jackson receiving her BS degree in Radiation Therapy in 2004. Rhonda started her career in human medicine, but in 2005 she transferred to the veterinary field due to her love of animals. Rhonda started the Radiation department at Michigan Veterinary Specialists in 2005 and maintained it until 2015. Rhonda explored other careers and has found her way back to veterinary medicine. Rhonda has 2 sons and enjoys being an active aunt in her nephew, and nieces’ lives. Rhonda has an orange cat named Izzo, a hairy chocolate lab named Duke, and a beautiful bay horse named April.