Virginia Reef – Pioneer of Equine Cardiac Ultrasound

BA, DVM, Dipl.ACVIM, Dipl.ACVSMR, Cardiology, h.c. (Ghent University)

For more than four decades, Virginia Reef has stood at the center of major advances in equine cardiology and diagnostic ultrasonography.

Her ability to blend scientific curiosity with clinical precision has shaped how veterinarians interpret cardiac and soft-tissue conditions in horses, and her influence can be felt across almost every academic program in the United States that trains specialists in these fields.

From Academic Foundations to a Distinguished Clinical Career

Virginia Reef’s journey in veterinary medicine began at The Ohio State University, where she completed her DVM in 1979. Soon afterward, she moved to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, embarking on a rigorous internship followed by a residency in large animal internal medicine.

These demanding early years placed her in an environment where innovation, clinical depth, and high-stakes decision-making were part of daily life.

Her training culminated in board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), establishing her as a leader in large animal internal medicine at a time when ultrasonography was just beginning to emerge as a transformative diagnostic tool.

A Visionary at the University of Pennsylvania

Once she joined Penn’s faculty, Virginia Reef began shaping programs that would eventually become pillars of the institution. She created the Large Animal Cardiology and Ultrasound Service, designing a system that allowed clinicians to evaluate cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions using technologies not widely available elsewhere at the time.

Recognizing the growing demands of competitive equine sport, she later played a central role in establishing the Sports Medicine and Imaging Section, which she led for over twenty years. Under her direction, New Bolton Center became an international destination for veterinarians seeking advanced cardiac evaluations, ultrasound expertise, and second opinions on complex cases.

Her academic achievements and contributions to Penn were later recognized with the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professorship, one of the school’s most respected endowed positions.

Shaping the Next Generation of Equine Specialists

One of the most distinctive aspects of Virginia Reef’s career is the sheer number of specialists she has trained. Most equine cardiologists and ultrasonographers working in American veterinary schools either studied directly under her or learned from individuals she mentored.

Her teaching has extended beyond the classroom and clinic, influencing private practitioners across the United States and abroad.

Her credentials reflect the breadth of her expertise:

• Diplomate, ACVIM (Large Animal Internal Medicine)
• Charter Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR)
• Honorary Diplomate, ACVIM – Cardiology
• Large Animal Associate Member, European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI)

This combination of roles highlights her ability to connect cardiology, imaging, performance medicine, and clinical decision-making in a way few professionals have matched.

A Prolific and Influential Researcher

Virginia Reef’s scientific contributions are extensive. With more than 177 publications, over 5,000 citations, and a research portfolio focused on ultrasonography and equine cardiac disorders, she is one of the most frequently referenced authorities in her discipline.

Her textbook, Equine Diagnostic Ultrasound, remains a cornerstone resource for veterinarians learning ultrasound interpretation and technique.

She has also led influential collaborative efforts, including chairing the ACVIM/ECEIM consensus guidelines on managing equine athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities, a document that continues to guide veterinarians when making decisions about work, training, risk, and long-term prognosis.

Honored for Excellence in Education, Research, and Service

Virginia Reef’s work has been recognized by several of the profession’s most respected organizations. Her accolades include:

• Robert W. Kirk Award from the ACVIM
• AAEP Distinguished Educator Award
• Distinguished Alumnus Award from The Ohio State University
• Honorary doctorate (doctor honoris causa) from Ghent University
• Selection as the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecturer at the AAEP Convention

Each award reflects a different element of her career: innovation, scholarship, mentorship, and profound contributions to equine medicine.

Advancing Understanding of the Equine Heart

Virginia Reef is particularly regarded for her clarity in interpreting murmurs, arrhythmias, and structural abnormalities. Her lectures—illustrated with high-resolution ultrasound and ECG recordings, have helped countless veterinarians understand the real-world implications of cardiovascular findings in sport horses.

Her approach draws on decades of data, clinical outcomes, and the nuanced understanding required to assess athletic potential, safety, and long-term performance.

Virginia Reef: A Lasting Legacy in Equine Health

Across her career, Virginia Reef has consistently raised the standards of diagnostics and clinical care for horses. Her research has shaped how cardiac disease is recognized, how ultrasound is applied in large animal practice, and how veterinarians counsel owners and trainers on cardiovascular risk.

Her influence is carried forward every time a cardiologist performs an echocardiogram, every time a resident studies her textbook, and every time a practitioner evaluates a horse’s athletic future using principles she helped define.

Her contributions have permanently altered the landscape of equine veterinary medicine, ensuring that her work will continue to impact horses, veterinarians, and students for decades to come.

Virginia Reef is a faculty speaker in the Equine Lameness Program. If you wish to elevate your lameness diagnostic skills and learn directly from her, Dr. Rosie Owen and Steve O’Grady, make sure to explore the Equine Lameness Program. This the most comprehensive, case-based training pathway designed to help veterinarians make a measurable difference to the horses in their care.