Oath Ceremony and Graduation Gala Celebrates Success of PVM Class of 2018

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Veterinary Technology and DVM Program graduates join together for a photo op featuring the PVM Class of 2018 at the conclusion of the Oath Ceremony in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms.

Dean Willie Reed places the doctoral hood on Tierra Rose, signifying her success in completing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program, during the University commencement ceremony in the Elliott Hall of Music Saturday, May 12. (Purdue University/ Mark Simons)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2018 graduated last Saturday, May 12, with pomp, circumstance, and the traditional College of Veterinary Medicine Oath Ceremony.  Commencement exercises began in the morning with the Purdue University commencement ceremony in the Elliott Hall of Music for the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Liberal Arts, Education, and the School of Management.  Then the graduates and their families moved to the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms for the PVM Oath Ceremony.

“On this wonderful gradation day, we have a special opportunity to continue a long-held and beloved tradition of our College,” Dean Willie Reed said as he began the Oath Ceremony.  “Since our first class graduated in 1963, we have held the Veterinarians’ Oath Ceremony in conjunction with the main university commencement exercises in May.”  The Dean continued by explaining how the Veterinary Technician Oath Ceremony was added after the College established the Veterinary Technology Program to train veterinary nurses in the mid-1970s.  More recently, the ceremonies were unified in one program.

Veterinary Technology Program graduates celebrate on the occasion of their commencement ceremony.

Noting that only four of the 30 veterinary schools and colleges in the country have both DVM and veterinary technology programs, Dean Reed explained, “This unified ceremony enables us to exemplify the concept of the veterinary team in a unique and beautiful way.”  He then told the graduates, “…as you embark on your careers in the veterinary medical profession, you join an alumni network that embodies the ‘veterinary team.’  Numbering more than five-thousand, our College’s alumni include veterinarians, veterinary technicians and technologists, and recipients of graduate degrees.”

The ceremony continued with remarks by Dr. Nathan Rich (PU DVM 2006), president of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and Tami Lind, RVT (PU BS-VT 2010), president-elect of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association.  Then it was time to recognize graduates in the Veterinary Technology program.  Before being called individually to step onto the stage, the graduates heard from the Veterinary Technology Program Class Responder, Hailey Parr, BS, RVT.  Once all of the Veterinary Technology graduates assembled on stage, Liane Shaw, RVT, Diagnostic Imaging instructional technologist, and Tami Lind, Intensive Care Unit and Emergency and Critical Care technologist supervisor, who were selected by the students, led the graduates in reciting the Veterinary Technician Oath.

Next, Dean Reed addressed the members of the DVM Class of 2018.  “Fifty-five classes of Purdue DVM alumni have gone before you, equaling about 3,300 veterinarians, who have demonstrated that their Purdue education prepared them to succeed in one of the greatest professions on the planet,” Dean Reed said.  “Now, as members of the Class of 2018, you are ready to build on that legacy, and demonstrate anew that Purdue University educates the best veterinarians an animal-owner can find.”

New DVM graduates Justin Knoll, Cristina Christianson, Jasmine Jackson, and Sheena Sanil pose for a photo op at the reception following the PVM Oath Ceremony.

Then the students heard from their Class Responder, Dr. Janet Roque-Torres, before being called individually on stage.  “I have one last assignment for our DVM graduates,” Dean Reed said, before asking them and all other veterinarians in attendance to recite the Veterinarians’ Oath.

Diagnostic Imaging Instructional Technologist Liane Shaw, RVT, receives the Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award from Dean Reed at the Graduation Gala Friday night, May 11.

The ceremony concluded with a photo-op featuring all members of PVM’s Class of 2018.  Following the program, the graduates, their families, and PVM faculty and staff in attendance enjoyed the opportunity to visit and offer congratulations at a reception in the South Ballroom.

Dean Willie Reed presents the Weedon Faculty Recognition Award to Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for student affairs and clinical associate professor.

The evening before the Oath Ceremony, the College honored several graduates for outstanding accomplishments at the Graduation Gala, held at the Four Points by Sheraton in West Lafayette.  The event included the presentation of Veterinary Technology Program awards for leadership, academic achievement and technical proficiency, as well as the Outstanding Veterinary Technologist Award.  Then awards for DVM graduates were presented in categories that included Excellence in Clinical Performance, Excellence in Patient Care and Client Communications, and Special Recognition.  In addition, awards for interns and residents were presented, as were two faculty and staff recognition awards that recognize PVM educators for contributing to the success of the new graduates.  Liane Shaw, RVT, received the Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award and Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for student affairs and clinical associate professor, received the Weedon Faculty Recognition Award.  Following the awards program the graduates and guests were able to stay for dancing and socializing at the “Final Discharge” after-party.

Look for more comprehensive coverage of the PVM commencement and awards programs as well as additional photos in the next issue of the Vet Gazette June 1.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

CPB Graduate Student Recognized for Outstanding Research

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Kerri Rodriguez, human-animal interaction graduate student in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, is pictured with Dr. Maggie O’Haire, PVM assistant professor of human-animal interaction, at the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs’ spring reception where she received a plaque as the recipient of the 2018 Most Outstanding Interdisciplinary Project Award. (Photo courtesy of the Purdue University Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduate student Kerri Rodriguez received top honors from the Purdue University Graduate School’s Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs earlier this month when she received the 2018 Most Outstanding Interdisciplinary Project Award (MOIPA). Kerri, a human-animal interaction graduate student in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, was recognized for her research titled, “The Effect of Psychiatric Service Dogs on Salivary Cortisol in a Population of Military Veterans with PTSD.”

The MOIPA is awarded to a graduate student whose research is considered, by a select faculty and administrative panel, to be particularly interdisciplinary, while also making broader connections to the world. Over 100 student research posters and multimedia presentations were featured at a reception held May 2 in the Purdue Memorial Union, which included a keynote presentation by Kerri on her research.  The study is part of a broader research project on service dogs and veterans with PTSD being conducted through the Center for the Human-Animal Bond and the OHAIRE Lab (Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research and Education), under the leadership of Dr. Maggie O’Haire, assistant professor of human-animal interaction in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology.

Kerri was also recognized for her award at the annual Graduate School Awards Banquet May 7, which is held annually to honor graduate students and faculty mentors for outstanding teaching, mentoring, and research. Click here to read a complete list of awardees published in the May 10 issue of the Purdue Today.

The Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs was established in 2004 to promote and facilitate cross-disciplinary research at Purdue. Click here to learn more about the program and how to get involved.

Kerri Rodriguez shares remarks on her research during the Purdue University Graduate School’s Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs spring reception held May 2 in the Purdue Memorial Union. (Photo courtesy of the Purdue University Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs)

Writer(s): Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Service Dogs Receive Free Screenings by VTH Ophthalmology Team during Special Eye Exam Event

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Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ophthalmology Technician Cassie Cords, RVT, dilates Falcon’s eyes in preparation for a formal eye exam. The VTH’s Ophthalmology service offered free screenings for service dogs during the annual ACVO/Stokes RX National Service Animal Eye Exam Day May 7.

Falcon’s eyesight is vital to his job as a service demonstration dog, which is why he received a free eye exam as part of a special event conducted for service dogs on May 7 by the Ophthalmology service at Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH).

Each year, the ophthalmologists at the VTH donate their time and expertise as part of the annual National Service Animal Eye Exam Day, organized by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Stokes Rx. Dr. Wendy Townsend, PVM associate professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, conducted the free exam, screening for cataracts, glaucoma, and other ocular problems that could interfere with Falcon’s mission, and gave Falcon a clean bill of eye health.

“The goal is to ensure excellent ocular health for the service dogs,” Dr. Townsend said. “I love participating in this event because we are able to celebrate the wonderful bond between the dogs and their handlers. The services these dogs provide are amazing.”

Falcon waits to receive his free eye exam as part of the Purdue VTH’s participation in the ACVO/Stokes RX National Service Animal Eye Exam Day. Falcon needs good vision to perform his work as a service demonstration dog.

Falcon works with his owner, Andrea Schaffer, as part of an organization called Paws with a Cause. This organization helps train and place service dogs with people in need of services, and engages in training and advocacy for the service animal industry. Schaffer is a field representative for the organization, and Falcon works with her to help her assess service dog clients and acclimate new clients to dog ownership. Some service dog clients have never owned dogs before, so Schaffer and Falcon train them on how to work as a team.

“These dogs are athletes. They must have good vision to perform their job functions,” Schaffer said. “Especially when the dog is helping you with mobility and balance, you are putting your safety in the dog.”

Nearly 8,000 service animals are examined for free every year nationwide as part of the National Service Animal Eye Exam Day. “This event gives us a chance to raise awareness of veterinary ophthalmology so that more owners know about the services we provide for their dogs and any other animals in their households,” Dr. Townsend said. “The dogs and their owners are wonderful.”

Writer(s): Lauren Bruce | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Purdue Veterinary Medicine on Display at Art, Bark and Brew in Lafayette

VTH/ADDL Marketing and Communications Manager Lauren Bruce greets visitors at the PVM booth during the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette event called “Art, Bark and Brew” on Saturday, May 12.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine helped the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette inaugurate a new event this past Saturday, May 12.  The College of Veterinary Medicine was a co-sponsor of the first Art, Bark and Brew, which was held on the Art Museum grounds at 102 South 10th Street in Lafayette from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Purdue animal sciences graduate student Bethany Weldon (center) and her mom, Rosanne Weldon, brought their dogs Winston (right) and Bailey to the Art, Bark and Brew event, “pawsing” in front of the PVM booth.

Families and their dogs were invited to the event, which featured live music, food trucks, beer from People’s Brewing, and art activities for people and pets.  A number of organizations participated as sponsors and hosted booths, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Greater Lafayette Kennel Club, Natalie’s Second Chance shelter, Blair Animal Clinic, Paw Prints Animal Hospital, Pets and Vets as Partners, DogWood Kennel, and Pawsitive Pets LLC.

A crowd of an estimated 300 people and some 150 dogs turned out for the event.  Purdue Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital were represented with a booth where Lauren Bruce, VTH/ADDL marketing & communications manager, interacted with attendees, handing out VTH doggie bag dispensers and talking with them about the VTH, as well as offering a craft opportunity in which guests could use markers to decorate a plastic PVM branded dog bowl.  “I enjoyed the opportunity to talk at length with folks about their pets,” Lauren said.  “Many of the attendees shared positive experiences they had at the VTH.”

The successful event ended with Art Museum representatives talking about plans to make it an annual festivity.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

In Memory – PVM Professor Emeritus Robert Claflin

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine recently lost one of its founding faculty members with the passing of Professor and Associate Dean Emeritus Robert M. (Bob) Claflin, who died April 27 in Indianapolis.  He was 96.

Dr. Claflin’s interest in veterinary medicine stemmed from his work on his family’s farm in Montrose, Michigan, which he helped run after his father’s sudden passing while he was in his teens. He left to serve in the Navy in World War II and afterward enrolled at Michigan State University, where he earned his DVM degree in 1952.  He then came to Purdue University, where he completed his graduate studies, earning his master’s in 1956 and his PhD in 1958.  That same year, he joined the Purdue faculty, and shortly after was named head of what was then called the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Pathology and Public Health.  As part of a small group of academic leaders tasked with getting a veterinary school up and running at Purdue, Dr. Claflin helped select the first class, which enrolled in 1959 in what was called initially the School of Veterinary Science and Medicine.

Dr. Claflin remained on the faculty as professor of veterinary pathology until his retirement in 1988.  During the last two years of his tenure, he served as the College’s associate dean for academic affairs.  “After retiring, Dr. Claflin continued to be a loyal supporter and dear friend of the College,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed.  “I remember Dr. Claflin from when I was a graduate student at the College, beginning in the late 1970s.  He was a true gentleman and scholar.  He embodied the values of excellence, integrity and caring that are fundamental hallmarks of Purdue Veterinary Medicine.  He was gifted in his field of expertise and served with utmost competence as a professor and administrator.  Stern when he needed to be, Dr. Claflin also had a wonderful, gentle smile that assured students and colleagues alike that he always wanted what was best for them and the College.  He will be greatly missed.”

As residents of West Lafayette, Dr. Claflin and his wife Barbara were active in the annual Feast of the Hunter’s Moon re-enactment at Fort Ouiatenon.  After retirement, they moved to Ludington in western Michigan where they restored one of the oldest homes in the city. Dr. Claflin ultimately moved to Indianapolis after suffering health challenges in 2013.

A memorial service is scheduled in Ludington at 11:00 a.m., May 26, at Community Church, 109 N. Harrison. Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ludington Rotary Club’s STRIVE mentoring and scholarship program, P.O. Box 149, Ludington, Michigan 49431.  Click here to view a complete obituary.

Dr. Bob Claflin (right) came back to the Purdue University campus in 2010 to celebrate the retirement of his successor as associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. John Van Vleet (center). Also pictured is PVM Professor Emeritus Gerald Goetsch, who had served as head of what formerly was called the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Discovery Park announces winners among Integrative Data Science Initiative research proposals

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Congratulations to Dr. Audrey Ruple for proposal being selected as part of Purdue’s Integrated Data Science Initiative after her successful oral presentation on May 3rd! Dr. Ruple’s proposal was for creating an integrated framework for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data necessary to establish a comprehensive AMR surveillance system in Indiana!

Read more at: Discovery Park announces winners among Integrative Data Science Initiative research proposals

Writer(s): Purdue Veterinary Medicine News | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Senior Veterinary Technologist Students Celebrate Success with Senior Project Presentations

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“Monitoring Canine Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparison of Diagnostic Techniques” was the title of the capstone project poster presented by Hannah Chalmers, RVT.

Brenna Hiday, RVT, discusses the capstone project she completed as a senior veterinary technologist student on the topic, “The Greyhound’s Role in Transfusion Medicine.”

Senior veterinary technologist students celebrated their program completion by presenting their capstone projects as the spring semester drew to a close. The students had the opportunity to give a lecture style presentation or share their project in a poster session.

The capstone presentation represents the final result of months of planning and preparation.  “Students must pick a topic of interest in the fall semester, find a mentor, and devote 80 clinical hours to learn about their project,” explained Dr. Bianca Zenor, director of the Veterinary Technology Program.  The capstone project is one of the differentiating tasks that separates Bachelor of Science students from Associate in Applied Science students.  “The project requires self-motivation and discipline, enables students to build relationships with mentors, allows them to be subject matter experts in their topic, and builds their communication skills through their presentation,” Dr. Zenor said.

Senior veterinary technologist student Emily Mullins, RVT, points out an image on the poster she prepared about her capstone project on “Trans-arterial Catherization Treatment of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus.”

The PowerPoint presentations were held on April 11 and 18.  A poster session was held April 25.  A new aspect this year involved the senior students presenting their projects to second-year students during Grand Rounds.  This is the first year that senior students presented to an audience outside of their assigned class.  “This allowed the opportunity for them to teach and motivate the second-year students on what will be their future project,” Dr. Zenor said.  “Both the PowerPoint and poster sessions were standing room only and drew a large number of faculty and staff from supporting departments.  Seeing the success of these students should make everyone involved in the Veterinary Nursing program very proud of our newest colleagues!”

Senior veterinary technologist students who gave capstone presentations: (left – right) Hailey Parr, RVT; Brenna Hiday, RVT; Amanda Gillespie, RVT; Emily Mullins, RVT; Sierra Church, RVT; Molly Roberts, RVT; Hannah Chalmers, RVT; and Lindsey Wann, RVT.

Writer(s): Bianca Zenor | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Student Artwork Brightens Lynn Hall

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A crowd gathered April 19 for an art dedication ceremony led by Dean Willie Reed, who began the PVM family art program eight years ago with the assistance of Professor of Medical Illustration David Williams.

The walls in Lynn Hall got a little more colorful with the installation of four new works of art created by three veterinary students in the DVM Class of 2020: Brittany Crenshaw, Andrea Hall, and Kristen Thomas. The artwork was dedicated April 19 during a ceremony led by Dean Willie Reed, who began the PVM family art program eight years ago with the assistance of Professor of Medical Illustration David Williams. Dean Reed began by sharing, “We’ve had pieces done by not only students, but also by spouses of our faculty and by staff, so it’s something that we are very proud of and I think it adds so much beauty to our building.”

Andrea Hall, of the DVM Class of 2020, created two painting installations, “Tribute to Lab Dogs” (pictured on top) and “Life-Saving Rats” (pictured next to the artist). The paintings were dedicated during a ceremony in Lynn Hall on April 19.

The dedication began with Andrea Hall, who created two pieces, both installed in the curved hallway, behind Lynn 1136, that leads to the Continuum Café. Andrea began by introducing her first piece titled, “Tribute to Lab Dogs,” an oil painting on canvas. Created as a tribute to the College’s Labrador Retrievers in the lab dog program, she painted a yellow Labrador peacefully sleeping on an aqua blanket. As stated in Andrea’s artist statement, “These dogs mean a lot to us and we owe much of our education to them. Not only do they teach us skills which we will be using for the remainder of our careers, but they are a happy face on a bad day. They are stress relief in a busy schedule. They are a warm, fuzzy hug when you need it most. We form bonds with our lab dogs that go further than educational use.”

Andrea then introduced her second piece, a painting created with oil on canvas titled, “Life-Saving Rats,” which focuses on the important role laboratory animals play in veterinary and human medicine. The painting features white rats painted over a blanket of headlines including “Replacement Heart Valves” and “Gene Therapy,” which Andrea explained are just a small portion of the research areas rats have made a contribution to in modern medicine.

Brittany Crenshaw is pictured between “Chihuahuan Desert” and “Coral Triangle,” two of the five paintings she created depicting endangered biomes and the major endangered species of each. Brittany’s painting installation is hanging in the ground floor hallway near the Veterinary Technology Program office.

Ceremony attendees then transitioned to the ground floor near the Veterinary Technology Program office for the third installation, consisting of five painted pieces created by Brittany Crenshaw.  The artwork combines her two greatest passions: wildlife medicine and painting. With a unique application of spray paint to create the backgrounds, she painted five distinct endangered biomes: the Amazon, Arctic, Coral Triangle, Chihuahuan Desert, and Namibia.  Her artist statements about the paintings showcase the major endangered species of each biome and the major threats to their survival. Brittany explained, “I wanted to try to show people how beautiful they are to me, so they think it’s beautiful and they’ll work harder to try and save it and think about what they’re doing every day and what our impact is on the environment to try to help these endangered species.”  She added, “Something I thought was kind of cool was that each one has one threat in common that affects them all and that’s climate change.”

Veterinary student Kristen Thomas, of the DVM Class of 2020 is pictured next to her painting “Lion Pride” along with her mom who was in attendance for the art dedication April 19.

Just down the hallway, near G158, the ceremony concluded with the dedication of Kristen Thomas’s painting titled, “Lion Pride.” The vibrant large-scale painting depicts a pride of lions. In her artist statement, Kristen said, “I chose a pride of lions as my subject matter because of my admiration for lions, the family that they represent, and the strength combined that is a lion pride. That felt like a fitting contribution to our veterinary family here: a representation of a family from the animal kingdom, made up of an array of individuals from different walks of life – young cubs constantly learning, and adults watching over, guiding, and protecting – and all members surviving and thriving together.”

The full artists’ statements are displayed on plaques next to the installations. Take a moment to admire these and other artworks created by PVM family members around Lynn Hall. A special thank you to the artists and Professor of Medical Illustration David Williams for the continued success of this program!

Writer(s): Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Purdue Day of Giving Brings in Financial Resources for PVM

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Purdue students stop by PVM’s “Love a Lab” event to take advantage of a chance to pet Karmah and Hickory, two dogs from the Clinical Skills Lab, for a donation in support of PVM during the Purdue Day of Giving.

Purdue University achieved another record during the Purdue Day of Giving, which was held April 25, and Purdue Veterinary Medicine was part of the success.  The University set the collegiate record for single-day fundraising with a total of $37.6 million donated through the Purdue Day of Giving.  That bested the University’s own record-setting performance of $28.2 million in 2017. This year’s online event marked the fourth consecutive year that Purdue has raised the most dollars for higher education in a 24-hour time-span.

Dr. Ron Hullinger holds his favorite gnome while gathering with PVM students who stopped by the booth in Lynn Hall where they could enter a drawing for free WBAA memberships during the Purdue Day of Giving. Joining Dr. Hullinger are (left-right) Brent Unruh, William Willis, Brooke Kline, and Thane Boyce, all of the DVM Class of 2020, as well as WBAA student intern Alyssa Ross.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine received a total of $466,554 in donations for the day.  As part of the College’s Purdue Day of Giving activities, more than 60 people stopped by the “Love a Lab” event on Memorial Mall near Stewart Center, where they could donate gifts in order to play with dogs from PVM’s Clinical Skills Lab. The ‘Love a Lab’ event proved to be the most successful Purdue Day of Giving event across the whole campus.

Another feature of PVM’s Purdue Day of Giving participation involved a special opportunity for students courtesy of Dr. Ron Hullinger, now professor emeritus of Basic Medical Sciences.  Dr. Hullinger made available to students 30 gift memberships to WBAA, Purdue University’s public radio station.  Interested students were able to enter a drawing for the memberships by stopping at a WBAA booth manned by Dr. Hullinger at the main north entrance to Lynn Hall.

Additionally, Purdue Veterinary Medicine received bonus Purdue Day of Giving funds through the ‘Share the Video’ challenge.  The College also received additional bonus funds for having the 1,869th Purdue Day of Giving donation.

The PVM Advancement Office would like to extend a big “Thank You” to everyone who participated during the Purdue Day of Giving.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Dean Willie Reed to be Recognized with Award at AVMA Convention

Dean Willie Reed

The Board of Directors of the American Veterinary Epidemiological Society (AVES) has selected Dean Willie Reed to receive the Honorary Diploma Award, which will be presented July 16 at the AVES Awards Breakfast, held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  Awarded to not more than ten individuals annually, the AVES Honorary Diploma Award recognizes significant contributions to veterinary epidemiology, public health, and One Health.

The Honorary Diploma Award dates back to 1967, when the AVES began presenting one honorary diploma each year to a distinguished veterinary scientist.  The first went to Dr. George Beran, followed by Dr. Henrik J. Stafseth in 1968.

The AVMA annual convention will be held in Denver, July 13-17.  The AVES Awards are sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation.  Selection of the honorary diploma recipients is based on a nomination process.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu