Hanna Yagel, RVT, and Eric Zamora-Moran, MBA, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia) have been accepted to sit for Veterinary Technician Specialist exams this fall.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine is excited to announce that two more veterinary nurses in the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital have completed the grueling year-long application process to sit for the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) exams this year. Emergency and Critical Care Technologist Hanna Yagel, RVT, will take the exam to become a certified specialist in emergency and critical care (ECC) in September. Small Animal Surgery Technologist Supervisor Eric Zamora-Moran, MBA, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia) will take the VTS exam to certify as a surgery specialist in October. They join Small Animal Surgery/Neurology Technician Brittany Laflen, RVT, who just took the VTS exam for neurology earlier this month, and was featured in a Vet Gazette story published April 5.
Eric, who earned his VTS designation in anesthesia and analgesia in 2014, is on track to become Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s first double-boarded Veterinary Technician Specialist. Hanna would become the hospital’s fifth veterinary nurse with a specialty designation in ECC and Brittany would be the first to be credentialed in neurology.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) developed the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties in 1994, which led to formation of academies for 16 specialties. Each academy sets requirements for a registered veterinary technician to earn its specialist designation. Purdue Veterinary Medicine currently has 15 Veterinary Technician Specialists from nine different academies, which is much greater than the group of five or so that is typical at other veterinary teaching hospitals.
“We are proud of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s veterinary
nurses, as they constantly strive for excellence,” said PVM Distance Learning
Instructional Technologist Courtney Waxman, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC). “Whether through earning these specialty
designations, or performing roles like speaking at national conferences, the
veterinary nurses at our College are making vital contributions to the
veterinary medical profession and enhancing our College’s reputation nationally.”
Junior Boiler Vet Camp participants shared with PVM Communications Intern Maya Sanaba what they liked best about their camp experience.
Junior Boiler Vet Camp participants learn how to administer medication to cows.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s 12th annual Junior
Boiler Vet Camp and 10th annual Senior Boiler Vet Camp wrapped up
last week with the end of the Senior Camp. These unique summer camps run for two
weeks every June and teach junior high and high school students what it takes
to work in the field of veterinary medicine.
The program’s first week is dedicated to rising 8th
and 9th graders participating in the Junior Camp, which involves
learning about a variety of veterinary-related topics through sessions such as
“Cud It Out”, “Fish Need Doctors Too”, and “Equine Treadmill and Bronchoscopy”,
as well as opportunities to interact with many different species of animals.
One junior camper from Kentucky said the chickens were his favorite part, while
another said it was interesting to learn that cows had four stomach chambers.
A group of Senior Boiler Vet Camp participants gather around the dog that they cared for during the week.
A Senior Boiler Vet Camp participant observes cells under a microscope.
During the second week, the Senior Camp, for rising 10th,
11th, and 12th graders, focuses on subjects like surgery
and anesthesia, as well as on learning what goes into a strong veterinary
school application. A big part of the Senior Boiler Vet Camp happens on day
one, when campers are placed in groups, and each group receives their camp dog
to care for throughout the week. They also have the opportunity to observe and
identify blood cells, learn to administer a canine physical exam, and much
more. This year, six of the campers adopted the camp dogs that they bonded with
during the week!
Boiler Vet Camp is a highly selective program, only
accepting about 20% of applicants each year. When asked about getting into
Boiler Vet Camp, one of the campers shared how shocked and excited she was when
she found out she had been accepted, while others nodded in agreement. They
said they found the summer camp to be a great opportunity for exposure to what
professionals in the field of veterinary medicine really do.
Dr. Paula Johnson, internship advisor, recognizes graduating small animal medicine and surgery intern Dr. Leigh Ann Howard. (Photos by Lucas and Abby Bowman)
Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Veterinary Teaching Hospital hosted the 2019 Recognition Ceremony for graduating residents, graduate students, and interns last Thursday, June 20, at the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center. The event celebrates the accomplishments of the residents and interns, as well as traditional graduate students earning master’s degrees.
Residency programs typically are three years long and
provide residents with clinical proficiency in a chosen specialty, as well as
research and teaching opportunities. Internships are 12-month programs that
provide advanced training in medicine and surgery. The recognition program began
with Dr. Jean Stiles, chair of the residency committee and professor of
ophthalmology, introducing the outgoing residents.
As part of the ceremony, each resident was presented with a
certificate of completion and, in some cases, a parting gift, by their mentor.
The mentors also supplied some insight into each resident’s personality and the
relationships they formed with their mentors. While introducing Drs. Blake
Marcum and Breann Sommer, residents in Medical Oncology, their mentor, Dr.
Michael Childress, associate professor of comparative oncology, said, “We’ve
been pretty lucky in Oncology. Most of the time we get someone who’s really
good, and every now and again we get someone who’s great, but three years ago
we caught lightning in a bottle because we got two amazing residents.”
Dr. Jean Stiles, Residency Committee Chairperson, presents Dr. Ilektra Athanasiadi, graduating resident in Radiation Oncology with her residency completion certificate. (Photos by Lucas and Abby Bowman)
Additionally, two of the honorees will be staying on at Purdue. Dr. Masahiro Murakami, who completed a residency in Diagnostic Imaging, will assume the role of assistant professor of diagnostic imaging in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Melinda (Mindy) Anderson, PharmD, who completed the one-year Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Resident program, will begin teaching pharmacology to DVM and veterinary nursing students in her new position as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences.
Mindy is a familiar face in the College. She earned her Associate of Science degree in veterinary technology at Purdue in 2003, and then worked as chief instructional technologist in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital teaching veterinary nursing and veterinary medicine students, before going back to school in Purdue’s College of Pharmacy, where she earned her PharmD degree last year.
The VCS/VTH recognition program continued with the introduction of members of the new class of interns. Then Dr. Paula Johnson, internship advisor and clinical assistant professor in small animal emergency and critical care, recognized the graduating intern class, which she described as “strong, cohesive, and incredibly supportive of each other.”
Before the program concluded, Dr. Ann Weil, clinical professor of anesthesiology, recognized Drs. Ellan Hung and Avril Lin, two graduate students who just completed their master’s degrees in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences department. Before coming to Purdue, Dr. Hung earned her DVM degree at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan in 2014 and Dr. Lin earned her DVM degree in 2015 at the National Chiayi University of Veterinary Medicine in Chiayi, Taiwan.
Graduating VCS Residents (left-right): Drs. Breann Sommer, Blake Marcum, Masahiro Murakami, Kelly Cummings, Anastasia Olsen, Marcelle Hon, Caroline Aldridge, Ilektra Athanasiadi, Lauren Mundy, and Gillian Haanen. (Photos by Lucas and Abby Bowman)
Outgoing residents listed with their specialty and where they are headed next:
Dr. Caroline Aldridge (Small Animal Internal Medicine), private practice in Dallas, Texas
Dr. Ilektra Athanasiadi (Radiation Oncology), Virginia Tech Animal Hospital
Dr. Kelly Cummings (Neurology), MedVet Commerce in Michigan
Dr. Gillian Haanen (Large Animal Internal Medicine), Moore Equine in Calgary, Canada
Dr. Marcelle Hon (Emergency and Critical Care), private practice in Hawaii
Dr. Blake Marcum (Medical Oncology), private practice in the Chicago area
Dr. Lauren Mundy (Large Animal Surgery), Tennessee Equine Hospital
Masahiro Murakami (Diagnostic Imaging), PVM Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Dr. Anastasia Olsen (Small Animal Surgery), private practice in Olympia, Wash.
Dr. Breann Sommer (Medical Oncology), private practice in Wisconsin
Melinda Anderson, PharmD (Pharmacy), PVM Department of Basic Medical Sciences
Gradating VTH Interns: (first row, left-right) Michael Pabon, Lydia Hoeksema, Colleen Embersics, Marianthi Gelatos, and Leigh Ann Howard, with Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Resident Melinda Anderson; (second row, left-right) Sara Ostenkamp, Ahmed Khairoun, and Tanner Slead. (Photos by Lucas and Abby Bowman)
Outgoing interns listed below and their areas of focus:
Dr. Colleen Embersics, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Marianthi Gelatos, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Lydia Hoeksema, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Leigh Ann Howard, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Michael Pabon, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Tanner Slead, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Dr. Sarah Ostenkamp, Cardiology Specialty
Dr. Ahmed Khairoun, Large Animal Surgery
Congratulations to all of the 2019 graduating residents, interns, and graduate students!
Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2020 interns: (top row, left-right) Drs. Trey Callahan, Jacobo Romano Noriega, and Paco Morales Yñiguez; (second row from the top, left-right) Drs. Matt Tanner and Dustin Liechty; (third row from the top, left-right) Drs. Alyssa Zoto and Channing Bancroft, and Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Resident Alex Gochenauer; (bottom row, left-right) Drs. Lexi Lang and Bianca Reyes.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine welcomed a new cohort of interns
from across the globe this month. A total of eight doctors have joined the
Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital to complete a one-year rotating
small animal medicine and surgery internship. The Centaur Equine Specialty
Hospital, which is the College’s satellite facility located in Shelbyville,
Ind., also welcomed a large animal medicine and surgery intern. The clinical internship program is designed
to provide advanced training to qualify each doctor for an approved residency
program leading to board certification in a recognized veterinary specialty.
The new cohort began Monday, June 17, with the doctors undergoing an intensive
two-week orientation before beginning work in the clinics.
Also beginning this month is Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s
new Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Resident, Alexandria “Alex” Gochenauer, PharmD. This
year-long residency in veterinary clinical pharmacy practice, named in honor of
the donors who contributed significant funding to support the position, is
offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Pharmacy.
Please help extend a warm welcome to these newest members of
the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family!
Large Animal Medicine and
Surgery Intern | Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital
Dr. Francisco José “Paco” Morales Yñiguez | LVM,
University Alfonso X “El Sabio”, Madrid, Spain
Small Animal Medicine and
Surgery Interns | Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Dr. Channing Bancroft | MS, Colorado State University; DVM, University of Minnesota
Dr. Robert “Trey” Callahan | DVM, University of Georgia
Dr. Haoyuan “Lexi” Lang | DVM, National Pingtung University Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
Dr. Dustin Liechty | DVM, Washington State University
Dr. Bianca Reyes | DVM, Tuskegee University
Dr. Jacobo Romano Noriega | DVM, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California
Dr. Matthew “Matt” Tanner | DVM, University of Georgia
Dr. Alyssa Zoto | DVM, Lincoln Memorial University
Becky Bierman, RVT holds her commemorative gift at her retirement reception in the Veterinary Medical Library as she is accompanied by (left-right) Dr. Bianca Zenor, Veterinary Nursing Program director, who was a Purdue veterinary student when she met Becky, and longtime colleagues Pat Navarre and Kris Kazmierczak, who both were instructors when Becky was a student in the College’s first class of veterinary technician students.
Congratulations to Becky Bierman, RVT, (AS-VT 1976; BS-VT
1999), who was recognized at a reception May 31, on the occasion of her
retirement as clinical trials coordinator for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s
Center for Comparative Translational Research (CCTR). PVM faculty and staff gathered in the
Veterinary Medical Library to wish Becky a happy retirement.
Becky was in the College’s first class of veterinary technician students, which graduated in 1976 and later was in the College’s first Bachelor of Science completion program class, earning her BS in Veterinary Technology in 1999. Becky joined the College of Veterinary Medicine as a staff member in 1990. During her 29-year career with the College, she worked in various positions, including as a small animal surgery technician early on, before she transitioned to small animal medicine and later assumed the responsibility of instructional technologist. In 2008, she became the clinical trials coordinator.
Dr. Gert Breur, professor of small animal surgery and director of the CCTR, spoke first at the retirement reception, and noted that Becky was the College’s first clinical trials coordinator. Dr. Breur assumed the directorship of the CCTR in 2013. He recalled how Becky was instrumental in fostering team cohesion. He also praised her for her computer savvy and organizational skills, as well as her excellent communication skills with owners, referring veterinarians, researchers, and fellow veterinary technicians. Additionally, he noted her role in fostering industrial relationships, which have generated funding that grew from nothing to an estimated $150,000 this year. “Thank you for everything you have done for the CCTR, and also for the friendship and all the contributions you have made,” Dr. Breur said.
Also during the ceremony, several other faculty members
spoke, including Dr. Bianca Zenor, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program
and a 2001 graduate of the Purdue DVM program. She commended Becky for being an
influential leader in the profession for providing a framework for
understanding how valuable veterinary technicians are in practice. “She modeled that behavior for me,” Dr. Zenor
said, recalling her experience as a veterinary student in the College. “So her guidance and support will be a
remaining memory with me.”
Kris Kazmierczak, RVT, veterinary research technical assistant in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences also spoke, recalling how both she and Pat Navarre, RVT, chief large animal technologist, who also was present, were both instructors when Becky was a student. Kris noted that Becky went on to work for her in surgery for a number of years. “So we moved from instructor and student to co-worker and friend. And I’m really going to miss her,” Kris said.
Dr. George Moore, clinical trials director and professor of
epidemiology, concluded the ceremony, giving Becky the opportunity to introduce
her family members who were present including her three daughters and several
grandchildren. Noting that Becky will be
transitioning now to spending more time with her own family and less time with
her PVM family, Dr. Moore emphasized, “We are all very thankful for what Becky has
done and her support and help…she has always been such a supporting and
thankful person in the clinic.” Then
Drs. Moore and Breur presented Becky with a commemorative etching of the
College’s Continuum sculpture and an inscription that reads “With gratitude for
many years of faithful service to PVM.”
More than two dozen undergraduate students from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico are visiting Lynn Hall as part of Vet Up! College, which is a residential summer program that provides first-hand insights into what it’s like to go to veterinary school. It kicked off on May 19 and will end on June 29.
Candis Hoskins, an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, receives her stethoscope from Dean Willie Reed as part of the Vet Up! College program.
Vet Up! College is one of three programs that are part of “Vet Up! The National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine,” a federally funded initiative aimed at furthering access to the veterinary profession for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds and addressing the need for more veterinarians serving rural areas and protecting food safety. The other programs are Vet Up! Champions, which is geared toward high school students, working adults, and first- or second-year undergraduate students; and Vet Up! DVM Scholars, which supports veterinary medical students at Purdue throughout their professional degree program.
Vet Up! College participants enjoy the Clinical Skills Laboratory for Small Animal Skills led by Clinical Skills Laboratory Manager Danielle Buchanan, RVT, VTS (SAIM).
Participants in Vet Up! College stay on campus throughout the
program’s six-week duration, of which each week simulates a different part of
the DVM curriculum. During this time, the participants will complete the
Student Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine,
participate in team projects, learn about different subjects in the field of
Veterinary Medicine from highly skilled researchers and professors, and
understand what it takes to succeed in veterinary school by sitting for eight
examinations. The first two weeks represent the first year of the DVM program,
the second two weeks constitute the second year, and the last two weeks
represent the clinical years. This year’s program involves 26 participants from
18 universities and colleges located in 14 different states and Puerto Rico.
“It’s exciting to see students take advantage of the unique
opportunities provided by Vet Up! College. This program will prepare students
for every part of becoming a DVM student and equip them with tools to succeed
as a veterinary professional,” said Dr. Latonia Craig, assistant dean for
diversity and inclusion.
The Vet Up! National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine is
supported by a $3.18 million grant from the Health Resources and Services
Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The
main objectives of the Vet Up! initiative are to prepare students for careers
in veterinary shortage areas, such as public health and rural/food animal
practice, as well as to promote diversity in the veterinary field.
The Purdue Veterinary Medicine communications team is pleased to welcome Maya Sanaba as the new PVM communications intern, who started on Monday, June 10. Maya is a Purdue senior studying General Communication in the Brian Lamb School of Communication and minoring in Classical Studies. She is looking forward to working closely with the communications team, honing her writing and communications skills, and gaining insights into the different ways by which the communications team supports the College of Veterinary Medicine. Maya enjoys going to the gym, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and editing her YouTube videos. She is very passionate about Purdue Veterinary Medicine and hopes to use her Communications degree to advocate for animals in the future.
Dr. James Ha, University of Washington emeritus professor, gives a presentation during the Canine Welfare Science Forum entitled “Will Rehoming Go Well? What Does Current Science Imply for Breeders and Shelters?”
The 2019 Canine Welfare Science Forum held in Stewart Center at Purdue University on Saturday, June 8, attracted over 150 attendees from across the United States. Registrants came from 13 states, including Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. The annual program addresses canine welfare topics of relevance to dog breeders, shelters, kennel managers and caretakers, scientists, regulators, students, and pet industry personnel. This year’s forum included presentations from industry experts who focused on directly applicable information related to health, genetics, and behavior.
Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Veterinarian with the Indiana Board of
Animal Health, talked about canine health priorities and what can be done by
the industry to be more effective and proactive. Dr. Kari Ekenstedt, assistant professor of
anatomy and genetics in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic
Medical Sciences, discussed canine genetics from a health and welfare
standpoint. She shared important
scientific information about genetic testing as it relates to selection criteria
and challenged participants to utilize these tools in their breeding decisions.
Dr. James Ha, emeritus research professor at the University of
Washington, talked about the current scientific implications for breeders and
shelters related to rehoming. His
presentation generated a unique dialogue about animal behavior and the role
that both breeders and shelters play in successful rehoming of dogs.
Research Technician Andrew Pietraniec in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, talks with Canine Welfare Science Forum attendee Angie Morgan, director of ALL Creatures Matter Rescue, Inc., in Westfield, Ind., about a research poster entitled “Effect of Live and Recorded Observations on Shelter Dogs’ Response to Stranger Approach.”
Dr. Kari Ekenstedt, assistant professor of anatomy and genetics in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, speaks on the topic of “Genetics, Health and Welfare: What are You Selecting For?” at the Canine Welfare Science Forum Saturday, June 8.
Additionally Dr. Candace Croney, director of Purdue University’s Center
for Animal Welfare Science, who holds a joint appointment as professor of
animal behavior and well-being in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology
and professor of animal sciences in the College of Agriculture, and a private
consultant she works with, Traci Shreyer, led sessions about behavior,
specifically socialization and reducing stress in kennels. Following their presentations, participants joined
together in break-out groups to discuss and share their concerns as well as success
stories related to socialization and mitigating kennel stress. The attendees also were encouraged to talk
about how they will apply what they have learned, and how they can prioritize
animal health and well-being in their operations.
During lunch, participants were able to view several posters about
canine welfare research projects.
At the conclusion of the forum, Dr. Croney explained the importance of
and need for effective communication on canine welfare, and encouraged
participants to continue an open dialogue on the subject. Dr. Croney noted that canine welfare
conversations start with breeders who do and say the right things and are able
to maintain transparency in their operations.
She “double dog” dared them to implement science-based canine welfare
practices and monitor for signs of improvement in order to continuously provide
the best care for their dogs.
Special thanks to the following Canine Welfare Science Forum
sponsors: the American Kennel Club,
Indiana Council for Animal Welfare, Inc., and the Illinois Husbandry and Animal
Welfare Association.
The 2019 Purdue Veterinary Conference will feature presentations by Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified veterinary specialist in both emergency critical care (DACVECC) and toxicology (DABT), and CEO/co-founder of VETgirl, a subscription-based podcast and webinar service offering RACE-approved, online continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technicians on the go. Dr. Lee attended veterinary school at Cornell University and completed an internship at Angell (Boston, Mass.). She then completed a fellowship and residency in emergency and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was on faculty at University of Minnesota (2003-2008) and also the head of an animal poison control center (2008-2013).
Dr. Justine Lee, CEO and co-founder of VETgirl will present the Wellness Keynote at the 2019 Purdue Veterinary Conference.
Dr. Lee will address conference attendees on Wednesday, September 18. With stress and burnout a serious reality for many veterinary professionals, finding solutions to improve wellness in the veterinary medical profession is paramount. To address that very issue, Dr. Lee will share her journey to find work-life balance in veterinary medicine and offer tips for self-care during the conference’s Wellness Keynote.
In addition to her keynote presentation, Dr. Lee will give lectures related to treating emergency patients as well as common poisons affecting dogs and cats. A two-part presentation will review the top 20 poisons that dogs and cats get into, including the mechanism of action, clinical signs, and overall treatment of the poisoning.
Dr. Lee also will provide answers for those who want to know when to perform chest radiographs in the unstable patient, how to stabilize the dyspneic cat, what dose of steroids to use, or when to use steroids with head trauma. “Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Emergency Patients” is the title of a lecture in which Dr. Lee will share her experience in properly handling tough cases under pressure.
In order to help veterinarians further improve their skills with
emergency patients, Dr. Lee’s two-part lecture on common emergency procedures
will review procedures that veterinarians must feel comfortable performing. Those procedures include thoracocentesis,
abdominocentesis, central line placement, FAST ultrasound, nasoesophagealtube
placement, and more.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s annual conference is designed to provide
continuing education (CE) opportunities for the entire veterinary team. Attendees can earn up to 26 hours of
continuing education at the 2019 Purdue Veterinary Conference. Content includes Small Animal, Food Animal,
Equine, Exotics, Practice Management, Behavior, and topics of interest for
Veterinary Technicians. All conference
sessions and special events will be held on Purdue’s campus in West Lafayette,
Ind. Learn more and register by visiting www.purdue.edu/vet/conference.
Dean Willie Reed presents Jeannine Henry, RVT, instructional technologist in the Veterinary Administration Department, with an Outstanding Staff Award for excellence in service, enhancing the College’s public image, and exceptional performance of assigned duties above and beyond expectations.
The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine honored a number of staff and faculty members during a special annual awards ceremony Monday, June 10. Dean Willie Reed presented the awards during a program held in Lynn Hall, Room 1136.
The first two awards given out were the Outstanding Staff
Awards, which have been presented annually since 1988, when they were initiated
with a gift by an alumnus, the late Dr. Carl Osborne, a member of the DVM Class
of 1964, and his wife, Lynn. The awards recognize
excellent performance by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s non-faculty,
full-time employees. “Excellent staff
members are, in my view, the often unsung heroes in an organization,” Dean Reed
said.
The first award was presented to Jeannine Henry, RVT, instructional technologist in the Veterinary Administration Department, who was nominated for excellence in service, enhancing the College’s public image, and exceptional performance of assigned duties above and beyond expectations. “I congratulate you and thank you for your commitment to providing outstanding service to our students, faculty, and staff as well as your dedication to instructing future generations of animal health care professionals,” Dean Reed said. He then presented Jeannine with a plaque that included the following inscription: “We thank you for your boundless enthusiasm, your dedication to excellence, and the countless hours you have given of yourself to provide encouragement and inspiration to your students and colleagues. We honor you and appreciate your commitment to our profession!”
Theresa Jeffrey, veterinary farm manager for the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, received an Outstanding Staff Award for excellence in service and exceptional performance of assigned duties above and beyond what is ordinarily expected of the position
The second Outstanding Staff Award was given to Veterinary
Farm Manager Theresa Jeffrey, who
was nominated for excellence in service and exceptional performance of assigned
duties above and beyond what is ordinarily expected of the position. “Theresa, I congratulate you and thank you
for all the great work that you have done for our College and our animals on
the farm,” Dean Reed said. “You not only
keep our farm operating efficiently, you support our instructors and
researchers with your incredible knowledge of our herd and get things done
without hesitation.” He then read the
inscription on her award plaque, which included this commendation: “Your tremendous work ethic, knowledge of the
individual animals under your care, and dedication to animal well-being are
deeply appreciated by the students, staff, and faculty. Thank you for being an
invaluable member of the Veterinary Clinical Sciences team.”
Next, Dean Reed presented the Outstanding Research Staff
Award, which recognizes non-faculty research staff-members for the very
important roles they play in the discovery mission of the College. The 2019 Outstanding Research Staff Award
recipient is Dr. Deepika Dhawan, who
was nominated for performance over and above the call of duty; her attitude of
selfless dedication to the development and growth of research programs; and her
excellence in research initiative, collaboration, and personal development. “Deepika,
I congratulate you and thank you for all the great work that you have done in
research not only in our own College, but throughout Purdue and the nation,”
Dean Reed said. He then presented her with the award plaque, which included the
following inscription: “Awarded in
recognition of your excellence in laboratory work, commitment to clinical
research, and contributions to discovery at the Purdue University College of
Veterinary Medicine and beyond; as well as your valued contributions to
teaching students of all skill levels; collegiality; and work ethic…”
Dr. Deepika Dhawan, oncology research scientist in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, was honored with the 2019 Outstanding Research Staff Award.
Dean Reed then presented the PVM Staff Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, which honors a staff member who has demonstrated emerging or sustained excellence in diversity and inclusion endeavors that have impacted the PVM community through active contributions that create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive culture. “It is my pleasure to present the 2019 PVM Staff Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award to Adrianne Fisch, engagement program coordinator in the Veterinary Administration Department,” Dean Reed said in announcing the award. He commended Adrianne for being an instrumental contributor to the This is How We “Role” program that inspires disadvantaged children to pursue veterinary sciences. He also praised her for her role in coordinating the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine program, as well as for her service on the College’s Diversity Action Committee and her personal dedication to diversity and inclusion outside of her professional life. He then read the inscription on the award plaque, commending Adrianne for efforts aimed at promoting diversity awareness, representation, and inclusion within Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the broader community. Dr. Sandy San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, accepted the award on behalf of Adrianne, who was not able to attend.
Next, faculty and staff members who completed the online
Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine were
honored. Dean Reed recognized each of
the individuals who recently completed the program, which was developed in
conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) through the College’s
Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Congratulations to the following individuals:
Kara Ballas, RVT, small animal soft-tissue floor technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Dr. Craig Bowen, veterinary diagnostician in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Courtenay Murakowski, outreach coordinator for the Vet Up! Program
Shelly Opperman, academic advisor for the Veterinary Nursing Program
Dr. Deepti Pillai, clinical assistant professor of diagnostic microbiology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology
Linley Smith, RVT, anesthesiology technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Dean Willie Reed (left) recognized the following staff members on completing the online Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine: (left – right) Linley Smith, RVT, Courtenay Murakowski, Dr. Craig Bowen, and Kara Ballas, RVT. (Not pictured: Mijana Beckett, Shelly Opperman, and Dr. Deepti Pillai)
The awards program concluded with the presentation of the Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments achieved by employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. Award winners may be recognized in any of four categories: Moving the University Forward — accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance university objectives; Innovation and Creativity — innovative work or suggestions well beyond standard job requirements that significantly improve operational efficiencies or introduce new or improved processes; Operational Excellence — extraordinary effort during times of critical department need; and Fiscal Stewardship — significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards. This year, two teams of faculty and staff received Bravo Awards along with five individuals. Congratulations to the following Bravo Award recipients:
Victor Bernal-Crespo – for Operational Excellence as laboratory manager of the Histology Research Laboratory
Angie Chan – for Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, and Operational Excellence as molecular diagnostics development supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Patty Kirts – for Operational Excellence in her role on the clerical services team in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The team of Drs. Teresa Buchheit, Caroline Gillespie Harmon, Stephanie Inoue, Tomo Inoue,and Kellie McGrady for their efforts in implementing three new skills courses in the DVM Curriculum
The team of Jennifer Ashley, RVT, Danielle Buchanan, RVT, VTS (SAIM), Rose Giroux, RVT, Jeannine Henry, RVT, Jordan Williams, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia), and Carol Zink, RVT for their dedication, teamwork, and excellence in delivering the new skills courses in the DVM curriculum
Five individuals and two teams of faculty and staff were recognized with Bravo Awards at the awards ceremony.
