In Memory: Dr. Dereck Klopfenstein (PU DVM ’97)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family is deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Dereck Alan Klopfenstein (PU DVM ’97), of Goshen, Ind., died August 25 of injuries sustained when he was struck by a car while doing a training ride for his upcoming Ironman triathlon.  He was 49.

The accident occurred near Wakarusa August 8. Dr. Klopfenstein suffered massive brain damage after a vehicle struck the back of his bicycle.  Reports indicated he was wearing a helmet at the time, but it came off during the crash.  He was airlifted to the South Bend Memorial Trauma Center, where he remained until his passing.

A graduate of Goshen College, Dr. Klopfenstein earned his Purdue DVM degree in 1997 and then worked for three years as a veterinarian in Wisconsin.  In 1999, he and his father established Dairy Veterinary Management Services in Goshen.  He is remembered for his intellect and reasoning process, his deep relationships and conversations, his wit and storytelling, and his physical achievements.

Visitation will be held at College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, August 31, with a memorial service in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 1.

Memorial gifts may be given to Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203, or to the estate via PayPal at klop4@comcast.net, to be distributed to the 529 College Savings Plans that Dr. Klopfenstein had set up for his three children – a daughter who is a sophomore in college and two sons in high school.  Gifts may also be given through Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Click here to view the complete obituary.

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

Celebrate Award-winning Alumni and Faculty at the Purdue Veterinary Conference

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The Purdue Veterinary Conference offers attendees a variety of outstanding special events for networking, celebration, and fun!  Register now for events like the Awards Celebration Dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, September 18, and join us in honoring our College’s tremendous alumni and faculty. This upscale evening includes dinner and cocktails followed by a program during which Dean Willie Reed will recognize alumni and faculty award-winners for excellence in their respective roles, including teaching, research, and service.

Early bird registration fees are good through Saturday, August 31. Add the Awards Celebration to your registration under the Special Events section. This event will take place Wednesday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union, North Ballroom.

The following individuals will be recognized as distinguished alumni:

Brig. Gen. Timothy Adams, DVM (PU DVM ’86) | Distinguished Alumnus Award
Brig. Gen. Timothy Adams enrolled in active military duty shortly after earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1986.  Having served roles in Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he rose through the ranks to become a highly decorated officer, attaining the rank of brigadier general. Dr. Adams holds a masters of public health from Harvard University and a PhD in toxicology from Duke University.

Dr. Tom Gillespie (PU DVM ’79) | Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Tom Gillespie began his career as a mixed animal practitioner after earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1979, and soon opened a swine-only practice in Rensselear, Ind. During his career, Dr. Gillespie established himself as an expert in porcine diseases.  He often is sought after as a researcher and consultant both nationally and abroad.

The following Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty will be honored for excellence in research, teaching and service:

Dr. Larry Adams, professor of small animal internal medicine | Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence

Dr. Stephen Adams, professor of large animal surgery | Excellence in Service Award

Dr. John Christian, associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology | Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award

Dr. Janice Kritchevsky, professor of large animal internal medicine | Resident Mentor Award (new this year) 

Dr. Joanne Messick, professor of veterinary clinical pathology | Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Darryl Ragland, associate professor of food animal production medicine | Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award (new this year)

Dr. Mohamed Seleem, professor of microbiology | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky, clinical associate professor of veterinary neurology | Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award

Dr. Jonathan Townsend, clinical assistant professor of dairy production medicine | Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award

Dr. GuangJun Zhang, John T. and Winifred M. Hayward Associate Professor of Genetic Research | Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence

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

NY Times Journalist Gives Public Talk on “What IF the Next Pandemic is Inevitable?”

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Will certain strains of the flu become resistant to drugs? Is there a pandemic on the horizon? Could understanding the 1918 influenza pandemic aid in preventing future pandemics?  To help answer those questions, Gina Kolata, author of “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918,” will give a public presentation at Purdue University entitled, “What IF the Next Pandemic is Inevitable?” The discussion will take place from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., September 23, at Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. Gina will discuss how researching the 1918 influenza outbreak could provide insight on the next potential pandemic.  The event will include a Q&A session.

Gina is a two time Pulitzer prize winner for her writing at The New York Times. She works as a science and medicine reporter, and is the author of six books. Gina is a graduate of the molecular biology program at M.I.T. and received her master’s in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland.

The event is part of Purdue’s Ideas Festival, the centerpiece of Purdue’s Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign, which is a series of events that connect world-renowned speakers and Purdue expertise in a conversation on the most critical problems facing the world. The College of Veterinary Medicine is focusing on the Ideas Festival’s theme of “Health, Longevity, and Quality of Life” during the month of September, which is the College’s featured month to celebrate its contributions to Purdue’s 150 years of Giant Leaps.   

Gina also will participate in a panel discussion on the topic, “The Current and Future Role of Vaccination in Global Health,” which will follow her talk from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in Lynn Hall, Room 1136. Joining Gina on the panel will be:

• Pamela M. Aaltonen, professor emeritus from the School of Nursing
• Marifran Mattson, professor and head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication
• Suresh Mittal, distinguished professor of virology from the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology
• Ekramy Sayedahmed, post-doctoral research associate in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology

After the panel discussion, a public reception will be held in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall.  Both the lecture and panel discussion are free and open to the public.   

The event is co-sponsored by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Health and Human Sciences’ Public Health Program, and IU School of Medicine-West Lafayette.

Writer(s): Madison Sanneman (Purdue News Service) and Andrea Brown | pvmnews@purdue.edu

NCAA’s Katrice Albert Addresses Diversity and Inclusion at Purdue Veterinary Conference Keynote

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It has been well documented that the veterinary profession is the least diverse of the health care professions.  Each year, the Purdue Veterinary Conference hosts a Diversity Keynote to address the issue of diversity and inclusion within veterinary medicine.  Dr. Katrice Albert, executive vice president of inclusion and human resources at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), will challenge conference participants to aim high to bring the mission of inclusive excellence in veterinary medicine to fruition during her keynote luncheon on Thursday, September 19. 

A serious approach to driving equity, diversity, and inclusion in the veterinary medical profession requires that a high priority be placed on intentional efforts to bring about a greater commitment to inclusive excellence.  In order to succeed, veterinary professionals must model the gold standard of purposeful and intentional, culturally responsive leadership.  Dr. Albert will discuss her vision for the profession and bold strategies to enhance inclusive excellence in veterinary medicine. 

At the NCAA, Dr. Albert leads efforts to enhance diversity, inclusion, leadership development, education, and community engagement. Additionally, she is responsible for leading national office employee relations, performance management, professional development, and compensation and benefits programs. Before joining the NCAA, Dr. Albert served in executive capacities with the University of Minnesota system from 2013 to 2017, and at Louisiana State University from 2005 to 2013. She led diversity, inclusion, and equity strategies in both positions.

Dr. Albert frequently writes, speaks, and consults on issues of intercultural competence, educational and workforce diversity, gender and dynamics of power, the complexities of diverse populations, educational access, community-university partnerships, corporate social responsibility, and the application of psychological knowledge to ethnic minorities and other under-served populations. Dr. Albert earned a doctoral degree in counseling psychology at Auburn University and completed her clinical internship at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology at Boston Medical Center. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi and graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

The annual Purdue Veterinary Conference is designed to provide continuing education 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.  Click here to learn more and register.

Writer(s): Andrea Brown | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Faculty Member Involved in New Purdue Partnership Focused on Big Data Approach to Cancer

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The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, led by Dr. Timothy Ratliff, Purdue Veterinary Medicine distinguished professor of comparative pathobiology, is partnering with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research to improve the use of biostatistics, predictive modeling, and data science in cancer research.  Dr. Ratliff, who serves as Purdue’s Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Center for Cancer Research, said the partnership will include the appointment and exchange of scientific staff, sabbatical opportunities, student training, and postdoctoral fellowships.

“The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research is honored to enter into a partnership with the Frederick National Laboratory to enhance and accelerate educational and research activities in the field of computational biology and predictive modeling,” Dr. Ratliff said. “Working with the outstanding investigators at Frederick National Laboratory will benefit our students and faculty and will enable us to have a greater impact on the field.”

Purdue and Frederick National Laboratory also will conduct cooperative research in protein crystallization in microgravity.  Dr. Ethan Dmitrovsky, director of the Frederick National Laboratory and president of Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., said the agreement brings together two leaders in cancer research.  “The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research conducts world-class basic research that has led to significant advances in the field,” he said. “This mutually beneficial partnership will allow some of the best minds in cancer research to come together to accelerate research discoveries that will ultimately benefit patients.”  

The Purdue Center for Cancer Research conducts basic research on the cellular causes and potential treatment of cancers. The center is one of only seven National Cancer Institute-designate basic research cancer centers in the nation. 

Writer(s): Steve Tally (Purdue News Service) and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Veterinary Nursing Stethoscope Dinner Marks Start of Clinical Education

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Students in the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Program’s Class of 2022 were in the spotlight at the 8^th annual Veterinary Nursing Stethoscope Dinner August 21 in the Purdue Memorial Union. Co-sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and Patterson Veterinary, the dinner gave the second-year veterinary nursing students a chance to enjoy a meal together and receive complimentary stethoscopes to celebrate the start of the clinical phase of their veterinary nursing education.

After welcoming remarks from Dr. Bianca Zenor, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, and Dean Willie Reed, the students heard from Dr. Andrew Clark of Boehringer Ingelheim and Rob Fulkerson of Patterson Veterinary, who wished the students well on their journey to becoming veterinary nurses. As they received their stethoscopes, each student also signed the Veterinary Technician Code of Ethics, which gives veterinary nurses guidance for carrying out their professional duties.

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Says “Thank You” to Faculty and Staff with “Groovy” Appreciation Event

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Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff were treated to a sixties-themed appreciation event last Thursday, August 15, in the “Far Out” Lynn Hall Courtyard.  The annual appreciation event featured creative decorations and “drive-in” themed refreshments including hot dogs, hamburgers, and root beer floats. Over 200 people participated in the festivities and took home a commemorative PVM 60^th Anniversary mug. Some even took time to brag on their fellow colleagues by posting complimentary notes on a tie-dye draped bulletin board.

Special thanks to the event planning committee including Megan Brashear, Barb Cochran, Steve Hooser, Tami Lind, Brandi Maxie, Julie Roahrig, Nicole Rosen, Donna Tudor, Brittany Vale, and Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Susan Xioufaridou for the awesome ideas and their efforts setting up and manning the event with special help from Grace Craig, Tricia Johnson, and Chelsi Laposi. 

And thanks to PVM’s fantastic group of dedicated faculty and staff who are indeed “Groovy!”

Writer(s): Susan Xioufaridou | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Veterinary Nursing Team Earns Honors at AVTE Conference

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Nursing team recently attended the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE) annual conference and received national recognition.  The conference was held at the end of July in New Orleans, La.

Congratulations to Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Instructional Technologists Courtney Waxman, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC) and Josh Clark, MS, RVT, who received national awards.  Courtney received the AVTE/Wiley-Blackwell Award, which was established to honor new educators who are recognized by their students and colleagues as already making an extraordinary contribution to veterinary technology and who have been teaching for less than three years.  Josh won a $2,500 AVTE Active Member Scholarship, which he will use to attend an upcoming FRANK Communication Workshop at Colorado State University and then incorporate what he learns into the Purdue Veterinary Nursing program.  He also will have the opportunity to present at an upcoming AVTE conference.

Assistant Director for Academic Advising and Recruiting Paige Allen, MS, RVT, and Academic Advisor Shelly Opperman both served as presenters at this year’s conference.  Their presentation focused on the topic: “The Student Road to Success: We Fill the Potholes.”  The talk identified current student support services, discussed future services to meet the needs of the changing population and explained the changing attributes of veterinary nursing students.

Also attending the AVTE annual conference from PVM were Veterinary Nursing Program Director Bianca Zenor, DVM; Clinical Rotation/Mentorship Coordinator Pam Phegley, RVT; Instructional Technologist Jen Smith, RVT, RLAT; Senior Instructional Technologist Jordan Williams, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia); and Diagnostic Imaging Instructional Technologist Liane Shaw, RVT. “PVM’s strong showing at this year’s AVTE Conference demonstrates the continued success and growth of the Purdue Veterinary Nursing program as well its commitment to lifelong learning,” said Dr. Zenor. 

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

Purdue Veterinary Conference Public Events Bring out the Dog Lovers in All of Us

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will host two public events focused on the human-animal bond during the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference September 17-21.  The conference kicks-off Tuesday, September 17, with the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture featuring Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants and New York Times bestselling author.  Then, on Saturday, September 21, the conference will wrap-up with the popular Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.

From medical detection to safety assessment to copious amounts of unconditional affection, dogs have a remarkable ability to provide assistance and comfort to people.  Join Jennifer Arnold for the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture as she reviews the ways in which dogs are capable of improving human life and how we best can encourage them to do so.  Jennifer serves as executive director of Canine Assistants, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering people and dogs so they may work together to the benefit of both. The organization’s service dog school, based in Milton, Ga., has graduated nearly 3,000 dogs since its inception in 1991, placing them free-of-charge with both children and adults.  The Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture is free and open to the public.  It will be held September 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Fowler Hall in Stewart Center with a light reception to follow in the adjacent Robert L. Ringel Gallery.

The annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog will cap off the Purdue Veterinary Conference week Saturday morning, September 21. Any and all dog lovers are encouraged to lace up their running shoes to help raise money for the PetSafe Program and Priority 4 Paws.  The PetSafe Program is a community service offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine to meet the short-term housing needs of pets whose owners are temporarily unable to provide care due to emergencies such as natural disasters or domestic violence.  The Priority 4 Paws mobile surgery unit provides spay and neuter services free-of-charge to participating Indiana animal shelters.

The 2019 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog 5k Fun Run / Walk is named in honor of Dr. Horace (Skip) Jackson, professor emeritus of veterinary physiology and biochemistry.  The race was first held in 1972 and is one of the longest-running traditions of the Purdue Veterinary Conference.  Check-in will begin at 7:00 a.m., at Lynn Hall, with the Fun Run / Walk starting at 8:00 a.m.  Dogs are welcome to join the fun, too!  The 2019 Dog Jog is sponsored in part by SAVMA Purdue, AVMA | All for Students, Banfield Pet Hospital, Purina, McAfee Animal Hospital, Elanco, Pooch at Play, Fleet Feet West Lafayette, and AVMA | LIFE.

Click here for more information about the race and to register.

Writer(s): Andrea Brown | pvmnews@purdue.edu

In Memory: Dr. Carol Ecker (PU DVM ’64)

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A pioneering alumna of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol (Van Paemel) Ecker (PU DVM ’64), died August 14.  She was 78.

Dr. Ecker earned her Purdue DVM degree in 1964 as one of only two women in the class, which was only the second class to graduate from the College and the first to include women students.  She went on to work in private practice as a practice owner in South Bend, Ind., where she was president of Clayview Animal Clinic for more than 40 years. “Dr. Ecker had an illustrious veterinary medical career marked by dedication, fervency, service, caring, leadership, friendship, and fierce loyalty to Purdue and the College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. Her accomplishments include serving on the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1988-1997, being actively involved in the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, including serving as the IVMA’s first woman president, and being a key leader in establishing the Indiana Animal Health Foundation in 1997.  She received the IVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1989 and the IVMA President’s Award in 2009.

A distinguished alumna of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ecker received an Honorary Doctorate from the College in 1998 and the Distinguished Pinnacle Award from the Purdue President’s Council.  Praised as an inspiration and valuable resource for women seeking careers in veterinary medicine, Dr. Ecker was honored in 2012 as a recipient of Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award for her contributions in maximizing institutional and societal resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education. Most recently, Dr. Ecker served as the medical director for the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, which annually hosts educational visits by participants in PVM’s Senior Boiler Vet Camp.

In her personal life, Dr. Ecker dedicated time and energy to her love of horses and Corgis.  She began showing horses at a very young age. Dr. Ecker met her husband, Kenneth, when she became the veterinarian for his horse.  Married in 1969, Carol and Kenny were always together, serving as American Quarter Horse Association judges, showing and training 37 AQHA champions, volunteering as 4-H leaders, visiting the Purdue campus, attending Purdue sporting events, and traveling the world.  Dr. Ecker especially enjoyed her work breeding and showing Pembroke Welsh Corgis and enjoyed her life on a farm. Kenny passed away in 2016.

Funeral services for Dr. Ecker were held at the Palmer Funeral Home in South Bend Saturday, August 17. The family advises that memorial donations may be made to the Carol and Ken Ecker Scholarship at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine; Lynn Hall, Room 1177A; 625 Harrison Street; West Lafayette, IN 47907.  Click here for a complete obituary on the Palmer Funeral Homes website.

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