“Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” the saying goes. Ironically, this adage does not apply to the service dog that was never given the choice in the first place. Therein lies our obligation to ensure these extraordinary animals do, in fact, love their jobs. At a minimum, service dogs should always remain safe from the daily risks encountered when assisting individuals with disabilities. Dr. Zenithson Ng will provide a unique glimpse into the life of a service dog and reveal opportunities for stakeholders to assure the welfare of these animals when he gives the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture during the virtual Purdue Veterinary Conference Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Ng’s lecture, “A Day in the Life of a Service Dog: A Welfare Perspective,” sponsored by an endowment from Elanco Animal Health, will be hosted virtually and kick-off the 2020 Purdue Veterinary Conference. The event will be open to the public. Attendees will just need to click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Dr. Ng is a clinical associate professor of canine and feline primary care at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his DVM from Cornell University and then completed an internship at the ASPCA, and an ABVP residency combined with a master’s degree in human-animal bond studies at Virginia Tech. Dr. Ng’s clinical interests include behavior, dentistry, preventative medicine, management of chronic disease, and shelter medicine. His research interests span all aspects of the human-animal bond including the effect of human-animal interaction on both humans and animals, the veterinary-client relationship, and stress reduction in both veterinary and animal-assisted intervention settings.
The virtual Purdue Veterinary Conference, September 22-25, will offer three days of high quality tracks covering equine, exotics, industry innovations, one health and emergency preparedness, practice management and communication, ruminant, small animal, swine, and topics of interest for veterinary nurses. Attendees can earn up to 24 hours of continuing education, and will have access to a virtual exhibit hall.
This year’s conference would not be possible without the generosity of these sponsors: IDEXX, Banfield Pet Hospital, the Indiana Board of Animal Health/Indiana State Department of Health, Nutrena, Purina, Zoetis, Elanco, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Coyne Veterinary Services.
The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed Dr. Chad Brown (PU DVM 2001) as the new director of the Veterinary Nursing Program Monday, August 17. The appointment brings Dr. Brown back to his alma mater after nearly 20 years of working in mixed animal practice and academia.
Dr. Brown’s interest in veterinary medicine dates back to when he was growing up on a beef cattle farm in Huntington, W. Va. He completed his undergraduate studies at Centre College and The Ohio State University before coming to Purdue where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2001.
After graduation, he returned home to Huntington to work as an associate veterinarian at the Animal Care Clinic before establishing his own mixed animal hospital, called Brown Veterinary Service, in Wayne, W. Va. in 2007. He first ventured into education in 2009 when he began working at Ohio University as an adjunct faculty instructor and staff veterinarian in the equine studies program, even while he continued to work in private practice.
In 2015, Dr. Brown sold his practice and accepted a position as a full-time faculty veterinary clinical supervisor and professor at Mountwest Community and Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Program in Huntington. His responsibilities included extensive teaching, planning, and development of innovative courses in veterinary technology and overseeing off-campus clinical teaching sites and externships. He also led the effort for the new program to become fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in 2016.
He is excited now to have this opportunity to come back to Purdue and lead the college’s Veterinary Nursing Program. “There’s a reason I moved six hours from home, that’s how passionate I feel about this program,” Dr. Brown said. “I loved my four years at Purdue and wanted to give back in any way I could.”
Dr. Brown’s family includes his two teenage daughters, his girlfriend, Joy, two King Charles Cavaliers, a European Basset Hound, and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. His other interests include racquetball, golf, and watching his daughters play sports.
Please help extend a warm PVM welcome to Dr. Brown. His email is brow1997@purdue.edu.
Writer(s):
Jonathan Martz, PVM Communications Intern
| pvmnews@purdue.edu
Veterinary nursing students in the incoming Class of 2024 visit while following social distancing during a welcome event Friday, August 21, in the Lynn Hall Courtyard.
With summer coming to an end, Lynn Hall welcomes incoming DVM and veterinary nursing students. Orientation for the DVM Class of 2024 was conducted the week of August 17. Additionally, freshman veterinary nursing students had a chance to visit Lynn Hall during a socially distanced welcome event Friday, August 21.
The Veterinary Nursing Class of 2024 has 36 newly admitted students who are starting on campus and completing the core curriculum of math, chemistry, and biology. The all-female class includes 32 Indiana residents. Paige Allen, assistant director of academic advising and recruiting for the Veterinary Nursing Program, said the majority of the new students have decided to join the Veterinary Nursing Learning Community, “All Creatures Great and Small,” which is one of several learning communities Purdue offers that allow new students to meet new friends while getting to experience their eventual professions at the same time.
Additionally, on Monday, August 24, the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Program welcomed to Lynn Hall the 30 students in the Class of 2023 who are beginning their clinical studies. The class includes one male and 26 Indiana residents.
The incoming DVM class includes 89 students from across the country, including Alabama, California, Florida, New York, and Texas. Three students are from Puerto Rico and 57 are from Indiana and the neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. There are 76 female and 13 male students and 30% percent of the class represents diversity in race and ethnicity. Students who majored in agriculture, including animal science, make up 51% of the class, while 49% of the students majored in science, including biology, genetics, chemistry, engineering, neurology, and biochemistry.
Please help extend a warm PVM welcome to all of our incoming veterinary and veterinary nursing students.
Writer(s):
Jonathan Martz, PVM Communications Intern, and Kevin Doerr
| pvmnews@purdue.edu
I am so pleased to once again see our students back in Lynn Hall, to hear talking in our hallways, and to know that in our classrooms and clinics, students are learning from our outstanding faculty and instructors. These are familiar and beloved elements of the start of a new school year.
Yet, at the same time, we see all around us signs of how much things have changed. There are directional markers on the floor, signs on the walls with health and safety pointers, an expansive Protect Purdue banner on the exterior wall on the east side of Lynn Hall. Facemasks are normal attire, making the eyes the most prominent facial feature; verbal greetings now convey what used to be communicated by a warm smile shared between passersby; clear plexiglas shields are fixtures in offices and at lecterns; and classrooms are spaced to accommodate social distancing.
These are but a few of the symbols of change evident to us all as we start this academic year. Even more significant are the endless hours of effort by hundreds of people who worked tirelessly over the past few months to develop and execute the Protect Purdue Plan that undergirds everything we are doing to facilitate the in-person instruction we all value so much. The planning began last spring, and I was pleased to help as co-chair of the Purdue University Safe Campus Task Force. The work of the task force led to the development of the Protect Purdue Plan.
For our veterinary students completing their clinical year, we are grateful that the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association contributed funds to provide additional PPE, to support their safety as they participate in vital hands-on clinical learning experiences. Additionally, the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has taken on a major role in supporting COVID-19 testing.
The words “persistent pursuit” truly characterize the extent to which the university and our college have worked to provide for a quality learning experience in the midst of this most unusual time. Now it’s our turn, collectively, to make the most of this opportunity by responsibly carrying out the Protect Purdue Pledge that focuses on looking out for each other while learning and working together. In our college, we came up with a phrase over the summer that captures this idea in six simple words:
“I’m protecting you; please protect me.”
Let this memorable expression remind us all of our accountability to take extraordinary steps to stay well and persistently protect the health and safety each other, on campus and in the local area. Together, we will take every small step to protect Purdue.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine is saddened to share that Dr. Meredith Miklozek, of the DVM Class of 1978, passed away August 9 in Rockport, Mass. She was 69.
A native of Terre Haute, Ind., Dr. Miklozek attended Indiana State University, graduating in 1973, and was accepted into medical school. She decided, however, to follow her passion for helping animals instead, and came to Purdue University, where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1978. For more than 30 years, Dr. Miklozek owned and operated Diamond Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg, Md. Working as a solo practitioner, she built the hospital from scratch into a practice with a patient list that numbered more than 4,000 dogs and cats. Dr. Miklozek is remembered for her ability to listen carefully to people and connect deeply with their beloved pets, a combination of skills that made her an exceptional diagnostician and talented healer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Meredith Miklozek, DVM, Scholarship Fund at Indiana State University via the ISU Foundation, c/o Rex Kendall; 30 North 5th Street; Terre Haute, IN 47809. Gifts in Dr. Miklozek’s name also may made to Care Dimensions Hospice; 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B102; Danvers, MA 01923; or given online at www.CareDimensions.org. A celebration of Meredith’s life will be held at a later date. Click here to view tributes and a complete obituary.
“Each year, we are amazed at the generosity and support of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine family on Purdue Day of Giving,” says Amanda Dunkle, director of development operations and donor stewardship, as she talks about plans for this year’s event September 9. Last year, the number of gifts received by the college during the annual 24-hour fundraising event was TWICE that of the year before! “That positioned the college in the Top Ten for participation across campus, earning additional bonus funds,” Amanda says, recounting with enthusiasm the successful outcome in 2019. “The outpouring of energy from others who took the time to participate in hourly challenges, take photos, and spread the word made an impact on our overall success as well.”
This year has been quite a challenge, which means the generosity of PVM’s family and friends is more important than ever. “During the last six years, the Purdue Day of Giving has resulted in $3,028,338 in gifts to enhance College of Veterinary Medicine academic programs, student scholarships, hospital services, life-changing research, and so much more!”
This year, participants have the special opportunity to significantly impact the future of veterinary medicine by giving to the Leave A Print campaign to help build new state-of-the-art veterinary hospital facilities. “Any gift will make a difference to help our faculty, staff, and students continue the persistent pursuit of excellence in veterinary education and service to animals and humans,” Amanda says.
Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s This is How We “Role” ® program has received the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The national award for colleges and universities recognizes programs that are making a difference for all underrepresented groups in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives. The This is How We “Role” program received the award because of its long-term goal of diversifying the veterinarian-scientist workforce, which is currently over 90% White. The college is featured, along with 73 other recipients, in the September 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed said receiving this award is especially meaningful for the college. “One of our college’s priorities is to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue rewarding careers in veterinary medicine,” Dean Reed said. “This is How We ‘Role’ provides a highly engaging approach to catching the interest and imagination of children, with the hope of opening their eyes to the possibility of becoming future veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Supported by a talented team of collaborators, this program has great potential to bring greater diversity to the veterinary medical profession, and in doing so, to enhance the profession’s success in meeting the needs of both animals and people.”
The program is supported by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. The program focuses on developing a sustainable, easily replicable model for bringing veterinary STEM resources to children.
Led by the College of Veterinary Medicine, the project team, including experts at Purdue, elementary school teachers, a children’s book illustrator, and the Kingston Bay Group, an education consulting agency, developed a 56-lesson, low-cost, culturally responsive, and engaging STEM curriculum to expose students in kindergarten through fourth grade to careers in veterinary medicine and biomedical research.
The fun and interactive science and math curriculum is delivered by veterinarians and veterinary medical student role models to help children learn about basic veterinary science, the breadth of careers in the veterinary profession, and how veterinary professionals can prevent and treat health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and asthma that impact both people and their animals.
Purdue University’s Evaluation and Learning Research Center evaluates program impact on veterinary medical student role models and participating children. The evaluation focuses on changes in the children’s attitudes toward careers in veterinary medicine, knowledge of veterinary science, and their perceptions of themselves and their capability to achieve success. The program’s effect on the veterinary student role models is evaluated by measuring their likelihood to continue community service in the future and their ability to interact effectively with future clients.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine enjoys a long-term, mutually beneficial collaboration with Hanna Community Center in Lafayette, Ind., where the This is How We “Role” curriculum is delivered through after-school programs and summer camps for children under 12 years of age, 90% of whom are from low income families. Hanna’s mission is to provide a gathering place, celebrate cultural differences, and provide social services that improve the quality of life.
The college has provided resources for the establishment of This is How We “Role” chapters at 20 of the 32 U.S. veterinary colleges. Each chapter consists of veterinary medical students and faculty who deliver the curriculum to disadvantaged elementary school students in their communities through partnerships with community organizations.
“We are very excited to be able to expand the program by providing role models for children across the country who are considering a future in veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Sandy San Miguel, associate dean for engagement at the College of Veterinary Medicine and principal investigator for the This is How We “Role” grant.
Each partner institution is provided with a comprehensive guide for program implementation; online professional development training for delivering the program in a culturally responsive, age-appropriate manner; lesson materials including instructions, handouts, and activity sheets; and tools for assessing the program’s impact both on the elementary school students and veterinary student role models. In addition to the hands-on role modeling program, participants can access superhero lessons, children’s e-books, and an online game available at no cost through the program’s website: www.WeRoleLikeThis.org.
“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”
This is the second time the This is How We “Role” program has won the award. For more information about the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many schools and colleges across the United States implementing plans to start face-to-face classroom teaching, the race to develop an effective vaccine is intensifying, according to Purdue University Distinguished Professor of Virology Suresh Mittal. “The availability of an effective vaccine will be vital to protect everyone here in the U.S. and worldwide,” said Dr. Mittal, who is an accomplished vaccine researcher in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology.
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Dr. Mittal is leading a research team that is taking a novel approach to developing an efficient vaccine for COVID-19, and the research just received a major boost in the form of a five-year $3.86 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Mittal’s approach utilizes a harmless form of a common cold-like adenovirus as a vaccine platform. “This platform-based vaccine expresses the important SARS-CoV-2 immunogens that produce an immune response,” Dr. Mittal said. “This type of COVID-19 vaccine provides a balanced antibody and cell-based protection.”
Dr. Mittal said the COVID-19 vaccine needs to be highly immunogenic because the human immune system does not have an immune memory against this new virus. His vaccine approach is simple due to the use of a safe version of adenovirus with the capability to induce protective immune responses.
Dr. Mittal is collaborating on the research with Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor and associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University; and Dr. Suryaprakash Sambhara, Immunology Laboratory team lead at the Influenza Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Mittal emphasized that it will be critical to have several vaccine approaches in order to meet global demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. He said at present, there are at least three adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines in Phase 2 or 3 clinical trials. More than 160 COVID-19 vaccines are at various stages of development.
Dr. Mittal also cautions that the elderly are the most vulnerable segment of the population because of a higher risk of COVID-19 severity, and therefore, vaccine development efforts should consider the decline in the immune competence of the elderly.
“An effective COVID-19 vaccine will flatten the COVID-19 pandemic’s trajectory and its second wave, thus saving lives and the global economy,” Dr. Mittal said.
A longstanding Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine tradition of recognizing distinguished alumni and outstanding faculty during the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference will continue in a virtual format this year. The entire conference September 22-25 will be conducted virtually, enabling attendees to join in on conference sessions and special activities from their home or office. The annual Awards Celebration will include the presentation of two Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award on Wednesday, September 23, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT).
The two Distinguished Alumni Award winners are Dr. Tom Troxel, of the DVM Class of 1981, and Dr. Debbie White, of the DVM Class of 1994. “Dr. Tom,” as he is called by his clients in Northwestern Indiana, has become highly respected for his work as a veterinarian, dairy farmer, teacher, and lay minister. His reputation reaches far around the world with partnerships in Eastern Europe and Haiti related to dairy production and education. Students have traveled from around the world to receive hands-on instruction from Dr. Tom, who also has mentored Purdue veterinary students during their externships. Known as a compassionate and knowledgeable clinician, Dr. Tom is perhaps most recognized for his genuine interest in supporting herd health as well as profitability for farmers.
Dr. Debbie White is well known to fans of her talk-show “Animal Radio” as a knowledgeable and vibrant veterinarian. She has contributed admirably to the veterinary profession throughout her career. Currently serving as vice president of the Western Veterinary Conference (now known as the Viticus Group), Dr. White has held multiple board positions with professional organizations. A skilled clinician who owns several animal hospitals throughout the Las Vegas, Nev. area, she is a positive role model and ambassador for Purdue.
Another prestigious award to be presented at the Awards Celebration is the Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award, which this year will go to Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky, clinical associate professor of veterinary neurology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. To be considered for this honor, a faculty member must be nominated by veterinary alumni in the four most recent graduating classes. Award recipients are chosen for their teaching ability as well as their role in fostering interest in research. Hailing from Scotia, N.Y., Dr. Thomovsky earned her DVM degree at Iowa State University and completed a neurology/neurosurgery internship before joining Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s residency program. She then served on the faculty at Washington State University before returning to Purdue to accept a faculty position in neurology and establish the Physical Rehabilitation service in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Her nominator praised Dr. Thomovsky for her ability to simplify complex learning materials and inspire students.
Click here to register for the virtual Purdue Veterinary Conference, and plan to join in the Awards Celebration online Wednesday, September 23 at 5:00 p.m., to help honor Drs. Troxel, White, and Thomovsky, as well as several other faculty members who also will receive awards.
The communications program at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has been recognized with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ (AAVMC) 2020 Communications Excellence Award. Judges praised Purdue’s program for overall excellence that advanced the college’s strategic outreach.
The award is for work completed during the 2019 calendar year. The communications team consists of Kevin Doerr, director of public affairs and communications; Allison Carey, assistant director of communications; Wright Frazier, director of web communications; and Osmar Lopez, senior web developer. Susan Xioufaridou, director of alumni relations and special events, also contributed work recognized with the award, as did Lauren Bruce, then marketing and communications manager for the Veterinary Hospital and ADDL.
“This award recognizes the creativity, skill, and commitment to excellence of our communications team,” said Dean Willie Reed. “I am very proud to have such a talented group of communication professionals in our college.”
In announcing the award, the AAVMC noted that Purdue University carried out a major themed celebration of its sesquicentennial in 2019, as the College of Veterinary Medicine simultaneously marked its 60th anniversary with messaging and graphics centered on a theme of progress and innovation. The college used multiple platforms to increase its stature among internal constituents, campus community stakeholders, alumni, clients and the public.
The communications team significantly increased the college’s online and social media presence and, in collaboration with the Purdue News Service, distributed 45 news releases that garnered more than 2,300 media mentions and reached an estimated audience of 850 million.
“Communications excellence is at the core of any successful university advancement program,” said AAVMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. “We congratulate our colleagues at Purdue University for earning this distinction and we are proud to acknowledge their exemplary scope of achievements and success.”
The judging team consisted of communication professionals representing member organizations of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) in Washington, D.C. Judges scored nominations from five competing schools using an empirical process that assessed criteria such as quality and scope of the program, leadership and innovation in program development, strategic orientation and other factors.
The AAVMC Board of Directors established the Communications Excellence Award in 2013 to recognize the important role of communications in advancing academic veterinary medicine and the profession, inspire higher levels of performance and foster collaboration among member institutions.
