Paige Allen, MS, RVT, Shares Insights During Veterinary Nursing Week Interview on National Broadcast

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When Steve Dale, a certified animal behavior consultant and host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, wanted to help his listeners gain a better understanding of the field of veterinary nursing, he turned to Paige Allen, MS, RVT, assistant director of academic advising and recruitment at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Dale’s interview with Paige aired during Veterinary Nursing Week (nationally known as Veterinary Technician Week) October 20. 

During the interview, Paige shared information about the vital roles that veterinary nurses play as members of veterinary team and offered insights regarding ways in which they are advancing approaches like telehealth as a means of helping both animals and their owners.  Paige not only serves as a registered veterinary technician in the College of Veterinary Medicine, she also is a leader in the field nationally, currently serving as president of the Board of Directors of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). 

The five-minute interview provided a beautiful way of celebrating Veterinary Nursing Week, and it is available online on the Steve Dale Pet World website.  Click here to view the web page introducing the interview and to access the link to the recording.

Congratulations Paige on a great job representing Purdue Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Nursing profession!

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

PVM Alumni Recognized by American College of Veterinary Surgeons at Annual Meeting

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The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) presented a prestigious award to one Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumna and elected another to an elite leadership position at the organization’s ACVS Diplomates annual business meeting held as part of the Virtual Surgery Summit earlier this month. Dr. Karen Cornell (PU DVM ‘88, PhD ’98, DACVS) was elected as the new chair of the ACVS Board of Regents, and Dr. Ann Johnson (PU DVM ’75, DACVS) was named as one of two recipients of the Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Cornell earned her DVM degree at Purdue University in 1988 and, after working in a small animal private practice, returned to the University to complete a small animal surgical residency and earn her PhD degree in cancer biology.  She currently is on the faculty of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where she serves as associate dean for the DVM Professional Program and interim director of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the Earline and A.P. Wiley Endowed Veterinary Chair. Dr. Cornell received the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumna Award in 2009.

The announcement that Dr. Johnson received the Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award was made jointly by the ACVS and the ACVS Foundation. Dr. Johnson was recognized for her commitment to excellence in service and teaching, as well as for establishing herself as a highly respected small animal surgeon and visionary leader. She also was praised for her impressive record of service, which reflects her dedication to the ACVS and her contribution to all aspects of its mission. 

Dr. Johnson’s service to the ACVS began within two years of her board certification as a specialist in veterinary surgery.  She initially served as a member of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Protocols Committee, which she later chaired. Dr. Johnson also served in several roles concurrently. While fulfilling responsibilities in the Office of Recorder, she chaired the Residency Program Committee and contributed to Veterinary Surgery, the official journal of the ACVS, as a member of the Editorial Review Board.

Additionally, Dr. Johnson served as chair to both the Surgical Education Forum and the Residents’ Forum prior to serving on the ACVS Board of Regents as small animal regent and then president and chair. During her tenure on the Board of Regents, Dr. Johnson shared her expertise as a member of the Symposium Committee, giving numerous presentations at the ACVS Veterinary Symposia and Surgery Summits, as well as the Public Relations Committee.

Following her role as Board of Regents chair, she was tasked with developing a curricular template and continued to serve for many years as Residency Program Facilitator. She also was recognized as an Honored Mentor by the ACVS Foundation, in recognition of her significant influence on the lives and careers of surgery residents and colleagues.

Dr. Johnson served the veterinary profession beyond the ACVS as well, including as a member of the faculty of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where she was a professor of small animal orthopedic surgery. She also took on the role of ACVS representative to the American Board of Veterinary Specialties and served on the board of directors of the Western Veterinary Conference, including a term as president. She received the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumna Award in 1995.

The other Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award recipient is Dr. Cheryl S. Hedlund, DACVS, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine professor emeritus of surgery.

The ACVS was founded in 1965 as the specialty board that sets certification standards for advanced professionalism in veterinary surgery and provides the latest in surgical educational programs.  ACVS membership now includes more than 2,300 diplomates.

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

New Intern Joins PVM Communications Team

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The Purdue Veterinary Medicine communications team is pleased to welcome Madeline Brod, who started as a new PVM communications intern on Monday, October 26. Madeline is a freshman majoring in pre-communication, with plans  to study public relations and strategic communications through the College of Liberal Arts Degree in Three accelerated degree program. Madeline also is a member of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and the Women’s Volleyball Box Band. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing piano, going to the gym, spending time outside, and loving her Chihuahua mix “Arri”, named after the former World-Series-winning pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Jake Arrieta. Madeline is passionate about animals and the art of communication and excited to learn skills as a communications intern that will be valuable to her future career. Please help extend a warm welcome to Madeline.

You can find Madeline in Lynn 2121, or email her at brod@purdue.edu.

Madeline is one of two PVM communications interns who have joined the PVM communications team. The other is Hailee Rolofson, a senior in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, who will be featured in next week’s Vet Gazette.

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

PVM-led Conference Links Experts Virtually for International Dialogue on the Human-Animal Bond

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The Purdue University Center for the Human-Animal Bond will host more than 1,800 participants from around the globe virtually next week for the 2021 Centers for the Human-Animal Bond Conference. The online conference November 4-5 will bring together a diverse collection of national and international academic human-animal interaction centers and institutes for a global, interdisciplinary conversation focused on advancement in this relatively new field of research.

The Centers for the Human-Animal Bond (CHAB) Conference first was held in 2006 at Purdue, and in 2016 a ten-year follow-up conference continued the conversation. Both of these previous conferences resulted in special issues in peer-reviewed journals (2008 in JVME and 2018 in HAIB), and this year’s conference will seek to continue that legacy.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Associate Professor of Human-Animal Interaction Maggie O’Haire said the 2021 CHAB Conference provides a vital opportunity to bring together multiple national and international academic human-animal interaction centers and institutes. “The conference will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary conversation with substantial opportunities for the exchange and discussion of new ideas for future research on animal assisted interventions and additional dimensions of the human-animal bond,” Dr. O’Haire said.  She further explained that the periodic and structured dialogue and coordination by multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse human-animal interaction centers are critical to accelerating the advancement of the field and collaboration across disciplines, leading to further understanding of the physiological, psychological, and cultural implications of the human-animal bond.

The first day of the conference, Thursday, November 4, is free and open to the public and will include two plenary speakers and a panel discussion in the morning, a “Lunch and Learn” with center directors during the lunch hour, and two additional plenary speakers in the afternoon.  During the Lunch and Learn session, representatives of world-class centers and institutions from around the globe will provide an overview of their organizations and the work they are accomplishing.  Click here to view a complete list of speakers and topics.

The conference is able to offer the day-long session that is open to the public with free registration thanks to generous sponsorships from the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Mars Petcare. Additional support for the conference is provided by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond and the university’s Office of the Provost. Registration is still available online at: vet.purdue.edu/ce/chab.php.

The conference will continue for a second day on Friday, November 5, with closed sessions that are limited to only invited leaders in the field of human-animal interaction.

Click here to learn more about the 2021 Centers for the Human Animal Bond Conference.

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

Be Mindful of Your Furry Friend’s F.E.A.R. this Halloween by Following These Pet Tips

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Halloween is an exciting time for children and parents alike, but it can be quite stressful for pets. Bags full of delicious candy, spooky costumes around every corner, and doorbells ringing over the sounds of scary movies on the TV all create the thrilling atmosphere of Halloween – but each of these factors can pose a threat to pets if not handled properly.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), pet owners should keep their furry friends safe each year on Halloween by being mindful of their F.E.A.R. – food, environment, attire, and recovery.

FOOD

It is commonly known that chocolate is dangerous for pets. But how much does it take to become toxic? According to Dr. Lorraine Corriveau, primary care clinician in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, it takes 8 ounces of sweetened chocolate and only 1.5 ounces of unsweetened chocolate to cause toxicity in a 10-pound dog. These amounts are even lower for cats. To lower the risk of your animal consuming sweet treats, keep bags and bowls of candy off the floor and out of reach of their sneaky paws.

If you believe your pet has consumed candy, contact your local veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

ENVIRONMENT

Ringing doorbells followed by a choral “Trick-or-Treat!” are a trademark of Halloween, but these constant noises may cause distress for pets. “Constant visitors to the door as well as the scary sights and sounds may cause some pets to become fearful. These pets could run away and become injured in a variety of ways,” said Dr. Corriveau.  It may be best for your pets to spend the evening in a closed, comfortable room with their favorite toys to avoid escape or excessive barking throughout the night.

Decorations also pose a threat to pets as these furry friends may stumble into a tricky situation. “Wagging tails and curious cats can create a fire hazard, especially around candles in jack-o-lanterns and other decorative displays. Those decorations attract curious pets that can knock them over, causing burns and other damage.” Stringy decorations, such as faux cobwebs, may also be life threatening to pets; entanglement may result in a constricted airway or loss of circulation.

To prevent accidents, avoid placing any jack-o-lanterns, open candles, or stringy decorations in places that are easily accessible by your pets.

ATTIRE

Although our pets look adorable in Halloween costumes of their own, getting dressed up in costumes may frighten animals and cause them to behave strangely, including biting, barking, and even trying to escape. Costumes on pets also can be dangerous if they restrict movement or breathing with constrictive parts such as rubber bands.

To make your pets comfortable on Halloween, ensure their costume is free of any constrictive parts, or simply let them dress up in their “birthday suit!”

RECOVERY

Have a plan in case your pet consumes candy, gets injured, or escapes on Halloween – or any other day. Know the phone number and location of your local veterinarian along with their daily hours of operation. Not all veterinarians are available 24 hours a day. However, the Purdue University Small Animal Hospital Emergency Service takes emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can contact the Emergency Service at 765-494-1107.

Dr. Corriveau works in the Veterinary Hospital’s Small Animal Primary Care Service, which provides full-service primary veterinary care to pets, emphasizing communication, education, and service to clients, while operating as a model of private small animal practice to allow veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students to gain experience in primary veterinary care and client communication. The service provides veterinary care for dogs and cats as well as a variety of other exotic animal species including birds, fish, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles, and more.

Writer(s): Madeline Brod, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Receives 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for Second Year in a Row

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has received the 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — the college will be featured, along with 50 other recipients, in the December 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the second year in a row that the college has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.

“This award is an important validation of our effort and innovation aimed at making measurable progress as a college and as a health profession in being truly welcoming and supportive of everyone,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. “The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is playing a leadership role nationally with model initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion both in academic veterinary medicine, and in the veterinary medical profession as a whole. That’s because at our college, we don’t just talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we live it, and this award reflects that reality.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine for the award in recognition of its multiple diversity and inclusion initiatives. The college is in the midst of its five-year diversity strategic plan, which was launched last year and received praise for its thoroughness and commitment to inclusive excellence. PVM’s role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine is long-standing. Award-winning programs such as Vet Up!, led by Dr. Latonia Craig, assistant dean for inclusive excellence, and the newest initiative, called the League of VetaHumanz, led by Dr. Sandra San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, each received INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Inspiring Programs in STEM Awards. Other programs include PVM’s new and popular virtual Learning Cafés, a monthly series of 50-minute critical conversations surrounding diverse topics chosen by the PVM community.

“PVM continues to raise the bar in diversity, equity, and inclusion through its innovative programming and leadership,” said Dr. Craig. “We are so excited for PVM to receive this award for the third time. This award is another testament of our hard work and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are not naïve to think this award means we do not have work to do. What we do know is that we have a supportive college community that makes every effort to ensure we bring our core values to life daily. This work is not easy, but we do it because that’s just who we are,” Dr. Craig explained. “You can have diversity without inclusion, but at PVM, we strive to create an environment that welcomes and includes each student, faculty, and staff member. We hope that our efforts will inspire others to engage in this work in the best way they know how.”

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

Other recipients of the 2021 Health Professions HEED Award include schools of medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. Click here to view a complete list of award recipients.

Click here for more information about the 2021 Health Professions HEED Award.

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

Graduate Student Receives Young Investigator Award for Research in Basic Medical Sciences Department Lab

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Graduate student Xiaoyu Xu has received a national award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). Xiaoyu works in the laboratory of Dr. Russell Main, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate professor of basic medical sciences, who also holds a joint appointment in the Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. The association recognized Xiaoyu with the Young Investigator Award at its 2021 Annual Conference for her presentation entitled, “Estrogen Receptor ß in Osteocytes (Ot-ERß) Exerts Sex- and Age-dependent Functions on Bone Turnover and Load-induced Skeletal Adaptive Response in Mice.”

The Young Investigator Award comes with a $1,000 honorarium and a personalized plaque commemorating the recognition. Additionally, Xiaoyu was invited to present her research poster in a pre-meeting workshop entitled “ASBMR 2021 Pre-Meeting Symposium: Biology of the Aging Skeleton – Implications for Fracture Prevention.”

Xiaoyu is a PhD candidate in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, working on bone biology and biomechanics in Dr. Main’s laboratory.  The award recognizes Xiaoyu’s research on the role of osteocyte estrogen receptor ERß in bone turnover and the skeletal response to mechanical stimuli. In particular, she is investigating the impact of sex hormones and mechanical loading in skeletal changes associated with age-related osteoporosis.

Xiaoyu explains that bone loss happens with aging, especially in women during or after menopause. “Age-related bone loss is recognized as a lack of osteoprotective metabolism caused by decreased serum estrogen levels and diminished skeletal responsiveness to mechanical stimuli,” Xiaoyu says. “Severe bone loss leads to osteoporosis that generates over two million skeletal fractures in the United States every year in people over 50.”

Xiaoyu notes that osteocytes are the primary bone cells responsible for maintaining bone metabolism in response to biochemical and mechanical stimulations. Her studies involving mice indicate that the estrogen receptor ERβ in osteocytes might mediate bone turnover initiated by estrogen and mechanical signals through different mechanisms in males and females, which might be coordinated with other sex hormones and receptors.

Xiaoyu earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences at Capital Normal University in Beijing, China, and her Master of Engineering in biomedical engineering at New York University (NYU). Before joining Dr. Main’s lab in 2016, she conducted a study on mechanical-induced cytoskeletal architectural adaptation in vascular smooth muscle cells in the NYU Biomechanism and Bioengineering Lab.

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

Gratitude Abounds During Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine takes great pride in educating the entire veterinary team, and veterinary nurses are a big part of that team! To show its support and gratitude for veterinary nurses, Purdue Veterinary Medicine held a week-long celebration during Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week, October 18-22. The series of special activities were thoughtfully planned so the college could safely continue this important tradition that recognizes the vital roles veterinary nurses play in the veterinary medical profession. In particular, meals were served in individually packaged grab-and-go containers as a pandemic-related safety precaution.

“PVM faculty, staff, and students are appreciative of one another every day, but this week provides a special opportunity for everyone to reflect on all the things that veterinary nurses do for our college and hospital, and to say thank you,” said Dean Willie Reed. As part of the planning, creative energy was expended to coin fun names for some of the special activities.  PVM’s veterinary nurses enjoyed well-deserved treats with “You are Egg-cellent” breakfast sandwiches on Tuesday, October 19 and “You are Our Heroes!” Jimmy John’s sandwiches on Thursday, October 21.

As an extra surprise on Wednesday, October 20, all veterinary nurses throughout the college received a special gift bag full of PVM branded items. And today (Friday, October 22) all of the veterinary nurses’ names were added to a drawing for gift cards from area businesses including Bask Aroma, East End Grill, and Nine Irish Brothers. Winners will be announced later this afternoon.

Additionally, note card stations were placed throughout the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital to encourage faculty and staff to write notes of gratitude to veterinary nurses. Special thanks to the planning committee members who organized the week’s activities:  Megan Brashear, CVT, VTS (ECC); Brandi Maxie, RVT; Ashli Selke, RVT; Donna Tudor, RT; Tami Lind, RVT, VTS (ECC); and Jolene Knuth, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia).

PVM’s veterinary nurses also were featured in social media promotions. More than 110 social media posts were published featuring messages of thanks and photos of veterinary nurses.  Among those were posts about special Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week videos, including a production released by Hills Pet Nutrition featuring the college’s own Jessica Bowditch, RVT, CCRP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation), neurology and physical rehabilitation technician.  Click here to view the video.  Other videos included a message of appreciation from Dr. Ellen Lowery, director of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, and a thank you video showing scenes of veterinary nurses at work.  Click here to view the video message from Dr. Lowery.  Click here to view the thank you video.

An additional post featured a comment from Dr. Nolie Parnell, Small Animal Hospital chief of staff who said, “Our nurse supervisors are inspirational. Not only do they provide leadership, which makes others better as a result of their presence, they are superheroes without capes. They work side-by-side with their teams, they are advocates of forward progress, and their passion for their teams and our profession is what every hospital strives to find. Simply put, we would be lost without them.”

And there’s still time to personally thank our veterinary nurses for their dedication and excellence before Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week comes to a close!

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

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Receives Insight Into Diversity 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for Second Year in a Row

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West Lafayette, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has received the 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — the college will be featured, along with 50 other recipients, in the December 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the second year in a row that the college has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.

“This award is an important validation of our effort and innovation aimed at making measurable progress as a college and as a health profession in being truly welcoming and supportive of everyone,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed.  “The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is playing a leadership role nationally with model initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion both in academic veterinary medicine, and in the veterinary medical profession as a whole.  That’s because at our college, we don’t just talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, we live it, and this award reflects that reality.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine for the award in recognition of its multiple diversity and inclusion initiatives.  The college is in the midst of its five-year diversity strategic plan, which was launched last year and received praise for its thoroughness and commitment to inclusive excellence. PVM’s role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine is long-standing. Award-winning programs such as Vet Up!, led by Dr. Latonia Craig, assistant dean for inclusive excellence, and the newest initiative, called the League of VetaHumanz, led by Dr. Sandra San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, each received INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Inspiring Programs in STEM Awards. Other programs include PVM’s new and popular virtual Learning Cafés, a monthly series of 50-minute critical conversations surrounding diverse topics chosen by the PVM community.

“PVM continues to raise the bar in diversity, equity, and inclusion through its innovative programming and leadership,” said Dr. Craig.  “We are so excited for PVM to receive this award for the third time. This award is another testament of our hard work and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are not naïve to think this award means we do not have work to do. What we do know is that we have a supportive college community that makes every effort to ensure we bring our core values to life daily. This work is not easy, but we do it because that’s just who we are,” Dr. Craig explained. “You can have diversity without inclusion, but at PVM, we strive to create an environment that welcomes and includes each student, faculty, and staff member. We hope that our efforts will inspire others to engage in this work in the best way they know how.”

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

Other recipients of the 2021 Health Professions HEED Award include schools of medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.  Click here to view a complete list of award recipients.

Click here for more information about the 2021 Health Professions HEED Award. 

For more information about the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, visit vet.purdue.edu.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

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

Weeklong Celebration Focuses on Thanking Purdue Veterinary Nurses

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Throughout next week, October 17-23, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will recognize the important role that veterinary nurses play in veterinary medicine by celebrating Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week. Although our veterinary nurses and the work they do are appreciated every day, next week the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family is encouraged to reflect on their significant skills and tireless efforts that are so vital in providing compassionate care for animal patients and contributing to the advancement of both animal and human health and well-being.

To help show appreciation, the college will host a variety of special themed meals for PVM’s veterinary nurses. As an added safety precaution during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all items will be served in individually packaged grab-and-go containers. This format enables the college to continue annual Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week traditions, while still respecting social distancing guidelines, as we all show our veterinary nurses how thankful we are for them.

“At Purdue Veterinary Medicine, we take enormous pride in the fact that we educate the entire veterinary team,” said Dr. Chad Brown, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program. “I encourage everyone to take the time to say thank you to the college’s veterinary nurses, whether in clinics, labs, or the classroom.” The special treats planned for PVM’s veterinary nurses next week include:

YOU ARE “EGG-CELLENT” BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Lynn, East Foyer (under the stairs)

YOU ARE OUR HEROES! SUBWAY BOXED LUNCHES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lynn, East Foyer (under the stairs)

Dietary considerations will be accommodated as much as possible for all events.

Additionally, gifts from the college will be distributed by veterinary nursing supervisors and others beginning on Wednesday, October 20.

Also, during the week follow along on the College of Veterinary Medicine’s social media accounts for special features as we spotlight the important role of veterinary nurses!  #vetlife #NVTW2021 #VetTechWeek

A special thank you to this year’s Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week event organizers: Megan Brashear, CVT, VTS (ECC), Purdue University Small Animal Hospital veterinary nursing manager; Brandi Maxie, RVT, Large Animal Hospital veterinary nursing supervisor; Ashli Selke, RVT, clinical laboratory coordinator and distance learning instructional technologist in the Veterinary Nursing Program; Donna Tudor, RT, diagnostic imaging technologist supervisor; Jolene Knuth, RVT, anesthesiology veterinary nursing supervisor; Tami Lind, RVT, VTS (ECC), emergency and critical care veterinary technician supervisor; as well as Susan Xioufaridou, director of alumni relations and special events.

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