Purdue Veterinary Conference Successfully Returns to in-person Format to Delight of Attendees

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Seeing veterinary college classmates, colleagues and faculty, staff and students face-to-face was a highlight of the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference as the annual event returned to an in-person format.  For the prior two years, the program was conducted virtually due to the pandemic.

Held at the Purdue Memorial Union and Lynn Hall September 20-24, the Conference featured a full slate of over 100 courses offering Continuing Education credits.  In addition, attendees had many opportunities to visit the Exhibit Hall, which featured more than 25 exhibitors.  They also were able to join in special events, including the Alumni and Friends Celebration Thursday, September 22, when top alumni and teaching awards were presented and alumni in classes celebrating milestone reunions were recognized.

The conference attracted nearly 750 attendees, including more than 170 veterinarians and 110 veterinary nurses as well as College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff and students.  The week kicked off with the annual Elanco Human Animal Bond Lecture featuring a talk entitled “The Other End of the Leash: Why Animals Are Important for Human Development,” featuring Dr. Gail Melson, Professor Emerita with the Purdue University Department of Human Development & Family Studies, who has played a long-standing role in research related to the human animal bond. 

Other conference features included two keynote sessions.  Makenzie Peterson, DSW, MSc, gave the Wellness Keynote at noon Wednesday, September 21, in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom. Her talk was entitled, “Culture Change & Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine.”  The Diversity Keynote on Thursday, September 22, featured Dr. Lisa M. Greenhill, who gave a presentation entitled, “Developing your Sense of Agency to Promote Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace.” 

The conference also featured various continuing education tracks including Veterinary Nursing, Small Animal, Ruminant, Swine, Equine, and Practice Management and Communication, as well as industry presentations, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) modules, and a Diagnostic Medicine track that included sessions led by Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory section heads and Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, ADDL director; Dr. Craig Bowen, ADDL assistant director; and Dr. Grant Burcham, veterinary diagnostician with the Heeke Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Southern Indiana.

The conference concluded with a beloved tradition, the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which started and ended in front of Lynn Hall, adjacent to the Continuum Sculpture.  The successful event was extra meaningful this year, because it occurred just days after the passing of its namesake, Dr. Horace “Skip” Jackson, professor emeritus of biochemistry and veterinary physiology.  As a tribute to Dr. Jackson, a moment of silence was held at the beginning of the race.  Then Dean Willie Reed led a countdown to the official start of the race, and participants, including dozens of canine companions, were off and running or walking on a course that wound past picturesque areas of the southern portion of the Purdue campus.

The dates already are set for next year’s Purdue Veterinary Conference.  The conference will be held September 19-23, 2023.

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

PVM Golden Anniversary Class Members Share Memories at Reunion Events

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Alumni in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s tenth Golden Anniversary Class, the DVM Class of 1972, received special recognition when they gathered for their class reunion dinner during the week of the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference.  The special reunion event was held in the ballroom at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lafayette, Indiana, on Wednesday, September 21.

The evening’s festivities began with a reception and entertainment by the Purdue Musical Organization’s Ba Na Na performing group. Dinner was followed by an opportunity for class members to share their recollections from their time as veterinary students at Purdue as well as their life experiences during the 50 years that have transpired since they graduated.

The reunion dinner was the first of several special occasions during which the 50^th Anniversary class was honored.  The next day, Thursday, September 22, the class members convened at the Alumni and Friends Celebration, when each class member was presented with a 50^th anniversary medallion.  Then on Friday, September 23, class members had a chance to tour campus by bus and gather at the Joy Matson Multipurpose Room in the new David and Bonnie Brunner Small Animal Hospital to have lunch and hear a presentation by Dean Willie Reed about college initiatives and future plans. Immediately after lunch, the class toured the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, including the Equine and Farm Animal hospitals. Class members then had time to stroll through Lynn Hall and reminisce about their days traversing the hallways and taking veterinary classes.

Congratulations to the Golden Anniversary Class – the Class of 1972!  Click here to view photos of the Golden Anniversary Class dinner taken by photographer Ed Lausch. Use the password: 2022PVM

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

Alumni and Friends Celebration Honors Reunion Classes and Alumni and Teaching Award Winners

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Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff, alumni, and friends recognized recipients of top alumni and teaching awards, and honored alumni classes celebrating class anniversaries at the Alumni and Friends Celebration during the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference.  The event was held Thursday evening, September 22, in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.

The festive setting enabled alumni and conference attendees to catch up with classmates and colleagues while sampling hors d’oeuvres.  Then Dean Willie Reed began the evening’s program by introducing the reunion classes and paying special tribute to the 25^th and 50^th reunion classes. Members from the Silver Anniversary class, the DVM class of 1997, were called to the stage to be recognized and receive a commemorative gift. Then, alumni in the 50^th Anniversary Class, the Class of 1972, were each introduced individually by Director of Alumni Relations Susan Xioufaridou, as they stepped up to the stage and received a special 50^th Anniversary Class medallion from the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, which was presented by Dean Reed.

Another special component of the Alumni and Friends Celebration involved the presentation of two prestigious awards.  Dr. Fred Metzger, of the DVM Class of 1986, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Larry Adams, professor of small animal internal medicine and Small Animal Internal Medicine section head for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, was honored with the Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1978 by members of the DVM Class of 1967, as a memorial tribute to their classmate, Dr. David Mullis, who was honored posthumously as the first award recipient.  Out of our College’s more than 3,500 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates, and more than 1,200 veterinary nursing degree recipients, a total of 68 have been honored as Distinguished Alumni.

Dr. Metzger earned his Purdue DVM degree in 1986 and returned to his hometown of State College, Pennsylvania, where he established a veterinary practice in 1992. The practice has grown to more than 90 team members including 13 doctors and 17 certified veterinary technicians who see more than 30,000 patients annually. An adjunct professor at Penn State and consultant for IDEXX Laboratories and Antech Diagnostics, Dr. Metzger is a popular presenter at many conferences both nationally and internationally, frequently lecturing alongside his friend and mentor, Dr. Dennis DeNicola (PU DVM ’78, PhD ’81).  He also is known for works he co-authored with one of his mentors, former Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Alan Rebar (PU DVM ’73, PhD ’75), entitled, Clinical Pathology Interpretation in Geriatric Veterinary Patients and A Guide to Hematology in Dogs and Cats.

Next, Dean Reed presented the college’s most prestigious teaching honor, the Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award, to Dr. Larry Adams.  Established by Dr. Plue, a member of the Class of 1968, through a generous endowment, the award recognizes outstanding teachers who make an extra effort to influence and inspire students, in the same way that the late Dr. Billy Hooper inspired Dr. Plue when he was a student and Dr. Hooper was on the faculty.  Nominations may only be made by alumni in the five most recently graduated classes and must be submitted to the College’s Alumni Liaison Committee, which recommends a recipient to the dean.

Congratulations to both Dr. Metzger and Dr. Adams, as well as all of the class members celebrating special class anniversaries!

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

In Memory – Dr Hedrick Wiley (PU DVM ’67)

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Dr. Hedrick Wiley, a member of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Class of 1967, passed away at his home on Monday September 19. He was 81.

A native of Shelby County in Indiana, Dr. Wiley was raised on a dairy farm, and his love of animals led him to pursue enrollment in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  After earning his DVM degree in 1967, he and his wife moved to Mauston, Wisconsin, where he began his career as a veterinarian. Known to many just as “Doc,” he served as a large and small animal practitioner for 50 years and was the Juneau County Fair Veterinarian for 20 years.

Dr. Wiley also served as an officer in the Mauston Jaycees and Coulee Region Veterinary Association, and was a member of the United Methodist Church and a board member of Hess Memorial Hospital. His family lived on a farmstead always accompanied by cattle, horses, cats and dogs, and he greatly enjoyed his time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. No public visitation or funeral was scheduled. A private graveside service for family is planned at a later date at Lindina Evergreen Cemetery.  Click here to view a complete obituary.

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

In Memory – Dr. Horace “Skip” Jackson, PVM Professor Emeritus

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The annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog held in conjunction with the Purdue Veterinary Conference took on special meaning this year, after the beloved emeritus professor for whom the event was named passed away.  Dr. Horace “Skip” Jackson, of West Lafayette, Indiana, died Friday, September 16, at his residence, just a few days before the 2022 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which took place Saturday, September 24.  Dr. Jackson was 99.

Born in Pennsylvania, and a military veteran who served in the United States Army in World War II, Dr. Jackson earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State before coming to Purdue University, where he joined the faculty in 1949, ten years before the College of Veterinary Medicine enrolled its first class.  He earned his Master’s and PhD degrees in 1950 and 1953, and became one of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s founding faculty members, where he served until he retired in 1992.

In addition to his renown as a faculty member, Dr. Jackson also was known as a fitness enthusiast.  He started a jogging tradition with his students in 1973 that became the annual event named in his honor and held in conjunction with the college’s annual veterinary conference.   Dr. Jackson faithfully participated in the run/walk each year.  Dr. Jackson also was a founding member of, and active participant in, Purdue’s A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition.

“Dr. Jackson always will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm, enduring commitment to teaching veterinary students, disarming smile, and passion for healthy living,” Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed said.  “He will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Jackson was remembered in a special way Saturday morning before the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, when Dean Reed paid tribute to him and asked for a moment of silence, just before officially starting the race in front of the Harrison Street entrance to Lynn Hall.  Several members of Dr. Jackson’s family, including his wife, Betty, were on hand for the event, dressed in special bright yellow Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog T-shirts.  Then, that afternoon, a memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lafayette. 

Gifts in Dr. Jackson’s memory may be made to the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog.  Click here to make a gift online, or give via check payable to Purdue Foundation, with a notation that the gift is for the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and Fun Run Endowment Support Fund, and mailed to Purdue Foundation, Gift Processing, P.O. Box 772401, Detroit, MI, 48277-2401.  Memorial gifts also may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, or Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank.

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

New Stethoscopes Signal Start of Lynn Hall Learning Experience for DVM and Veterinary Nursing Students

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A longtime tradition marking the start of the new academic year for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine continued this year when the college held the annual Stethoscope Event.  The program August 30 in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom featured dinner, remarks by event sponsors, and the presentation of complimentary stethoscopes to first year veterinary students and veterinary nursing students in the VN Class of 2025.

“This Stethoscope-themed Celebration has become an important, time-honored tradition for our College,” Dean Willie Reed said as he began the evening event, which officially welcomes new veterinary nursing and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students into the college.  He then introduced representatives of the sponsors — Patterson Veterinary, the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.

After dinner was served, each of the sponsor representatives had the opportunity to share words of wisdom with the students.  “We greatly appreciate our partnerships with the IVMA, PVAA, and Patterson Veterinary, and their support of our students,” Dean Reed said upon returning to the podium.

“In many ways, tonight’s event is a picture of the teamwork that is so vital to the success of the veterinary medical profession,” Dean Reed continued.  “As you progress through your education here, I hope you feel like you really are part of a team, working and learning together with your fellow students, and witnessing the teamwork modeled by our faculty and staff as well as our partner organizations.”

Noting that Purdue Veterinary Medicine is one of only four veterinary colleges in the United States with both a DVM program and a veterinary nursing program, Dean Reed said, “We do indeed educate the entire veterinary team, including veterinary nurses, veterinarians, interns and residents. You will gain a lot of hands-on experience as part of your coursework and your rotations in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. And you will have the opportunity to start using your stethoscopes right away!”

At that point, Dean Reed invited Dr. Chad Brown, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, to the stage to help with the presentation of stethoscopes to the veterinary nursing students. The students were called forward individually to receive their stethoscopes and have their photo taken with Dean Reed.  Then, Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for clinical education, called the names of each of the DVM students, who came forward to accept their stethoscopes and join Dean Reed for a photo.

After all the stethoscopes had been presented, Dean Reed returned to the podium and congratulated the students.  “Now students, look at all of you with your shiny new stethoscopes,” Dean Reed said. “Doesn’t that help you feel like your dreams are beginning to come true?”  Dean Reed then offered his own words of advice.  “ Enjoy this moment and make the most of the opportunities you will have here at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine during the coming months and years. I am confident that you will forge life-long friendships that will enrich your career in veterinary medicine for years to come.”

Following the program, the students stepped outside for group photos and lots of candid photo ops.

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

New Staff Member Joins PVM Office of Academic Affairs

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes Austin Jennings as the new assistant director of admissions and recruitment in the Office of Academic Affairs.  Austin’s appointment was effective August 24.  He comes to the college from the Office of the Registrar where he had worked since 2018, most recently as a degree audit specialist.  In that role he worked with advisors and department heads in order to write the programming for, and ensure the functionality of, the myPurduePlan tool.  Prior to that, he served as the registration and records team lead, handling the intake and initial processing of registration appeals and the coordination of the office’s student workers and interns among other responsibilities. 

In his new position, Austin will manage the college’s admissions processes for the undergraduate and professional degree programs. He also will oversee the PVM Recruitment Ambassadors as well as represent the College at recruiting events.

Austin’s position is in the Office of Admissions & Recruitment, which is a fairly new unit in the college that branched off from Student Services.  Located right across from Student Services in Lynn 1186, the unit heads up the admissions and recruitment efforts for the DVM Program, Veterinary Nursing Program, and the college’s two early admissions programs, which are Veterinary Scholars and VetUp! The office also facilitates college visits for prospective students.  Austin is the third member of the Admissions and Recruitment team, joining Lori Stout, the director of admissions and recruitment, and Barb Cochran, administrative specialist. “As our applications have grown substantially over the last several years, we were able to grow the department and add an assistant director position,” Lori said.

Born and raised in Lafayette, Austin worked for a number of years in management positions in the restaurant industry before joining the Purdue staff.  This year, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business – Human Resources from Western Governors University. Austin has a daughter who is currently attending Ivy Tech with plans to transfer to Purdue to pursue an education degree. Besides spending time with his friends and family, Austin enjoys golfing, fishing, kayaking, and watching Purdue sports. He also considers himself a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd, and as such, is likely to find some kindred spirits in PVM!

Please help extend a warm welcome to Austin!

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

Top PVM Alumni and Faculty Awards to be Presented at Purdue Veterinary Conference

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s top teaching award and Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented at the Alumni and Friends Celebration next week during the Purdue Veterinary Conference in the Purdue Memorial Union.  The event will be held Thursday evening, September 22, in the North Ballroom, and is open to all faculty, staff and students as well as conference attendees.  A reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar begins at 5:30 p.m.  The program will start at 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Larry Adams, professor of small animal internal medicine and Small Animal Internal Medicine section head for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, will receive the college’s most prestigious teaching honor, the Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award.  Established by Dr. Plue, a member of the Class of 1968, through a generous endowment, the award recognizes outstanding teachers who make an extra effort to influence and inspire students, in the same way that the late Dr. Billy Hooper inspired Dr. Plue when he was a student, and Dr. Hooper was on the faculty.  Nominations can only be made by alumni in the five most recently graduated classes and must be submitted to the College’s Alumni Liaison Committee, which recommends a recipient to the dean.

The other award to be presented is the Distinguished Alumnus Award, which was established in 1978 by members of the DVM Class of 1967, as a memorial tribute to their classmate, Dr. David Mullis, who was honored posthumously as the first award recipient.  Out of our College’s more than 3,500 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates, and more than 1,200 veterinary nursing degree recipients, a total of 68 have been honored as Distinguished Alumni. The alumnus receiving the award at this year’s Alumni and Friends Celebration is Dr. Fred Metzger, of the DVM Class of 1986. 

Dr. Metzger earned his bachelor’s degree in animal bioscience at Penn State University in 1981 before enrolling in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  After graduating in 1986 with his Purdue DVM degree, Dr. Metzger returned to his hometown, State College, Pennsylvania, where he established a veterinary practice in 1992. The practice has grown to over 90 team members including 13 doctors and 17 certified veterinary technicians who see more than 30,000 patients annually.  A unique aspect of Dr. Metzger’s hospital has been the emphasis on in-house laboratory diagnostics, which now is common in many practices.

Dr. Metzger is an adjunct professor at Penn State and consultant for IDEXX Laboratories and Antech Diagnostics. In conjunction with one of his mentors, former Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Alan Rebar (PU DVM ’73, PhD ’75), he co-authored Clinical Pathology Interpretation in Geriatric Veterinary Patients and A Guide to Hematology in Dogs and Cats. He has also been a popular presenter at many conferences both nationally and internationally, frequently lecturing alongside his friend and mentor, Dr. Dennis Denicola (PU DVM ’78, PhD ’81). Dr. Metzger lives in State College with his wife Megan and two daughters.

In addition to the award presentations, reunion classes will be recognized at the event.  Alumni classes celebrating milestone anniversaries, from five years to 55 years, will be given the opportunity to stand  and be applauded.  In addition, members of the Silver and Golden Anniversary classes will receive individual recognition.  The Class of 1997 will be honored on the occasion of its 25^th Reunion and the Class of 1967 will be recognized as the 50^th Anniversary class. 

The Alumni and Friends Celebration will be just one of the highlights of the Purdue Veterinary Conference, which is being held in person for the first time since the pandemic.  The conference kicks-off with the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture, which is free and open to the public, Tuesday evening, September 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.  The conference also features two keynote presentations, the Wellness Keynote Wednesday, September 21, at noon, and the Diversity Keynote Thursday, September 22, at noon.

The conference also will feature continuing education tracks on Veterinary Nursing, Small Animal, Ruminant, Swine, and Practice Management and Communication, as well as industry presentations and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) modules.  The conference will conclude Saturday, September 24, with the return of one of the conference’s longest-running events, the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which is open to the public and will start at 8:00 a.m. in front of Lynn Hall.

Though online registration has closed for the conference, walk-ins will be accepted.  Click here for more information about the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Conference and click here to sign-up for the Dog Jog.

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

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Showcases College and Profession at Indiana State Fair

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For the first time since the pandemic, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine resumed its tradition of providing opportunities for fairgoers young and old to learn about veterinary medicine through activities and demonstrations at the Indiana State Fair.  A large tent on the north side of the fairgrounds, near the Farm Bureau and FFA buildings, served as the venue for clinical demonstrations, including neuter surgeries conducted in a sterile surgery suite, as well as the ever-popular Indiana State Fair Vet Camp.

The surgery and other clinical demonstrations represent a longstanding fair tradition that consistently draws crowds to watch the narrated procedures conducted through a collaboration between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.  Purdue University Veterinary Hospital staff and clinicians support the effort as well as IVMA members who provide narration and perform some of the procedures.  In addition to the neuter surgeries performed on shelter animals awaiting adoption, demonstrations of dental procedures also proved popular among fairgoers.

The Indiana State Fair Vet Camp hosted by the college also is a perennial hit, providing multiple one-day versions of the summer on-campus Boiler Vet Camps. The State Fair Vet Camp gives middle and high school students opportunities to watch a neuter surgery demonstration, hear from Purdue veterinary students, and engage in hands-on learning activities, including sessions on suturing, cardiology, bandaging and diagnostic imaging. 

The college is well-represented by veterinary student ambassadors who lead the State Fair Vet Camp sessions, greet visitors to the PVM tent and answer lots of questions.  In addition, the college partnered with the State Fair once again to provide veterinary care for the fair’s exhibition animals, coordinating all the veterinary services for the exhibition animals on the fairgrounds, including most of the 4-H animals. The veterinary team provided 24/7 on-call care throughout the fair, which proved a mutually beneficial partnership allowing students to put their training into practice. The experience also provided an opportunity for faculty and students to engage with the community and inspire future veterinarians.

Another dimension to the college’s presence at the State Fair involved a partnership with Indiana 4-H Youth Development to provide veterinary expertise for the 4-H Dog Show. The Small Animal Primary Care Service of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital facilitated the involvement of fourth-year veterinary students who performed examinations on 4-H pet dogs before they were shown, examining the animals for contagious diseases like ear infections and upper respiratory infections.

“Our participation in the Indiana State Fair provides a great opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to engage with the State Fair attendees,” said Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for clinical education and clinical associate professor. “This opportunity allows everyone to share the great aspects of our profession and all of the outstanding activities of our College. We appreciate the participation of everyone who played a role in the college’s presence at the 2022 Indiana State Fair.”

This 165^th Indiana State Fair attracted more than 837,500 people during its 18 day run.  The fair was open daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from July 29 – August 21.  If you missed it, make a note of next year’s dates.  The 2023 Indiana State Fair will be held July 28 – August 20, with the same Wednesday through Sunday schedule.

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

Purdue Veterinary Conference Keynote Sessions Will Address Wellness and Diversity

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The rapidly approaching Purdue Veterinary Conference September 20-24 will feature two Keynote Lunch sessions addressing the significant topics of wellness and diversity in the veterinary profession.  The keynote speakers will address how these topics represent real challenges facing the veterinary medical profession across the country.

The first keynote session will be held during lunch on Wednesday, September 21, for registered conference attendees.  The speaker will be Makenzie Peterson, DSW, MSc, who will give a presentation entitled, “Culture Change & Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine.”  Her approach recognizes that many external and internal events have heavily influenced veterinary medicine, especially within the last few years. Aspects of the profession that had previously been viewed as “untouchable” have been challenged, restructured, or transformed.

Dr. Peterson will cover the current challenges and opportunities ahead for enhancing mental health, occupational satisfaction, and overall wellbeing in the profession and how everyone can work together to envision a new era of veterinary medicine.

Born and raised in Alaska, Dr. Peterson completed her master’s degree at the University of Utah in Health Promotion & Health Education and her Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California.  She currently serves as the director for wellbeing at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). She works to advance AAVMC’s strategic goal of fostering a culture of wellbeing throughout academic veterinary medicine by promoting preventative, systems-based initiatives that positively impact people’s lives. In particular, she leads efforts to improve the wellbeing of students, interns, residents, staff, and faculty at AAVMC member institutions by conducting national research on mental health and wellbeing and providing organizational recommendations and consultation for program development and implementation.

Previously, Dr. Peterson served as a health specialist for a joint MIT/Harvard-sponsored start-up located in the Harvard Business School’s Innovation Lab focused on educating college students on health topics, and at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine as their first Wellbeing Program director, creating community wellbeing initiatives for students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, she served on the Wellbeing Committee for the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative.

The lunchtime Keynote session Thursday, September 22, will feature Dr. Lisa M. Greenhill, who will give a presentation entitled, “Developing your Sense of Agency to Promote Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace.”  In her session, Dr. Greenhill will discuss how one of the primary reason’s individuals fail to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts is actually fear – fear of failing and getting it wrong.  She will share how, with a little courage and planning, people don’t have to be afraid of working to improve DEI efforts in their workplaces.  As part of the session, attendees will be pointed to resources and planning techniques that will improve veterinary professionals’ confidence in meaningfully and successfully advancing DEI efforts in their places of work. 

Dr. Greenhill earned a master’s degree in Public Administration (with a specialization in health policy) from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Change from Benedictine University.  She joined the AAVMC in 1996 and has worked for the association on three separate occasions. In 2004, she accepted the position of associate executive director for institutional research and diversity at the association before becoming senior director for institutional research and diversity. Her work primarily focuses on the ongoing development and implementation of the DiVersity Matters initiative at the national and local levels as well as promoting the veterinary medical profession within underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Additionally, Dr. Greenhill directs the AAVMC’s national research agenda. She collects and analyzes data and produces reports related to academic veterinary medicine to include the applicant pool, enrollment, institutional economic impact and diversity.  Previously, she worked as a research associate at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and as the legislative manager for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

The Purdue Veterinary Conference will be held on the Purdue campus in West Lafayette September 20-24.  If you haven’t signed up for the conference, time is running out so don’t delay in registering. Click here for more information and to register.  Click here to sign-up for the Dog Jog.

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