Career Fair Connects Veterinary Employers with Purdue Veterinary Medicine Students

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A cavernous room filled with representatives of a variety of veterinary companies greeted Purdue DVM  and veterinary nursing students when they arrived at the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Career Fair.  The event was held Friday, November 11 in the Purina Pavilion at Creighton Hall, which is just about a block west of the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

A total of 53 veterinary enterprises were represented at the fair, including small and mixed animal veterinary clinics and a research company. Nearly 165 students turned out to interact with the businesses.  “We were hopeful to provide a meaningful opportunity for students to engage with employers,” said Director of Student Services Jamie Richards. “For those students early in their veterinary education, this was a chance to develop relationships that can lead to summer opportunities and potentially the first step in their careers.”

Richards said the veterinary practices that participated praised the good attendance, which they said was better than what they saw at other career fairs they had attended.  They also noted that the students seemed excited, and they appreciated that they were able to talk to a lot of students, with a good mix of veterinary nursing and DVM students.

Richards said students mentioned that they appreciated the more spacious venue, compared to the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, where the event had been held in past years. “They felt it was not as crowded and they could carry on conversations with employers,” Richards said. Looking ahead, he said they hope to see more large animal practices participate in the future.

Even though the event was moved out of Lynn Hall, Richards said the student participation exceeded expectations, indicating the walk down Harrison Street to the new venue was not a deterrent. “And I think we have opportunities for improvement and growth next year.” Richards also thanked Paige Allen, RVT, assistant director of academic advising and recruitment, and Marisela Mercado Shippam, senior administrative assistant for Student Services, for their creativity, organization, and leadership in setting the event up, and veterinary student Caitlyn Gunther, of the DVM Class of 2025, and her SAVMA Purdue Practice Connect team for serving as hosts and assisting with check-in.

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

New Equine Hospital Featured in Purdue Commercial Focused on Dreams

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“Whatever You Can Imagine” is the theme of a newly produced commercial for Purdue University that includes a scene from the new David and Bonnie Brunner Equine Hospital.  The commercial debuted on national television during the Purdue v. Illinois football game broadcast on ESPN.  Just be aware – you might catch yourself getting emotional as the touching story and scenes unfold when you view it for the first time.

The video from the Equine Hospital figures prominently in the commercial about half-way through, and reflects a significant investment of time and effort on the part of the hospital team to facilitate the needed coordination with the videography crew.  It was earlier this fall when the video crew spent part of an afternoon at the hospital recording scenes with Chester, a horse with the Equine Blood Donor Herd.  

The young actress featured in the commercial had never been around a farm animal before, let alone one as large and potentially intimidating as a horse. Yet, Chester was gentle and sweet as they interacted for the cameras. As the story unfolds in the commercial, the segment with the actress and Chester helps to poignantly convey the message that young persons can become anything they imagine at Purdue – including a veterinarian or veterinary nurse.

A big thank you to Amy Balser, clinical services coordinator for the Purdue Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals, who ensured that Chester was well-groomed prior to the video shoot and that the entire area was tidied up for the big performance.  Kelly Dold, marketing and communications manager for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, coordinated the scheduling of the video shoot. 

Lauren Motuliak, senior marketing strategist with Purdue Marketing Communications said, “give Chester and extra gratitude pet for all of us.”  Indeed, high-fives and a “high hoof” to all involved… including and especially Chester! Click here to view the commercial. 

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

Dr. Sandra San Miguel Recognized for Service to the Indiana Board of Animal Health

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When the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory’s Advisory Board met this week, the proceedings included a special presentation by State Veterinarian Bret Marsh, who honored Dr. Sandra San Miguel, Associate Dean for Engagement, for her service to the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH).  Dr. Marsh presented Dr. San Miguel with a plaque recognizing her for serving on the board from 2009 to 2022.

Dr. San Miguel served as the Purdue Veterinary Medicine representative on the Board of Animal Health.  She was appointed by the governor based on the recommendation of the Purdue Board of Trustees.  The 11-members on the board meet quarterly to set agency policy.

The Board of Animal Health’s original mission to “prevent and suppress contagious and infectious diseases among the livestock,” has not changed in more than 100 years, but the scope of BOAH’s work has expanded:

• to enhance Indiana’s economy by protecting Hoosiers’ investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals.
• to protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people.
• to maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs.
• to help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes.

Succeeding Dr. San Miguel on the Board of Animal Health is Dr. Darryl Ragland, associate professor of food animal production medicine and Production Medicine section head.

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

PVM Closes in on Goal for Purdue United Way Campaign

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Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff are coming together to support Purdue University’s contribution to the United Way of Greater Lafayette, as the campaign comes down the home stretch.  Purdue now has reached 75% of the $725,000 goal, and in the College of Veterinary Medicine, more than $18,000 has been raised with a campaign participation rate nearing 25%. The campaign ends November 16. 

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Chair Angela Pickett, executive assistant to the Dean, gives a shout out to her campaign team of Jamie Richards, vice chair; Terri Donald, representing the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital; Makayla Espinosa of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences; Liane Shaw, RVT, representing the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences; and Megan Lintner from the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.  In particular, Angela noted the ongoing efforts of Terri to help in multiple ways, including assisting with emails and dreaming up the idea of the famed Dark Coffee Basket that was a popular item in the Purdue United Way Campaign online Silent Auction. 

The Silent Auction, which wrapped-up Friday, October 28, raised a total of $4,475.  Congratulations to Kevin Doerr, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, who submitted the high bid for the Dark Coffee Basket.  “I felt like someone seemed to know about my love of dark roast coffee, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to bid for that item,” Kevin said.  “I was honored to ultimately have submitted the high bid.  It truly is a treasure trove for a dark roast coffee fan!” Other successful PVM bidders in the Silent Auction included Dr. Sarah Waxman, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and Colleen Maguire Jackson, therapist/counselor in the Department of Veterinary Administration, who submitted the high bid for the Happy Harvest/Halloween Package that featured such items as a Halloween door cover, Thanksgiving wall and door décor and a pumpkin flower center piece.

There still are multiple ways to support the Purdue United Way Campaign effort.  “Thank you all so much for the hard work you have been putting into this year’s campaign,” Angela said. 

With less than a week left in the campaign, Megan Eberly, Purdue United Way director, encourages Purdue employees who have not yet pledged to do so before the campaign wraps up. Pledges are not automatically renewed from year to year, so employees need to log on to the Purdue United Way website to renew their pledge for this year.

“We want to thank everyone that has helped move this campaign in a forward direction this year after a challenging couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Eberly says. “One thing we continue to learn is that the needs are greater than ever post-COVID, and that is why we are so grateful to everyone who has donated, volunteered and helped support the Purdue 2022 United Way campaign. Purdue continues to do what Boilermakers have always done, and that is help our community. The work that is being done with so many departments and colleges within the Purdue community is really inspiring to watch as it supports so much of the work that United Way does.”

Linda Mason, dean of the Graduate School, is this year’s campaign chair, and Beth McNeil, dean of Libraries and School of Information Studies, is the vice chair.

The Purdue United Way campaign will wrap up at the United Way of Greater Lafayette’s campaign victory celebration November 17 at The Outpost in Lafayette, and members of the campus community are invited to attend the celebration (register at www.uwlafayette.org/victory22).

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

In Memory – Dr. Wanda Wyand (PU DVM ’84)

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A Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumna, Dr. Wanda Wyand, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, passed away October 26, 2022, at her North Kingstown residence.  She was 63. 

Born in Burlington, Vermont, Dr. Wyand was raised in Mansfield Center, Connecticut.  She earned her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Connecticut in 1980 before enrolling in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She earned her Purdue DVM degree in 1984.

Dr. Wyand is remembered as a passionate and skilled veterinarian as well as a talented violinist and a loving mother.  She also was known for how she enjoyed sunny days at the beach, bird watching, and was a friend to all.

A private burial was planned at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rhode Island SPCA.  Click here to view a complete obituary.

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

Tuskegee University Presidential Delegation Visits Purdue to View New Veterinary Hospital Complex

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a visit this week by a high-level delegation from Tuskegee University that included the president, Dr. Charlotte Morris, and the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ruby Perry.  “Tuskegee’s veterinary college is in the same position that we were in a few years ago,” said Dean Willie Reed, in describing the reason for the visit.  “They now face the same need we had, to replace an aged veterinary hospital, and so the delegation wanted to get a first-hand look at our new facilities and learn how we worked with the Purdue administration to foster a good understanding of the unique needs and costs associated with veterinary medical education.”

For Dean Reed, who earned his DVM degree at Tuskegee, the visit on Monday, November 7, was extra special since it involved hosting a high-level delegation from his alma mater.  “As an alumnus, I was very proud to be able to host them and to help them in any way I can in achieving their goal of acquiring a new hospital.”  The day began with presentations.  Dean Reed gave an overview of the college, and then the delegation heard presentations by Dr. Kathy Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs; Dr. Ellen Lowery, Veterinary Hospital director; and Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, director of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.  Tours of the new David and Bonnie Bruner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory followed.

The schedule also included a lunchtime meeting with a team of Purdue University administrators from across campus, including Provost Jay Akridge; Purdue Polytechnic Institute Dean Daniel Castro-Lacouture; College of Engineering Interim Dean Mark Lundstrom; Graduate School Dean Linda Mason; and Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion John Gates.  Dean Reed said that discussion focused on the possibility of establishing an agreement with Tuskegee along the lines of a new agreement just announced between Purdue University and Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.  There already are some interactions between Purdue and Tuskegee involving the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture, but Dean Reed said another area for potential collaboration could involve aviation and Purdue Polytechnic.

But Dean Reed said the main focus of the Tuskegee’s delegation visit to Purdue was the new Veterinary Hospital facilities and the ADDL.  “They wanted to get an idea of the size, the complexity, and the components of the new hospital complex and the resources that are needed to operate a modern hospital,” Dean Reed said.  He also noted that Tuskegee needs a new diagnostic lab, which is why the ADDL also figured prominently in their itinerary for Monday’s visit.  The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with Purdue’s president-elect, Dr. Mung Chiang.

Dean Reed noted that Tuskegee is different from Purdue because it is a private school, so, whereas Purdue was able to seek state support for the new hospital facilities, Tuskegee will have to figure out another way to fund their project.  Nevertheless, Dean Reed said they felt good about their visit to Purdue.  “They were very impressed and very thankful that we invited them and hosted them.”

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

Spooky Sights Mark Halloween in Lynn Hall

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Halloween made for an especially festive Monday in Lynn Hall this week, with a variety of costumed characters and Halloween happenings marking the occasion at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Among the notable sightings was that of the Peanuts Gang, led by Charlie Brown, aka Dr. Chad Brown, director of Veterinary Nursing Programs and clinical associate professor.  He was, of course, accompanied by others on the “team,” including Snoopy (Rachel Kelly, academic advisor), Woodstock (Beth Laffoon, RVT, instructional technologist), Peppermint Patty (Pam Phegley, RVT, clinical rotation/mentorship coordinator), Pig-Pen (Holly McCalip, RVT, instructional technologist), the blanket-toting Linus (Angela Arellano, VN Program administrative assistant) and Lucy (Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, instructional technologist).

Another spooky twist Monday came courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Team’s Halloween Dessert Bake-Off.  With Harry Potter themed decorations and characters, the setting for the Bake-off definitely looked appropriate!  The judging was by popular vote, with some 100 votes cast in each of two categories.  Second-year Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident, Dr. Nicole Gibbs, took top honors in the “Best Design” category for her “dirt pudding graveyard;” and Versa Technologist Torrie Shackelford won the prize for Best Taste with her Oreo and Reese’s dessert cheeseballs.

Another Halloween-related event took place Friday, October 28, as the Canine Educators Halloween Parade traversed Memorial Mall on campus.  With the Canine Educator Care Team alongside, the costumed dogs in the parade loved being the center of attention.  The parade participants gathered for a group photo when they arrived at Lynn Hall around 4:15 that afternoon.  Following the event, voting commenced for the best costumes. Congratulations to the following winners!

• 1st Place: “Jurassic Bark” featuring Freedom, Cleo and Twitch
• 2nd Place: “Charlotte’s Web” featuring Charlotte and Ollie
• 3rd Place: a tie between “Barnyard” featuring Angus, Kwame and Curly Sue, and “Candy and Donut” featuring Mary Francis

The Canine Educators Program at Purdue provides opportunities for DVM students to interact with dogs that help them learn important skills such as how to perform physical exams.  At the end of each year, the Canine Educators are adopted.

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

Purdue Large Animal Internal Medicine Specialist Assumes Leadership Role with ACVIM

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Dr. Sandra Taylor, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate professor of large animal internal medicine, has been elected as the new incoming leader for the Large Animal Internal Medicine (LAIM) specialty of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).  Dr. Taylor was chosen as the LAIM president-elect, a position on the ACVIM Board of Regents.  The announcement came after voting for three president-elect positions on the Board of Regents closed October 6.

In congratulating Dr. Taylor and the other two winners, the ACVIM stated that strong candidates were considered for each of the leadership positions.  Dr. Taylor currently serves on the ACVIM Board of Regents as the LAIM At-Large Member. 

Dr. Taylor earned her DVM degree at Washington State University (WSU) and then completed an internship at an equine hospital in Bonsall, California before doing a residency in equine internal medicine at the University of California, Davis.  She became board certified by the ACVIM in Large Animal Internal Medicine in 2006.  She then returned to WSU where she completed her PhD in immunology in 2010. 

As a faculty member in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Taylor has a particular interest in equine-focused research, especially studies of the effects of sepsis in horses.  Her passion for research dates back to her time in graduate school, when she investigated an equine model of HIV, and reflects her interest in scientific discovery that can be applied to both animals and humans.

Based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the ACVIM is the certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology, nutrition, and small animal internal medicine. With more than 3,000 members, the ACVIM is dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through the education, training and certification of specialists in veterinary internal medicine; discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge; and increasing public awareness of advances in veterinary medical care. More information is available at www.ACVIM.org

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

In Memory – Sheldon Allen Lockwood (PU AS-VT ’89)

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The College of Veterinary Medicine is saddened by the passing of an alumnus, Sheldon Allen Lockwood, RVT, of Auburn, Indiana, who died Friday, October 28, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  He was 55.

Born and raised in Auburn, Sheldon graduated from DeKalb High School in 1985 and pursued a career in veterinary technology, earning his Purdue AS-VT degree through what was then called the Purdue Veterinary Technology Program (now Veterinary Nursing) in 1989.  During his career, he worked as a veterinary technician at the Animal Care Clinic of Auburn and the Auburn Hills Animal Hospital.  He also worked for Midwest Veterinary Supply. A funeral service was held yesterday, November 3, 2022, at Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services, 502 N. Main Street, Auburn. Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help with expenses. 

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

Priority 4 Paws, Subaru and Local Animal Shelters Team-up for Successful Pet Adoption Event

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Some four-footed visitors to the showroom at Bob Rohrman Subaru in Lafayette attracted attention during a special pet adoption event Saturday, October 29, that involved a collaboration between the dealership, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws program and two local animal shelters.  The focus on finding homes for pets up for adoption was part of Subaru Loves Pets Month. 

As customers strolled into the dealership at 1600 S. Creasy Lane between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., they had the opportunity to meet a collection of cats and dogs looking for a place to call home.  The pets were brought to the dealership by the Almost Home Humane Society in Lafayette and the Clinton County Humane Society in Frankfort.  Adults and children alike enjoyed greeting the furry friends and several of the animals were adopted. Andrew Lane, Love Promise Program Manager at Bob Rohrman Subaru, said the event was a huge success, positively impacting the lives of nine pets.

Both of the animal shelters have a partnership with Purdue through the Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program that provides high quality medical and surgical care for shelter animals while educating the next generation of veterinarians.  Drs. Emily Curry and Ryan Hill, clinical assistant professors of shelter medicine and mobile surgery, were on hand at the event to represent Priority 4 Paws and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

The adoption event was planned in conjunction with Subaru’s fourth annual National Make A Dog’s Day, a day created by Subaru to invite all dog lovers to do something special for their furry family members.  Through the car company’s Love Promise and Subaru Loves Pets™ initiative, Subaru retailers host adoption events across the country to help local shelter pets find loving homes. Subaru and its retailers have donated over $42 million to national and local organizations, which has helped in the adoption, rescue, transport, and health care of nearly 350,000 animals and pets.

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