Amanda Taylor (left) accepts a Kroger gift card for the PVM Food Pantry in December from Jennifer Evans, assistant store manager at the West Lafayette Payless Supermarket.
The 2022 Holiday Season was extra special for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine thanks to the Kroger Family of Companies, which provided a generous $1,000 gift card to support the college’s food pantry. The donation came in response to a request submitted by Amanda Taylor, senior administrative assistant of student services, who manages the food pantry. Amanda accepted the gift card during a presentation at the West Lafayette Payless Supermarket.
“Thank you for giving Kroger the opportunity to support the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Food Pantry,” the company said in a statement. “We are impressed by the work of your organization in our community. At Kroger, we are deeply committed to helping drive positive change in our communities. We focus our community efforts on our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan, our commitment to end hunger in the places we call home and eliminate waste across our company by 2025. We are excited to assist you in your work to help in creating a world with Zero Hunger | Zero Waste.”
The PVM Food Pantry is located in Lynn B197, and operates as one of several satellite locations of the ACE Campus Food Pantry. “We are so appreciative of this generous donation,” Amanda said. “It is greatly appreciated by our students, staff, faculty, and myself as the food pantry manager.”
The PVM Food Pantry is available for all members of the Purdue community and is open Mondays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Arrangements can also be made to set up a time to utilize the pantry outside of the normal operating hours by contacting Amanda at taylo374@purdue.edu.
Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT leads the December Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs’ graduates in reciting the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct. Pictured (left-right): bachelor’s degree recipients Nathanial Swegman, Abbigale White, Lauren Kleiman and Alexis Louden, and associates degree recipients Macy Holskey and Jenna Vandewalle.
“This is a truly remarkable class,” Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed said as he began the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration in Lynn Hall on Saturday, December 17. The program marked a very special occasion for the graduates and their families, as students earning the Veterinary Nursing Associate in Applied Science degree and Veterinary Nursing Bachelor of Science degree were recognized.
“Graduates, you had the unique experience of completing your veterinary education in the midst of a global pandemic,” Dean Reed said. “As the world faced unprecedented challenges, and colleges and universities across the country had to adapt to find new ways to safely educate their students, you persevered in your learning.”
Dean Reed then asked the graduates to come forward to receive the Purdue University Veterinary Nursing pin, presented by Instructional Technologist Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, as their names were read by Dr. Chad Brown, Veterinary Nursing Programs director. “What makes Purdue unique is that we have two separately accredited veterinary nursing programs,” Dr. Brown told the audience after stepping to the podium. “We have a distance learning program with students all over the world. And then we have an on-campus program where students are learning here. And amongst these six graduates present at this celebration today, we have students in both programs and I think that’s so unique in that there’s very few colleges that can offer that kind of experience.”
Dr. Brown then introduced each of the graduates present, including two who earned their associates degree through the distance learning program and four students in the on-campus program who earned their bachelor’s degree. “Graduates, your charge is to set the visible standard for what a Purdue University veterinary nurse is and does. In so doing, you will pave the way for all those graduates who will follow behind you,” Dr. Brown told the graduates. “The future of the veterinary nursing profession is placed into your hands. We trust that you will serve it well.”
Then the graduates remained up front to recite the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct, symbolizing their acceptance into the veterinary nursing profession. “The oath signifies our high regard for the ethical standards and legal regulations governing the practice of veterinary nursing, our strong commitment to the highest standards of patient care and client service, and our dedication to the animals that we serve,” Dean Reed said, before introducing Instructional Technologist Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, who was chosen by the students to lead them in reciting the oath. As Jennifer stepped to the podium, she invited the graduates and all veterinary nurses in the audience to stand and recite the oath together.
Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct
I dedicate myself to serve as a member of the modern veterinary team, as together we serve the needs of mankind, animal welfare, and our community.
Working in a clinical practice, research, or industry, I will faithfully abide by all laws, regulations, and ethical codes that govern veterinary technicians. I will conduct myself in a manner which inspires the respect and confidence of my employer, colleagues, and the public.
I will seek the mutual exchange of counsel and assistance with the clinical staff when it appears that the quality of service will be improved. I will strive to better my skills by keeping current my knowledge of new methods and ideas and by maintaining an open mind.
Since the veterinary technician is a member of a professional team entrusted with the responsibility of the care and well-being of the animal kingdom, I make this oath with utmost sincerity and devotion.
The program concluded with a round of applause for the graduates before everyone reconvened in the nearby Veterinary Medical Library for a reception. Congratulations to all the December Veterinary Nursing graduates!
Andy Mesecar, interim director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, is joined by Dean of Purdue Libraries Beth McNeil, Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed and Purdue Pete as he presents an honorary game ball to Joy Matson.
A special ceremony during Sunday’s Purdue Men’s Basketball game (January 22) brought well-deserved recognition to a long-time supporter of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Joy Matson was honored at center court during a game break, as the public address announcer called the attention of the sell-out crowd to the special presentation arranged as part of the Hammer Down Cancer Game sponsored by the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.
Dr. Andrew Mesecar, the institute’s interim director, presented an honorary game ball to Joy as he was joined by Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed, the Dean of Purdue Libraries Beth McNeil, and Purdue Pete. “Please help us in thanking the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and Joy for all they are doing to Hammer Down Cancer,” the game announcer said. He continued, “Joy does not know this, but we have something else for her. For nearly 20 years, Joy has served on several advisory boards and has supported multiple areas on campus including Purdue Libraries, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, and the John Purdue Club.”
Purdue President Mung Chiang presents Joy Matson with the Distinguished Pinnacle Award at the center of Keady Court in Mackey Arena during the Hammer Down Cancer Game Sunday, January 22.
At that point, Purdue President Mung Chiang presented the Distinguished Pinnacle Award to Joy. The Pinnacle Award is one of the highest honors an individual can receive. It is reserved for those who have given of themselves to enable Purdue students and faculty to shape the future.
While Joy is not a Purdue graduate, she is one of the most loyal Boilermakers around. Joy is a longtime client of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and a loyal PVM donor, having most recently named the Joy M. Matson Multipurpose Room within the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex. She received the Distinguished Pinnacle Award for her comprehensive giving of $1 million to Purdue.
A member of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences faculty, Dr. Paul Robinson, is the newest Honorary Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS). The recognition is the society’s most prestigious accolade for contributions to cytometry.
Dr. Robinson is the Purdue Distinguished Professor of Cytometry and holds a joint appointment as professor in Purdue’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. He also is director of the Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories, housed in Lynn Hall. Dr. Robinson was recognized by the RMS for making a huge contribution to the field of Cytometry worldwide. Those contributions include his list-serv, “Purdue Cytometry List,” which is utilized by more than 4,500 cytometrists, his work to teach cytometry in Africa through his Cytometry for Life organization, and his patented cytometry technologies.
A cytometry pioneer and longtime Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member, Dr. Robinson is known internationally. He served as president of the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) from 2006-2008. He is editor-in-chief of Current Protocols in Cytometry, associate editor of Histochemica et Cytobiologica, and past associate editor of Cytometry Part A. He also received the ISAC Membership Award in 2014 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2004), a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2020), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2023).
Dr. Robinson has published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 36 book chapters, edited 10 books, and given hundreds of international lectures and conference presentations. He also has been active at the forefront of flow cytometry and microscopy development for several decades. His most notable achievements have involved developing innovative technologies such as spectral cytometry using multiarray PMTs (which has been commercialized by Sony and Thermo Fisher); developing optical tools for quantitative fluorescence measurement; advanced classification approaches for clinical diagnostics and bacterial classification; high content, high throughput screening technologies – specifically novel analytical software; and most recently, the development of single photon detectors in flow cytometry which would enhance the limit of detection.
Moreover, Dr. Robinson founded ‘Cytometry for Life’, a not-for-profit charity launched to focus attention on the need for low-cost CD4 technology for developing countries. To further draw attention to the issue of low-cost CD4, he successfully summited Mount Everest in 2009.
Based in Oxford, U.K., the Royal Microscopical Society uses a process for admitting new Honorary Fellows that is designed to reflect the prestigious nature of the Fellowship, and to ensure that only those candidates who have made the most outstanding contributions to microscopy or related branches of science are considered for the honor. New nominations for potential Honorary Fellows must be submitted by a current RMS member and are to include a full list of the nominee’s publications, 10 selected “top” publications, a 500-word summary of their contributions to research involving microscopy, and a supporting letter signed by five other RMS members.
Staff members celebrating 20 years of service to Purdue: Jennifer Crodian, Amanda Bettag, Angela Pickett and Ann Templeman.
The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine concluded 2022 with a special ceremony honoring staff members who achieved significant service anniversaries as well as staff and faculty receiving Bravo Awards. Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony, which was held December 16 in Lynn 1136, by thanking everyone for coming. “What a wonderful way to wrap up this awesome year for our college – with a celebration of our amazing team members!” Dean Reed said.
The dean then recognized the loyalty of staff members by introducing those celebrating significant anniversary milestones. “In keeping with an important and longstanding Purdue University tradition, I am pleased to honor staff members for every five years of service to the university,” Dean Reed said. He then read the staff members’ names in groupings according to their years of service, from 10 years all the way up to 30 years. As their names were called, the honorees stepped forward to receive a recognition gift. After all members within a grouping were called forward they paused for a group photo. Congratulations to the following honorees:
Ten Years of Service to the University:
Dennis Barnett, associate director of PVM-IT Systems Engineering, Veterinary Administration
Kevin Doerr, director of public affairs and communications, Veterinary Administration
Staff members recognized for 25 years of service to Purdue: Renu Bajaj and Stephanie Stillwell.Kevin Doerr was honored for 30 years of service, all in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The dean concluded the ceremony by presenting Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. “These awards are designed to highlight the excellence found across all areas and job functions at Purdue University by recognizing extraordinary achievements on every scale,” Dean Reed said.
Bravo Award winners may be recognized in any of four categories: Moving the University Forward; Innovation and Creativity; Operational Excellence; and, Fiscal Stewardship. Congratulations to the following award recipients:
Linley Brewer, Comparative Oncology veterinary nurse in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, and Operational Excellence.
Carissa Burgess, business assistant in the Employment Center, for Operational Excellence.
Lynn Carmony, business account assistant for Veterinary Clinical Sciences, for Operational Excellence.
Makayla Espinosa, senior administrative assistant in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, for Operational Excellence.
Lorraine Fox, business assistant for the Comparative Pathobiology Department, for Operational Excellence.
Jolene Knuth, veterinary nursing supervisor for the Anesthesiology Service in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward.
Joni Krause, client liaison for Medical Oncology in the Veterinary Hospital, for Operational Excellence.
Tami Lind, veterinary nursing supervisor in Emergency and Critical Care in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward.
Carolyn McLaughlin, large animal medicine veterinary nurse in the Veterinary Hospital, for Operational Excellence.
Amy Smeltzer, accessioning supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, for Operational Excellence.
Joey Woodyard, Veterinary Hospital administrator, for Operational Excellence.
Rachel Yoquelet, Neurology and Physical Rehabilitation veterinary nurse in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward, Innovation/Creativity, and Operational Excellence.
Then Dean Reed presented two team Bravo Awards:
The first was presented for Operational Excellence to the Student Services Career Fair Team of Paige Allen, director of academic advising and recruitment, and Marisela Shippam, senior administrative assistant for Student Services, for the their hard work in planning and executing this year’s career fair for the students.
The second team award was presented for Operational Excellence to the Equine Field Service Team of Kyle Clever, RVT; Allison MacKenzie, RVT; and Cindy Schuh, for their dedication in the midst of a nearly doubling of caseload and income since 2016.
Following the award presentations, the honorees and guests relocated to the Veterinary Medical Library for a reception.
All recipients of the Bravo Awards gathered for a group photo at the conclusion of the program.
Honorees able to attend the December 16 ceremony and receive their Certificates for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine in person were (left-right): Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, Michelle Overman, Dr. Leann Shaw, Addison Sheldon, and Matthew Winzeler.
Several Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff members were recognized at the Staff Service Recognition Ceremony in December for recently completing the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine program. To earn the certificate, the honorees had to put in a lot of hard work to complete the learning modules, activity assignments, volunteer community service assignment, and capstone paper.
Congratulations to each of the following faculty and staff members who completed the certificate program during the fall semester:
Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, assistant professor of veterinary parasitology, Comparative Pathobiology
Dr. Melissa Lewis, assistant professor of neurology, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Michelle Overman, program manager in the Office of Engagement, Veterinary Administration
Dr. Andrew Woolcock, associate professor of small animal internal medicine, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Registration for the program is free to all Purdue Veterinary Medicine employees and students. Please email hcvm@purdue.edu for details or to ask questions about the program. Click here for a program overview.
It’s almost time for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s popular Equine Wellness Forum, which will be held as an in-person event this year for the first time since 2019. Registration is now open for the annual event scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023 in Lynn Hall. The forum is designed to inform horse owners and equine industry professionals about horse health issues ranging from basic preventative healthcare to the latest medical advancements.
The one-day program is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The forum will kick off with a welcome and introductory remarks by the head of the college’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dr. Catherine Scott-Moncrieff. She will be followed by a number of special speakers addressing a range of topics, including:
“What I Do, What I Can Do, and What You All Can Do Too!” by Dr. Justin Hayna, clinical assistant professor of equine theriogenology;
“Recognizing Cruelty and Neglect in Horses,” by Dr. Janice Kritchevsky, professor of large animal internal medicine;
“Dietary Management of Equine Nutritionally Related Disorders,” by Dr. Erin Wilson (PU DVM 2008), equine nutrition consultant for Cargill Animal Nutrition;
“Septic Arthritis and Joint Infections,” by Dr. Michelle Tucker, assistant professor of large animal surgery; and,
“Current Equine Research at PVM,” by Dr. Sandy Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine.
A Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus who was a member of just the fifth class to graduate from the college, passed away recently. Dr. Paul A. May (PU DVM ’67) died January 3, 2023 in Bradenton, Florida. He was 84.
Dr. May was raised in Remington, Indiana, where he spent time working on farms and developed a love for animals and agriculture. He then enrolled at Purdue University in the College of Agriculture and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1960, before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. After earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1967, he moved to Florida and practiced in both Sarasota and Manatee County. He owned the Manatee Veterinary Clinic in Bradenton and worked at the Bishop Animal Shelter. His veterinary career spanned more than more than 40 years before he retired in 2008.
Dr. May also was active in his community and church. He served as deacon at West Bradenton Baptist Church where he also taught the college and career Sunday School class. In addition, Dr. May enjoyed fishing, reading, and spending time with his family, as well as participating in field trials at the Babcock-Webb preserve in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he shared his love of dogs and horses with many friends. Most of all he is remembered for his love of sharing his faith with anyone he got to know.
A memorial service was held Saturday, January 7, at West Bradenton Baptist Church. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. May’s memory to Gideons International. Condolences may be shared at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
