Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture Celebrates Retirement of Renowned Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond Alan Beck

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This year’s Purdue Veterinary Conference will kick-off with a special opportunity for veterinarians, veterinary nurses, students, faculty, staff, and animal enthusiasts to hear the final lecture by renowned human-animal bond expert, Dr. Alan Beck, who is retiring as the Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond. The Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19 in Fowler Hall in Stewart Center. The talk is free and open to the public.

Entitled, “The Human-Animal Bond: Totally Natural and Completely Necessary,” the talk by Dr. Beck will draw on his years of professional experience and his extensive insight and expertise. Dr. Beck received his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College in 1964 and master’s degree from California State University at Los Angeles in 1968. He went on to earn his Doctor of Science in animal ecology from The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health in 1972. He has studied the ecological and public health implications of dogs in Baltimore, St. Louis, New York, and along the United States-Mexican border. His 1973 book, The Ecology of Stray Dogs: A Study of Free-Ranging Urban Dogs is considered a classic in the field of urban ecology and was republished by Purdue University Press in 2002.

Together with Dr. Aaron Katcher, Dr. Beck edited the book, New Perspectives on Our Lives with Companion Animals, and co-authored Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship, first published in 1983 then revised in 1996. In 2011, he edited The Health Benefits of Dog Walking for Pets and People (with Rebecca Johnson and Sandra McCune). Dr. Beck also co-edited the Routledge International Handbook of Human-Animal Interactions and Anthrozoology that is due out in September (with Aubrey Fine, Megan Mueller, Zenithson Ng, and Jose Peralta).

Dr. Beck has published more than 90 professional articles and over 60 book chapters, as well as a half-dozen books on the nature of the relationship between people and animals. He also is a founding board member of the Delta Society, now called Pet Partners. Dr. Beck directed animal programs for the New York City Department of Health for five years, and then was the first director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine where he served for 10 years.

In 1990, Dr. Beck joined the faculty of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and became the director of what is now the Center for the Human-Animal Bond. The center was established to develop a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between people and their companion animals. He also is the editor of the scholarly book series, New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond for Purdue University Press.

Dr. Beck’s extensive research has coincided with and documented the growing appreciation of the benefits of human-animal interaction, from reducing blood pressure to boosting post-heart attack survival and combatting loneliness. Dr. Beck will discuss how the human-animal bond is an inherent part of our evolutionary journey, proving it to be both natural and essential. The lecture will be a fitting capstone to Dr. Beck’s storied career that has spanned almost 60 years, of which 33 have been spent on the Purdue faculty.

Following the lecture, there will be a reception in the Purdue Memorial Union West Faculty Lounge celebrating Dr. Beck’s retirement.

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

Japanese Students Enrich PVM Learning Environment During Visit to Lynn Hall

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“We truly look forward to your visits each year,” Addison Sheldon, Purdue Veterinary Medicine director of Global Engagement, told visiting students from Japan as he began a farewell ceremony Friday, August 18 in the David and Bonnie Brunner Small Animal Hospital. The program marked the conclusion of a visit by students and faculty from the Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine and Rakuno Gakuen University. The visit was part of an ongoing international exchange relationship between Purdue University and the two Japanese universities.

The exchange program with the DVM program at Kitasato dates back nearly 30 years. Though the exchange was temporarily suspended during the pandemic, the annual visits resumed last year. This year’s delegation included four students and a faculty member. 

The relationship with the Veterinary Nursing program at Rakuno Gakuen was established more recently, and this year marked the first time since the pandemic that Purdue Veterinary Medicine hosted a group of three veterinary nursing students and a faculty member.

The primary purpose of the visit by the students from the two universities was to spend time in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital observing the work done by PVM clinicians and veterinary nurses. The program is designed to give them an overview of how veterinary medicine is practiced in the United States. The visitors also participated in a variety of other activities, including visiting the Indiana State Fair and the Indianapolis Zoo. “We have a lot of fun and share a lot of laughs and we always admire your enthusiasm to learn,” Addison said at the farewell ceremony. 

During the ceremony, each member of the visiting delegations was recognized and presented with a certificate.  A student from each of the universities also spoke and thanked the PVM faculty and staff members who helped host them during their stay.  Addison also thanked all the PVM faculty and staff who helped the visitors feel warmly welcomed in Lynn Hall.

The program concluded with a reception that featured refreshments and plenty of photo ops.

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

Festive Taco-themed Lunch Celebrates Hard Work of PVM Staff and Faculty

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With summer winding down and fall classes set to begin, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a faculty and staff appreciation event that featured a tasty taco bar on Friday, August 18. Attendees were able to customize their tacos with their choice of toppings and could complete their meal with churro bites as a sweet treat. The meals were provided by the college to show PVM faculty and staff how much their dedication and hard work is appreciated.

Held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the event not only featured great food, but also opportunities for fellowship as colleagues gathered in the Lynn Hall courtyard. More than 350 faculty and staff attended the event to get in on the great food and the chance to visit with one another and enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon. As people mixed and mingled while their food was prepared, Dean Reed took the opportunity to express to everyone his deep appreciation for their consistent effort and commitment to excellence throughout the year. The festive lunchtime event served as a fitting wrap-up to a busy summer that was marked by several annual programs, including Boiler Vet Camp, Vet Up!, and PVM participation in the Indiana State Fair.

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

New PVM Students Get Head Start on School Year with Comprehensive Orientation Programs

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The new academic year got off to a fun and engaging start with orientation programs to help incoming DVM and Veterinary Nursing students acclimate to classes in Lynn Hall. The DVM students arrived a week before Monday’s (August 21) start to the fall semester for several days of orientation activities.  Meanwhile, Veterinary Nursing students entering their second year of the program participated in an orientation program designed to introduce them to their first experience taking classes in Lynn Hall after last year’s schedule of taking core courses across campus.

There are 87 students in the DVM Class of 2027. They come from Indiana and 14 other states, as well Puerto Rico and Korea. Male students account for 26 percent of the class, and 32 percent of the students represent diversity of race and ethnicity. More than 60 percent of the class members are Indiana residents and first-generation college students account for 18 percent of the class. Just gaining admission into the class is a major accomplishment, given that nearly 1,750 students applied for admission.

The orientation program, called “Launch! DVM 2027,” provided the class members with a head start on their veterinary school learning experience. A member of the Class of 2026, Leanne Greene, assisted by classmate Jacob Mishne, led the onboarding program to ensure that the orientation would provide as much help as possible to the incoming students. The week included a variety of activities and informative presentations about a range of topics, as well as tours. The orientation sessions began Monday, August 14, and concluded Saturday, August 19.  The Launch program included participation in the “Boiler Challenge” – a team-building experience on a ropes course, and opportunities to meet faculty, staff, and Dean Willie Reed, who led the class in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath as a way of setting the stage for the educational experience that lies ahead.

Another annual favorite of the orientation is the Class Mosaic – an exercise that took place Friday, August 18, when the class members had the opportunity to paint triangular or circular pieces of canvas to then be assembled into a class mosaic. 

The orientation for the second-year Veterinary Nursing students began Monday, August 21. There are 28 students in the class, including 23 from Indiana, three from Illinois, and one from Michigan. The class also includes one international transfer student from Hong Kong. The orientation program, which spans multiple days, includes an overview of fall semester courses and instructors, tours, a clinic rotation orientation, and distribution of uniforms and equipment.  

New first-year Veterinary Nursing students also were welcomed to Purdue Friday, August 18, in the Lynn Hall courtyard, which was the scene for an ice cream social. There are 25 first-year Veterinary Nursing students, including 19 from Indiana and one each from Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, and Minnesota, as well as a student with dual citizenship in the U.S. and South Korea. 

Welcome to all of our incoming students!

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

Distinguished Alumni Awards to be Presented at Purdue Veterinary Conference

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented in September at the Alumni and Friends Celebration, which will be held in the Purdue Memorial Union as part of the 2023 Purdue Veterinary Conference. Dr. W. Mark Hilton, clinical professor emeritus of veterinary clinical sciences and member of the DVM Class of 1983, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Distinguished Veterinary Nursing Alumni Award will be presented to Pam Phegley, BS, RVT (PU AAS ’83; BS 2001), PVM clinical rotation/mentorship coordinator.

The Alumni and Friends Celebration will be held Wednesday evening, September 20, in the Purdue Memorial Union 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.

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. Dr. Hilton earned his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at Purdue University in 1980 before enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine. After earning his DVM degree in 1983, he joined the DeWitt Veterinary Clinic in Iowa where he spent 15 years as a partner in the predominantly food animal practice. He then returned to Purdue University in 1998 to teach beef production medicine. Through the years, Dr. Hilton rose through the academic ranks, while educating students on food animal ambulatory calls. After retiring from the university in 2016, Dr. Hilton joined Elanco Animal Health as a technical consultant providing beef cattle veterinarians with production medicine support.

Ms. Phegley received her Associate in Applied Science degree from what was then called the Purdue Veterinary Technology program in 1983, and later completed the additional study to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology in 2001. Ms. Phegley began her career at Purdue as chief technologist of small animal medicine in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. As one who was interacting with students on a regular basis, she opted to pursue her passion for teaching by then serving for 21 years as clinical coordinator of the Veterinary Nursing Program. Most recently, Ms. Phegley has transitioned to the role of clinical mentorship coordinator in the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program.

Through her dedicated 39-year career at Purdue, Ms. Phegley’s skills as a veterinary nurse and educator have been recognized with numerous awards. She also is an ambassador for Purdue University through membership in the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association and active involvement with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. When she is not teaching, she fills in at the Veterinary Hospital serving patients.

In addition to award presentations, the Alumni and Friends Celebration will include recognition of reunion classes. Alumni classes celebrating milestone anniversaries, from five years to 60 years, will be given the opportunity to stand and be applauded. In addition, members of the Silver and Golden Anniversary DVM classes will receive individual recognition. The DVM Class of 1997 will be honored on the occasion of its 25^th Reunion and the DVM Class of 1973 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 kicks-off with the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture, Tuesday evening, September 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Fowler Hall in the Stewart Center. The program will feature special remarks by Dr. Alan Beck on the occasion of his retirement as the Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The conference also will feature two keynote presentations, the Wellness Keynote Wednesday, September 20, at 1:10 p.m., and the Diversity Keynote Thursday, September 21, at 11:15 a.m. Also on that Thursday, Dr. Jerome Adams will present the Stockton Lecture on public health at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Adams was the 20^th U.S. Surgeon General before joining Purdue University as a member of the President’s Coronavirus Task Force.

The Purdue Veterinary Conference provides continuing education tracks on Diagnostic Imaging, Equine, Exotics, Emergency Preparedness, Practice Management and Communication, Ruminant, Shelter Medicine, Small Animal, Swine, and Veterinary Nursing, as well as industry presentations and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) modules. The conference will conclude Saturday, September 23, with the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which is open to the public and starts at 8:00 a.m. in front of Lynn Hall.

Register by September 1 to take advantage of our early bird pricing! Click here for more information about the 2023 Purdue Veterinary Conference and click here to sign-up for the Dog Jog.

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

August Graduation Celebration Honors Veterinary Nursing Graduates

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Family, friends, and Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff celebrated the accomplishments of ten new college alumni during the 2023 Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration that coincided with Purdue University’s August commencement ceremonies. The Veterinary Nursing graduates were recognized in Lynn Hall on Saturday, August 5, during the celebration that culminated in their recitation of the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct.

The program honored the students who earned their Veterinary Nursing Associate in Applied Science degree – seven through the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program and three in the on-campus Veterinary Nursing Program. Josh Clark, MS, RVT, assistant director of the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program, began the program and beamed as he said, “Graduates, as you embark on your careers in the veterinary medical profession, you join an alumni network that reflects the veterinary team.”

Mr. Clark then asked the graduates to come forward as he called out their names, so they each could receive the Purdue University Veterinary Nursing pin, which was presented by Instructional Technologist Holly McCalip, BS, RVT. “The pin Holly will give to the graduates symbolizes their entry into the veterinary nursing profession,” Mr. Clark told the audience.

“Graduates, your charge is to set the visible standard for what a Purdue University veterinary nurse is and does,” Mr. Clark continued. “In so doing, you will pave the way for all those graduates who will follow behind you. The future of the veterinary nursing profession is placed into your hands. We trust that you will serve it well.”

The graduates then remained at the front of the room 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,” Mr. Clark said, before introducing Paige Allen, who recently retired as director of academic advising for the program. Mrs. Allen was chosen to lead the new graduates in reciting the oath. As Mrs. Allen stepped to the podium, she commended the graduates. “I will stand beside you as we recite the Veterinary Technician Oath, because we are now colleagues,” Mrs. Allen said.

The August Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration 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 new Veterinary Nursing graduates!

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

Vet Up! DVM Scholars Program Receives 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has received the 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education, in recognition of the Vet Up! DVM Scholars Program. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Awards, which were just announced this week, honor colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As a result of receiving the award, the Vet Up! DVM Scholars program will be featured, along with 79 other award recipients, in the September 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on their efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.  The Vet Up!^® DVM Scholars program provides academic, social, and financial support to Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine DVM degree students from matriculation to timely graduation from their veterinary medical degree program and employment in a veterinary shortage area. The program is part of Vet Up!^® The National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine, which also includes two other components – Vet Up! Champions and Vet Up! College. Completion of Vet Up! College is required to be eligible for the DVM Scholars program.

Funded with a $3.18 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Vet Up! addresses a national shortage of veterinarians in public health and rural/food animal practice in Indiana and beyond, and a significant lack of underrepresented individuals entering the veterinary profession. The goal of the program is to fill veterinary shortage areas with equity-minded individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas.

Vet Up! Champions is a yearlong program to prepare high school students, working adults, and undergraduate students to attain their next level of education on the path toward a veterinary medical degree. Vet Up! College is a summer immersion program to prepare undergraduate students to competitively apply to a veterinary medical degree (DVM) program.

“We are honored to receive the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine for our Vet Up! DVM Scholars program this year,” said Marsha Baker, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion. “This initiative is an important cornerstone of our broader effort to truly diversify, not only our student body in our veterinary educational program, but the entire veterinary medical profession as well. It is really exciting to see the wealth of talent and the intense enthusiasm that is coming into our veterinary classes as students from so many different backgrounds and regions are finding that they are welcome at Purdue and will thrive here.”

This year marks the third time that Vet Up! has been recognized as a recipient of the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

A call for nominations for this award was announced in April 2023. For more information about the 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.

As the oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. Purdue Veterinary Medicine is a four-time recipient of the HEED Award (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022). In 2021, the college was further honored with the magazine’s Diversity Champion Award – the first time that the publication has named a veterinary college as a Diversity Champion for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion in higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as explorations of best practices and profiles of exemplary programs. In the Career Center, 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

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Shines at Art Museum’s Annual Art, Bark, and Brew

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The parking lot at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette was the place to be Saturday, August 12, for people and pooches. That was the site of the sixth annual Art, Bark, and Brew hosted by the museum on their grounds at 102 South 10^th Street in Lafayette, and sponsored in part by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The fun event attracted dozens of visitors and their dogs who came to enjoy the outdoor activity on a beautiful late summer day. Free and open to the public and canines, the annual event featured live music, food and brew provided by the EMT Food Truck and Thieme & Wagner Brewery, and interactive booths set up by several organizations. Various art activities, including pottery, were available to attendees, who also could capture a memory of their time at the event in the form of a drawing by a caricature artist of them with their dogs.

As the “Lead Dog” event sponsor, the College of Veterinary Medicine received prominent mention in event promotional materials as well as prime booth space. Kelly Dold, marketing and communications manager for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, organized and staffed the booth, which offered information about the hospital and ADDL as well as fun promotional items including veterinary-themed coloring pages and collectible cards and stickers. The event was even more hands-on and interactive this year with a variety of things to do for both owners and their pups.

Other event sponsors included Q106.7 and VCA. The College of Veterinary Medicine’s participation as the Lead Dog sponsor for Art, Bark, and Brew was the latest example of a long collaboration between PVM and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. The college was recognized with the museum’s Presidential Award ― the highest honor bestowed by the museum on a business or organization ― in 2020.

Writer(s): Kelly Dold | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Welcomes Post-DVM Students Beginning Residency Programs

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to welcome our newest class of residents as they begin post-DVM graduate programs and residencies seeking advanced certification across a variety of clinical and pathology specialties. The residents started their specialty training in either the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, or the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences last month.

The three-year residency programs provide advanced training in a chosen specialty and fulfill the requirements for earning certification as specialists, while also offering research and teaching opportunities. A graduate degree or clinical investigator program also is completed concurrent to the residency program.

Please join us in welcoming the following residents to PVM!

Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

Dr. Alec Daniels (Anatomic Pathology) earned a DVM degree from the University of Tennessee in 2023.

Dr. Abigail English (Anatomic Pathology) earned a DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 2023.

Dr. Hilary Ann Lakin (Anatomic Pathology) earned a DVM degree from Oregon State University in 2023. Dr. Lakin also is a post-doctoral fellow in the National Institutes of Health Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program.

Dr. Courtney Moore (Anatomic Pathology) earned a DVM degree from Tuskegee University in 2023.

Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Dr. Em Adam (Clinical Veterinary Pathology) earned a DVM degree from the University of Minnesota in 2023 and is certified by the American Chemical Society.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Dr. Makensie Anderson (Small Animal Surgery) earned a DVM degree from Oregon State University in 2013. Dr. Anderson served in the US Army Veterinary Corps and worked as an emergency clinician at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tacoma, Washington before coming to Purdue where she completed a specialty internship in small animal surgery in 2023.

Dr. Catherine Barich (Small Animal Internal Medicine) earned a DVM degree from the University of California, Davis in 2016. Dr. Barich then completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA Pet Care in Santa Rosa, California in 2017 before serving in the US Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Barich also has experience as an emergency clinician, most recently working as a receiving emergency clinician at Pet Specialists of Austin in Texas.

Dr. Leah Douglas (Ophthalmology) earned a DVM degree from Purdue University in 2022. Dr. Douglas then completed a small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M University before returning to Purdue.

Dr. Kiersten Forsyth (Cardiology) earned a DVM degree from Oregon State University in 2017 and went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at BluePearl in Seattle, Washington in 2018. Dr. Forsyth worked as a cardiology intern and emergency veterinarian at Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists before joining VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists as an emergency veterinarian. Dr. Forsyth then served as a clinical trials fellow at Texas A&M University in 2022 before coming to Purdue to complete a cardiology specialty internship.

Dr. Olivia Geels (Oncology) earned a DVM degree from Louisiana State University in 2022. Dr. Geels then completed a small animal rotating internship at Auburn University in 2023.

Dr. Jack Jarvis (Diagnostic Imaging) earned a DVM degree at the University of Prince Edward Island in 2022 before completing a small animal rotating internship at VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre.

Dr. Joshuah Klutzke (Neurology) earned a DVM degree from Kansas State University in 2021. Dr. Klutzke then completed both a small animal rotating internship and specialty internship focused on neurology and small animal internal medicine at Purdue before continuing on to a residency program.

Dr. Zineb Kotbi (Large Animal Internal Medicine) earned a DVM degree in 2020 from the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Morocco. Dr. Kotbi then completed rotating equine internships at the American Fondouk in Morocco and Dubai Equine Hospital. Before coming to Purdue, Dr. Kotbi completed a large animal clinical fellowship at Oregon State University.

Dr. Joanna Lum (Emergency and Critical Care) earned a BVM&S degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2020. Dr. Lum then worked as a veterinarian at the Pet Wellness Veterinary Clinic in Malaysia and with Hamilton Specialist Referrals in the UK before coming to Purdue.

Dr. David Moses (Cardiology) earned a DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 2018. Dr. Moses worked as an associate veterinarian at General Booth Veterinary Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia before completing a small animal rotating internship at Michigan State University in 2022. Dr. Moses most recently completed a specialty internship in emergency and critical care at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Jacqueline (Tai Li) Nelson (Small Animal Surgery) earned a DVM degree from Michigan State University in 2020. Dr. Nelson went on to complete a rotating internship at Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty in Columbia, South Carolina followed by a small animal surgery internship at Michigan State University and most recently a surgery internship at the Animal Surgical Center of Michigan.

Dr. Emma Shalvey (Small Animal Internal Medicine) earned a MVB degree in 2020 and continued on to complete a small animal rotating internship in 2021 at the University College of Dublin. Dr. Shalvey recently completed a specialty internship in internal medicine at Highcroft Veterinary Referrals in the UK.

Dr. Alexandra Usimaki (Large Animal Surgery) earned a DVM degree from Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland in 2018. Dr. Usimaki then completed an equine hospital internship at the Clinique Equine Champ du Perier in France in 2019 followed by an equine rotating internship in 2020 at the Clinique Veterinaire de Grosbois in Boissy St. Leger, France. Dr. Usimaki then worked as a veterinary practitioner in equine field service at the Clinique Veterinaire de la Sienne in France. Before coming to Purdue, Dr. Usimaki completed a large animal rotating internship followed by a musculoskeletal research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.

Writer(s): Allison Gardner | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Retirement Reception Honors Veterinary Nurse Paige Allen for Nearly 37-year PVM Career

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It was in the fall of 1986 when Paige Allen, MS, RVT started working for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine after being hired by then professor of veterinary clinical sciences Harold Amstutz to work in the Large Animal Hospital (called the Large Animal Clinics at the time). More than 36 years later, faculty and staff gathered to honor her during a retirement reception held June 16 in the Veterinary Medical Library.

Speakers at the event recounted Paige’s career journey that included working several years in multiple roles in the Veterinary Hospital before she was recruited to join the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Program (then called the Veterinary Technology Program) in 1999 to help implement a new Distance Learning Program. Dr. Pete Bill (PU DVM ’80, PhD ’90), professor emeritus of basic medical sciences and former Veterinary Nursing Program director, recalled how he and Paige met with members of the central Purdue University administration, including the head bursar, head of admissions, and head registrar, to work out a way to establish the new online degree option – the first-of-its-kind at Purdue – as a sustainable program. “And Paige was right there in the middle of it,” Dr. Bill recalled. 

Dr. Bill also praised Paige for what she accomplished for the veterinary technician/veterinary nursing profession, saying she advanced the profession in terms of visibility, for not only Purdue University, but for veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses, through the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association leadership, and her leadership with NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) – assuming positions that had never been held before by a registered, credentialed veterinary technician or nurse. “Paige did that, and when she did, it looked good for Purdue, and it looked good for the profession, because we showed what veterinary technicians could do in an area outside of the clinics, in leadership.”

Dr. Bill concluded by saying he felt he could speak for the late Dr. Roger Lukens, who served as the first Purdue Veterinary Technology Program director, in simply saying, “Well done. Well done, Paige.”   

The current director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs, Dr. Chad Brown (PU DVM 2001), also lauded Paige’s accomplishments and impact. “Paige Allen’s journey in veterinary medicine has been truly remarkable,” Dr. Brown said. Noting that Paige most recently served as the assistant director of academic advising and recruitment at the college, Dr. Brown said, “Paige has devoted numerous years to various roles within our institution. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently showcased unparalleled expertise, unwavering commitment, and an unyielding passion for her work.”

In particular, Dr. Brown emphasized how Paige earned tremendous respect from students, staff, and faculty alike. “Her extensive knowledge and experience in the field have made her an invaluable resource for all those who sought her guidance.” Dr. Brown also commended her for being a genuine leader who inspires and motivates all those around her. “Whether it is advising students, spearheading recruitment activities, or advocating for veterinary technicians, Paige brings a steadfast level of professionalism and compassion to everything she undertakes.”

Dr. Brown concluded his remarks by saying that Paige’s impact on the field of veterinary technology is immeasurable. “Her selfless dedication, vast knowledge, and remarkable leadership have played a transformative role in shaping the lives and careers of countless individuals – dare I say, all of us here. As we honor her today, let us not only celebrate her achievements, but also strive to embody the same level of dedication and passion she has demonstrated throughout her illustrious career.”

Paige also was recognized by Tim Kerr, College of Agriculture senior assistant director of academic advising and curriculum initiatives, who represented the Purdue Academic Advising Association (PACADA) in presenting Paige with the association’s Lifetime Colleague Award in recognition of her retirement.

Paige also received a special camping gear gift basket from PVM’s Student Services and Veterinary Nursing teams, in anticipation of a retirement filled with many future camping days.

To conclude the program, Dean Willie Reed stepped forward for a special presentation. “So Paige, I’m batting clean-up,” the dean quipped before commenting on Paige’s more than 36 years of service to the college. “And you think about that, that’s half of the life of our college,” Dean Reed said, noting that the college admitted its first class in 1959. 

In highlighting Paige’s career accomplishments, Dean Reed emphasized her vital contributions to the success of the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program. “It took individuals like Paige to make it happen and that program really put our college on the map, both nationally and also here at Purdue because we offered the first totally online degree at Purdue University… and that was really a feather in our cap.” Dean Reed also talked about the significance of Paige’s leadership in organizations at the national level. “So, Paige I want to thank you for all that you have done for the veterinary profession, the veterinary technology/nursing profession, and most importantly for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Purdue University.”

Dean Reed then called Paige Allen forward to help unveil a special memento from the college. As they pulled away the covering, a framed picture of the Continuum© sculpture was revealed.

In expressing appreciation for the recognition, Paige expressed, in her customarily poignant and succinct way, that, “None of us do this alone, and I’m not here standing by myself.” She added, “Thank you everybody for coming, for supporting me. Continue to take care of each other and support each other. It’s important.”

Congratulations, Paige!

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