Life-saving Blood Donations Support Pet Health: Treats Welcome (No Tricks)

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A community advancing the health and quality of life for animals, together.

Not all heroes wear capes. And then again some do.

With a lightning bolt streaking down the back or an upturned collar draped across the chin, caped creatures at this time of year bring to mind bags of candy and crunchy leaves underfoot. Now that the spookiest of seasons is upon us, if your house is more trick than treat, the thought of blood may make the hairs on your neck stand on end. But for a pet in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Blood Donor Program, a furry cape marks an unsung hero and blood is certainly no trick.

Just like their human companions, pets can lose large amounts of blood due to trauma, surgery, or disease and require a life-saving blood transfusion. While many of us would gladly volunteer to donate blood for such a purpose, in the case of pets, this gift is one only a fellow pet can provide. With the demand for donations constantly growing, the College of Veterinary Medicine is meeting this critical need through with the hospital’s Blood Donor Program.

Begun in the early 1990s as an internal program for the Veterinary Hospital, the blood bank now relies on healthy pets from the local community to provide this vital resource that’s making a big impact in the lives of animals in need. Just one donation can help save up to three patients. The program currently has 21 canine and seven feline blood donors and is actively recruiting additional healthy pets – with canine donors needed the most.

Over the years, this program has helped save hundreds of pets’ lives, including a little Maltese named Flower who came in through the Veterinary Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Service for the first time in the fall of 2020. With help from the hospital’s Small Animal Internal Medicine Service, Flower was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), which meant her immune system was destroying her own red blood cells.

IMHA is a very challenging disease and dogs may have symptoms like fatigue, pale or yellow gums, collapsing, and rapid heart rate. Flower’s treatment of IMHA included an initial blood transfusion to help increase her red blood cells and stabilize her for further treatment.

One of the program’s emergency blood donors, a greyhound named Sosuke, was called in to donate blood for Flower. Within minutes, this life-saving resource was given to Flower and she immediately began to improve over the next few days under the hospital’s care.

With two blood transfusions along with medications to help manage her immune system, Flower rebloomed. Her disease improved, she was reunited with her family, and she continues to be a perennial favorite at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital where she returns for her annual check-ups – all thanks to the dedicated animals in the Blood Donor Program.

For pet owners interested in their dog or cat participating in the program, the pet must meet an initial set of requirements, including age, weight, and health. Donors must be one- to five-years-old and weigh a minimum of 50 pounds for a dog and 10 pounds for a cat. If initial eligibility requirements are met, the pet will then undergo a health screening conducted by the program’s dedicated team of veterinary nurses.

Canine donors accepted into the program are required to donate a minimum of four times a year, with most donating every two months. Some dogs with a universal blood type also may provide emergency donations as needed. Cats participating in the program are only used for emergencies and serve on an on-call basis a minimum of one to two months during the year. The program care team diligently plans an annual schedule that prioritizes animal welfare and well-being to ensure the donation process is a positive experience for the donors. Each donation session typically takes 10-minutes and pets receive plenty of treats, cuddles, and positive reinforcement.

In appreciation for pet owners and their blood donors, participants receive a variety of benefits including free annual exams and labwork from the hospital’s Small Animal Primary Care Service, as well as free annual vaccinations and preventatives. Owners also receive a $25 credit with each donation that can be used on hospital services not covered within the program and pets go home with a bag of pet food following each session.

To learn more about how you and your pet can make a difference in the lives of Veterinary Hospital patients in need, visit the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Blood Donor Program website for additional information and to sign-up your four-legged hero.

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

Purdue Veterinary Nursing Instructor Kara Burns is First Veterinary Technician Named as a Bridge Club Industry ICON

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The Bridge Club, a conversation company, has announced that Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, CVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS Hon (Internal Medicine, Dentistry) will be honored as the 2024 Bridge Club Industry ICON. Kara, who teaches in Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Nutrition course, is the ninth ICON and the first veterinary nurse/veterinary technician to receive the honor. She will be formally recognized during The Bridge Club ICON event January 13 in Orlando, Florida.

The Bridge Club describes itself as a critical conversation company that tackles the most pressing issues in veterinary medicine. The Bridge Club Industry ICON Award is given to a veterinary professional who consistently demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a commitment to elevating and advancing veterinary care.

“Kara is so deserving of this honor,” said Dr. Alex Miller, manager of veterinary services at Blue Buffalo, which is one of the award sponsors. “She has been instrumental in advancing the role of veterinary technicians and increasing the knowledge of all practitioners in the area of nutrition.”

Kara is the wife of Dr. Ellen I. Lowery, director of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. During her career, Kara, has held a number of important leadership roles including serving as editor-in-chief of Today’s Veterinary Nurse and as current president of the Pet Nutrition Alliance. She also is a past executive board member of PrideVMC.

Additionally, Kara has sought to maximize the role of veterinary technicians/veterinary nurses through her service as past president of the Kansas Veterinary Technicians Association and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). She also is dedicated to her specialty field of nutrition. She founded the Academy for Veterinary Nutrition Technicians and has co-written two textbooks, authored multiple textbook chapters, and written more than 100 professional articles. She also is deeply committed to continuing education and currently serves as the director of veterinary nurse development at WellHaven Pet Health. 

Kara was unanimously chosen for the Bridge Club ICON award after a rigorous selection process. After receiving nearly 50 nominations, The Bridge Club sought input from previous ICON award winners and the award program sponsors: the North America Veterinary Community (NAVC), Blue Buffalo, and IDEXX.

As a newly named award recipient, Kara joins a distinguished group of ICONs. Other honorees are Zoetis CEO Kristin Peck; former CEO of the American Pet Products Association Bob Vetere; former dean of the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Eleanor Green; former IDEXX CEO Jon Ayers; and the 2023 ICON winner, Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.

When The Bridge Club’s 2024 ICON live event takes place in Orlando Saturday, January 13, attendees will have the opportunity to get to know Kara via a moderated conversation that includes the person who knows her best, Dr. Lowery. Click here to read more.

The Bridge Club is dedicated to bringing vital conversations forward to elevate veterinary medicine. The conversations are designed to give everyone in veterinary medicine a voice in advancing the profession. To date, The Bridge Club has hosted over 300 conversations dedicated to veterinary medicine.

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

“Paws Up” – Brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

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Today we are highlighting Jennifer Smith, BS, RVT, RLATG, who is the senior instructional specialist/clinical coordinator in the Veterinary Nursing program, and she also is the advisor for the Veterinary Nursing Student Organization. A student nominated Jennifer stating, “She is always ready to solve problems, find answers, and make life easier in any way she can. She does so much for this school, program, and the students. I cannot thank her enough for everything she does.”

What is “Paws Up”? This initiative gives everyone at PVM the opportunity to share gratitude throughout our community by recognizing a person (student, staff, or faculty), or team/department who did something to brighten your day, or, who you would like to highlight for their “behind the scenes” job which helps keep PVM functioning well on a daily basis. Please consider contributing to this effort. Click here to make your submission.

Submissions for “Paws Up” should be 75 words or less and include the name of the person or team you are nominating, the PVM department they work for, and a description of how they brightened your day, helped you do your job better, or kept things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Submissions will be published anonymously in the Vet Gazette and spread throughout the year. The Vet Gazette team may edit submissions for grammar, length, and clarity before publication. We are looking forward to reading more about the wonderful people who uplift our community through your submissions!

Writer(s): PVM Wellness Committee | pvmnews@purdue.edu

VCS Professor is Involved in New Pediatric Cancer Research Center Named for Tyler Trent

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The recently announced Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center within the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research has a strong tie to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine through a faculty member in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. The new center is named in memory of the former graduate and devoted Boilermaker football fan who passed away more than four years ago from the rare bone cancer osteosarcoma. The center will be home to research to cure the disease that claimed Tyler’s life as well as other pediatric cancers.

Dr. Michael Childress, professor of comparative oncology, will conduct research as part of the new center.  Dr. Childress has been researching osteosarcoma as a member of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and is dedicated to what he describes as an urgent cause.

“A third of patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma die from it, and these are mostly adolescents. That’s a real tragedy that speaks to the need to continue to push the envelope and look for new ways to improve the outlook for those patients,” Dr. Childress said. His work targeting fundamental cancer mechanisms has the potential to contribute to the understanding of many forms of cancer and advance their therapies. Dr. Childress currently is working on a prospective drug therapy to target a specific protein that helps drive the progression of osteosarcoma and a number of other cancers in both dogs and humans. His findings hold the potential to advance therapies for those cancers.

On Saturday, October 14, between quarters of Purdue’s Hammer Down Cancer football game against Ohio State University, Kelly and Tony Trent, Tyler’s parents, helped announce the establishment of the new Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center. The announcement coincided with the five-year anniversary of Purdue’s upset win against then-No. 2 OSU, during which Tyler, and his valiant fight against cancer, were shared with a national TV audience. Despite suffering from a great deal of pain toward the end of his cancer battle, Tyler was in the stands for the 2018 game. He had famously predicted an against-the-odds Boilermaker win that day and was overjoyed when Purdue beat OSU 49-20 and the crowd erupted, chanting Tyler’s name.

Tyler died less than three months after that game, but his memory remains very much alive throughout the Purdue campus today. Purdue Institute for Cancer Research Director Andy Mesecar, who is the Walther Professor in Cancer Structural Biology, said Trent’s legacy will live on in the disease-fighting advancements of researchers dedicated to conquering his cancer and other childhood cancers.

“The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research leverages the strengths of faculty and student researchers in specialized areas of engineering, veterinary medicine, nutrition science, chemistry, pharmacy, and biological sciences, applying them in new ways to better understand childhood cancers and develop new diagnostics and treatments,” said Dr. Mesecar, who also is the Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and assistant vice president for research. “The new Tyler Trent Center and the interdisciplinary research that take place here will set us apart from other pediatric cancer research centers. Our combination of scientific talent is uniquely Purdue. There is really nothing else like this.”

The Trents are inspiring others with their dedication to their son’s legacy. They were among the first to support the research of the new center with a gift of $100,000. Tyler’s mother, Kelly, talked about what the new research center will do to preserve his legacy and turn the sadness of his loss into something productive and meaningful.

“There are hardly words to articulate what this means,” Kelly said. “As a parent who has lost a child, the best gift you can give me is to remember my child and celebrate him. One of Tyler’s passions, as many know, was pediatric cancer research, and to have his name attached to a center doing that work, in his honor, is absolutely priceless! Words and a thank you to the Purdue Cancer Institute are just not enough. Words feel inadequate for how grateful we are as a family.” Donations to the Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center may be made online. 

Writer(s): Amy Raley, Purdue Marketing and Communications | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Goes on the Road to Showcase Impact of Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program

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Representatives of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine took a road trip across the state earlier this month to spotlight the college’s role in addressing the pressing issue of a shortage of veterinary nurses (veterinary technicians). Through a series of evening events in Evansville, Indianapolis, Valparaiso, and Huntington during the first week of October, Dr. Chad Brown, director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs, presented a talk entitled, “Addressing the Indiana Registered Veterinary Technician Shortage Through Distance Learning.”

Dr. Brown provided background information about the shortage, citing references that forecast growth of more than 20 percent in the employment of veterinary technologists and technicians between 2022 and 2032, with an anticipated 14,800 job openings each year. In contrast, the 224 AVMA CVTEA-accredited programs nationwide, coupled with ten distance learning/online formats, produce only about 5,760 qualified graduates annually. Dr. Brown pointed out that efficient veterinary practices are known to maintain a nearly three-to-one ratio of veterinary technicians and assistants to veterinarians. He added that it’s actually beneficial to have an even closer ratio of veterinary technicians to veterinarians on a team, with the optimal ratio being at least two registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) to every one DVM.

Dr. Brown further pointed out that Indiana’s ratio is just under 1.4 RVTs for every one DVM, (2,530 RVTs compared to 1,820 DVMs), which lags behind the rest of the country. To achieve the optimal 2:1 ratio, Indiana would need an extra 1,110 veterinary technicians. Considering that annually, only 100-120 RVT students graduate from Indiana’s three on-campus programs, it would take approximately 16 years to overcome the difference.

Noting that enrollment at traditional educational institutions is constrained by limited physical space, Dr. Brown emphasized that online veterinary nursing (veterinary technology) degree programs present a promising alternative. These digital platforms offer increased flexibility and can accommodate many more students, regardless of where the students live. Dr. Brown explained that consequently, online learning holds the potential to boost the RVT graduation rate considerably, making distance education a pivotal strategy for rectifying Indiana’s RVT shortage in the near term.

Dr. Brown also shared that it is crucial to improve understanding within the veterinary profession about the key role RVTs play in helping to shoulder the veterinarians’ workload. “According to the Indiana State Scope of Practice law (IC 25-28.1-4-3), RVTs are authorized to carry out a vast array of duties in a clinic, contingent upon their training, expertise, and abilities,” Dr. Brown said. “By empowering RVTs to work at the height of their capabilities, we not only optimize the care provided to our clients, but also alleviate some of the pressures faced by veterinarians, enriching the overall practice environment.”

Dr. Brown then described Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program (VNDL). With more than 830 active students, 120 of whom are Indiana residents, the program illustrates the promise that distance learning holds for bridging the gap in the veterinary nursing workforce. Dr. Brown then offered an illustration to show how veterinary practices can utilize Purdue’s VNDL program to make a tangible impact on the veterinary nursing workforce. “When clinic owners or managers participate in a minor tuition sharing program with veterinary assistants, they make a significant contribution to the future of their practice,” Dr. Brown said. “In the right arrangement, the result is a skilled veterinary nurse who can elevate the practice and be retained as a dedicated employee.”

Dr. Brown added that after a student graduates, passes the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and becomes credentialed as a veterinary technician, the practice stands to also benefit financially. He cited a study by the AVMA Veterinary Economics Division’s assistant director of economics Frederic Ouedraogo, which was presented at the AVMA Economic Summit in 2019, that showed how adding a credentialed veterinary technician to the practice staff and utilizing them to the fullest extent of the practice act, could boost revenue by more than 18 percent.

Following Dr. Brown’s presentation, Purdue VNDL program assistant director Josh Clark, MS, RVT, highlighted ongoing instructional design upgrades that are being made to the distance learning program modules to enhance the overall student experience. “With these improvements, we observe higher retention and success rates amongst our students,” Mr. Clark said. “They are more likely to remain engaged in the program and graduate on time.” He went on to say that graduates of the distance learning program outperform the national average on the VTNE, which is the exam graduates take to secure their RVT certification and demonstrate their readiness to enter the workforce as an RVT.

The evening concluded with a presentation by Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s chief development officer, Tanya Finkbiner, who described opportunities for practices to collaborate with the college during the VNDL redesign process. With a minimal financial commitment, practices and individuals can sponsor a didactic course in the program, giving them visibility with students who will be entering the workforce as graduates in the future.

The last stop of the VNDL roadshow was at Huntington University (HU), where PVM Dean Willie Reed, Dr. Brown, and Mr. Clark got the chance to meet with the university’s leadership and some of the 11 students who are taking part in a newly created dual degree program between HU and Purdue Veterinary Medicine. For the past 18 months, HU and Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing program have been forging the dual degree initiative. This innovative program enables students to attend in-person classes at HU and partake in online courses through Purdue University’s VNDL program. The comprehensive four-year plan utilizes Purdue’s esteemed VDNL curriculum and Huntington University’s faith-based coursework in agriculture and animal well-being to give the students the opportunity to earn two degrees simultaneously: a bachelor’s in animal health from Huntington University and an associate’s in veterinary nursing from Purdue University.

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

Appreciation Week Celebrates College’s Veterinary Nurses and Assistants

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine takes great pride in educating the entire veterinary team, and veterinary nurses and assistants are a big part of that team! To show its support and gratitude, the college held a week-long celebration during Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week (nationally known as Veterinary Technician Week), October 16-20. The series of special activities were thoughtfully planned as part of the college’s long-standing tradition of recognizing veterinary nurses during the appreciation week for the vital roles they play in the veterinary medical profession.

“I am excited that we are commemorating this special week that is designated as a time to thank our veterinary nurses who are such valuable members of our veterinary team,” said Dean Willie Reed. “Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week gives us a great opportunity to celebrate the veterinary nurses who are essential to the service, research, and teaching missions of our college.”

As part of the planning process, creative energy was expended to coin fun names for some of the special activities. PVM’s veterinary nurses enjoyed well-deserved treats with the “Thanks a ‘Hole’ Bunch” donut breakfast on Tuesday, October 17. On Wednesday, October 18, veterinary nurses received ice cream treats at the “You’re the Coolest!” event. Thursday, October 19, the Veterinary Nursing Student Organization handed out commemorative t-shirts as well as goody bags in line with their theme “You Have Great Tricks, so Come Get Some Treats!” Then today (Friday, October 20), veterinary nurses are enjoying “You Are Our Heroes!” Subway sandwiches, which will be available until 1:30 p.m. All of the recognition events have taken place in the connecting corridor between the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex and Lynn Hall.

Special thanks to the planning committee members who organized the week’s activities: Megan Brashear, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC), senior manager of veterinary nursing in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital; Mackenzie Lynas, RVT, veterinary technician in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit/Emergency and Critical Care Service; Eleanor Nichols, RVT, veterinary nurse in the hospital’s Large Animal Internal Medicine Service; and Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, instructional technologist in the college’s Veterinary Nursing Program.

PVM’s veterinary nurses also were featured in social media promotions. More than 110 social media posts were published featuring photos of PVM’s veterinary nursing teams and veterinary nursing students as well as advice for future veterinary nurses, and appreciation for the hard-work of all of the veterinary nursing teams.

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

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

Coppoc One Health Lecture Spotlights Issue of Antimicrobial Use in Food Animals

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Lynn Hall is the location for the 2023 Coppoc One Health Lecture featuring a talk that will look at the issue of antimicrobial use in food animals through a One Health lens. Scheduled for Thursday, November 2 at 12:20 p.m. in Lynn 1136, the presentation will be given by Dr. Renata lvanek, a professor of epidemiology at Cornell University and co-director of Cornell’s Combined DVM-PhD Degree Program and the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture. The title of her talk incorporates a Lord Kelvin quote: “‘If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it’ (Lord Kelvin): Antimicrobial Use in Food Animals Through a One Health Lens.”

With the overarching goal of advancing One Health, Dr. Ivanek’s research utilizes data- and model-based approaches for improving food safety, controlling infectious diseases, and optimizing food production systems and antimicrobial stewardship. Dr. lvanek holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Zagreb in Croatia, a MSc in veterinary epidemiology from the University of London in the United Kingdom, and a PhD in comparative biomedical sciences from Cornell University.

Concerned about how much antimicrobial usage there is in food animals, who cares about it, and whether we can use less? These questions and more will be addressed when Dr. Ivanek gives the 9^th annual Coppoc Lecture next month.

The Coppoc One Health Lecture Series provides an annual campus-wide lectureship that focuses on the symbiotic relationship between veterinary and human medicine and its world-wide impact. Established in 2014, the Coppoc One Health Lecture Series is named in honor of Dr. Gordon Coppoc, Purdue professor emeritus of veterinary pharmacology, and his wife, Harriet. Dr. Coppoc is the former head of PVM’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences. He also served as director of the Indiana University School of Medicine-Lafayette and associate dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine before retiring in 2014.

Click here for more information.

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

The Power of Gratitude: Appreciation Boosts Well-Being

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New Paws-Up Feature Provides Avenue for Uplifting Colleagues Through Gratitude

This October as we celebrate National Veterinary Nurses Appreciation Week, the PVM Wellness Committee would like to highlight how we all can take advantage of a popular evidence-based strategy to boost our collective well-being. Research shows that both extending, and receiving, gratitude can have a profound impact on workplace well-being and career satisfaction.

What are some of the benefits of expressing gratitude? Regularly sharing gratitude has been linked to reduced stress, lower rates of depression, and increased happiness. It helps people focus on the positive aspects of their work life. Another benefit of extending gratitude is that it promotes stronger relationships among team members. Recognizing our colleagues’ efforts creates a culture of respect and cooperation in our workplace.

What are some of the benefits of receiving gratitude? In addition to simply feeling good, being on the receiving end of gratitude can help to reinforce our sense of accomplishment and self-worth. When employees feel valued they are more likely to enjoy their work which can lead to more job satisfaction and decreased turnover. Being recognized can help improve our motivation to continue giving our best effort and it can energize our engagement. For 31 more scientifically supported benefits of gratitude, read this article by Happier Human.

Considering all the benefits of gratitude, the PVM Wellness Committee is introducing a new Vet Gazette feature, called “Paws Up.”

“Paws Up” gives everyone at PVM the opportunity to share gratitude throughout our community by recognizing a person (student, staff, or faculty), or team/department who did something to brighten your day, or, who you would like to highlight for their “behind the scenes” job which helps keep PVM functioning well on a daily basis. Please consider contributing to this effort by clicking here to make your submission.

Submissions for “Paws Up” should be 75 words or less and include the name of the person or team you are nominating, the PVM department they work for, and describe how they brightened your day, helped you do your job better, or kept things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Submissions will be published anonymously in the Vet Gazette and spread throughout the year. The Vet Gazette team may edit submissions for grammar, length, and clarity before publication. We are looking forward to reading more about the wonderful people who uplift our community through your submissions!

Writer(s): PVM Wellness Committee | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Honored with 2023 National Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has received the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the fourth consecutive year. Presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, the national award recognizes U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. As an award recipient, the college will be featured, along with 61 other Health Professions HEED Award recipients, in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

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

Purdue Veterinary Medicine assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, Marsha Baker, said the college continues to advance the core values of DEI through evidence-based mentoring, teaching, research, hiring, and promotion, recruitment, and retention. “These efforts establish a solid foundation for ensuring that our college sustains a welcoming environment and actively values diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Baker said. “This recognition shows that we not only have outstanding programmatic initiatives, but that our approach to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is interwoven into all aspects of our missions of learning, discovery, and engagement.”

As a 2023 Health Professions HEED Award recipient the college was honored for multiple aspects of its commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Programs highlighted as part of the award selection process include:

• Ongoing efforts to implement and monitor DEI initiatives, including the work of the Diversity Action Committee to foster the college’s successful implementation of the DEI Strategic Plan.
• Creative initiatives launched and sustained through the college’s Office of Engagement, including the League of VetaHumanz, which provides access and support for underserved children as they pursue their dreams of becoming veterinary professionals; and Global Engagement programming that expands study abroad opportunities for DVM and Veterinary Nursing students by attracting funding to support student travel overseas.
• The Vet Up! program that provides opportunities and support for equity-minded individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the veterinary profession and serve society by advancing public health, ensuring food safety, or serving rural areas.
• Active partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU).
• DEI training programs for faculty, staff, and students that include Learning Cafes, Mediation Training, and a Climate Survey.
• The Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine that involves a unique combination of distance learning, community service, and reflective assignments to equip participants with the skills and understanding needed to foster inclusivity within their respective institutions.
• The Purdue Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) for Translational Biomedical Sciences that fosters diversity in the biomedical sciences through a one-year post-baccalaureate program that provides in-depth research experience, graduate coursework, professional development, and career planning.
• Utilization of a holistic admissions process that facilitates recruitment of historically underrepresented and first-generation students.
• An active chapter of the student organization VOICE – “Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment.”

“The College of Veterinary Medicine has been a leader in developing and delivering innovative programming that is helping to expand diversity in the veterinary medical profession,” Baker said. “We are honored to receive this national award that spotlights the results of years of dedicated work aimed at making measurable progress as a college and as a health profession in being truly welcoming and supportive of everyone.” Out of the 61 Health Professions HEED Award recipients for 2023, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is one of only five veterinary schools and colleges chosen to receive the honor.

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

DVM Student Takes Top Prize at AABP Competition

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine was well represented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ 56^th Annual Conference by faculty, staff, and students in attendance, including Kelsey D’Amico, of the DVM Class of 2025, who was named the 2023 Overall Winner of the Student Case Presentation Competition. With the theme, “Evolving Expectations,” the annual AABP Conference took place September 21-23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As a key event at the conference, the Student Case Presentation Competition serves to promote student interest in AABP, encourage development of investigative and communication skills, and allow veterinary students to actively participate in the annual meeting program. To participate, students must be AABP members enrolled in AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges. Students at any level of their veterinary program are eligible to participate, including those who have graduated within six months prior to the competition, and they receive a travel stipend to attend the conference in person. Competitors are judged on the quality of their investigation or research, and quality of the presentation.

Kelsey was one of 10 competitors who presented on interesting treatment cases or completed research projects. Her presentation entitled, “A Randomized, Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Quarter-level Somatic Cell Count and Culture-based Results Against Blanket Dry Cow Therapy on Early-lactation Production Outcomes,” focused on a research project completed last summer at a commercial dairy operation under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Hubner, clinical assistant professor of Farm Animal Field Services in the college’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. The objective of the study was to determine quarters requiring antimicrobial treatment using either a benchtop somatic cell counter (S-SDCT) or gram-positive selective media (C-SDCT), and to compare outcomes in those cows to those receiving blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT) in a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial. Her manuscript on the study is currently under review with the Journal of Dairy Science. Kelsey was named the 1^st place winner in the research category as well as overall winner and took home a $1,500 cash prize.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine also was represented in the conference’s Student Quiz Bowl event with a strong performance by a team of four students: Jessie Sexton, of the DVM Class of 2024, and Kelsey D’Amico, Kallie Knott, and Kiara Nobbe, all of the DVM Class of 2025. The Quiz Bowl consisted of head-to-head competition with as many as four teams competing in each match following a bracket system. The time-limited matches gave students a chance to flex their knowledge until just one team remained. Congratulations to the PVM team on advancing to the second round this year!

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