Record Giving Advances College’s Mission and Vision

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Fiscal year 2022-23 was another incredible showing of love and loyalty from alumni, clients, and friends of the College of Veterinary Medicine! The third consecutive year of philanthropic support totaling over $20 million demonstrates that the college’s mission to advance global animal and human health and well-being through excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement is a meaningful cause to join. The college is grateful for this support and the opportunity to utilize this investment to move the world forward.

Highlights from the past year include:

• Establishment of the new Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center
• Creation of the new Raj and Melissa Singh Veterinary Dentistry Professorship
• Multiple investments in the future of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Cardiology Service
• Sizable scholarship endowments to significantly decrease student debt
• Continued support to assist in providing state-of-the-art equipment for the Veterinary Hospital

Gifts by Designation

Designation Purpose	FY 2023 Commitments
Facilities	$1,253,652.81
Faculty Support	$4,033,254.32
Programs/Projects	$11,456,065.09
Student Support	$6,043,233.40
Unrestricted	$658,414.09
Total	$23,444,619.71

Giving Back

Alumni	$6,387,683.28
Friends	$15,203,821.26
Other	$1,835,187.68

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

In Support of Inclusive Excellence in Veterinary Medicine

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Purdue Alumna and Animal Lover Joanne Troutner Invests in PVM Diversity Initiatives to Honor Dean Willie Reed

In another life, Joanne Troutner might have been a veterinarian. But in the early 1970s — when the national average of male enrollment in veterinary schools was 89% — a career in veterinary medicine didn’t seem accessible to her. Now, women in the profession outnumber men, and yet diversity remains an issue, as 90% of today’s veterinarians identify as white.

In 2008, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine established the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the purpose of intentionally creating a culture of excellence that supports a diverse and inclusive environment in the college. The creation of the new office reflected the vision of Dr. Willie Reed, who had just been appointed as the college’s new dean a year earlier.

“The College of Veterinary Medicine has been engaged in this work for 15 years,” Joanne said. “The programming is phenomenal and it’s having a real impact. It’s necessary work and it needs to continue, which is why I’m proud to support the college’s DEI efforts with a designated gift, given in honor of Dean Reed.”

A Farm Girl at Heart

A self-described farm girl who grew up near the one-stoplight town of Gaston in Western Indiana, Joanne participated in 4-H, showing cattle and hogs at the Delaware County Fair.

“I once got kicked trying to pet one of the milk cows,” Joanne said. “I’ve always loved animals, but I also learned to respect them at a young age. Farm life taught me to be a hard worker and that there was no job too awful to do because every job needed to be done.”

Joanne bonded with her animals. Not only the pets — she believes dogs were meant to be black, female, and named Susie — but the livestock, too. At age 13, her steer named Sammy won grand champion at the county fair. Her family sold Sammy to a supermarket chain at the conclusion of the fair, but Joanne asked if she could borrow Sammy for a few weeks to take the steer on the show circuit. The representatives from the grocery firm agreed, but Sammy had already been moved to the stockyards where he was mixed in with dozens of similar looking cattle.

“I walked past these grizzled older men who worked at the stockyards,” Joanne said. “And they asked me, ‘Little girl, how do you think you’re going to find your calf?’ I stepped up to the pen and started calling Sammy’s name. Pretty soon, through all the other cattle, here comes Sammy. Those stockyard workers were stunned silent. They’d never seen a steer that was trained to come to its name.”

Growing up, Joanne only knew of male veterinarians. In the 1960s, the profession was 98% male. In 1970, when Joanne enrolled as an undergraduate at Purdue, pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine never even crossed her mind.

“Career choices for women were somewhat limited in the early 1970s,” Joanne said. “I could be a nurse or a teacher. My mother was an English major and a business major, so that influenced my decision to become an educator.”

Joanne majored in English and media sciences at Purdue and earned her bachelor’s in 1974. She was part of the last freshman class forced to wear the green beanies — a tradition said to have started in the early 1900s as a means by which upper classmen could assure themselves that students in incoming classes, considered as “green” fledglings, wouldn’t be mistaken for juniors or seniors. Joanne served as a student leader in Green Guard, an organization that helped incoming freshmen women acclimate to campus life. She was also a member of Angel Flight, the Air Force ROTC women’s auxiliary (now a co-ed organization named Silver Wings), which is how she met her husband, Lary Troutner, a 1976 history grad and member of Air Force ROTC.

In 1976, she earned a master’s in audio-visual technology from Purdue. Early in her career, she was a high school library media specialist at Lafayette Jefferson High School. She later worked for the Tippecanoe School Corporation and retired from the TSC as director of media and technology.

Loyal Boilermakers

Joanne can’t imagine life without Purdue. She and Lary remained connected to the university throughout their marriage. Lary died in 2011 from ALS and Joanne credits her Purdue family with helping her through the transition.

During a dinner at Westwood Manor, Lafayette philanthropist Linda Rohrman suggested Joanne become a Purduette mentor. Rohrman co-founded the Purduette mentoring program in 2005. Joanne is also an honorary advisor for the Purdue Foundation Student Board.

“I love mentoring Purdue students,” Joanne said. “I had the privilege of working with student leaders on the Canine Educators care team in the College of Veterinary Medicine last summer. When I’m working with students, my fondest hope is that I can provide them some insight and wisdom that I wish somebody had given me at their age.”

In addition to her investment of time, Joanne has given generously to support several areas across campus in addition to the College of Veterinary Medicine such as the library system, the Purdue Women’s Network, the establishment of the Joanne J. Troutner Innovative Educators Program and several student scholarships — including one in the College of Agriculture named for her parents and another in the History Department named for Lary.

“I’d give Lary a chunk of the credit for my support of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s DEI initiatives, too,” Joanne said. “As a child, he experienced the integration of his school in Charleston, South Carolina, so he was always sensitive to the need for inclusion.”

Assata Gilmore, the first Black woman to serve as student body president at Purdue (2020-21), also influenced Joanne. Gilmore was president during the summer of 2020 when protests erupted across the nation in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

“Assata was a wonderful mentor to me,” Joanne said. “I grew up during the Civil Rights era and saw the police dogs and the fire hoses. As a society, we are still living with ingrained racism and students like Assata challenge us all to do better. Donating to fund DEI initiatives is one way I can answer that challenge.”

“Diversity and inclusiveness doesn’t just happen,” Joanne said. “We need to consciously focus on inclusive excellence. As a librarian and an educator, I was taught to think broadly. It’s imperative that we consider other points of view, not just our own.”

During a President’s Council trip to Monterey, California, in August, Joanne met another Purdue graduate dedicated to diversifying the field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Mike Murray (PU DVM ’77) is the director of veterinary services at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. During his presentation to the President’s Council members, Dr. Murray shared how he began a mentoring program for underrepresented high school students with an interest in veterinary medicine.

“Dr. Mike’s mentoring program was born from a conversation with Dean Willie Reed,” Joanne said. “I’ve always admired Dean Reed’s wisdom and his community involvement. The College of Veterinary Medicine has transformed under his vision. There are a whole lot of things that wouldn’t be in place right now at Purdue if it weren’t for Dean Reed.”

As for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Joanne hopes her gift in Dean Reed’s name will provide support for inclusive excellence well into the future. Named the Dean Willie Reed Legacy Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the new fund will provide flexibility to support areas of strategic importance that are intended to assist in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the college. Suggested uses include, but are not limited to, supporting education programs, activities and/or initiatives related to diversity equity and inclusion missions within the college.

The concept of inclusive excellence recognizes that a community’s success is dependent on how well it values, engages and includes the rich diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumni. That extends to recruiting, admissions, hiring and promotion processes, curriculum development and administrative structures and practices. “Diversity and inclusiveness doesn’t just happen,” Joanne said. “We need to consciously focus on inclusive excellence. As a librarian and an educator, I was taught to think broadly. It’s imperative that we consider other points of view, not just our own.” Through the new Dean Willie Reed Legacy Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Joanne’s passion for inclusive excellence will be permanently linked with Dean Reed’s legacy of tangibly expanding diversity, equity and inclusion in the veterinary medical profession.

Writer(s): Kat Braz | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Honoring Distinguished Alumni and Instructors

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Outstanding faculty and alumni were honored by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine during multiple ceremonies that featured annual awards and recognition. Faculty awards recognized teaching, research, service, and scholarship of engagement, while alumni were honored for their outstanding careers in the veterinary medical profession.

Alumni Awards

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented during the Purdue Veterinary Conference at the Alumni and Friends Celebration in the Purdue Memorial Union September 20. Dr. W. Mark Hilton (PU BS ’80, DVM ’83), clinical professor emeritus of veterinary clinical sciences and technical consultant for Elanco Animal Health, received the college’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Distinguished Veterinary Nursing Alumni Award was presented to Pam Phegley, BS, RVT (PU AS-VT ’83; BSVT 2001), Veterinary Nursing Program clinical mentorship coordinator.

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. During his Purdue career, Dr. Hilton rose through the academic ranks while educating students on food animal ambulatory calls. After retiring from the university in 2016, he joined Elanco Animal Health as a technical consultant providing beef cattle veterinarians with production medicine support.

Dr. Hilton is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the beef cattle specialty, and has actively served the veterinary medical profession in a variety of roles. He is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and past president of the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC). He has received numerous awards, including the Student American Veterinary Medical Association’s national teaching award, WVC’s Continuing Educator of the Year Award, and the Merial and AABP Excellence in Preventive Medicine Award for Beef. In addition, he was named by Bovine Veterinarian as one of the 20 Most Influential Bovine Veterinarians in North America in 2013 and in 2021 he received the Mentor of the Year Award presented jointly by the AABP and Merck Animal Health.

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, Ms. Phegley’s skills as a veterinary nurse and educator have been recognized with numerous awards. She also is an ambassador for Purdue 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 serving patients in the hospital.

Awards for Faculty and Instructors

Several faculty members and instructors were honored with awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments during multiple ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring semester.

The first ceremony, held in Lynn Hall on April 26, honored faculty who received teaching awards based on evaluations by each class of DVM students. Dean Willie Reed began the program by explaining that each year veterinary students are asked to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of faculty members using the following standard:

“An outstanding teacher is one who demonstrates superior ability in communicating the chosen material to students and stimulates their desire to master the material. This teacher will also recognize that their teaching responsibility does not stop at the classroom door, and therefore, will be ready to aid and motivate students in a counseling and advisory capacity, either formally or informally.”

The following 2023 award winners were honored as top teachers in each year of the DVM program:

Dr. Kevin Hannon, associate professor of basic medical sciences, was selected by the Class of 2026 to receive the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching from First-Year DVM Students. Dr. Hannon teaches Gross Anatomy of the Dog and Cat in the fall semester and Veterinary Neuroscience in the spring semester. He also teaches in the Veterinary Nursing Program. Dr. Hannon has demonstrated innovation in his teaching by creating an interactive application, Active Lesson, that allows the students to practice active recall and visualize anatomy from multiple perspectives.

Dr. Stephanie Inoue, lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Administration, was chosen by the Class of 2025 to receive the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching from Second-Year DVM Students. Dr. Inoue teaches in the Veterinary Skills and Competencies (VSAC) courses as well as the Applications and Integrations courses. She is respected by students for her high standards and the support she provides to students. She also is dedicated to maintaining the health and wellbeing of the college’s Canine Educators.

Mindy Anderson, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of basic medical sciences, was recognized with the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching from Third-Year DVM Students, based on her selection by the Class of 2024. She is the instructor-of-record for Veterinary Pharmacology Principles and Applications and Applied Pharmacology II. Anderson’s years of experience as a veterinary nurse enable her to make pharmacology very practical. Although she teaches primarily in the second year of the DVM program, she made such a lasting impact on the Class of 2024 that they chose to recognize her in their third year.

Dr. John Christian, associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology and director of the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, was selected by the Class of 2023 to receive the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching from Fourth-Year DVM Students. Dr. Christian is the instructor-of-record for Clinical Chemistries in the second year. In the first year of the curriculum, he teaches physiology and provides valuable support to the A&I courses. The students appreciate Dr. Christian’s reflections on values that are the foundation of respected professionals and his caring attitude. Dr. Christian’s selection by the fourth year class is a testament to the lasting impression he has made on them.

On May 12, another set of awards was presented at the Faculty Awards Celebration in Lynn Hall recognizing the following professors:

Dr. Janice Kritchevsky, professor of large animal internal medicine and large animal chief of staff in the Veterinary Hospital, received the Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence. Nominations for this award are submitted by faculty, and the awardee is selected by a committee of faculty and alumni on the basis of the nominee’s performance and contributions in research, instruction, and public relations and professional services.  Dr. Kritchevsky has a long record of dedicated service, including serving on multiple committees.  She also developed and led the PetSafe program, which is a community service offered by the college to meet the short-term housing needs of pets as a result of emergencies caused by natural disasters, domestic violence or the animals’ or owners’ need for hospice care.  In addition, Dr. Kritchevsky has achieved great success as a large animal medicine teacher. Veterinary students have consistently evaluated her as being extremely effective teaching in both the classroom and clinic.

Dr. John Christian, associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology and director of the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, was presented with the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award, based on the aforementioned evaluation by veterinary students of the teaching effectiveness of PVM faculty.

Dr. Kevin Hannon, associate professor of basic medical sciences, received the PVM Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award, as a result of his selection, based on the aforementioned annual veterinary student evaluation of the teaching effectiveness of PVM faculty members.

Dr. Aimee Brooks, clinical associate professor of small animal emergency and critical care, was presented with the Excellence in Teaching Award sponsored by the college. Recipients are chosen from nominations made by peers. Dr. Brooks receives consistent praise from her students in her teaching evaluations and also is highly rated in her lecture and laboratory sessions by students who often cite her ability to clearly communicate material as well as her enthusiasm and motivation. Additionally, she is very involved in extracurricular clinical experiences that provide students with additional exposure to hands-on learning experiences.

Dr. Kari Ekenstedt, assistant professor of anatomy and genetics, received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. Dr. Ekenstedt’s research is focused on determining the genetic basis of naturally occurring, spontaneous canine and feline diseases. Her work includes identifying the causative mutations of these diseases and making genetic tests available for breeders. Additionally, many of the mutations in dogs and cats have comparable mutations in humans, thereby providing relevant biomedical models for human disease.

Dr. Michael Childress, associate professor of comparative oncology, was honored with the PVM Excellence in Research Award sponsored by the college, which recognizes faculty members for their roles in generating new knowledge through basic and clinical research. In addition to his role as a clinician, educating students and treating patients, Dr. Childress conducts extensive research aimed at developing new therapies and identifying novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers for canine lymphomas.  He also focuses on naturally-occurring canine lymphomas as a translational model for non-Hodgkin lymphomas in humans, and is a member of the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research.

Dr. Sandy Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine, received the PVM Excellence in Service Award. This award was established to honor Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty who have demonstrated consistent and sustained delivery of services through the college. Dr. Taylor has had a transformative impact on large animal services in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, where large animal caseload has been growing consistently and rapidly. Dr. Taylor personifies the competent and compassionate care for which the college is known. She consistently receives excellent reviews from clients and serves as an excellent role model for students, keeping the patient’s needs as a top priority while always remaining upbeat and professional.

Dr. Darryl Ragland, associate professor of food animal production medicine, was presented with the PVM Excellence in Scholarship of Engagement Award. This award was established to honor Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty who have demonstrated consistent and sustained outreach efforts through the college.  Dr. Ragland is praised for his willingness and commitment to do the behind-the-scenes work necessary to advance the college’s creative and entrepreneurial efforts to make Purdue Veterinary Medicine and the veterinary medical profession more diverse and inclusive.  As a faculty member, he is extremely enthusiastic about providing opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine and particularly swine production medicine.

As part of the college’s Graduation Celebration May 14, Dr. Andrew Woolcock, associate professor of small animal internal medicine, was honored with the Weedon Faculty Recognition Award, which is given to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution to members of the current fourth-year veterinary class during their progress toward their DVM degrees. Patience Klecka, RVT, veterinary nurse in the hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Service, was recognized with the Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award, which is given to honor a Veterinary Nursing educator who has clearly communicated course content, facilitated skill acquisition, motivated students, shown a continued willingness to facilitate learning outside of a formal setting, counseled and mentored students, and served as a positive role model.

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

Dean Willie Reed Receives Inaugural AVMA Award for Lifetime Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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When the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) established the Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 to recognize distinguished leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the veterinary profession, one nominee stood out as an especially fitting choice to be the inaugural recipient. That person is Dr. Willie Reed, dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dean Reed was selected by the AVMA Board of Directors to receive the award, which was presented July 14 at the AVMA annual convention in Denver, Colorado. The Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an AVMA member veterinarian who has made significant contributions to the veterinary profession through innovative and transformative leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing these values within the veterinary profession and has brought honor and distinction to the field through exemplary efforts.

The award’s namesake and Dean Reed both are notable figures in the field of veterinary medicine who share similarities. As Black veterinarians who hail from the South, they both have lived out a commitment to fostering opportunities for underrepresented groups within the veterinary profession. Both Drs. Patterson and Reed also had a connection with Tuskegee University during their formative years, albeit through different avenues.

While he was the university’s president, Dr. Patterson helped establish what is now known as the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, which opened in 1945. Dr. Reed earned his veterinary degree at Tuskegee 33 years later and embarked on a career that led to the veterinary deanship at Purdue, where he has promoted an inclusive culture and created opportunities for underrepresented individuals not only at the veterinary college, but also in the profession as a whole.

“Much like Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson, your steadfast commitment has allowed you to bring about meaningful change and establish a strong foundation for DEI at Purdue University and in the profession,” Dr. Janet Donlin, the AVMA’s Executive Vice President and CEO, wrote to Dean Reed when she informed him of his selection as the inaugural award recipient. “Your innovative mindset and visionary leadership have propelled veterinary medicine forward in the realm of DEI.”

When the AVMA announced the establishment of the new honor and invited nominations last April, the AVMA President, Dr. Lori Teller noted, “We want to recognize member veterinarians who have made significant contributions to the veterinary profession through advancing DEI. There is no better way to do this than by bestowing an annual award named after Dr. Patterson, who was such a visionary leader.”

In accepting the award, Dean Reed said that as a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, there is no greater recognition than to receive an award in honor of Dr. Patterson, who also founded the United Negro College Fund. “So without Dr. Patterson — his vision, his tenacity in starting a college of veterinary medicine, my dream of becoming a veterinarian probably would not have come true,” Dean Reed said.

Dean Reed’s influence and impact is reflected in the tangible increases that have occurred in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s diversity. When he became dean in 2007, underrepresented minority (URM) students accounted for 5.4 percent enrollment across all four years of Purdue’s veterinary program. Today, because of intentional recruitment and retention efforts, Purdue has 29.2% URM enrollment across all four years, and 205 URM veterinary students have graduated between 2008 and 2023.

Those efforts, developed under Dean Reed’s leadership, include:

• Being awarded $136,000 in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to create the Multicultural Scholars Program to support recruitment and retention of URM veterinary students.
  
• Receiving a five-year, $3.18 million award in 2018 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration to support the Vet Up! National Health Careers Opportunity Program Academy for Veterinary Medicine. The program’s goal is to fill veterinary shortage areas with individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas.
  
• Leading a collaborative effort resulting in the publication of the first book on diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine, “Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine,” in 2013.
  
• Establishing a partnership in 2014 among Purdue, the AVMA, and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) to establish the first Center for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, which offers online certificate programs in diversity and inclusion for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses, educators, and veterinary students.
  
• Growing Purdue’s Science Education Partnership Award program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, to engage under-resourced children in veterinary medicine. Purdue leads teams of veterinary role models in the League of VetaHumanz program across the country who partner with community organizations and schools to support under-resourced elementary school children through mentoring and delivering veterinary lessons.

Drs. Sandra San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, and S. Kathleen Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs at the college, both nominated Dean Reed, emphasizing the importance of the college’s strategic planning process that he has utilized to guide the college throughout his tenure as dean. They wrote: “Strategic plans don’t get dusty at Purdue. We are currently on our third strategic plan, led by Dr. Reed, each affirming the college’s values, culture, and commitment to promote a collegial, diverse, and supportive work and learning environment enhanced by diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, career goals, socioeconomic background, educational background, and geographic background. The college’s strategic plan is further bolstered by a strategic plan specifically focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Under Dean Reed’s leadership, the College of Veterinary Medicine has received the national Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award multiple times (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, a publication focused on advancing best practices in DEI in higher education. In 2021, the college was further honored with the Diversity Champion Award — the first time the publication named a veterinary college as an award recipient — for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Diversity Champions are typically institutions known for visionary leadership, that serve as role models and set the standard for thousands of other college campuses striving for inclusive excellence. These institutions are recognized for exemplifying an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels.

Among his many honors, Dean Reed has received multiple awards and recognition specifically for his accomplishments in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, including an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, in 2018, “For his powerful advocacy on behalf of groups underrepresented in veterinary medicine and for his leadership in veterinary medical education and research.” In 2017, he was honored as a recipient of the Purdue University Title IX Distinguished Service Award, “For providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels,” and in 2015 he received the Purdue Dreamer Award, “For a lifetime of work, demonstrating an active commitment, advocacy, and application of the principles of equality, excellence, and social responsibility that reflect Dr. King’s vision of service to others and his dream of equality for all.” He also was honored in 2011 by the AAVMC as the recipient of the Iverson Bell Diversity and Inclusion Award, which is given in memory and recognition of Dr. Iverson Bell’s outstanding leadership and contributions in the promotion of diversity in veterinary medical education.

Click here to see the Frederick Douglass Patterson award story published by the AVMA, which includes a video clip from Dean Reed’s acceptance speech.

Writer(s): Purdue Veterinary Medicine News

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

Welcome New Faculty

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The following faculty members joined the College of Veterinary Medicine’s academic departments in the past year. Please join us in welcoming our newest educators, researchers, and clinicians.

Dr. Timothy Bolton

Timothy Bolton, DVM joined the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as clinical assistant professor of small animal internal medicine on September 18. Dr. Bolton earned a DVM degree from Texas A&M University in 2011 and went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University followed by a specialty internal medicine internship with Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Cordova, Tennessee. He then returned to Texas A&M to complete a small animal internal medicine residency before entering private practice as an internist at a referral center in Vermont. In 2018, Dr. Bolton joined the faculty at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as clinical assistant professor where he was recognized with numerous teaching awards during his tenure. Dr. Bolton is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (small animal).

Dr. Ahmed Abdelkhalek Hassan

Ahmed Abdelkhalek Hassan, BSPharm, PhD, joined the Department of Comparative Pathobiology as a research assistant professor with a focus in antimicrobial resistance on October 23. Dr. Hassan earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with an emphasis in chemistry and pharmaceutical science from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He then came to Purdue where he completed a PhD and post-doctoral studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hassan’s research focuses on overcoming the ongoing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, especially as it concerns gut pathogens, through vaccine development, drug discovery, and host-pathogen interaction studies.

Dr. Lindsay Moreland-Head

Lindsay Moreland-Head, PharmD, MEd, BCCP joined the Department of Medical Education as clinical assistant professor (clinical pharmacy) effective April 3. Dr. Moreland-Head brings her clinical expertise as a former cardiology pharmacist at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct clinical assistant professor to the College of Pharmacy and to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Moreland-Head received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Purdue University in 2017 and then completed two years of residency — specializing in cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also earned a master of education in instructional design at the University of Georgia. Her research interests include healthcare education, heart failure, and anticoagulation.

Dr. Leanne Nieforth

Leanne Nieforth, PhD joined the Department of Comparative Pathobiology as assistant professor of the human-animal bond effective August 14. Dr. Nieforth completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at North Carolina State University before coming to Purdue to complete a PhD degree focused on human-animal interaction in 2022. She then completed a post-doc at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine before returning to Purdue as a faculty member. Dr. Nieforth also serves as a member of Purdue’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond. Her research focuses on employing rigorous methodology to discover the biopsychosocial effects of human-animal interactions to create effective interventions to benefit both people and animals.

Dr. Ana Carolina Fonseca Pinto

Ana Carolina Fonseca Pinto, DVM, PhD joined the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as clinical associate professor of diagnostic imaging effective July 17. Dr. Pinto earned a DVM degree in 1995 at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. She then worked in private practice as a veterinary radiologist before returning to the University of São Paulo where she earned a master’s degree in 1999 and worked as an assistant professor while also earning a PhD degree and was then promoted to PhD professor and later associate professor. Dr. Pinto completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee (2012) and Purdue University (2017), and then returned to Purdue in 2019 for a diagnostic imaging residency and master’s degree program, which she finished this past summer.

Dr. William Whitehouse

William Whitehouse, DVM joined the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as assistant professor of small animal internal medicine on July 5. Dr. Whitehouse earned a DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 2010. He then completed an internship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011 followed by a small animal internal medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014 where he also served as a clinical instructor. Dr. Whitehouse then worked as a staff internist at the VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for several years before joining the faculty at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he was an assistant professor. Board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Whitehouse’s areas of interest include small animal nephrology and acute kidney injury.

Dr. Seiji Yoshimura

Seiji Yoshimura, DVM, MS joined the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as visiting assistant professor of large animal surgery effective August 1. Dr. Yoshimura earned a DVM degree in 2011 from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan and then completed an equine rotating internship followed by an equine surgery internship, both at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Virginia. He continued his training by doing an additional equine surgery internship at the Milton Equine Hospital in Ontario, Canada before completing a large animal surgery residency at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan, Canada. Most recently, he served as the primary surgeon at the Mitsuishi Large Animal Clinic. Dr. Yoshimura is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (large animal).

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

Celebrating Retiring Educators

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates the accomplishments and careers of PVM educators who have retired in the past year.

Dr. Alan Beck

Dr. Alan Beck retired as the Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond August 31, after a storied career that spanned almost 60 years, of which 33 were spent serving on the Purdue faculty.

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.

Dr. Beck 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 recently published Routledge International Handbook of Human-Animal Interactions and Anthrozoology (with Aubrey Fine, Megan Mueller, Zenithson Ng, and Jose Peralta).

In addition, Dr. Beck has published more than 90 professional articles and over 60 book chapters. 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 ten 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 served as 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 concluded his Purdue career fittingly with his last lecture, when he spoke at the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference September 19 in Stewart Center. Dr. Beck was the speaker for the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture, and gave a talk entitled, “The Human-Animal Bond: Totally Natural and Completely Necessary.”

After the lecture, Dr. Beck was honored at a reception, during which the president of the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Steven Feldman, spoke about how Dr. Beck had been instrumental in the establishment of the organization, and then announced that HABRI is endowing a new scholarship in Dr. Beck’s name. The Dr. Alan Beck Human-Animal Bond Scholarship Endowment will provide annual scholarship support for one or more students who demonstrate financial need, with preference for promising students who show a high interest in the study of human-animal interaction.

Dr. John Christian

Dr. John Christian, associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology and director of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Clinical Pathology Laboratory, is retiring effective December 31, 2023 after 30 years of service to the university.

Dr. Christian earned his DVM degree at the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982 before entering private practice, working in mixed animal veterinary medicine and surgery in Tennessee. He came to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 as a graduate instructor and veterinary clinical pathology resident. After his residency, he became an NIH Fellow, and received the National Research Service Award. He earned his PhD at Purdue in 1992, and in 1993, joined the college’s faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Christian was promoted to associate professor in 1999 and has served as the director and section chief of the Veterinary Hospital’s Clinical Pathology Laboratory since 2001.

Dr. Christian has received numerous honors and awards, including the college’s All-Student Recognition for Excellence in Teaching, the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award, and the PVM Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award. In 2018, he was inducted into Purdue University’s Book of Great Teachers and the following year, he received the College of Veterinary Medicine’s prestigious Raymond E. Plue Outstanding Teacher Award. In 2021, he was named as the recipient of the Weedon Faculty Recognition Award. Most recently, Dr. Christian was recognized by the DVM Class of 2023 for excellence in teaching, and also was selected to receive the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award based upon student evaluations.

Dr. Christian also has been actively involved in research as a principle or co-investigator on multiple research grants, and has published nearly 20 refereed articles and abstracts. In addition, he has authored nearly 20 book chapters and co-authored the handbook, “A Case-Oriented approach to Small Animal Biochemical Profiling.” He also has given more than 50 presentations across the country and abroad.

Dr. Christian is known by his students as a kind-hearted, easygoing, supportive, and helpful professor who not only is concerned with the intelligence aspect of teaching, but also the integrity part. Students praise him as a teacher who cares greatly about their learning the material and becoming knowledgeable, equipped doctors, as well as about the kind of people they will become.

Paige Allen, MS, RVT

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. More than 36 years later, she retired effective June 30. Faculty and staff gathered to honor her during a reception held June 16 in the Veterinary Medical Library.

Speakers recounted Paige’s career journey including working in multiple roles in the hospital before she was recruited to join the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Program (then 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 program director, recalled how he and Paige met with central administration, to establish the new online degree option — the first-of-its-kind at Purdue — as a sustainable program.

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 the university, but collectively through her leadership with state and national organizations — assuming positions that had never been held before by a registered, credentialed veterinary technician. “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.”

Current director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs, Dr. Chad Brown (PU DVM 2001), also lauded her accomplishments and impact. Noting 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.”

Paige also was recognized by Tim Kerr, director of academic programs for the College of Agriculture, who represented the Purdue Academic Advising Association in presenting Paige with the association’s Lifetime Colleague Award.

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

Cultivating Curricular Excellence

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PVM Remakes Veterinary Education to Position Graduates for 21^st Century Success

When Dr. Willie Reed stepped into the Purdue Veterinary Medicine deanship in 2007, he knew the faculty had worked hard on designing and making improvements to the curriculum over the college’s nearly 50-year history to ensure that students were getting the best education possible. Yet, he also had the conviction that more could and needed to be done to better position current veterinary graduates for success.

Subsequently, under the leadership of the associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. Kathy Salisbury, herself a boarded small animal veterinary surgeon and long-time faculty member, and following the guidance provided by the college’s strategic plan, a 21^st Century curricular makeover was designed and implemented. In 2018, after months of dedicated, creative and innovative effort, the faculty approved the new curricular plan, which took effect with what was then the incoming first-year class, the Class of 2022. Since then additional improvements, including the integration of new technology and enhancements to the Veterinary Nursing degree programs, have accentuated the success of the revamped curriculum, enabling the college to graduate true 21^st Century veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

“The curricular remake has provided a strong foundation in the major domestic species and enabled students to tailor their course of study to their future career goals,” said Dr. Salisbury. “The changes were carefully designed to better prepare our DVM students for the clinical setting, fully equipping them as graduates to confidently enter the workforce and effectively work in a team setting with veterinary nurses.”

A key component of the curricular revision involves a series of six courses called Veterinary Skills and Competencies (VSAC), which occur each semester during the first three years. “The VSAC courses promote the development of our DVM students’ clinical skills as well as non-technical competencies, such as communication skills, business acumen, professionalism, and wellness skills,” Dr. Salisbury said. “Students gain hands-on experience with animals throughout these courses. Instruction is provided through faculty-led laboratories, faculty-led discussion periods, and online modules completed by independent study.” Dean Reed provided resources to develop a centralized teaching team consisting of four lecturers and four veterinary nurses. Additional veterinary nurses and faculty from the academic departments and the hospital also teach in the VSAC courses.

To support these courses as well as the Veterinary Nursing program, a Clinical Skills Laboratory (CSL) was created to give students multiple opportunities to practice skills so that they could truly achieve competency. Dr. Jim Weisman (PU DVM ’97), who serves as assistant dean for clinical education and clinical associate professor, co-chaired with Dr. Wendy Townsend, professor of ophthalmology, a faculty group that developed the VSAC course series. “As a complement to the VSAC courses, the Clinical Skills Laboratory has enabled students to gain additional mentoring and practice they need to fully master the skill sets required in the fourth-year clinical setting, which puts them squarely on the path to great success upon graduation,” Dr. Weisman said.

Veterinary nursing students also benefit from the Clinical Skills Lab. “Since 2019, I have arranged Open Skills Practice sessions every semester for veterinary nursing students,” said Danielle Buchanan RVT, VTS (SAIM), who serves as the Clinical Skills Laboratory manager. “That means I or one of the veterinary nursing instructors is in the CSL for a period of time once a week to help the students with their clinical skills on an as needed basis.” Large Animal Instructor Rose Giroux, RVT, utilizes the Clinical Skills Lab when teaching her veterinary nursing students invasive procedures such as venipuncture, injections, and IV catheter placement. “Using the horse and cow head models allows the students to learn how to hold a syringe and the proper place to give injections, and how to place an IV catheter, as well as giving the students the confidence to perform these skills on live animals,” Ms. Giroux said. “Having the CSL open on certain days and times for veterinary nursing students enables them to practice their skills, as well as mentor any of their fellow classmates who may need assistance.”

Another key development that enhanced veterinary education involved a surgery unit on wheels, named Priority 4 Paws (P4P). The mobile surgery suite was acquired in 2012 and reflected the vision of then professor of small animal surgery, Dr. Lyn Freeman, now retired. Pressed into service as part of the college’s Shelter Medicine program, the unit provided a means for veterinary students to perform spay and neuter surgeries needed to prepare shelter animals for adoption, thereby significantly increasing their surgery experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic altered P4P by necessitating a transition to a stationary surgery service based out of the college, where shelter workers would bring the shelter pets for surgery, avoiding the need for students and staff to work in the close confines of the mobile surgery unit. Yet, even with the change in format, the program has stood the test of time and continues to receive rave reviews from students and shelters alike.

Today, the leader of P4P is a Purdue veterinary graduate, Dr. Emily Curry, who actually took part in the Shelter Medicine and Surgery rotation as a student in the DVM Class of 2014. ”The program gives the students an amazing boost in their confidence while also providing vital exposure to the need for shelter medicine,” said Dr. Curry, clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine/surgery. The shelter medicine program has grown to include two full-time veterinarians with the addition of Dr. Ryan Hill. On a typical three-week rotation, students perform an average of 36 surgeries and gain invaluable primary care and case management experience. “Exciting expansion of the Shelter Medicine program is on the horizon through a partnership with the new Humane Society for Greater Lafayette, which has a new facility under construction,” Dr. Salisbury said.

Beginning with the DVM Class of 2024, the fourth-year curriculum has transitioned to a competency-based assessment model. Across the United States, many veterinary colleges are adopting the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges’ (AAVMC) Competency-Based Veterinary Education model. “This competency-based framework focuses on the student’s ability to demonstrate the appropriate skills, attributes, and clinical judgment required of the entry-level veterinarian,” said Dr. Weisman. By focusing on progressive competency development rather than achieving a letter grade every three weeks, the fourth-year curriculum allows for different rates of learning and ensures that each student achieves competency by the time of graduation. “In response to specific constructive feedback from faculty and staff, our students can focus on specific areas for improvement,” Dr. Weisman explained. “Students who need help with specific competencies can be given targeted support and coaching. This assessment change is yet another example of Purdue being on the leading edge of contemporary veterinary medical education.”

Additionally, the college has appropriated advanced technology to enhance learning. A new generation of ultrasound capability is being used in the first year of the DVM program and in the Veterinary Nursing program in courses such as anatomy and physiology to foster students’ three-dimensional understanding of anatomy. The ultrasound device is the Butterfly iQ+ Vet — a first-of-its-kind single probe, whole-body, multi-species imaging system that can be operated by a smartphone.

The college’s curricular initiatives also have proven ahead of their time in regard to online education. Long before distance learning became a hot topic, the college launched what was then called the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program in 1999, to bring the benefits of the college’s Veterinary Technology program to prospective students unable to leave their homes and veterinary clinics to enroll in the on-campus program. Now, under Dean Reed’s leadership, the program is being modernized through a process that includes giving the online courses a makeover to reflect the latest online learning approaches. With these improvements, the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program (VNDL), as it is called today, boasts 830 active students around the globe, including 120 from Indiana. “Graduates of the VNDL program have excelled at passing the licensing examination, the Veterinary Technology National Examination, with a three-year average pass rate of 96.4%, the highest in the nation for online programs,” said Dr. Chad Brown, director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs.

Dr. Brown points out that as the veterinary profession deals with a shortage of veterinary nurses (registered veterinary technicians), the VNDL program holds promise as a pivotal strategy for addressing Indiana’s RVT shortage in the near term. “Compared to on-campus programs, these digital platforms offer increased flexibility and can accommodate many more students, regardless of where the students live,” Dr. Brown explained.

Another visionary change in the college’s educational program involved Dean Reed’s foresight in allocating funds to establish a wellness program to support all PVM students (veterinary nursing, DVM, graduate, interns, and residents). The first full-time PVM psychologist was hired in 2013. Since then, the need for student support has continued to grow and a second therapist was hired in 2019. The wellness program currently has two full-time licensed psychologists, Dr. Colleen Maguire-Jackson and Dr. Susan Prieto-Welch, who provide therapy free-of-charge to PVM students and teach in the veterinary nursing and DVM curricula. In 2022, a student success/learning specialist, Corey Sanchez, MA, was added to the student support team to help students develop their learning skills.

Under Dean Reed’s leadership, the college has persistently pursued curricular excellence and innovation in the midst of monumental change involving new learning strategies, technological advances, online instruction, and even a worldwide pandemic. “The faculty in our college are committed to graduating students abundantly prepared to walk confidently into any career opportunity in the veterinary medical profession and work very productively from day one,” said Dr. Weisman.

Correspondingly, demand for a Purdue veterinary education has grown significantly. Purdue University identifies the DVM program as one of the most competitive among the university’s academic programs, with applications rising more than 200% in the past decade. For the current application cycle, the college received 1,777 applications for the 84 available seats.

“I am so proud of our faculty for the outstanding work they have done to design and implement curricular change that puts our college solidly at the forefront of veterinary education,” said Dean Reed. “Building on our college’s strong heritage of outstanding hands-on learning and real-world mentoring, our faculty have set a new standard for educating veterinarians and veterinary nurses truly capable of taking giant leaps in their veterinary careers, leading the way to a brighter future for the veterinary medical profession and the people and animals it serves.”

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

Dean’s Global Vision Leads to Expanded Global Engagement for Students

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Of the numerous notable advancements Dean Willie Reed has pioneered for Purdue Veterinary Medicine during his tenure, perhaps the most far-reaching involves global engagement. The establishment of the college’s Global Engagement Office with a full-time director in 2015 was followed by a consequent, soaring increase in global engagement involving both DVM and veterinary nursing students. Within the DVM student population, global engagement has risen from 25% of the graduating class having traveled abroad to more than 60%. Among veterinary nursing students, participation in study abroad opportunities has grown from 14% of the student body to as much as 50% at its highest point. The total number of students studying abroad each year has increased from 29 in 2010 to a peak of over 80 students.

Looking at just this past summer and fall, 64 students traveled abroad for study and research, and those numbers are only expected to increase, given the impressive number of applications flowing in, according to Global Engagement Director Addison Sheldon. Additionally, the college has added a number of partner universities over the years, resulting in the creation of new exchange programs at the same time that the college has worked to maintain longstanding partner relationships. Today the college has over 20 partners with which to exchange students and faculty. These include Sichuan Agricultural University in China, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, Rakuno Gakuen University and Kitasato University in Japan, the University of Zurich in Switzerland, Seoul National University in South Korea, and Universidad Austral de Chile in Chile, just to name a few. In addition, a new pre-veterinary program to Zimbabwe coming in the summer of 2024 will offer the first ever opportunity for pre-veterinary students in the Purdue Vet Scholars Program, as well as first-year veterinary nursing students, to study abroad. Vet Scholars is an early admission program designed to recruit highly qualified, graduating high school seniors to the DVM program.

Not only are many Purdue Veterinary Medicine students studying abroad to make their mark on the world, PVM also upholds a strong tradition of welcoming international students to Lynn Hall. Summer exchange programs provide opportunities to host groups from universities in Thailand, China, and Japan. Moreover, students from countries such as Brazil, Italy, India, Chile, Switzerland, South Korea, and Colombia are hosted by faculty and fourth-year Purdue veterinary students on rotations in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, as part of exchanges that also involve PVM faculty traveling abroad.

Mr. Sheldon maintains that the college’s strength in these partnerships lies in the numerous group-led programs offered to PVM students. One of the first such programs was the Exotic Pet, Zoo, and Conservation Medicine excursion to the Czech Republic. Since then, more programs have been added, including Global Perspectives in Veterinary Nursing in Japan, Wildlife Medicine and Rehabilitation in Guatemala, Traditional Chinese Approaches to Veterinary Medicine in China, Clinical Rotation in Small Animal Medicine in Switzerland, and Pathobiology of Native Brazilian Wildlife in Brazil.

“We live in a world that is connected in many different ways, and the rise of global migration comes with a higher probability of transmitted disease, human-wildlife conflict, and food safety issues,” Mr. Sheldon said as he explained why global engagement is vital to a veterinary student’s education. “As we’ve seen time and time again, an issue in one part of the world is not always isolated. That’s why we need globally conscious veterinarians who can recognize the impact of global influences on human and animal health and use their knowledge and skills to tackle those issues.”

As someone who has studied abroad himself, participating in programs in both China and Austria during his time as an undergraduate Purdue student, Mr. Sheldon understands the immense impact international engagement can have on students’ lives and careers. “Traveling is fun, and our students learn to cultivate respect and understanding for the people and cultures they visit, but that’s only the beginning,” he said. “Our programs familiarize students with international issues that impact the veterinary profession and help them develop an understanding of the role that they can play in global health.”

After becoming dean in 2007, Dr. Reed established the goal of providing 100% of PVM students with an international experience. So far the college has progressed to the point that about 70% of PVM students have at least one international experience before they graduate. A significant factor undergirding that accomplishment is Dean Reed’s commitment to provide financial support for students seeking international experiences. He established PVM Global Scholarships, which amounted to a total of $68,000 in 2023. This dedication to student success and academic vitality does not go unnoticed by the students themselves.

Jesus Hernandez, president of the International Veterinary Students Association chapter at Purdue and member of the DVM Class of 2026, commented on the significance of Dean Reed’s emphasis on global engagement. “To me, it signifies a pioneering commitment to fostering a global perspective within the academic community,” he said. “It suggests a recognition of the interconnectedness of today’s world and the necessity for students to be well-versed in international issues. Global engagement can enrich educational experiences, promote cultural understanding, and prepare students for diverse professional environments.”

These small steps and giant leaps that have carried PVM to prominence as a national leader in global engagement would not be possible without plenty of support from college faculty and staff. In particular, a special thank you is in order for Dr. Tomohito Inoue, lecturer in anesthesiology; Dr. Jeff Ko, professor of anesthesiology; Dr. Riyi Shi, Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor of Applied Neuroscience; and Dr. Steve Thompson, clinical associate professor of small animal primary care, for helping to host international visitors during summer exchange programs. Additionally, a number of other faculty and students help exchange students feel welcome throughout the year. Mr. Sheldon also credits the leadership and support provided by the dean and his leadership team as being essential in bringing about growing opportunities for PVM students to pursue global engagement for years to come.

Writer(s): Madeline Brod, communications intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Boiler Vet Camp Earns American Camp Association Accreditation

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After 15 years of Purdue University’s Boiler Vet Camp (BVC), the summer program has earned its bragging rights. A highly competitive camp registration process yields 100 campers from more than 800 teenage applicants. It was the first vet camp in the country to provide campers a weeklong in-residence experience. It cultivates future veterinarians — many of its participants go on to earn a DVM, several at Purdue.

Adding to the list of accolades, it’s now the first camp at the university to be accredited by the American Camp Association. The ACA is the only nationwide accrediting organization for all types of organized camps. Its rigorous accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management and are used as benchmarks by government entities. Earning accreditation affirms a program’s commitment to the well-being of campers and staff.

“There are so many logistical and organizational elements to manage when planning a weeklong in-residence camp of this nature,” said Dr. Jim Weisman (PU DVM ’97), assistant dean for clinical education and a clinical associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine who serves as the director of BVC. “Earning the ACA accreditation provides confirmation that our procedures not only achieve the intended academic learning outcomes, but also ensure the safety of the young people entrusted to our care.”

The Impact of BVC

Dean Willie Reed charged Dr. Weisman with organizing BVC back in 2008. That first year, the program piloted one weeklong camp for junior campers who are rising 8^th and 9^th graders. Two years later, a second weeklong senior camp was added for students entering 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grade.

“Our goal from the beginning has always been to create a camp experience that is active and hands-on,” Dr. Weisman said. “Once we developed a curriculum, we then had to consider all the aspects of an in-residence camp, such as hosting young middle schoolers — or even high schoolers — who might be spending a week away from home for the first time.”

The junior camp serves as an introduction to various fields and career paths within veterinary medicine. In addition to on-campus sessions working with simulator models and learning about health and wellness for different species, the participants also hear from representatives from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and go on field trips. An excursion to the Indianapolis Zoo covers zoo medicine. Another to Fair Oaks Farms in Northwest Indiana provides a glimpse into providing veterinary medical care for livestock such as cattle and swine.

During senior camp, participants focus more on small animal wellness. Through a partnership with area humane societies, each camper team is paired with a dog during the week. The students work with the dogs to prepare them for adoption, conducting wellness exams, learning about bloodwork testing for infectious diseases and observing a neutering surgery. Both camps also have a number of recreational activities built into the schedule such as touring campus sites and bowling at Union Rack and Roll in the Purdue Memorial Union.

“Offering both a junior camp and a senior camp allows us to serve more students,” Dr. Weisman said. “It’s also an opportunity for the older students to dive deeper into veterinary medicine and gain a better understanding of the profession and whether or not it might be the right career path for them.”

Both camps utilize first- and second-year Purdue DVM students who serve as camp counselors after being selected through an application process that’s competitive, too. Each year, the program receives somewhere between 50 and 60 applications for 20 to 25 counselor spots. When selecting counselors to mentor campers, the counselor selection committee looks for strong communicators with a positive attitude in good academic standing. Previous camp experience is a plus. Serving as a counselor enables DVM students to share their passion for veterinary medicine and further develop their leadership skills. Many campers stay in touch with their counselors, even years later. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Weisman has seen multiple BVC campers earn their DVM degrees at Purdue, too.

Campers come from all over the country to participate in BVC. Some receive scholarship assistance to help cover costs which enables the program to admit more students without the concern of financial impact. Junior camp runs $1,100 for the week and senior camp runs $1,600. But for camp participants, the experience is invaluable.

“I recently heard from a former camper who earned his degree three years ago from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine,” Dr. Weisman said. “He was a BVC camper about ten years ago and the experience had such an impact on him, he called me out of the blue to donate $1,600 to sponsor a senior camper next summer. It’s meaningful to hear from a camper who is now practicing in the profession and wants to make sure other kids have the same opportunity to participate in BVC.”

Seeking Accreditation

It was Amanda Pedroza, lead event planner for Purdue Conferences, part of the Administrative Operations organization at the university, who approached the college about seeking ACA accreditation for BVC. Pedroza has collaborated with Dr. Weisman for several years to help plan BVC. While Dr. Weisman oversees the academic, staffing, and programming aspects of the camp, Pedroza administers camp logistics such as budgeting, obtaining insurance, securing transportation services, and coordinating campus lodging and dining for campers and camp staff. When searching for a campus youth program to undergo the comprehensive two-year ACA accreditation process, Pedroza identified BVC as the ideal candidate.

“I’ve worked with Dr. Weisman and his team over the years as their event planner and together, we’ve created a flawless working relationship to obtain and manage a high level of success for BVC,” Pedroza said. “Dr. Weisman exhibits a great attention to detail in planning his programs and ensuring all parties involved are following Purdue’s youth protection procedures. I was confident that BVC would earn ACA accreditation in partnership with Purdue Conferences. I was happy to guide the process along the way.”

The accreditation process involved writing a 300-page handbook outlining all the procedures, forms and materials needed for the camp. ACA accreditation is administered through a peer-review process which includes a site visit to ensure camp operations adhere to both program quality and health and safety standards set by the ACA. Now that BVC has been accredited, Pedroza is eager to begin the process with other camps planned by Purdue Conferences.

“Our long-term goal is to have all Purdue youth camps accredited by ACA,” Pedroza said. “Earning this accreditation substantiates the university’s commitment to the health and safety of youth participants. Purdue is leading the way among peer institutions to elevate our youth programming — and BVC is spearheading that initiative.”

For Dr. Weisman, the ACA accreditation validates the efforts of everyone at the college involved in BVC who works together to provide quality youth programming and a safe environment for campers. In addition to the DVM student counselors, many faculty members and veterinary nurses also contribute to the success of the camps.

“The objective of BVC is to energize young people about a career in veterinary medicine,” Dr. Weisman said. “The fact that we continue to hear from campers years after they’ve completed the program, that tells us we’re making a positive impact.”

Is there an aspiring veterinary professional in your life?
The 2024 Boiler Vet Camp application is open through February 1! Competitive entry includes three short essays relating to the applicant’s interest in the veterinary medical profession and what they would like to get out of their camp experience. Successful applicants are selected based on the merit of their applications. Junior Camp is open to students entering 8^th or 9^th grade in the fall of 2024 with a minimum age of 12 years old. Students entering 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grade in the fall of 2024 may apply to the Senior Camp. Click here to learn more and apply.

Writer(s): Kat Braz | pvmnews@purdue.edu

$3M Grant Renews Funding for Purdue Program Expanding Access to Veterinary Profession

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is receiving vital new federal support for an innovative program addressing 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 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has renewed a five-year, $3.2 million grant to further the success and impact of Vet Up!® The National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine.

Established with an initial HRSA grant in 2018, Vet Up! is designed to meet the goal of filling veterinary shortage areas with equity-minded individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas. The program is based at Purdue, which has the only veterinary college in Indiana and is home to the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Up! has leveraged PVM’s proven history of effective diversity programming and partnerships with high schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and state entities to design and deliver curricula that provide otherwise-inaccessible opportunities to students.

With the renewed grant funding, the Vet Up! National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine will expand by taking a comprehensive approach to provide academic, experiential, financial, and social support to disadvantaged students.

In clear alignment with the purpose of the HCOP, Vet Up! will pursue multiple objectives:

1. Identify and recruit students from disadvantaged backgrounds to competitively enter and complete college and university programs in veterinary medicine and other STEM fields;
2. Prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete preliminary education requirements and provide academic and social support to prepare them for competitively entering and completing a veterinary professional degree program;
3. Provide comprehensive bridge programming to disadvantaged students who are enrolled as DVM degree candidates to enable a successful experience in rigorous professional veterinary education programs;
4. Provide academic, financial, social, and wellness support to veterinary students from disadvantaged backgrounds to facilitate timely completion of their veterinary education and graduation with their DVM degree; and,
5. Implement an integrated, comprehensive evaluation process that monitors and informs progress and outcomes of program participants, Vet Up! components, and the overall project, through a longstanding partnership with Purdue University’s Evaluation and Learning Research Center.

The Vet Up! program includes the following components:

• Vet Up! Champions combines face-to-face and interactive online learning to provide a 12-month structured curriculum to an annual cohort of 26 participants consisting of high-school juniors/seniors, adult/nontraditional learners (including veterans), and undergraduate students.
  
• Vet Up! College (the HCOP summer program) is a six-week-long immersive, structured program at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine for 26 undergraduate students annually that prepares students to be competitive in the DVM applicant pool. Completion of Vet Up! College is required to be eligible for the DVM Scholars program.
  
• Vet Up! DVM Scholars annually provides five disadvantaged DVM students with social, academic, and financial support through structured activities that span the four-year-long curriculum to guide and mentor them to timely graduation with a DVM degree.
  
• Vet Up! Prep (the HCOP pre-matriculation program) is an annual four-week residential program for ten students prior to the start of the fall semester of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine program that bridges gaps involving challenging PVM courses, study skills, and an understanding of the concept of One Health.

“With the renewed grant funding, Vet Up! will continue leveraging PVM’s long-standing partnerships with high schools, HBCUs, and state entities to develop and implement curricula that provide new opportunities to students,” said Marsha Baker, assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion and the principal investigator on the grant.

Central to achieving the overall program goal associated with the renewed grant, Vet Up! also will provide opportunities for community-based experiential health professions training, emphasizing experiences in underserved communities through three objectives:

1. Collectively developing and implementing Vet Up! student projects that impact an underserved community;
2. Enabling Vet Up! students to conduct research projects that focus on One Health and health equity initiatives that are led by PVM faculty and campus partners; and,
3. Providing an experiential learning opportunity in an underserved community for Vet Up! College and Vet Up! Prep participants by collaborating with community and state partners.

“With these components interwoven as one, Vet Up! will create an equity-minded, diverse veterinary workforce with the medical and social expertise needed to solve complex healthcare problems,” Ms. Baker said.

Dean Willie Reed said the renewal of the grant funding is wonderful news that will bring hope to many more outstanding future veterinary professionals who, apart from Vet Up!, wouldn’t realize there’s a place for them in veterinary medicine. “Since the inception of Vet Up! I have marveled as I have seen the eyes light-up in young people from diverse backgrounds as they experience the hope, support, and encouragement that this creative and inspiring program provides,” Dean Reed said. “It is so heartwarming to hear the Vet Up! participants describe how it was through this program that they realized there are successful veterinarians who look like them, and that the veterinary medical profession needs and welcomes students from all backgrounds. I am gratified every time I see students who realize that the dream I had years ago of becoming a veterinarian can come true for them just like it did for me.”

The successful grant request reflects the influence of support contributed by the university and partners including Purdue Global, Purdue Polytechnic High School, the Indiana Area Health Education Centers Network, the Indiana Board of Animal Health, and Dr. Jerome Adams, Presidential Fellow, executive director of Purdue’s Health Equity Initiatives, Distinguished Professor of Practice, and the 20th U.S. Surgeon General.

Vet Up! is an award winning program, having received multiple awards presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. This year marked the third time that Vet Up! has been recognized as a recipient of the magazine’s Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

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