This summer, two Purdue Veterinary Medicine residents, including one who will be joining the faculty this fall, won awards at the acclaimed ACVIM Forum – regarded as the leading event for advanced, specialist-level education in veterinary internal medicine. Held June 19–21 in Louisville, Kentucky, this conference hosted by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) attracted more than 2,500 attendees from 34 countries, and featured 521 presenters, 630 sessions, 163 oral research abstracts and 162 posters.
Among the conference highlights were award presentations, which included recognition of the 2025 ACVIM Resident Research Abstract Award Winners. Among the winners were two Purdue veterinary residents – Dr. Kiersten Forsyth and Dr. Jessica Linder.
Dr. Forsyth, who is now in the third year of her cardiology residency, was one of three award winners in the Cardiology category. She was recognized for her research abstract (C13) entitled, “Effects of Zenalpha® (Medetomidine/Vatinoxan) on Blood Pressure, Echocardiographic Measurements, and Cardiac Rhythm in Healthy Dogs.”
Dr. Linder, who just completed her neurology residency and plans to join the Purdue faculty as clinical assistant professor of veterinary neurology October 1, was one of two awardees in the Neurology category. She was honored for her research abstract (N08) entitled, “Spinal-only meningomyelitis of unknown etiology: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in 23 dogs.”
Congratulations to Drs. Forsyth and Linder for their outstanding accomplishment, which brings excellent recognition both to them and the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine!
As the world’s largest veterinary specialty organization, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine holds the ACVIM Forum annually as the premier event where those interested in veterinary internal medicine and members of the college’s six specialties can connect. Besides Cardiology and Neurology, the ACVIM’s other specialties are Large Animal Internal Medicine, Nutrition, Oncology and Small Animal Internal Medicine. The members of these specialties, known as Diplomates, as well as candidates working toward Board-certification in these specialties, come together at the ACVIM Forum to present and hear the latest developments in veterinary specialty medicine. Veterinary professionals who are not members of the ACVIM can also attend, including specialists from other colleges, general practitioners, technicians, students, interns and more.
Congratulations again to Dr. Forsyth and Dr. Linder for their recognition at the 2025 ACVIM Forum!
2025 ACVIM Forum Shines Recognition Spotlight on Purdue Veterinary Medicine Residents

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