2025 ACVIM Forum Shines Recognition Spotlight on Purdue Veterinary Medicine Residents

Dr. Kiersten Forsyth (left) and Dr. Jessica Linder (right)

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!

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

Recent Stories

Indiana FFA Names PVM’s Julia Wickard as One of Five New Board Members

Executive Director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and Constituent Liaison Julia Wickard is one of five newly named members of the Indiana FFA Foundation board of directors. The appointments took effect July 1.

Alumnus and Oncology Specialist Dr. Christopher Fulkerson Appointed as Associate Dean for Purdue Veterinary Hospitals

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret D. Marsh, DVM, has named Dr. Christopher Fulkerson as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for the Purdue Veterinary Hospitals. The appointment was announced July 1, the same day that Dr. Fulkerson’s promotion to full Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medical Oncology took effect.

“Paws Up” for the ADDL Accessioning and Molecular Teams – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we express our sincere gratitude to our ADDL Accessioning and Molecular Teams (and cross trained individuals).

PVM Dean Bret Marsh Shares College Update with Swine Producers and Industry Partners at Major Swine Event in Indianapolis

Swine Health was the focus of a significant event recently at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis as swine industry partners and swine producers gathered for the National Junior Summer Spectacular (NJSS) and Summer Type Conference (STC). The event was held at the end of June in the Fall Creek Pavillion and included a Swine Health Briefing that featured swine industry and veterinary medicine leaders including Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh, who also had an opportunity to provide an update on the College of Veterinary Medicine.

2026 Annual Recognition Ceremony Honors VCS Residents, Graduate Students, and PVH Interns

On Monday, June 29, 2026, more than 100 faculty and staff from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital gathered at Thomas Duncan Hall for the 2026 Resident and Intern Recognition Ceremony. This annual event provides a great opportunity to honor and celebrate the contributions of the residents, interns, and graduate students who are completing their programs this summer.

New Administrative Assistant Joins PVM Office of Student Success

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes Charity Holden as the new administrative assistant in the Office of Student Success.

“Paws Up” for Scott Fix – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are highlighting Scott Fix who is the Lead Facilities Manager in the Department of Veterinary Administration.

Remembering Zeus: A Legacy of Loyalty and Love

We continue our series of articles about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital by sharing the story of a beloved dog named Zeus. For Amy Fitzsimmons-Blaising, Zeus wasn’t just a dog, he was her spirit animal and best friend. A proud Giant Schnauzer bred in Bedford, Indiana, Zeus had been the heart of Amy’s home for 11 unforgettable years. Then, in October 2024, Zeus’s health challenges began, when he started coughing and showing signs that looked like seizures. After rushing him to a local veterinary urgent care facility, Amy learned he was in congestive heart failure, and she turned to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital for help.

PVM Scholar Receives Purdue WGHI Pilot Grant Aimed at Advancing Women’s Health

Purdue University’s Women’s Global Health Institute (WGHI) has announced six pilot research grant awards aimed at solving critical problems in women’s health and quality of life, and one of recipients is Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member Viju Vijayan Pillai. Dr. Pillai is assistant professor of anatomic pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology.

The universal socket set of vaccines: Innovative technology heralds more effective, more efficient vaccines

You fight fire with fire. And Purdue Veterinary Medicine vaccine expert Suresh Mittal fights viruses with viruses. Using innovative techniques, Dr. Mittal, Distinguished Professor of Virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, develops novel vaccines for viral infections including avian influenza.