Skip to main content

PVM Cares! Mission Accomplished!

Miller Elementary School students and families were excited to see backpacks filled with study supplies awaiting them at the start of the new school year.
Miller Elementary School students and families were excited to see backpacks filled with study supplies awaiting them at the start of the new school year.

The inaugural mission of PVM Cares! was to provide homework supplies to students at Miller Elementary School – Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s community partner. Miller students receive classroom school supplies at no cost; however, they do not receive supplies that enable them to complete homework and other projects at home. Thanks to many contributors of supplies and time, a total of 500 backpacks were filled at Lynn Hall with pencils, erasers, colored pencils, crayons, safe scissors, notebooks, rulers, highlighters, glue sticks, and a Vet Adventures SuperPower Pack! Then the backpacks were delivered to the school before the students returned to the classroom. As a result, every Miller student received a Purdue Veterinary Medicine League of VetaHumanz-Miller Elementary School backpack. The Students found the backpacks at their desks when they met their teachers this week on Monday, August 5.

Many Thanks to the Suppliers, Assemblers, and Field Agents who contributed to our success in accomplishing our mission!

• Kara Burns
• Grace Craig
• Kevin Doerr
• Holly Englert
• Lisa Greenberg
• Shelley Harmon
• Andrea Kellogg
• Dr. Ellen Lowery
• Dr. Colleen Maguire Jackson
• Dr. Anna McManamey
• Tom Mauch
• Dr. Susan Prieto-Welch
• Dr. Willie Reed
• Dr. Sandy San Miguel
• Jennifer Smith
• Sheila Stingle
• Eva Tatman
• Susan Xioufaridou

Volunteers participating in PVM Cares! filled 500 backpacks with homework supplies – enough for every Miller Elementary student to receive one.
Volunteers participating in PVM Cares! filled 500 backpacks with homework supplies for students at Miller Elementary School.

Even if it didn’t work out for you to help with the backpack project, you still can join PVM Cares!, which provides opportunities for everyone in our college to engage with our community as we join superpowers with Thomas Miller Elementary School for mutual transformation! Together, we support students in their quest for scientific knowledge and STEM career exploration. Visit https://vet.purdue.edu/vetahumanz/pvm-cares/ to learn more and sign up.

Consider joining PVM Cares! today.

During volunteer works sessions in Lynn Hall, a total of 500 backpacks were prepared so they could be delivered to Miller Elementary School – enough for every Miller Elementary student to receive one.
During volunteer work sessions in Lynn Hall, enough backpacks were prepared for every Miller Elementary student received one.

PVM Cares is part of The League of VetaHumanz, supported by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The League is committed to engaging with under-resourced communities to provide access and support for youth who aspire to careers in the veterinary profession.

Writer(s): Dr. Sandra San Miguel, Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Taco ’bout our amazing people!

With the conclusion of the summer season rapidly approaching, faculty and staff at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were treated to a taco luncheon on Friday, August 14 in appreciation of their excellence and dedication throughout the year. Though the event couldn't take place in the Lynn Hall Courtyard as originally planned, the rainy weather that day did not dampen the celebration of the college's incredible faculty and staff.

Reception honors visiting Japanese DVM and veterinary technology students

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s partnership with two veterinary schools in Japan was the basis for a celebratory reception at the end of last week, as the college honored visiting students from Kitasato University and Rakuno Gakuen University. The eight member delegation included four DVM students and a faculty member from Kitasato University and two veterinary nursing students and a faculty member from Rakuno Gakuen University.  The reception on Friday morning, August 14, served as an informal farewell and included a brief recognition program when each of the Japanese visitors received a commemorative certificate.

ADDL and CPB Department welcome new pathology residents and intern

A trio of veterinary graduates started their pathology residencies at Purdue Veterinary Medicine this summer while a fourth veterinarian began a pathology internship in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology.  This newest class of students pursuing post-DVM training in pathology includes Purdue veterinary alumni and graduates of universities abroad.

PVM Team Shares Collaborative Approach at National Advancement Conference

When alumni and donors choose to invest their time, talents, and resources in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, they typically are not focusing on departments or organizational charts—they're thinking about the college they love.  That simple idea was the foundation of a presentation delivered by Julia Wickard, executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and constituent liaison, and April Shepherd, PVM’s senior director of development, at the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals (AVAP) Annual Meeting, which was held July 8-10, just prior to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Convention in Anaheim, California.

“Paws Up” for Lanora Lannan – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are happy to highlight Lanora Lannan, who is the client liaison for Small Animal Primary Care.

“Paws Up” for Dr. Michelle Tucker – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we are highlighting Dr. Michelle Tucker, who is an assistant professor of large animal surgery, for contributing to a rewarding learning environment here at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine and Purdue Football Share Bullish Outlook at Summer Event

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, recently attended the Purdue Football Coaches Celebration at McGraw’s Purdue Chop House in West Lafayette, where he connected with new Purdue Head Football Coach Barry Odom. The event, hosted by McGraw’s owner Todd McGraw, also featured an opportunity to meet “Odom,” the Purdue Beef Angus Bull that serves as the latest symbol of Boilermaker pride.

Recognition Ceremony Honors VCS Residents, Graduate Students, and Purdue Veterinary Hospital Interns

More than 100 faculty and staff of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital (PVH) gathered at Lafayette’s Thomas Duncan Hall on Thursday, June 26 for the 2025 Resident and Intern Recognition Ceremony. The historic venue was a wonderful place to host this annual event that honors and celebrates the accomplishments of the VCS and PVH residents, interns, and graduate students who are completing their programs this summer.