Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program Student Wins AAHA Veterinary Technician of the Year Award

October 25, 2024

Pictured: Su Via Chong, the winner of the 2024 AAHA Veterinary Technician of the Year Award, holding a cat
Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program student Su Via Chong is the 2024 recipient of the AAHA Veterinary Technician of the Year Award

Congratulations are in order for a student in the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program who is the 2024 recipient of the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Veterinary Technician of the Year Award.  Su Via Chong works at the Pet First Veterinary Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! 

As explained in an Instagram post by AAHA, Su Via originally planned to pursue a DVM degree, but decided to forego those plans and instead start working toward a career as a veterinary nurse by enrolling in Purdue University’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning (VNDL) program.  Her goal is to advocate for the profession of veterinary nursing in Malaysia.  So far she is well on her way! 

In 2022, Su Via founded the Malaysian Association of Veterinary Nurses and Assistants (MAVNA), which describes its mission and vision as elevating the field of veterinary nursing to new heights in Malaysia. The members aspire to improve education opportunities, provide support to the members of the profession, as well as to promote veterinary nursing as a professional career and to establish a standard of professionalism while striving for legal and public recognition of the roles of veterinary nurses. 

Membership in the association has grown to nearly 350, and the MAVNA this year held the country’s first veterinary nursing symposium.  In recognizing Su Via with the Veterinary Technician of the Year Award, AAHA stated, “Your dedication, skill, and passion for animal care inspire us all. Thank you for going above and beyond every day to make a difference in the lives of veterinary professionals, pets and their families.”

Congratulations again to Purdue VNDL student Su Via Chong!

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

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