The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) recognized several Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni with awards and honors at the association’s 2026 Crossroads Veterinary Conference. The annual meeting in Noblesville, Indiana, was held February 5-7 and featured scientific and practice management sessions for veterinary professionals as well as an exhibit hall.
As part of the conference, the IVMA hosted its membership meeting February 5, when awards and honors were presented.
Lifetime Achievement Award
A 1976 DVM graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Robin Marks, received the IVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an IVMA member for cumulative service and accomplishments benefiting the profession, organized veterinary medicine, and the community. Dr. Marks is an Indianapolis native with extensive experience in drug development and pharmaceutical industry/government healthcare policy issues. In addition to her veterinary medical credentials, she also earned a law degree at IU Indianapolis.
Dr. Marks began her veterinary career in small animal practice and became engaged in veterinary public health issues at the Indiana State Board of Health as Chief of Compliance and Surveillance and later as Director of the State Meat Inspection Program. She then integrated diverse professional training and experience to assume regulatory affairs responsibilities for human drug development at Procter & Gamble, and followed that by managing regulatory affairs for animal drug development at Elanco Animal Health.
Dr. Marks also has served on the Executive Board of the Indiana Department of Health for the past 17 years. As a lifetime IVMA member, she has served on the past Peer Review Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Practice Act Revisions Task Force. In addition, Dr. Marks is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Timmy Foundation (now Timmy Global Health) and, at the Indianapolis Zoo, served on the Animal Health Committee and IACUC, chairing the Research Sub-Committee. She also is a past member of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Board of Trustees.
President’s Award
Dr. Laura Howard Strong, a 1987 Purdue DVM graduate from Jeffersonville, Indiana, was presented with the IVMA President’s Award by the IVMA president, Dr. Kristi Kantz. The President’s Award recognizes an Indiana veterinarian or citizen who has made exceptional contributions to the association and the veterinary profession during the IVMA president’s term in office.
Dr. Strong served 30 years as the veterinary practice owner of an AAHA accredited small animal practice, Eastside Animal Hospital, in Jeffersonville. There she led a team of veterinarians and support team members who lived out the mission of providing the best possible care for pets and people in an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, and fun. During her time as a practice owner, Dr. Strong always enjoyed mentoring and hiring early career veterinarians. She also was a founding member of the Clinical Relations Team at the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine as well as a member of the inaugural Trupanion Veterinary Advisory Board.
Volunteer Award
Dr. Katie Hecke, a Purdue alumna from Whiteland, Indiana, received the IVMA Volunteer Award, which is presented to an IVMA member who has provided leadership or service to a particular project or program of the association.
Dr. Hecke earned her Purdue DVM degree in 2016 and is in private practice in Greenwood, Indiana. She has served on the IVMA Outreach Task Force and followed up that work by being the force behind creation of the “First Five” monthly webinar meeting. This project focuses on recent graduates (less than five years out of veterinary school) meeting monthly to connect and develop mentoring relationships.
IVMA President-elect
The annual meeting also included the announcement that IVMA members elected Purdue alumnus Dr. Corey Swart as the association’s President-elect. A native of Kokomo, Indiana, and a 2008 Purdue DVM graduate, Dr. Swart is the managing doctor at Jefferson Road Animal Hospital/Cat Clinic of Kokomo, where he had volunteered and worked while pursuing his education. An active participant in the IVMA, Dr. Swart has served as an at-large member of the IVMA Board of Directors and just completed two 2-year terms as IVMA Treasurer. He also serves on several IVMA task forces and participated in the Power of You program in 2020. In addition, Dr. Swart serves as the treasurer of the Wabash Valley Veterinary Medical Association.
The other current association officers are Dr. Matthew Hobson, president; Dr. Caitlin Ingold, treasurer; and Dr. Kristi Kantz, Immediate Past President.
The formal installation of officers took place as part of the annual membership meeting and Dr. Jen Quammen, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), was present to officiate. Congratulations to all of the award recipients and newly installed officers.
