PVM Alumnus Selected as AASV Vice President

March 23, 2018

Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus Jeff Harker (2nd from right) is installed as the new AASV vice president along with fellow AASV Officers (left to right), Dr. Scanlon Daniels, president; Dr. Nate Winkelman, president-elect; and Dr. Alex Ramirez, immediate past-president. (Photo courtesy AASV)

Dr. Jeff Harker (PU DVM ’94) of Frankfort, Ind., was installed as the newly elected vice president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) earlier this month during the organization’s annual meeting in San Diego, Calif. Dr. Harker has been an active member of the AASV, serving as AASV District 4 director and chairing the AASV Continuing Education Committee. He also has served on the AASV Annual Meeting Planning Committee. In addition, Dr. Harker has been actively involved in the Indiana Pork Producers Association, serving seven years on the Board of Directors and completing a term as president in 2008.

Dr. Harker grew up on a diversified livestock and grain farm in south central Indiana. His father built one of the first confinement swine barns in the community in 1980. Interacting with the veterinarians that visited their farm stimulated his interest in population medicine and becoming a veterinarian. After earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1994, Dr. Harker joined fellow Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus Max Rodibaugh (PU DVM ’77) at Swine Health Services in Frankfort as an associate veterinarian. He became a partner in 2001. Now called AMVC Swine Health Services, the practice serves a diverse swine clientele ranging from those with small show pig herds to contract growers in integrated production. The bulk of the clients have independent family farms.

With his election as vice president, Dr. Harker was officially installed along with the organization’s other officers March 6. He joins the AASV leadership team of Dr. Scanlon Daniels (ISU ’98) of Dalhart, Texas, president; Dr. Nathan Winkelman (UMN ’84) of Rice, Minn., president-elect; and Dr. Alex Ramirez (ISU ’93) of Ames, Iowa, immediate past-president.

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

Recent Stories

Purdue Equine Hospital Team Comes to Aid of Horse Injured in Severe Storm in Michigan

For a horse named Sassy, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Brunner Equine Hospital proved to be the right place at the right time to recover from a scary accident that happened during a severe storm in Michigan two weeks ago. According to Dr. Danielle Cucuzella, Purdue visiting assistant professor of large animal surgery, the Quarter Horse named Sassy was seriously hurt during near 100 mile-per-hour winds where she lived in Saint Louis, Michigan.

“Paws Up!” for 4th-year DVM students Colton and Kendall – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we celebrate the caring and competence of two members of the new senior class of DVM students for their noteworthy service in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

College of Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at Two Ceremonies During Purdue’s 2026 Commencement Weekend

A change in Purdue University’s traditional commencement weekend schedule resulted in two ceremonies recognizing graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine in May. This year, veterinary technology graduates were honored at a ceremony that was separate from the commencement program for the DVM graduates. That’s because the university recognized all doctoral degree candidates in a single ceremony on Saturday, May 16. As a result, the veterinary technology degree recipients were honored Thursday, May 14, at one of several ceremonies for undergraduate degree candidates. Following that ceremony, the college hosted its traditional oath ceremony for the 2026 graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.

White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Third-year Veterinary Students’ Transition to Clinical Year

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2027 gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff on the evening of April 18 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Popular Purdue Veterinary Medicine Bone Marrow Workshop Goes on the Road to Mexico

An annual program hosted by two bone marrow experts with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine ties, once again attracted strong attendance but in a new international location. This year, Drs. Joanne B. Messick and Rose E. Raskin were invited to Mexico City to present the Annual Bone Marrow Workshop at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

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

Today we share appreciation for Dr. Madeleine Swindell, who is a Purdue Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Rotating Intern.

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Purdue Veterinary Medicine Staff

Applause and periodic shouts of “Bravo” punctuated the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual spring Outstanding Staff and Bravo Awards Ceremony. The program held in Lynn Hall on May 13 honored some two dozen staff members for meritorious accomplishments.