Awards Ceremony Recognizes Outstanding PVM Staff

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine honored a number of staff and faculty members during a special annual awards ceremony Monday, June 10.  Dean Willie Reed presented the awards during a program held in Lynn Hall, Room 1136. 

The first two awards given out were the Outstanding Staff Awards, which have been presented annually since 1988, when they were initiated with a gift by an alumnus, the late Dr. Carl Osborne, a member of the DVM Class of 1964, and his wife, Lynn.  The awards recognize excellent performance by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s non-faculty, full-time employees.  “Excellent staff members are, in my view, the often unsung heroes in an organization,” Dean Reed said.

The first award was presented to Jeannine Henry, RVT, instructional technologist in the Veterinary Administration Department, who was nominated for excellence in service, enhancing the College’s public image, and exceptional performance of assigned duties above and beyond expectations.  “I congratulate you and thank you for your commitment to providing outstanding service to our students, faculty, and staff as well as your dedication to instructing future generations of animal health care professionals,” Dean Reed said.  He then presented Jeannine with a plaque that included the following inscription:  “We thank you for your boundless enthusiasm, your dedication to excellence, and the countless hours you have given of yourself to provide encouragement and inspiration to your students and colleagues. We honor you and appreciate your commitment to our profession!”

The second Outstanding Staff Award was given to Veterinary Farm Manager Theresa Jeffrey, who was nominated for excellence in service and exceptional performance of assigned duties above and beyond what is ordinarily expected of the position.  “Theresa, I congratulate you and thank you for all the great work that you have done for our College and our animals on the farm,” Dean Reed said.  “You not only keep our farm operating efficiently, you support our instructors and researchers with your incredible knowledge of our herd and get things done without hesitation.”  He then read the inscription on her award plaque, which included this commendation:  “Your tremendous work ethic, knowledge of the individual animals under your care, and dedication to animal well-being are deeply appreciated by the students, staff, and faculty. Thank you for being an invaluable member of the Veterinary Clinical Sciences team.”

Next, Dean Reed presented the Outstanding Research Staff Award, which recognizes non-faculty research staff-members for the very important roles they play in the discovery mission of the College.  The 2019 Outstanding Research Staff Award recipient is Dr. Deepika Dhawan, who was nominated for performance over and above the call of duty; her attitude of selfless dedication to the development and growth of research programs; and her excellence in research initiative, collaboration, and personal development. “Deepika, I congratulate you and thank you for all the great work that you have done in research not only in our own College, but throughout Purdue and the nation,” Dean Reed said. He then presented her with the award plaque, which included the following inscription:  “Awarded in recognition of your excellence in laboratory work, commitment to clinical research, and contributions to discovery at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and beyond; as well as your valued contributions to teaching students of all skill levels; collegiality; and work ethic…”

Dean Reed then presented the PVM Staff Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, which honors a staff member who has demonstrated emerging or sustained excellence in diversity and inclusion endeavors that have impacted the PVM community through active contributions that create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive culture.  “It is my pleasure to present the 2019 PVM Staff Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award to Adrianne Fisch, engagement program coordinator in the Veterinary Administration Department,” Dean Reed said in announcing the award.  He commended Adrianne for being an instrumental contributor to the This is How We “Role” program that inspires disadvantaged children to pursue veterinary sciences. He also praised her for her role in coordinating the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine program, as well as for her service on the College’s Diversity Action Committee and her personal dedication to diversity and inclusion outside of her professional life.  He then read the inscription on the award plaque, commending Adrianne for efforts aimed at promoting diversity awareness, representation, and inclusion within Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the broader community.  Dr. Sandy San Miguel, associate dean for engagement, accepted the award on behalf of Adrianne, who was not able to attend.

Next, faculty and staff members who completed the online Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine were honored.  Dean Reed recognized each of the individuals who recently completed the program, which was developed in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) through the College’s Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine.  Congratulations to the following individuals:

• Kara Ballas, RVT, small animal soft-tissue floor technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital
• Mijana Beckett, laboratory technician VII of virology and molecular diagnostics in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
• Dr. Craig Bowen, veterinary diagnostician in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
• Courtenay Murakowski, outreach coordinator for the Vet Up! Program
• Shelly Opperman, academic advisor for the Veterinary Nursing Program
• Dr. Deepti Pillai, clinical assistant professor of diagnostic microbiology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology
• Linley Smith, RVT, anesthesiology technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital

The awards program concluded with the presentation of the Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments achieved by employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. Award winners may be recognized in any of four categories: Moving the University Forward — accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance university objectives; Innovation and Creativity — innovative work or suggestions well beyond standard job requirements that significantly improve operational efficiencies or introduce new or improved processes; Operational Excellence — extraordinary effort during times of critical department need; and Fiscal Stewardship — significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards.  This year, two teams of faculty and staff received Bravo Awards along with five individuals.  Congratulations to the following Bravo Award recipients:

• Victor Bernal-Crespo – for Operational Excellence as laboratory manager of the Histology Research Laboratory
• Angie Chan – for Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, and Operational Excellence as molecular diagnostics development supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
• Patty Kirts – for Operational Excellence in her role on the clerical services team in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
• The team of Drs. Teresa Buchheit, Caroline Gillespie Harmon, Stephanie Inoue, Tomo Inoue, and Kellie McGrady for their efforts in implementing three new skills courses in the DVM Curriculum
• The team of Jennifer Ashley, RVT, Danielle Buchanan, RVT, VTS (SAIM), Rose Giroux, RVT, Jeannine Henry, RVT, Jordan Williams, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia), and Carol Zink, RVT for their dedication, teamwork, and excellence in delivering the new skills courses in the DVM curriculum

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