Creator of College’s Wellness Program Honored at Farewell Reception

August 9, 2019

Dr. Nan holds a framed photo of the Continuum sculpture with Dr. Salisbury and Dean Reed by her side — Purdue Veterinary Medicine Therapist and Counselor Luana Nan with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathleen Salisbury (left) and Dean Willie Reed at a farewell reception July 29. Guests autographed a commemorative photo of the College’s Continuum sculpture, which was presented to Dr. Nan in appreciation for her role in building a counseling and wellness program.

After more than six years with the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, during which she created a counseling and wellness program, Dr. Luana Nan, PVM therapist and counselor, is heading west to be closer to her daughter in Utah. She will be working at the University of Utah in the university counseling center.

Dr. Nan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at the University of Bucharest, a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Utah, a master’s degree in counseling psychology at the University of Illinois and then a PhD in counseling psychology at the University of Illinois. She worked as a psychologist at IUPUI before coming to Purdue in 2013, when she immediately began building a PVM wellness program from scratch. Her position involved providing support for veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students in various forms, such as personal, academic, and relationship counseling. “When I was putting the program together, I talked to professionals with similar positions at other universities and collected information on what veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students need. All of this knowledge was valuable in crafting the PVM Counseling and Wellness Services that exist today,” said Dr. Nan.

Dr. Nan stands with her Student Services colleagues at her farewell reception — Dr. Luana Nan is joined by her colleagues from the Student Services Office (left-right): Lori Stout, Amanda Taylor, Suzanne Kennedy, Dr. Jim Weisman, and Carol Zink.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine staff held a farewell reception for Dr. Nan on July 29, where Dr. Kathleen Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs, and Dean Willie Reed spoke about Dr. Nan’s positive impact during her time here. “The wellness program and wellness committee that Dr. Nan has developed have been wonderful. She has educated all of us about wellness issues and will be leaving a big mark on PVM,” said Dr. Salisbury. Dean Reed added, “Dr. Nan has been an integral part of the PVM family and has touched the hearts of so many students. We are forever grateful to her for what she has done for our community.”

Dr. Salisbury presented Dr. Nan with a photo of the Continuum sculpture that all the attendees at the farewell reception were invited to sign. “This experience has been so valuable, and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to grow with all of you,” Dr. Nan said.

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family will miss Dr. Nan and we wish her the best in her new position!

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

DVM and Veterinary Technology students gain job opportunity insights at fall PVM Career Fair

Purdue Veterinary Medicine's Fall Career Fair brought veterinary and veterinary technology students together with employers on October 30 at the Purdue Memorial Union. Students explored career opportunities, internships and externships while meeting representatives from veterinary practices and organizations.

In Memory: Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (PU DVM ’67)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine remembers Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (DVM 1967), who died November 6, 2026, at age 83. The first woman elected president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, she spent nearly three decades in private practice and held leadership positions in veterinary medicine, industry and education.

“Paws Up” for Kayla Fuqua – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Kayla Fuqua, the day-shift Emergency and Critical Care receptionist at our veterinary hospital, is this week's Paws Up honoree. A colleague recognized her for supporting clients, coworkers and veterinary students, answering questions and helping her department during busy shifts.

MMAS Symposium at Purdue provides hands-on learning about Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species

More than 80 participants joined Purdue Veterinary Medicine's 2026 Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species Symposium on October 31 and November 1. Organized by the Exotic Animal Club, the two-day event combined presentations on exotic animal medicine with hands-on training in parrot handling, rabbit examinations, avian clinical pathology and other specialized topics.

Costumed characters boost Halloween spirits in Lynn Hall

Halloween brought Minions, the Lorax, Super Mario Bros. characters and plenty of other costumes to Purdue Veterinary Medicine. Students, faculty and staff celebrated with costume contests, trick-or-treating and a Halloween dessert competition in Lynn Hall, the Reed ADDL and the Veterinary Hospital.