Skip to main content

Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Recipients Honored

Diversity certificate recipients pictured

As part of the Outstanding Staff and Bravo Awards program and reception Monday, June 11, several Purdue Veterinary Medicine staff members were honored for completing the online Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Dean Willie Reed explained that the certificate program, developed in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, is offered through PVM’s Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. “Diversity and inclusion are key components of our College’s values and culture, and we are proud of these individuals for their dedication in promoting a collegial work and learning environment enhanced by diversity,” Dean Reed said.

To successfully finish the online certificate program, the honorees completed a series of online modules; gained life experiences through volunteer community service and activities, such as attending cultural events and lectures in the community or national or regional meetings focused on diversity and inclusion; and reflected on their experiences. They also submitted a capstone paper on how they will use the information gained in the program to strengthen diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine.

Congratulations to the following staff members on their successful completion of the certificate program:

Brenda Dittmar – small animal receptionist, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Jeannine Henry – instructional technologist, Department of Veterinary Administration

William “Matt” Jarvi – secretary, Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Cindy Lavignette – client liaison representative, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Nicole Rosen – Clinical Pathology Lab supervisor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

William Smith, II – director of global engagement, Department of Veterinary Administration

Donna Tudor – diagnostic imaging technologist supervisor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Elizabeth Wilson – small animal receptionist, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Sarah Woods – health information technician, Veterinary Teaching Hospital

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

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” for Jennifer Danaher – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we express our gratitude to Jennifer Danaher, who is department secretary for Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

‘Purdue Pursuits’: A PVM angle on Purdue’s teaching and learning reading groups

Crafting meaningful and engaging course experiences has been at the top of Dielson Vieira’s mind ever since he joined the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s faculty in 2024. As a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Vieira is already adept at applying innovative teaching practices to classroom environments, but that doesn’t stop him from seeking out new ideas, approaches and perspectives — insights he gains through outlets like Purdue’s teaching and learning reading groups.

Top tier biology journal publishes PVM study that unlocks secrets of a drug-resistant fungal pathogen, which causes serious infections in humans

Though the name “Candida auris” is far from a household term, public health experts know it well because the multi-drug-resistant fungal pathogen, which causes serious human infections, has been classified as an urgent threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Antibiotic Threats Report (2019). Dr. Shankar Thangamani, Associate Professor of Microbiology and University Faculty Scholar in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, is researching C. auris, aided by a 2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). New research findings, just published in Nature Microbiology, show how C. auris adapts and evades the immune system.

In Print: ‘Translational Research Methods for Tauopathies’

A just-published 300-page volume edited by Jessica Fortin, Purdue assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences, provides a significant new resource for researchers studying a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. “Translational Research Methods for Tauopathies” provides detailed protocols intentionally selected to serve as a basis for research laboratories seeking to further treatments for such debilitating neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

It’s Almost Here!

Though the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference is almost upon us, there’s still time to register and take advantage of this time-honored College of Veterinary Medicine fall tradition that combines excellent continuing education with fun opportunities for reconnecting with colleagues and classmates, networking, and learning about the latest veterinary trends and products. The 2026 Purdue Veterinary Conference takes place September 23–26 on the Purdue University campus. The annual event has something for everyone, from veterinarians to veterinary technicians, faculty, staff and students.