In Memory – Dr. Thomas A. Bryan, Retired Purdue Avian Diagnostician

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of a dedicated poultry veterinarian and esteemed avian diagnostician, Dr. Thomas A. Bryan, who passed away Feb. 21, 2025 in Carmel, Indiana, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

A native of Scott City, Kansas, Dr. Bryan devoted his career to veterinary medicine, specializing in poultry health. He worked as a Purdue avian diagnostician for the Heeke Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) in Dubois County, and served Indiana and the poultry industry with dedication for 30 years before retiring in 2011.

Dr. Bryan is remembered for the great joy he derived from driving his truck through the hills of southern Indiana to visit his poultry “patients.” Through his work at Purdue, he made significant contributions to his field, particularly in avian disease prevention.

In 1994, working with the turkey industry, Dr. Bryan and colleague Tom Hooper helped recognize turkey coronavirus and developed diagnostic tests that assisted in the disease being eradicated from Indiana. Dr. Bryan received the Indiana State Poultry Association’s prestigious Golden Egg Award in recognition of his groundbreaking avian coronavirus research and his impact on poultry health and disease control.

Dr. Bryan also was known as a quiet and thoughtful man who cherished his family and was deeply dedicated to his work, faith, and values. He taught Sunday school at Huntingburg United Methodist Church in Huntingburg, Indiana, for more than 35 years, and devoted many Saturdays to the church’s work at Maple Grove Campground.

A service to celebrate Dr. Bryan’s life was held at Huntingburg United Methodist Church Thursday, Feb. 27. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Maple Grove Campground and Foundation at historicmaplegrovehuntingburg.org or the Carmel United Methodist Food Pantry at CarmelUMC.org, in honor of his lifelong dedication to faith and service. Bussell Family Funerals is handling arrangements. Click here to view a complete obituary.

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

Recent Stories

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

Today we’re extending a huge Paws Up to Dr. Ana Aghili, clinical assistant professor of small animal emergency and critical care.

Two Purdue Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at WVC Annual Conference for Commitment to Food Animal Practice

At this year’s WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, two Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni who graduated within the last five years received national recognition as recipients of the Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Awards (FAIA). Dr. Kayla Baird and Dr. Kallie Knott, of the Purdue DVM Classes of 2021 and 2025, respectively, were among just five total FAIA award recipients honored during the annual veterinary conference hosted by Viticus Group (formerly WVC). The event is considered one of the largest and longest-running veterinary education conferences in the U.S.

Equine Wellness Once Again Proves Popular as Topic of Annual Forum for Horse Enthusiasts

More than 150 people turned out in person and virtually for the perennially popular Equine Wellness Forum hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine recently at Lynn Hall, as the latter days of winter started to give way to thoughts of spring rides on horseback. The all-day continuing education program for horse owners and equine industry professionals on Saturday, February 7, featured insightful presentations as well as engaging demonstrations.

New Intern Joins PVM Communications Team

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine communications team is pleased to welcome a new intern, Caroline Keim, who started February 14. Caroline is a senior studying media and mass communications, as well as professional writing, through the Brian Lamb School of Communications in the College of Liberal Arts.

In Memory – Dr. Carole Ann Bolin (PU DVM ’82)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that a dedicated alumna, Dr. Carole Bolin, passed away Wednesday, February 12, in Lansing, Michigan, after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 67.

PVM Alumnus Kyle Shipman Named as New State Veterinarian

It’s official – Dr. Kyle Shipman (PU DVM 2015) is the new Indiana State Veterinarian. The decision to select Dr. Shipman to fill the vacancy was made by the 11 members of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health during their regular January meeting, which was followed by formal approval from the governor.

New Faculty Member Joins Comparative Pathobiology Department and Reed ADDL

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology recently welcomed Dr. Rachel Soltys as clinical assistant professor of diagnostic microbiology. Dr. Soltys, who started January 20, also serves as section head of Bacteriology in the Willie M. Reed Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).

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

Today we are happy to highlight Brittany Laflen, RVT, VTS (Neurology), who is a veterinary technician in Neurology / Small Animal Surgery.

College Appoints Experienced Agricultural Leader to Strengthen Constituent Relationships

Julia Wickard, a longtime agricultural leader in Indiana, was appointed as the college’s new constituent liaison and executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, effective Feb. 24. Wickard, of Greenfield, Indiana, previously served as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency . Her new position represents a homecoming for the Purdue alumna, who earned her BA degree in agricultural communications and political science.