New Purdue Veterinary Medicine Associate Dean for Academic Success Named

Dr. Wendy Townsend, professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, has been appointed as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s new associate dean for academic success, as of July 1. “Dr. Townsend brings to the role a distinguished record of leadership, a deep commitment to veterinary education, and a steadfast dedication to clinical excellence,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh.

Dr. Townsend succeeds Dr. Kathy Salisbury, who retired June 30, after a long and storied career at Purdue University. Dr. Townsend expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Salisbury for her guidance and support during the transition. “Dr. Salisbury has made a profound impact on academic programs within the College, and her contributions to student success and curriculum development have left an enduring legacy.”

Dr. Townsend also shared her appreciation for Dean Marsh, for providing her with the opportunity to serve in this role and for his confidence in her leadership. In addition to her new appointment, Dr. Townsend will continue to serve as interim assistant dean for clinical education to ensure a seamless transition in academic leadership. She expressed sincere thanks to Dr. Jim Weisman for his mentorship and thoughtful guidance as she stepped into his former role, after he left this spring to serve in a national role with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). She also said she looks forward to working closely with Dr. Andrew Woolcock, assistant dean for curriculum and professional development; Dr. Melinda Anderson, interim director of the Veterinary Nursing Program; and the dedicated and talented members of the Academic Success team.

“I am honored to serve the college in this capacity and to continue working with such a passionate and capable team,” said Dr. Townsend. “Our students inspire me every day, and I remain deeply committed to supporting their academic and clinical growth.”

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Townsend earned her DVM degree from Auburn University in 1995. She spent three years in mixed animal private practice in upstate New York before coming to Purdue in 1998 for a small animal rotating internship. She then completed a residency in comparative ophthalmology and a master’s degree at Purdue in 2003, the same year she achieved board certification by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Prior to returning to Purdue, Dr. Townsend served on the faculty at Michigan State University from 2003–2010.

Since joining the Purdue faculty in 2010, Dr. Townsend has played a key role in advancing the ophthalmology service, particularly in equine ophthalmology. With her arrival, the service began offering cataract surgery for horses, a significant enhancement to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s capabilities. She also leads research focused on pigmentary uveitis, an inherited ocular condition unique to Golden Retrievers.

In addition to her new administrative responsibilities, Dr. Townsend will continue to see patients as a clinician in the ophthalmology service, supported by the exceptional faculty and staff of the ophthalmology team. She said her continued involvement in clinical service reflects her enduring passion for teaching and mentoring future veterinarians while delivering high-quality patient care.

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

Recent Stories

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

This week our gratitude goes to Andrea Kellogg, who is the director of Lifelong Learning.

Purdue Veterinary Students Get Up Close View of Veterinary Care at Professional Bull Riding Event

During a weekend dedicated to championship-level competition, students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine gained a first-hand perspective on a unique aspect of the livestock industry with a behind-the-scenes pass to the Professional Bull Riding event held recently in Indianapolis. Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis presented by Cooper Tires was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 21-22, even as first- and second-round NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games were held across the country the same weekend.

In Memory – Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology Gerald Bottoms

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Gerald D. Bottoms, a longtime faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology, passed away on February 24, 2026. He was 95.

PVM Scholars Recognized at Purdue One Health and Well-Being Research Event

Purdue University’s recent One Health and Well-Being Research Event: A Celebration of Interdisciplinary Health Research, put the spotlight on several scholars in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The one-day event was organized by the College of Health and Human Sciences in partnership with several other colleges including Purdue Veterinary Medicine. It is estimated that more than 300 people attended the event at the Purdue Memorial Union North and South Ballrooms March 10.

In Memory – Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen (PU DVM ’71)

The College of Veterinary Medicine mourns the passing of an alumnus and longtime practitioner from Greenfield, Indiana. Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen died March 12, 2026, at Brandywine - Brickyard Healthcare Center in Greenfield. He was 71.

Beautiful Spring Lilies Pose Serious Danger to Cats

Spring weather heralds the arrival of the beautiful blooms of true lilies (Lilium sp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.). Unfortunately, many cats have been poisoned by these lovely plants. The poisoning is so severe and the possible consequences so dire (even death) that in 2021, the FDA issued this warning: “Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. The toxin, which only affects cats, has not been identified. Dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but they don’t develop kidney failure.”

Through study abroad opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program is helping students think globally

Promoting animal health is a value that transcends cultures and unites the world. That’s why there are veterinary professionals practicing in nearly every country around the globe. But access to high-quality, affordable veterinary care is far from universal — in many nations, particularly developing nations, access to veterinarians is inconsistent, and affordability is a concern all over the world. To confidently address these issues, veterinary professionals must be able to think globally. That’s why Purdue Veterinary Medicine encourages students to study abroad, including those in the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL). “Study abroad enriches our online curriculum by bringing classroom concepts to life in a global, real-world context,” said Addison Sheldon, the college’s director of global engagement. The VTDL program offers students the option to study abroad in Guatemala, Japan and Zimbabwe by partnering with local universities and organizations.

Public Invited to Learn about Veterinary Medicine at 2026 PVM Open House April 18

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome the public for its annual Spring Open House at Lynn Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event will feature a hands-on look at the world of veterinary medicine.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium Remains Popular in 12th Year

The enduring popularity of the annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium was evident again this spring as more than 125 participants turned out for the day-long continuing education program in Lynn Hall. The 12th annual symposium on Sunday, March 8, attracted attendees from Indiana and seven other states, including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio.

Ruby’s Road to Recovery

When Ruby first came to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, she was just nine months old, and her injuries were more complex than when they first appeared. Ruby is a toy poodle and over a month earlier, while playing, she jumped off a couch and fractured both of her front legs. Despite several weeks of treatment with splints and casts, her legs were not healing properly. She had surgery performed on both her front legs and received a bone graft to help speed up the healing process. With meticulous surgical aftercare and a planned series of rechecks, Ruby began her journey to recovery.