New Stethoscopes Signal Start of Lynn Hall Learning Experience for DVM and Veterinary Nursing Students

September 16, 2022

Dean Willie Reed with veterinary nursing students in the Class of 2025, after they received the new stethoscopes in recognition of the start of their first year of studies in Lynn Hall, after a year of taking core courses on the central Purdue campus. — Dean Willie Reed with veterinary nursing students in the Class of 2025, after they received their new stethoscopes in recognition of the start of their first year of studies in Lynn Hall, after a year of taking core courses on the central Purdue campus.

A longtime tradition marking the start of the new academic year for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine continued this year when the college held the annual Stethoscope Event. The program August 30 in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom featured dinner, remarks by event sponsors, and the presentation of complimentary stethoscopes to first year veterinary students and veterinary nursing students in the VN Class of 2025.

“This Stethoscope-themed Celebration has become an important, time-honored tradition for our College,” Dean Willie Reed said as he began the evening event, which officially welcomes new veterinary nursing and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students into the college. He then introduced representatives of the sponsors — Patterson Veterinary, the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.

First year DVM students in the Class of 2026 gather for a photo with Dean Reed after receiving their stethoscopes at the annual Stethoscope event at the Purdue Memorial Union.

After dinner was served, each of the sponsor representatives had the opportunity to share words of wisdom with the students. “We greatly appreciate our partnerships with the IVMA, PVAA, and Patterson Veterinary, and their support of our students,” Dean Reed said upon returning to the podium.

“In many ways, tonight’s event is a picture of the teamwork that is so vital to the success of the veterinary medical profession,” Dean Reed continued. “As you progress through your education here, I hope you feel like you really are part of a team, working and learning together with your fellow students, and witnessing the teamwork modeled by our faculty and staff as well as our partner organizations.”

Noting that Purdue Veterinary Medicine is one of only four veterinary colleges in the United States with both a DVM program and a veterinary nursing program, Dean Reed said, “We do indeed educate the entire veterinary team, including veterinary nurses, veterinarians, interns and residents. You will gain a lot of hands-on experience as part of your coursework and your rotations in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. And you will have the opportunity to start using your stethoscopes right away!”

At that point, Dean Reed invited Dr. Chad Brown, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, to the stage to help with the presentation of stethoscopes to the veterinary nursing students. The students were called forward individually to receive their stethoscopes and have their photo taken with Dean Reed. Then, Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for clinical education, called the names of each of the DVM students, who came forward to accept their stethoscopes and join Dean Reed for a photo.

After all the stethoscopes had been presented, Dean Reed returned to the podium and congratulated the students. “Now students, look at all of you with your shiny new stethoscopes,” Dean Reed said. “Doesn’t that help you feel like your dreams are beginning to come true?” Dean Reed then offered his own words of advice. “ Enjoy this moment and make the most of the opportunities you will have here at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine during the coming months and years. I am confident that you will forge life-long friendships that will enrich your career in veterinary medicine for years to come.”

Following the program, the students stepped outside for group photos and lots of candid photo ops.

Veterinary students enjoy posing for candid photos while sporting their new stethoscopes after the Stethoscope Event August 30.

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.