The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Graduation Celebration held at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater included the presentation of several student awards. As the Veterinary Nursing and DVM graduates were called to the stage to be recognized for completing their respective degree programs, those selected to receive awards were honored by having the award announced as they crossed the platform. Congratulations to each of the award winners listed below.
Veterinary Nursing Associates Degree Graduates
Katerina D’Addato – Eber H. Allen Leadership Award, which is presented to Veterinary Nursing students who exhibit leadership and professionalism that has advanced a positive image of the Veterinary Nursing Program.
Stephanie Dreessen – Eber H. Allen Leadership Award, for Veterinary Nursing students who exhibit leadership and professionalism that has advanced a positive image of the Veterinary Nursing Program. In addition, Stephanie received the Veterinary Nursing Highest Technical Proficiency Award, which recognizes a student for outstanding technical proficiency in clinical rotations in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.
Estee Frauhiger – Highest Academic Achievement Award, which recognizes a Veterinary Nursing student who has excelled academically and earned the highest grade point average in the associate degree program.
Veterinary Nursing Bachelor of Science Degree Graduate
Bayli Grubb – Outstanding Veterinary Nurse Award, which is given to a fourth-year Veterinary Nursing student who exhibits both outstanding academics and excellent clinical skills.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree Graduates
Dr. Marissa Azua – Shelter Medicine Program Award, which recognizes a student who exemplifies compassion for shelter pets, excellent interaction with shelter clients, and proficiency in shelter medicine.
Dr. Taylor Baird – Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Award for Clinical Proficiency in All Species which recognizes proficiency in both medicine and surgery across species. Dr. Baird’s clinical proficiency was further recognized by receipt of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence in Small Animals and the IDEXX Award for Proficiency in Clinical Pathology. This last award recognizes a student who demonstrates a strong understanding of clinical pathology and its practical application to clinical cases.
Dr. Roel Becerra – Indiana State Poultry Association Award recognizing high proficiency in avian medicine.
Dr. Hannah Bennett – American Animal Hospital Association Award for Proficiency in Primary Care, which denotes general small animal practice.
Dr. Kevin Bersch – 12th District of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Award, which recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in academic performance, research, or service in veterinary public health and preventive medicine.
Dr. Gabrielle Broschard – Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners 1st Place Award for exhibiting the highest proficiency in equine medicine and surgery and displaying the highest degree of professionalism.
Dr. Rochelle Camden – Bob Rosenthal Senior Student Award in Clinical Oncology. This award recognizes a student who demonstrates proficiency in the care of veterinary oncology patients and aptitude in clinical oncology.
Dr. Evan Carter-Taylor – American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence in Large Animal.
Dr. Yesenia Castillo Melecio – Class of 1983 Award, which is given to a student who has overcome obstacles or preserved despite difficult circumstances in pursuit of the DVM degree. Dr. Castillo was nominated by her classmates for this award.
Dr. Katelin Dark – Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Award for Clinical Proficiency in Small Animal species. This award recognizes proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Dark also received the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Award in Small Animal for demonstrating academic and clinical proficiency in small animal surgery.
Dr. Ethan Fultz – American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence in Small Animal Medicine.
Dr. Lydia Hall – American College of Veterinary Pathologists Award for Excellence in Veterinary Pathology for exceptional proficiency and interest in anatomic and/or clinical pathology.
Dr. Wyatt Krom – Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Award for Clinical Proficiency for Large Animal Species recognizing proficiency in large animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Krom also was awarded the 15th District of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association / American Association of Bovine Practitioners Excellence in Bovine Veterinary Medicine Award for demonstrating exceptional proficiency and interest in bovine production medicine and surgery. Additionally, he received the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Award for demonstrating academic and clinical proficiency in large animal surgery, and the American College of Theriogenologists Clinical Proficiency Award for his skills in theriogenology.
Dr. Julia O’Rourke – Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners 2nd Place Award for proficiency in equine medicine and surgery and displaying the highest degree of professionalism.
Dr. Sarah Pound – Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners 3rd Place Award for proficiency in equine medicine and surgery and displaying the highest degree of professionalism. Dr. Pound also received the G. Edward Cummins Compassionate Care Award for exemplifying compassion for animals and clients alike.
Dr. Kiersten Record – American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Award which recognizes her clinical proficiency in dermatology.
Dr. Jonathan Richardson – American College of Theriogenologists Clinical Proficiency Award for his skills in theriogenology. In addition, Dr. Richardson received a national award, the Theriogenology Foundation Nandi Scholar. Only four students from across the country receive this award which recognizes a veterinary student who has demonstrated superior potential for future clinical and scholarly excellence and leadership in theriogenology.
Dr. Matthew Schiffman – Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association Senior Leadership Award. Dr. Schiffman was selected by classmates for demonstrating leadership through involvement in school activities, services to the community, and engagement with the veterinary medical profession.
Dr. Tetyana Sofiychuk – Comparative Ophthalmology Award for outstanding performance in comparative ophthalmology. Dr. Sofiychuk also received the Bastien Award for demonstrating empathy and exceptional care to canine patients as well as the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Award for her outstanding client communication skills.
Dr. Payton Thomas – American Association of Feline Practitioners Award for proficiency in feline medicine and surgery.
Additionally, Dr. Uvon Ramachandran was recognized this year with the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Award for Exceptional Clinical Proficiency by a Clinical Year Student. This award is presented to a student who demonstrates excellence in patient care, knowledge of medical principles of disease, teamwork, and improvement in clinical proficiency.
The Graduation Celebration also included some additional recognition. “In addition to acknowledging our graduates’ many accomplishments and awards, we also want to take this opportunity to recognize several of the faculty, residents and staff who have instructed and worked alongside these graduates,” Dr. Salisbury explained. The following award recipients will be honored during separate events later this year, but their awards were announced during the graduation celebration when the graduates were present.
The Katie McCallister Award is presented to a resident or intern who demonstrates extraordinary compassion and empathy toward both patients and their families. The recipient this year is Dr. Jennifer Peterson, a resident in small animal surgery.
The Johnson & Hoffman Residency Teaching Award recognizes a resident in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences for excellence in teaching. This year’s recipient is Dr. Garrett Oetelaar, who is a resident in diagnostic imaging.
The Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award is given to honor a Veterinary Nursing educator who has clearly communicated course content, facilitated skill acquisition, motivated students, shown a continued willingness to facilitate learning outside of a formal setting, counseled and mentored students, and served as a positive role model. The recipient this year is Courtney Waxman, MS, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC), distance learning instructional technologist.
And the Weedon Faculty Recognition Award is given to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution to members of the current fourth-year veterinary class during their progress toward DVM degree. The members of the DVM Class of 2021 selected Dr. John Christian to receive this honor. Dr. Christian is associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology and lab director and section chief of Clinical Pathology.
