Purdue Alumnus and Boarded Oncology Specialist Named as New Interim Associate Dean for Hospital Operations

Dr. Christopher Fulkerson, clinical associate professor of veterinary medical oncology, has been named as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s new interim associate dean for hospital operations. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced Monday, September 8 by the dean of the college, Dr. Bret D. Marsh.

“I am excited to work with Dr. Fulkerson in his new role,” said Dr. Marsh. “Dr. Fulkerson has extensive and varied experience in his field as a Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinician and leader. In this new role he will be responsible for the leadership of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, including development of a strategic vision, implementation of sound fiscal strategies, and creation of a culture that fosters excellence in client service and patient care. I know he will approach his new responsibilities with enthusiasm, intellect, energy and dedication.”

For Dr. Fulkerson, the new position represents an opportunity to now lead the enterprise that gave him his start in veterinary medicine more than two decades ago.

“One thing that I think will be a significant strength for me in this position is my broad experience across roles in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital,” Dr. Fulkerson said. “I started as an undergraduate volunteer in both the large and small animal hospitals over 20 years ago, matriculated as a veterinary student, returned as a resident, and then joined the faculty.” Dr. Fulkerson also has served in leadership roles for curriculum development and within the hospital as chair of the Internship Committee. “I think that this experience will serve me well in this interim role.”

Dr. Fulkerson earned his Purdue DVM degree in 2010 and then completed a small animal internship at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Afterward, he returned to Purdue, completing an Oncology Residency in 2014 before joining the Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty as clinical assistant professor of veterinary medical oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. In 2015, he became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the Specialty of Oncology. He was promoted to clinical associate professor in 2021 and the following year was appointed as the head of the Medical Oncology Section.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities in the college, Dr. Fulkerson has regularly provided consulting services to veterinarians in Indiana and beyond, including internationally. He also contributes to annual training of medical oncology residents and rotating interns and has served on multiple college committees including the Curriculum Committee, Clinical Competency Team, and the Purdue Veterinary Hospital’s Small Animal Intern Committee.

His awards and honors include receiving the PVM Faculty Award for Excellence in Service, the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching from third year DVM students, and, as a resident, the Dr. Ann L. Johnson and Walter E. Hoffman Residency Teaching Award.

With 23 peer reviewed publications, Dr. Fulkerson has made significant contributions to the discovery mission of the Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center (WCORC) as a collaborator and a lead investigator. Additionally, he is a member of the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research and has presented his research at ACVIM and Veterinary Cancer Society meetings.

As interim associate dean for hospital operations, Dr. Fulkerson succeeds Dr. Ellen Lowery, who retired in August.