Purdue Large Animal Internal Medicine Specialist Assumes Leadership Role with ACVIM

November 4, 2022

Dr. Sandra Taylor, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate professor of large animal internal medicine, has been elected as the new incoming leader for the Large Animal Internal Medicine (LAIM) specialty of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Dr. Taylor was chosen as the LAIM president-elect, a position on the ACVIM Board of Regents. The announcement came after voting for three president-elect positions on the Board of Regents closed October 6.

In congratulating Dr. Taylor and the other two winners, the ACVIM stated that strong candidates were considered for each of the leadership positions. Dr. Taylor currently serves on the ACVIM Board of Regents as the LAIM At-Large Member.

Dr. Taylor earned her DVM degree at Washington State University (WSU) and then completed an internship at an equine hospital in Bonsall, California before doing a residency in equine internal medicine at the University of California, Davis. She became board certified by the ACVIM in Large Animal Internal Medicine in 2006. She then returned to WSU where she completed her PhD in immunology in 2010.

As a faculty member in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Taylor has a particular interest in equine-focused research, especially studies of the effects of sepsis in horses. Her passion for research dates back to her time in graduate school, when she investigated an equine model of HIV, and reflects her interest in scientific discovery that can be applied to both animals and humans.

Based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the ACVIM is the certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology, nutrition, and small animal internal medicine. With more than 3,000 members, the ACVIM is dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through the education, training and certification of specialists in veterinary internal medicine; discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge; and increasing public awareness of advances in veterinary medical care. More information is available at www.ACVIM .org

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

Recent Stories

Retreat brings together Veterinary Technology team members

Members of the Purdue Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) Program team recently traveled to Purdue’s West Lafayette campus for an in-person retreat where they could work together and explore new opportunities for teaching, learning, and student success. The two day retreat focused on strengthening collaboration between the program's remote and on-campus teams, and represented a significant milestone for the program.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Conference draws veterinary professionals from across the country for learning and fun

The 2026 edition of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted attendees from around the U.S. for three days of educational sessions covering an array of topics. With the overall theme of “One Health: Modern Veterinary Medicine,” the conference September 23-26 on the Purdue University campus drew more than 450 veterinarians and veterinary technicians, plus faculty, staff and students. Sessions taught by a total of 65 speakers, including many Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinicians and veterinary technicians/technologists, enabled conference-goers to earn up to 23 continuing education credit hours.

Significant Gift from Jordan Smelski Foundation will fuel Purdue Veterinary Medicine research on deadly brain eating amoeba

A researcher in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology has received a generous gift of more than $100,000 from the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness and Mr. Steve Smelski to support research of the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Christopher Rice, PhD, assistant professor of parasitology and principal investigator of the Rice Research Group, leads a research team seeking to discover and repurpose drugs against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but typically fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.

Purdue veterinary student receives Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship awarded by AKC Humane Fund

The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.℠ has announced the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond, and one of the recipients is Purdue veterinary student Tiffany Chang of the Class of 2027. Chang is one of only five students chosen for the scholarships.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Unites with Purdue United Way Campaign

With the goal of raising $700,000 by November 4 to support local nonprofit organizations that help individuals and families in Greater Lafayette, the Purdue United Way campaign took off September 23 with an official campaign launch on the front lawn of the Purdue Memorial Union. Purdue Veterinary Medicine, along with the university’s other colleges and units, will participate with the help of PVM faculty and staff ambassadors working to make it easy for people in the college to respond, whether by giving, or by indicating that they do not wish to give. As part of the PVM drive to support the campaign, Dean Bret Marsh and his wife, Polly, are contributing a match for campaign contributions from college faculty and staff. Additionally, a drawing will be held to select winners from those who contribute.