PVM Alumni Receive Prestigious IVMA Awards

February 12, 2021

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) recently honored three Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduates as award recipients at the organization’s first-ever virtual Crossroads Veterinary Conference. Drs. Greg Kurtz (PU DVM ’82), Dr. Dana Conner (PU DVM ’84), and Dr. Jalen King (PU DVM 2019) each received prestigious IVMA awards during a virtual ceremony held February 4 as part of the IVMA’s annual meeting.

screen shot of virtual awards presentation — Outgoing IVMA President Aaron Smiley (picture to the right) presents the IVMA Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Greg Kurtz during a virtual ceremony.

Dr. Greg Kurtz

Dr. Kurtz was honored with the IVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an IVMA member for cumulative service and accomplishments benefiting the profession, organized veterinary medicine, and the community. A native of Hagerstown, Ind., Dr. Kurtz earned his Purdue DVM degree in 1982 and then worked for one year at a practice in central Wisconsin. Returning home to Hagerstown, Dr. Kurtz, along with his wife and classmate, Dr. Robyn Kurtz, began the Kurtz Veterinary Clinic in 1983. Today, the veterinary practice is made up of four veterinarians serving both livestock and pet owners throughout east central Indiana. Dr. Kurtz’s primary interest is cattle reproduction and dairy herd health consulting, and he utilizes that expertise as he works with herds ranging in size from 40 to 5,200 cows. A strong believer in supporting organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Kurtz serves on the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Farm Bureau and the IVMA, as well as the Indiana Farm Bureau Animal Care Policy Advisory Group. Additionally, he is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, and the John Purdue Club. Dr. Kurtz also is an active member of Zions’ Lutheran Church in Pershing, Ind.

Dr. Dana Conner

Dr. Conner received the IVMA President’s Award, which was presented by the outgoing IVMA president, Dr. Aaron Smiley. The award recognizes Indiana veterinarians or citizens who have made exceptional contributions to the association. Dr. Conner earned her Purdue DVM degree in 1984 and has practiced veterinary medicine in Central Indiana her entire career. After selling her practice, named the Pendleton Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Conner has continued to practice relief medicine. Most recently, Dr. Conner also has served on the 2020 IVMA Practice Act Review Task Force.

Dr. Jalen King

Dr. King received the IVMA Achievement Award, which is presented to an IVMA member who graduated within the last five years and has displayed outstanding accomplishments in veterinary research, civic activities, academia, and/or organized veterinary medicine. After earning his Purdue DVM degree in 2019, Dr. King returned to his home in LaGrange, Ind., to work in a small/mixed animal practice owned by his sister, Dr. Krystle King (PU DVM 2012). Dr. King is recognized as a leader in his community who recently assisted those in need by organizing a workday.

Dr. Schnarr pictured in front a lectern with others in the background as viewed over Zoom — Dr. John Schnarr (PU DVM ’70) installs the IVMA officers during a virtual ceremony.

In addition to the awards presentation, the virtual ceremony also included installation of new IVMA officers, some of whom are Purdue alumni. Dr. Aaron Johnson (PU DVM 2005) was elected president-elect. Dr. Kyle Shipman (PU DVM 2015) was elected as treasurer. And Dr. Hilary Christner, who earned her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at Purdue University before completing the DVM program at Ross University, was installed as president.

Writer(s): Susan Xioufaridou | 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.