PVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Announces Plans to Retire

An esteemed and dedicated Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator, Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury, has announced that she will conclude her Purdue career of more than 40 years when she retires effective June 30, 2025. Her decision was shared with the college’s faculty, staff and students by Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, Wednesday (3/12).

“Dr. Salisbury’s truly outstanding career at Purdue has been marked by many significant accomplishments as well as university and national awards and accolades,” Dr. Marsh said. “With her genuine enthusiasm for veterinary education and her enduring commitment to excellence in everything she does, Dr. Salisbury has left an indelible mark on Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the veterinary medical profession. She is most deserving of our heartfelt congratulations as she prepares to begin a new chapter in her life and enjoy a very well-deserved retirement.”

After earning her DVM degree at Michigan State University, Dr. Salisbury joined a mixed animal practice in Michigan for two years and then came to Purdue for a residency in small animal surgery. She completed the program in 1984, earning her master’s degree and accepting an appointment as assistant professor in the college’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, she was named as chief of small animal surgery in 1988. Rising through the academic ranks she received a promotion to full professor in 2000, was named as assistant dean for academic affairs in 2005, and was appointed to her current role as associate dean for academic affairs in 2010.

A passionate educator, Dr. Salisbury has been a driving force in the college’s major curriculum revisions, and co-developed and led a series of problem-based learning courses that have enriched the first two years of the DVM curriculum. “Her mentorship and unwavering commitment to student success and well-being has inspired and encouraged our students to excel,” Dr. Marsh said.

Dr. Salisbury’s steadfast commitment to the college’s success is reflected most recently in her willingness to take on additional administrative responsibilities. She agreed last summer to serve as interim dean until the appointment of Dean Marsh, which was effective November 4. She also has been serving as interim director of the Veterinary Nursing Program while a search for a permanent director is underway.

“The opportunities I have had at Purdue to do the work I love as a veterinary surgeon, teacher, and mentor are priceless,” Dr. Salisbury said. “Being able to live my passion for positively impacting our world through the privilege of educating our amazingly talented and committed students means so much to me. I am so grateful for the incredibly rewarding career Purdue and our college enabled me to have. I always will treasure the time I have had here, serving alongside wonderful colleagues while teaching our talented students and seeing them grow into successful and influential veterinary professionals.”

Dr. Salisbury has received numerous awards and honors including being named a 150th Anniversary Professor at Purdue in conjunction with the university’s sesquicentennial in 2019. She also was inducted into Purdue’s Book of Great Teachers and is a founding fellow of the Purdue University Teaching Academy. Moreover, Dr. Salisbury is a recipient of the National Carl J. Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award – considered the most prestigious teaching award in veterinary medicine. In 2020, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) presented Dr. Salisbury and the other members of the Competency-Based Veterinary Education Working Group (CBVE) with its Presidential Award for Meritorious Service for their distinguished work in the development of the CBVE Framework. She also has been recognized as an American College of Veterinary Surgeons Foundation Honored Mentor and received the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence as well as, just this year, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association President’s Award.

“Dr. Salisbury has touched the lives of countless students through her utmost dedication to outstanding teaching and mentoring,” Dr. Marsh said. “Her legacy as a remarkably caring, talented and effective veterinarian, specialist, teacher, scholar and leader will have a lasting influence on our college and veterinary medicine for years to come.”

An announcement will be made at a later date about plans to celebrate Dr. Salisbury’s extraordinary career and wish her the very best in her retirement.