PVM Bids Fond Farewell to Alumnus and Key Administrator Embarking on Exciting New Challenge

Dr. Chad Brown greets well-wishers at a reception held in his honor at Lynn Hall November 1.
Dr. Chad Brown greets well-wishers at a reception held in his honor at Lynn Hall November 1.

Members of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine community had the opportunity last week to congratulate and say goodbye to a dedicated and much appreciated alumnus and administrator as he prepared to take on an exciting new role. Dr. Chad Brown (PU DVM 2001) concluded his role as director of the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs Friday, November 1, and transitioned to an exciting new career opportunity as executive director of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Colleagues had the opportunity at Dr. Brown’s reception to autograph a mat for a framed picture of the Continuum Sculpture given to Dr. Brown in recognition of his service to the college.
Colleagues had the opportunity at Dr. Brown’s reception to autograph a mat for a framed picture of the Continuum Sculpture given to Dr. Brown in recognition of his service to the college.

During Dr. Brown’s last day at Lynn Hall, a reception was held in his honor and attended by many colleagues and friends who expressed appreciation for all he accomplished for the college in his role as Veterinary Nursing Programs director. “During his four years of leadership, Dr. Brown has made remarkable contributions to both the on-campus and distance learning Veterinary Nursing programs, as well as to the College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Dr. Kathy Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs. “He also has had significant impact on campus as chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Council (UCC). His leadership has driven growth, innovation, and continued excellence. Dr. Brown’s efforts to improve student outcomes, strengthen the Veterinary Nursing curricula, and elevate the reputation of our programs have been invaluable.”

Dr. Salisbury said Dr. Brown’s achievements were especially evident during the recent site visit by the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) in September. She said preliminary positive feedback reflected the substantial work accomplished by Dr. Brown and his team. “His commitment to maintaining the highest standards in veterinary nursing education has been instrumental in this success.”

Dr. Salisbury concluded, “While we will greatly miss Dr. Brown’s energy, enthusiasm and innovation, we are thankful for all that he has done to advance our programs and ensure their continued success.” Meanwhile, the process of identifying a new Director of the Veterinary Nursing Programs is expected to begin soon.

Congratulations Dr. Brown and best wishes on your future endeavors!

Among those who congratulated Dr. Brown at the reception were Dr. Harm HogenEsch, Distinguished Professor of Immunopathology, and veterinary student Joyce Jia of the Class of 2027.
Among those who congratulated Dr. Brown at the reception were Dr. Harm HogenEsch, Distinguished Professor of Immunopathology, and veterinary student Joyce Jia of the Class of 2027.

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

Recent Stories

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Honors PVM Clinician Paulo Gomes as a Top Co-Author

Dr. Paulo Gomes, clinical associate professor of dermatology in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, recently was recognized for co-authoring one of the most widely read articles of 2025 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The publication is an online, open access, international, peer-reviewed journal.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week a big Paws Up goes to Gabriel Harris, who is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences.

More Time Together

From the moment Brian met Blackie as a playful puppy at a rescue, their bond was undeniable. Over the years, Blackie became more than a pet. That is why, when Brian found Blackie unresponsive in his yard one evening, he refused to give up. Brian drove Blackie an hour and a half to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care team.

USDA Funding Fuels Purdue Veterinary Medicine Research Seeking Answers to Costly Cattle Production Mystery

A four-year, $650,000 New Investigator Award from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) will support research led by Dr. Viju V. Pillai, a faculty member in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology and pathologist at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL), aimed at solving a persistent and costly mystery in cattle production.  Dr. Pillai’s team wants to answer the question of why so many pregnancies fail before they are even recognized? The project will focus on the earliest stages of fetal–maternal communication and on a little-understood family of proteins called trophoblast Kunitz domain proteins (TKDPs), whose functions in pregnancy remain largely unknown.

In Memory: Dr. Ronald P. Miller (PU DVM ’63)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened by the passing of Dr. Ronald P. Miller, of Indianapolis, a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s first graduating class, the Class of 1963.  Dr. Miller died February 17, 2026, at the age of 89.

In Memory – Dr. Julie Anderson (PU DVM ’78)

A Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumna and beloved veterinarian, Dr Julie Anderson, of Rockville, Indiana, will be remembered at a celebration of life open house to be hosted in her honor by West Central Veterinary Services Sunday, April 27. Dr. Anderson, a member of the Purdue DVM Class of 1978, passed away in December at the age of 71.

Popular Veterinary Nursing Symposium Features Day of Learning and Networking

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s annual Veterinary Nursing Symposium brought more than 150 veterinary professionals to Lynn Hall recently to gain practical knowledge and insights about a diverse range of topics covering both small and large animals. Veterinary nurses (technicians and technologists), veterinary assistants and veterinary nursing (technology) students participated in the all day lifelong learning program Sunday, March 23. The attendees came from across Indiana as well as Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we are highlighting Dr. Heather Bornheim, who is a farm animal medicine and surgery clinician in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

CPB’s Aryal Lab Members Recognized at 140th Annual Indiana Academy of Science Meeting

Two members of Research Associate Professor Uma Aryal’s lab in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology recently received noteworthy recognition during the 140th Indiana Academy of Science conference hosted in Indianapolis. According to the Indiana Academy of Science, since 1885, its annual conferences have served as the only multidisciplinary scientific meetings that take place in the state. The event on March 22 attracted hundreds of senior and junior scientists from Indiana and across the Midwest.