Residents Embark on First-Year Studies at PVM

Clinical residents and cardiology intern pictured

New PVM clinical residents and cardiology specialty intern in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital: (front row, left-right) Drs. Tara Boozer, Gianninne Bedoya Nader, Whitney Vickery, and Jaya Mehra; (middle row, left-right) Drs. Fallon Segarra, Sarah Ostenkamp (intern), Ana Aghili, and Adrienne Cheney; (back row, left-right) Drs. Dillon Devathasan, Victoria Lyons, Beatriz Belda Lopez, Rothman Reyes, and Orion Stollar. (Not pictured: Dr. José Goñi)

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed new and familiar faces to the College last week as first-year residents began their orientation in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. A total of 13 residents representing 11 different specialties will soon begin work in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital while also completing graduate studies through the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Joining the ADDL are three new anatomic pathology residents as well as an avian pathology resident. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital also welcomed Cardiology Specialty Intern Sarah Ostenkamp who joined the residents in the orientation. Please extend a warm welcome to these veterinarians as they begin their advanced training programs:

Dr. Ana Aghili (Emergency and Critical Care) earned her DVM from Louisiana State University in 2015. She then completed a rotating internship at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Kentucky before completing an emergency and critical care internship at Washington State University this year.

Dr. Beatriz Belda Lopez (Small Animal Surgery) comes to Purdue from North Carolina State University where she recently completed a small animal surgery internship and worked in the Comparative Pain Research Laboratory. She earned her DVM degree in 2012 from the University of Murcia before completing a small animal rotating internship and small animal surgery internship at the Hospital Veterinario in Valencia Sur, Spain.

Dr. Tara Boozer (Diagnostic Imaging) earned her DVM degree in 2010 from Tuskegee University.  She worked as an associate veterinarian at practices in Georgia and Florida before completing a small animal rotating internship and diagnostic imaging internship at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson.

Dr. Caitlin Brown (Anatomic Pathology) earned her DVM degree from Kansas State University.  She gained additional clinical medicine/surgery training and anatomic pathology training from the University of Tennessee, the University of California, Davis, and The Marine Mammal Center.  She also completed additional research training at the University of Cambridge, U.K., Kansas State University, as well as The Marine Mammal Center.

residents pictured at welcome reception

New small animal surgery resident Beatriz Belda Lopez (right), visits with (left-right) current small animal surgery residents Anastsia Olsen and Ken Brand and diagnostic imaging resident Emily Donaldson at a welcome reception hosted by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Wednesday, July 18, for the residents and faculty.

Dr. Adrienne Cheney (Small Animal Medicine) most recently completed a small animal rotating internship at Iowa State University. She earned her DVM degree from Oregon State University in 2017.

Dr. Dillon Devathasan (Neurology) earned his DVM degree in 2015 from the University of Adelaide in Australia.  He completed a small animal rotating internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists, as well as a neurology and surgery internship at the Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency before coming to Purdue.

Dr. José Goñi (Large Animal Medicine) comes to Purdue from the University of Georgia where he most recently completed a rotating internship.  He earned his DVM degree in 2015 from Rio Cuarto National University before completing a rotating internship at the Kawell Equine Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Argentina. He then completed an internship in 2016 at Park Equine Hospital followed by a fellowship with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, both in Kentucky.

Dr. Victoria Lyons (Ophthalmology) earned her DVM degree from Western University of Health Sciences in 2016.  She completed a small animal rotating internship in 2017 at the Encina Veterinary Hospital in California.  Before coming to Purdue, Dr. Lyons finished an ophthalmology internship with Animal Eye Specialists, also located in California.

Dr. Jaya Mehra (Neurology) earned a DVM degree in 2016 from the University of California, Davis, followed by a rotating internship at the VCA Northwest in Oregon and a neurology internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in California.

Dr. Laura Morman (Avian Pathology) earned her DVM degree in 2016 at Purdue University. She then served as a feedlot veterinarian at Alberta Beef Health Solutions before returning to Purdue to complete her poultry diagnostic medicine residency.

Dr. Gianninne Bedoya Nader (Cardiology) comes to Purdue from Michigan where she completed a cardiology internship at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners.  Dr. Nader previously finished a small animal rotating internship at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Illinois.  She earned her DVM degree in 2016 from St. George’s University.

ADDL anatomic pathology residents pictured

New anatomic pathology residents in the ADDL pictured: (left-right) Drs. Caitlin Brown, Stacey Piotrowski, and Melissa Swan.

Dr. Stacey Piotrowski (Anatomic Pathology) earned her DVM degree in 2015 from the University of Illinois. She then completed a laboratory animal medicine residency through the Gulf Coast Consortium Training Program in Houston, Texas. As a participant in the NIH Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program, Dr. Piotrowski will complete two years of anatomic pathology training at Purdue University and will then go on to perform PhD research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Dr. Rothman Reyes (Oncology) earned his DVM degree in 2016 at Michigan State University.  He completed a small animal rotating internship in 2017 at Purdue University before serving as an oncology specialty intern at Blue Pearl Georgia Veterinary Specialists.

Dr. Fallon Segarra (Large Animal Surgery) earned her DVM degree at Auburn University in 2016. She completed internships at both Peninsula Equine Medical Center and Missouri University before coming to Purdue.

Dr. Orion Stollar (Animal Behavior) earned his MSc and DVM degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  He worked as a veterinary general practitioner at practices in Israel before owning and serving as behavioral consultant at the Veterinary Behavior Consultation Service.  He also served as general practitioner and clinic manager at the Bet Hayot Leholim Clinic in Israel before coming to Purdue.

Dr. Melissa Swan (Anatomic Pathology) earned her DVM degree from Purdue University in 2018 before beginning her residency program in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Dr. Whitney Vickery (Small Animal Medicine) earned her DVM degree at the University of Tennessee before completing an internship with the US Army Veterinary Corps – First Year Graduate Veterinary Education Program in Colorado. She then served as branch chief of veterinary services in Japan and, most recently, in Kentucky.

Writer(s): Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Fourth Purdue AMR Conference Promotes Collaboration to Address Global Health Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance through PVM’s One Health Initiative. 

Purdue University served as the place where local, national and international experts came together in-person and online recently for concentrated sharing of research, expertise and insight targeting the threat of multi-drug-resistant infections. The fourth annual AMR Conference February 25-26, 2026, held in Stewart Center, attracted more than 100 attendees from across the U.S. and six other countries.

Presentation of Research Poster Prizes Wraps up Antimicrobial Resistance Conference 

Purdue University’s fourth Antimicrobial Resistance Conference concluded February 26 with remarks from Purdue Vice President for Health Affairs and Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of Pharmacy Eric Barker, PhD, who also announced the winners of the conference’s research poster session.  The poster contest, which attracted more than 20 entries, was divided into categories for undergraduate and graduate students.

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

Today we are glad to highlight one of our own committee members. Charlene Evans, Toxicology Laboratory Supervisor in the Reed Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory, is a wonderful champion for mental health and wellbeing on the PVM Wellness Committee and within the ADDL community.

Purdue Professor of Large Animal Surgery Named Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department Head

Dr. Timothy Lescun, a board-certified large animal surgeon, has been appointed head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences in the Purdue university College of Veterinary Medicine.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Engages with Swine Health Leaders at AASV

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine was well-represented at the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Annual Meeting, which provided important continuing education and networking opportunities for swine practitioners. The conference in Las Vegas February 28 through March 3, 2026, also provided the opportunity for the college to engage with alumni and partners who are influencing the future of animal agriculture.

Boilers, Ballgowns, Boilermaker Pride and PVM!

With a fun twist on classic title, the 2026 Purdue Boilermaker Ball provided a meaningful evening of celebrating Purdue University’s distinguished heritage and traditions, and the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine was proud to be part of the event. Dubbed “A Midwinter Night’s Dream,” the festive function February 28 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown proved to be one enchanted evening! PVM alumni and donors were among the guests for the creative black-tie event, and enjoyed the opportunity to visit and share the common commitment to veterinary medicine, animal health, and the mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Purdue Alumni Honored with IVMA Awards for Achievement, Volunteer Service and Contributions to Profession

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) recognized several Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni with awards and honors at the association’s 2026 Crossroads Veterinary Conference.  The annual meeting in Noblesville, Indiana, was held February 5-7 and featured scientific and practice management sessions for veterinary professionals as well as an exhibit hall. As part of the conference, the IVMA hosted its membership meeting February 5, when awards and honors were presented.

Keeping Your Pets Safe from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

The Purdue Veterinary Hospital has not detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in its practices but is providing important information to help pet and livestock owners stay informed. HPAI affects various species, including birds, cats, dogs, and livestock, and can spread through contact with infected animals or raw food. To reduce risk, avoid feeding raw meat or unpasteurized dairy to pets, limit wildlife exposure, and use protective gear when handling animals. Owners of feline and avian patients will be asked screening questions during appointments.

Purdue Engineering Hosts PVM Canine Educators for ‘Canines, Cookies, and Calm’ During Mental Health Action Week

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s beloved Canine Educators found themselves amidst a throng of engineering students last Friday, March 7, in the Herman & Heddy Kurz Atrum of Armstrong Hall, where they were the center of attention during an event on the final day of Purdue’s Mental Health Action Week (MHAW). Named “Canines, Cookies, and Calm,” the event hosted by the College of Engineering fostered smiles, laughter, and endless thanks from a total of some 300 engineering students.

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

March is National Social Work Month! It’s a perfect time to recognize our very own Veterinary Hospital Social Worker, Jennifer Dehn, LSW, MSW.