The final work week of 2023 for Purdue University was marked in the College of Veterinary Medicine by a ceremony honoring staff members who achieved significant service anniversaries or completed the online Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, as well as those receiving Bravo Awards.
Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony, which was held December 15 in Lynn 1136, by thanking everyone for coming. “I am thankful that we are able to come together this afternoon and continue this important and meaningful tradition in our college,” Dean Reed said before recognizing the loyalty of staff members by introducing those celebrating significant anniversary milestones. Staff members were honored for every five years of service to the university, from 10 years all the way up to 30 years. As their names were called, the honorees stepped forward to receive a recognition gift. After all members within a grouping were introduced and given their mementos, they paused for a group picture.
Though not all of the honorees were able to attend, all of the names were announced at the ceremony. Congratulations to all of the following staff members who were recognized for their service anniversaries:
10 Years of service to the university:
- Cresta Cates, Phase 1 regional campus administrator, IU School of Medicine
- Dr. Kathleen Ivester, equine research scientist, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Michelle Kelley, RVT, lead veterinary technologist in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services, Purdue University Veterinary Hospital
- Tressa Bowman, administrative assistant, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
15 years of service to the university:
- Mindy Cotton, RVT, lead veterinary technician for Behavior Medicine, Veterinary Hospital
- Molly Cripe Birt, RVT, VTS (EVN) senior veterinary technologist for Large Animal Surgery, Veterinary Hospital
- Christy DeYoung, RVT, VTS-DI, lead veterinary technologist for Diagnostic Imaging, Veterinary Hospital
- Wright Frazier, director of web communications, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Jeannine Henry, RVT, instructional technologist, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Trinna Pierce, PharmD, interim pharmacy director, Veterinary Hospital
- Liane Shaw, MS, RVT, diagnostic imaging instructional technologist, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Lori Stout, director of admissions and recruitment, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Carol Zink, clinical curriculum coordinator and skills instructor, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Jennifer Danaher, administrative assistant, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
20 years of service to the university:
- Julie Commons, RVT, VTS (SAIM), veterinary technologist for Small Animal Nephrology and Urology, Veterinary Hospital
- Dr. Deepika Dhawan, oncology research scientist, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Amy Huffman, RVT, anesthesiology instructional technologist, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Dr. Tomo Inoue, anesthesiology lecturer, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Donna Tudor, MS, RT (R) (MR) (MRSO), diagnostic imaging technologist supervisor, Veterinary Hospital
- Louann Albregts, Virology and Serology Laboratory technician, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
25 Years of service to the university:
- Pam Kirby, RVT, VTS (Ophthalmology), lead veterinary technician for Ophthalmology, Veterinary Hospital
- Julie Lucies, small animal caretaker, Veterinary Hospital
- Sheila Stingle, account assistant, Department of Veterinary Administration
30 years of service to the university:
- Jeffrey Synesael, senior animal care technician, Veterinary Hospital
- Lorraine Fox, business assistant for the PVM Purchasing Center
The next group of honorees consisted of those who completed the online Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. The certificate program was developed in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges through the college’s Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Congratulations to the following individuals who earned their certificate of completion:
- Dr. Kiersten Forsyth, cardiology resident, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Stephanie Iserman, academic advisor for the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Andrea Kellogg, senior administrative assistant for the Office of Lifelong Learning, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Tom Mauch, director of Lifelong Learning, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Joy Nix, administrative assistant, Department of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jamie Richards, director of Student Services, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Bill Smothers, senior operations clerk, Department of Veterinary Administration
- Cody Wagers, senior veterinary assistant for Emergency and Critical Care, Veterinary Hospital
- Aaron Walz, department head and senior director of Information Technology
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of Bravo Awards, which are given to employees who are recognized in any of four categories: Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, Operational Excellence, and Fiscal Stewardship. Congratulations to the following Bravo Award recipients:
- Amy Balser, large animal clinical services coordinator, Veterinary Hospital | recognized for Innovation and Creativity and Operational Excellence
- Angie Chan, Molecular Laboratory supervisor, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | recognized for Moving the University Forward and Operational Excellence
- Rachel Kelly, academic advisor, Department of Veterinary Administration | recognized for Operational Excellence
- Laura Marsh, receptionist in the Emergency and Critical Care Service, Veterinary Hospital | recognized for Operational Excellence
- Brittney McDonald, RVT, veterinary technician for Diagnostic Imaging, Veterinary Hospital | recognized for Moving the University Forward
- Shelly Opperman, Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning academic advisor, Department of Veterinary Administration | recognized for Operational Excellence
- Michelle Schmierer, technologist in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Veterinary Hospital | recognized for Operational Excellence
- Amy Smeltzer, accessioning supervisor, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | recognized for Operational Excellence
- Meggan Stanton, Bacteriology Laboratory technician, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | recognized for Operational Excellence
Dean Reed also presented a team Bravo Award for Operational Excellence to the hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care team, which included:
- Ashley DiPrete, RVT, VTS (SAIM), veterinary technician in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services
- Courtney Dolwick, RVT, veterinary technician in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services
- Chesala Durnal, RVT, veterinary technician in Emergency and Critical Care
- Sara Dyson, veterinary assistant in Intermediate Care
- Kylie Helming, veterinary assistant in Intermediate Care
- Rachel Lewis-James, RVT, veterinary technologist in Emergency and Critical Care
- Michelle Kelley, RVT, veterinary technologist in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services
- Tami Lind, RVT, VTS (ECC), emergency and critical care veterinary technologist supervisor
- Mackenzie Lynas, RVT, veterinary technician in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services
- Luca Maney, RVT, veterinary technician in the Intensive Care and Emergency and Critical Care Services
- Elizabeth Mariscal, RVT, veterinary technologist in Emergency and Critical Care
- Taryn Schultz, veterinary assistant in the Intensive Care Unit
- Brielle Starr, veterinary assistant in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency and Critical Care
- Sara Uebler, RVT, veterinary technologist in Emergency and Critical Care
Following the award presentations, the honorees and guests reconvened in the Veterinary Medical Library for a reception.