Students and Alumni Make a Good Showing in Veterinary History Essay Contest

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Brooke Fourthman, of the DVM Class of 2019, for her success in the 2019 J. Fred Smithcors Veterinary History Essay Contest, which she entered while she was a student.  Her essay entitled, “A Brief History of Interventional Cardiology,” won 4th place in the competition.  “Her success reflects well on the school as a whole,” said Dr. Jessica Zeiger, a 2018 Purdue DVM graduate who serves as chairperson of the contest.

In addition to Dr. Fourthman’s success, another Purdue veterinary graduate and two current veterinary students also deserve commendation for participating in the competition.  Dr. Zeiger said Dr. Janna Draper, of the DVM Class of 2019, and Zhane Brown and Christa Cheatham, both of the DVM Class of 2021, all submitted fantastic essays.

“We congratulate Purdue Veterinary Medicine on having multiple entrants from your program,” Dr. Zeiger commented. “As a Purdue alum and a former winner in this contest, I want you to know how pleased I am to see such wonderful essays coming from Boilermakers!  I can tell Professor of Veterinary History David Williams has continued to instill a love of the history of our field in PVM students.”

Professor Williams is a past president of the American Veterinary Medical History Society (AVMHS), which established the annual essay contest in 1991 to promote interest in history by encouraging participation from students enrolled in veterinary medical colleges in the United States, Canada, and West Indies.  The contest is named in honor of Dr. J. Fred Smithcors for his many contributions to veterinary history as founder of the AVMHS, author of several books on veterinary history, as well as an educator, publisher, and editor. The winning entries are selected by a panel of AVMHS judges through a blind judging process in which the writers’ identities are kept secret. The winners receive cash prizes awarded in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence, by the generosity of the Donaldson Charitable Trust, in recognition of her many contributions to scholarship in veterinary history.  Dr. Lawrence served twice as AVMHS president and was a contest judge for many years.

Read Dr. Fourthman’s essay: A Brief History of Interventional Cardiology (PDF)

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

Recent Stories

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.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond Backe (PU DVM ’66)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of Dr. Ray Backe, an alumnus who was a member of the college’s fourth graduating class – the Class of 1966. Dr. Backe, of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, formerly of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed away January 19, 2025. He was 84.

Purdue Veterinary Alumni Meet up in Las Vegas at WVC Annual Conference

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine alumni stood out from the large crowds of veterinary professionals attending the Viticus Group 2025 WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada as they gathered for the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the conference. The event Monday evening, March 3, attracted close to 70 alumni who met up at the Rhythm and Rifts lounge located just off the Mandalay Bay casino floor.

Purdue Veterinary Student and Small Animal Surgery Resident Achieve Recognition at Major Specialty Conference

A Purdue second-year veterinary student and a third-year small animal surgery resident helped put the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spotlight at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) this year.

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).