Skip to main content

Students Recognized for Certificate Program Completion

Recipients of the completion certifcate pose for a group photo
Students recognized March 26 for completing the requirements for the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine: (front row, left – right) Shirissa Thompson, Asia Fernandes, Natalia Amaral Marrero, and Zoe Albert; (back row, left – right) Gayatri Mazgaonkar, Blair Hooser, Akila Bryant, Leah Douglas, and Taylor Bolinger. (Not pictured: Evan Carter-Taylor, Karla Rodriguez Garcia, and Teilor Ruff)

Congratulations are in order for a dozen PVM students who were recognized for completion of the requirements for the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. Dean Willie Reed presented the certificates Tuesday morning, March 26, during VM 82500 in Lynn 1136, and expressed his appreciation for the students’ hard work in completing the program.

The recipients honored were:

  • Zoe Albert (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Natalia Amaral Marrero (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Taylor Bolinger (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Akila Bryant (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Evan Carter-Taylor (DVM Class of 2021)
  • Leah Douglas (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Asia Fernandes (DVM Class of 2020)
  • Blair Hooser (DVM Class of 2021)
  • Gayatri Mazgaonkar (DVM Class of 2021)
  • Karla Rodriguez Garcia (DVM Class of 2019)
  • Teilor Ruff (DVM Class of 2022)
  • Shirissa Thompson (DVM Class of 2022)

The certificate program, which is presented through Purdue University’s Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, is designed for people with demanding schedules and combines distance learning, life experiences, and written reflections. Nearly 300 individuals from 27 colleges of veterinary medicine have completed the certificate program, which is open to faculty, staff, students, and practicing veterinary professionals.

Writer(s): Adrianne Fisch | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

DVM and Veterinary Technology students gain job opportunity insights at fall PVM Career Fair

Purdue Veterinary Medicine's Fall Career Fair brought veterinary and veterinary technology students together with employers on October 30 at the Purdue Memorial Union. Students explored career opportunities, internships and externships while meeting representatives from veterinary practices and organizations.

In Memory: Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (PU DVM ’67)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine remembers Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (DVM 1967), who died November 6, 2026, at age 83. The first woman elected president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, she spent nearly three decades in private practice and held leadership positions in veterinary medicine, industry and education.

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

Kayla Fuqua, the day-shift Emergency and Critical Care receptionist at our veterinary hospital, is this week's Paws Up honoree. A colleague recognized her for supporting clients, coworkers and veterinary students, answering questions and helping her department during busy shifts.

MMAS Symposium at Purdue provides hands-on learning about Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species

More than 80 participants joined Purdue Veterinary Medicine's 2026 Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species Symposium on October 31 and November 1. Organized by the Exotic Animal Club, the two-day event combined presentations on exotic animal medicine with hands-on training in parrot handling, rabbit examinations, avian clinical pathology and other specialized topics.

Costumed characters boost Halloween spirits in Lynn Hall

Halloween brought Minions, the Lorax, Super Mario Bros. characters and plenty of other costumes to Purdue Veterinary Medicine. Students, faculty and staff celebrated with costume contests, trick-or-treating and a Halloween dessert competition in Lynn Hall, the Reed ADDL and the Veterinary Hospital.