The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) honored three Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni with awards for significant achievements and volunteering during the association’s recent Crossroads Veterinary Conference. The awards were presented January 30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Noblesville, Indiana.
Dr. G. Kay Boyd
Dr. G. Kay Boyd (PU DVM ’75), of Kentland, Indiana, received the IVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an IVMA member for cumulative service and accomplishments benefiting the profession, organized veterinary medicine, and the community.
After earning her Purdue DVM degree in 1975, Dr. Boyd opened the Kentland Veterinary Clinic in Kentland, the county seat of Newton County, where the full-service veterinary practice remains in operation today.
Dr. Boyd is a lifetime member of the IVMA and the America Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). She also is a member of the West-Central Veterinary Medical Association and has held membership in the Purdue Alumni Association. In addition, Dr. Boyd’s involvement in organized veterinary medicine has included service on numerous IVMA committees and as chairman of the IVMA Board of Directors.
In 1988, then Governor Robert Orr appointed Dr. Boyd as the first woman to serve on the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee to the Pharmacy Board. Later, in 2007, she was appointed by then Governor Mitch Daniels to serve on the Indiana Board of Animal Health under Dr. Bret Marsh, who was the Indiana State Veterinarian at the time.
Dr. Boyd also has actively served her community and state through her church, local schools in the South Newton School Corporation, 4-H, National FFA Organization, Tri Kappa, the Chamber of Commerce, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and the Indiana Angus Association.
Dr. Kayla Baird
Dr. Kayla Baird, (PU DVM 2021) of Milroy, Indiana was honored as the recipient of the IVMA Achievement Award, which is presented to an IVMA member who has graduated within the last five years and displayed outstanding accomplishments in veterinary research, civic activities, academia, and/or organized veterinary medicine.
Dr. Baird grew up on her family’s farm in Wadesville, Indiana and was a 10-year 4-H member and member of the National FFA Organization. She earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences at Purdue University before enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine, earning her DVM degree in 2021. While in veterinary school, she represented Purdue in the SAVMA House of Delegates and then was elected to the National Executive Board as the communications and public relations officer.
A member of the AVMA, IVMA, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the American Embryo Transfer Association, Dr. Baird works in private practice at the Jackman Animal Clinic in Milroy. She enjoys working with livestock as well as dogs and cats, and has a special interest in dairy and beef cattle medicine and reproduction, including conventional embryo production and embryo transfer.
Dr. Baird serves on the IVMA Board of Directors and has been involved in the Rural Workforce Strike Team. She also has participated in legislative advocacy since her graduation.
Dr. Nathan Rich
Dr. Nathan Rich (PU DVM ‘2006) of New Castle, Indiana, received the IVMA Volunteer Award, which is presented to an IVMA member who has provided leadership or service to a particular project or program of the association.
A 2006 Purdue DVM graduate, Dr. Rich owns Country Acre Animal Clinic in New Castle. He is an IVMA past president and also is actively involved with the Indiana Animal Health Foundation. In addition, Dr. Rich oversees IVMA wet labs and continuing education programming and has served on various committees for the association.