Veterinary Nursing Stethoscope Celebration Persistently Protects Important College Tradition

September 4, 2020

Brooke and Hannah stand socially distanced beside the Continuum sculpture outside Lynn Hall
Class of 2023 Veterinary Nursing Program ambassadors Brooke Toriani (left) and Hannah Rowe display the new stethoscopes they received August 26 at the 9th annual Veterinary Nursing Stethoscope Celebration.

Students in the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Program’s Class of 2023 stepped into the spotlight during the 9th annual Veterinary Nursing Stethoscope Celebration during the first week of the fall semester.  Organizers of the event took extraordinary steps to safely continue this beloved college tradition for the students in a way that is in line with the Protect Purdue campaign, by utilizing social distancing and hybrid event technologies.  Co-sponsored by Royal Canin and Patterson Veterinary, the hybrid virtual and in-person event on August 26 gave the second-year veterinary nursing students a chance to meet key administrators in the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family and receive complimentary stethoscopes as they start the clinical phase of their veterinary nursing education.

Dr. Chad Brown, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, started the celebration by making opening remarks before introducing other college administrators who attended remotely. Dean Willie Reed then welcomed the veterinary nursing students to their first year of hands-on clinical learning in the college.  He pointed out the comprehensive training they will receive at Purdue, which is one of only four veterinary colleges that educates the entire veterinary team, including doctors of veterinary medicine, veterinary nurses, and specialists in a variety of fields.

Courtney Waxman, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC), instructional technologist in the Veterinary Nursing Program and president of the IVTA, also spoke to the class, offering words of advice and encouragement.  Additionally, Pam Phegley, RVT, Veterinary Nursing Program clinical rotation/mentorship coordinator, read the preamble to the Veterinary Technician Code of Ethics, which gives veterinary nurses guidance for carrying out their professional duties.

The students also heard from Aimee Graves, of Royal Canin; Rob Fulkerson, of Patterson Veterinary; and Leslie Ferguson, of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, who wished the students well on their journey to becoming veterinary nurses. After they received their stethoscopes, the students signed the Veterinary Technician Code of Ethics. The signed board will hang in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital as a reminder of their commitment to the standards, values, and teamwork that supports animal and human health.

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

Recent Stories

PVM Closes out 2025 with Recognition of Staff Members’ Loyalty and Exceptional Service

A time-honored Purdue Veterinary Medicine tradition continued at the conclusion of 2025 as the college hosted its Staff Service Recognition Ceremony in Lynn Hall room 1136. Held December 19, the program honored staff members for years of service to Purdue University, and also featured the presentation of Bravo+ Awards. In all, more than 40 PVM personnel were recognized, including employees of the college’s departments, Veterinary Hospital and Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).

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

Today, we are pleased to highlight Purdue University Veterinary Hospital staff members Lisa Hunter, facilities supervisor; Kevin Draper, facilities manager; and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Large Animal Facilities team for their exceptional support.

Interim Leadership Announced for Comparative Pathobiology Department

Two faculty members in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology have been named as new interim leaders for the department. Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, will serve as interim department head, and Dr. Abigail Cox, the Dr. William O. Iverson Associate Professor of Comparative Pathology, will work alongside her as assistant department head and will take the lead on the department’s graduate student affairs.  Announced December 18, the appointments took effect immediately.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Seeks Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations by February 2

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is now accepting nominations for its Distinguished Alumni Awards that honor exceptional graduates whose careers as veterinarians and veterinary technicians and technologists exemplify leadership, service, and impact in veterinary medicine and animal health.

Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Distance Learners Celebrate Graduation at Lynn Hall Ceremony

December marked a major milestone in the lives of Purdue Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL) students who graduated as members of the Class of 2025.  In conjunction with Purdue University’s Winter Commencement ceremonies, the College of Veterinary Medicine held its traditional Veterinary Technology Graduation Celebration in Lynn Hall December 21, when the new Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology Degree recipients were honored and recited the Veterinary Technician Oath.

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

Today we are giving a big “high-five” to Kendra Dostaler, RVT, a large animal veterinary technician serving in the Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals.

Three PVM Faculty Receive 2025 Purdue AgSEED Grants

Known by the acronym AgSEED, the Agricultural Science and Extension for Economic Development program is an internal competitive grants system of the Purdue University College of Agriculture that focuses on advancing Indiana’s leadership in plant and animal agriculture and rural growth, especially through entrepreneurial initiatives. This year, three Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members are among 17 recipients of 2025 AgSEED grants.

In Memory – Dr. Baron Brocksmith (PU DVM ’94)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn of the passing of an alumnus, Dr. Baron Brocksmith of Sullivan, Indiana, who died Monday, January 6, 2025. He was 57.

December Graduation Celebration Honors Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduates

The Sunday after Purdue University’s final exam week in December marked a special occasion for a group of students celebrating as the newest graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs. That day, December 15, the College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the 2024 Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration in Lynn Hall – an event that drew graduates and their families from across the country and beyond.