Clinical Pathologist Wins NC State University Outstanding Teacher Award

Dr. Devorah Stowe, associate clinical professor of clinical pathology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as a winner of the NC State University Outstanding Teacher Award for 2024-25.

Stowe, a Greensboro native who received her undergraduate and DVM degrees from NC State, joined the veterinary college’s faculty in 2016 and has been a mentor to hundreds of veterinary students during their clinical pathology courses at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. She also assists in deepening hospital residents’ understanding of the complex subject, which involves scrutinizing bloodwork, cell or fluid samples for signs of disease development or progression.

“Teaching veterinary students and clinical pathology residents is why I left the diagnostic and corporate world and returned to academia,” says Stowe, who also completed a two-year residency and one-year clinical instructorship in clinical pathology at NC State. “Clinical pathology is a very challenging but fun course to teach. I really enjoy watching the students not only learn the material but then apply it to clinical cases and use the data to guide their next steps for their patient work-up.”  

In a letter supporting Stowe’s nomination for the award, a clinical pathology resident extolled her ability to use the difficulty of the course to motivate and uplift students.

“Her students’ success speaks to the course organization, clear learning objectives and ample supplemental material and practice cases, but also the many unaccounted-for hours of meeting privately with students, answering questions, and encouragement,” the resident said. “Dr. Stowe leaves long-lasting positive impressions on the students, evidenced by her 2022 and 2024 CVM Faculty Awards, voted on by the students.”

Dr. Amy Snyder, former director of clinical education, wrote a letter supporting Stowe’s nomination from the college.

 “It is Dr. Stowe’s skillful ability to combine academic rigor with a passion for making complex concepts accessible and relevant and true compassion for students that enables her to hold students to the highest standards and maintain their respect,” Snyder said. “Beyond the classroom, Dr. Stowe is deeply committed to mentoring students and fostering their professional growth.”

Stowe also has contributed her expertise to nearly 30 published research studies. In addition, she was given the faculty award by the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Classes of 2024 and 2022. The NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where Stowe received her undergraduate degree in poultry science, honored her as an Outstanding Young Alumni in 2019.

“I want to help each DVM student or resident become the best veterinarian or pathologist they can be and ensure that they have a solid knowledge base in clinical pathology to allow them to be successful in practicing high-level medicine that prioritizes patient care,” Stowe said. “I was so touched to be nominated by the CVM administration, and then to win an award of this caliber honestly never crossed my mind.  I love teaching clinical pathology!”

Stowe and other NC State teaching award winners will become members of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers for the duration of their faculty appointments at NC State. They were honored with a ceremony and luncheon Thursday.

“Dr. Stowe is truly an exceptional educator and also an outstanding member of our community,” said Dr. Kate Meurs, the Randall B. Terry Jr. Dean of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. “She is an innovative and compassionate leader, and we are so fortunate to have her in our college. I am particularly proud that she is one of our alumni and is now having such a profound and meaningful impact on the next generation of veterinarians.”