Heartfelt and Celebratory: The 37th Annual CVM Awards
After a full academic year of dealing with the multiple challenges of life with coronavirus, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual awards ceremony presentations May 6 were a bit more heartfelt, the production values polished, and the sense of shared community more palpable than ever.
The ceremony was virtual and streamed on the CVM’s YouTube channel.
Providing comic relief during the ceremonies were the perennial hosts, the duo of Jeff Huckel, director of student services, and Greg Lewbart, professor of aquatic, wildlife and zoological medicine. Huckel’s opening performance as Dr. Anthony Fauci was the evening’s star turn.
CVM Dean Paul Lunn delivered introductory remarks, noting that the college awarded more than 260 student scholarships worth $1,113,97 during the past year. He also made note of a new award from donor PetDesk to assist graduating students in establishing careers. Receiving the inaugural award was the class of 2021’s Shayla Jackson. PetDesk is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the veterinary industry.
The awards, honoring students and faculty for outstanding achievements since 1984, were capped with the presentation of the three highest awards given to faculty members. The Huffman Leadership Award was presented to Megan Jacob, associate professor of clinical microbiology and director of diagnostic laboratories, especially for her work in establishing the in-house COVID-19 laboratory testing facility for the university on the CVM campus.
The award was presented by last year’s recipient, Steve Marks, associate dean and director of veterinary medical services.
Brian Gilger, professor of ophthalmology, received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, honoring his 25 years of research and clinical accomplishments that have established him as the leading authority in the world on equine ophthalmology, said Lunn.
Laura Nelson, associate dean and director of academic affairs, was recognized with the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award. Students and colleagues lauded Nelson for her unfailing positivity, unselfish willingness to help others, humility and for being a source of stability as the college community worked through the uncertainties of the past year.
The event was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Merck Animal Health, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation, the Student Chapter of the AVMA and Zoetis Animal Health.
Here is the complete list of awards and recipients:
Merck Academic Excellence Awards: Stephen Santangelo, Stephany Spano, Alyssa Berman, Carolyn Hynes, Claire Neinast, Julia Neimann, Colin Stone, Hayley Stratton, Allyson Patterson, Amy Le Blanc
Martin Litwack Award for Excellence: Ashley Le, Courtney Hamilton, Jake Clements, Kelsey Tyler, and Kaitlin Gorrell
NCVMA Academic Achievement Award: Susan Jones
Joseph L. Grimes Leadership Award: Monse Cuevas
Friends of NCVMA Foundation Scholarship: Liliya Nusbaum
Friends of NCVMA Advocate Award: Jacob Jones
The Industry Council Award: Elizabeth Welch
Jim and Mollie Rasor Leadership Scholarship Endowment: Taylor Gregory
Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Innovation Award: Irina Perdew
ACVO Ophthalmology Senior Student Award: Elisabeth Wise
ACVIM Clinical Excellence in Small Animal Internal Medicine: Valerie Nelson, Emily Gidcumb
DOCS Companion Animal Faculty Clinical Proficiency Awards: Valerie Nelson, Jazmine Kemp, Erin Wilkins, Kristen Bagley, Susan Jones
ACVS Small Animal Surgery Award: Caroline Schlaeppi
MBS Excellence in Anesthesia Clinical Proficiency Award: Susan Jones, Sam Tucker
Proficiency in Aquatic Animal Medicine: Michelle Barnett
Proficiency in Conservation Medicine: Khushboo Dass
Proficiency in Invertebrate Medicine: Sam Tucker
Proficiency in Carnivore Medicine: Kelsie Dougherty
Proficiency in Reptile and Amphibian Medicine: Cheryl Heitzman
Proficiency in Wildlife Medicine: Dario Marquez
Proficiency in Zoological Medicine: Taylor Gregory
Proficiency in Zoological Pathology: Chris Gaudette
Proficiency in Avian Medicine: Haley Pratt
Merck Animal Health Award for Dermatology: Devin Fussell
C. Dillman Award for Excellence in Anatomical & Clinical Pathology: Chris Gaudette
Dr. Monica Menard Award for Excellence in Veterinary Pathobiological Research: Rosemary Bayless
ACVR Excellence in Clinical Radiology Award: Caroline Schlaeppi
NCSU Excellence in Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Proficiency Award: Radiology – Devyn Seifert; Ultrasound – Janelle Avelino
2021 AAHA Award for Proficiency in Primary Care: Liliya Nusbaum
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Cardiology Award: Dylan DeProspero
Bob Rosenthal Oncology Senior Student Award: Evangelia Makrygiannis
Your Chance Medical Oncology Resident Award: Susan Shapiro, Ellen Sherrick, Rachael Camiener
Association of Feline Practitioners Senior Student Award: Megan Carson
VECCS Award for Proficiency in Emergency & Critical Care: Valerie Nelson
Donald R. Howard Award for Surgical Excellence : Brianna Jackson
Dr. Robert Agne Memorial Equine Award: Miriam “Mik” Chari
Mat Gerard Award for Excellence in Equine Dentistry: Mara Parmenter
Equine Health Program Special Focus Award – General Practice: Sara Tufts
Whynter Colinson Brownie Award – equine: Kim Young
ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence in Large Animal Internal Medicine: Sara Tufts
DOCS Large Animal Clinical Proficiency Awards: Beth Lewis, Patricia Baez-Ramos
ACVS Large Animal Surgery Award: Elisabeth Stone
Theriogenology Clinical Proficiency Award: Aimee Sink
Leroy Coggins Graduate Fellowship Endowment: Brittany Veerasammy
Population Health & Pathobiology Small Ruminant Clinical Proficiency Award: Elissa Nelson
Population Health & Pathobiology Large Ruminant Clinical Proficiency Award: Meagan Noblin
Boehringer Ingelheim award for Excellence in Bovine Preventative Medicine: Trey Cook
Whynter Colinson Brownie Award – food animal: Enoch Meira
Hanns-Dieter Alhusen Swine Proficiency Award: Jamie Madigan
Population Health & Pathobiology Faculty Poultry Proficiency Awards: Chris Gaudette
Award for Excellence In Veterinary Behavior: Megan Carson
American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners Foundation Veterinary Student Award: Aleaya Bowie
Joel Kirk Budd, Jr. Award for Companion Animal Diagnostics: Caroline Schlaeppi
Student and House Officer Diversity & Inclusion Awards: Student winner: Shayla Jackson; House officer winner: Caitlin Hepps Keeney
Sarah Watson Brown Award: Madeline Mitchell, Megan Carson
Class of 2024 CVM Faculty Award: Mat Gerard
Class of 2023 CVM Faculty Award: Luke Borst
Class of 2022 CVM Faculty Award: Laura Nelson
Class of 2021 CVM Faculty Award: Karyn Harrell
Phyllis Edwards Service Award: Gail Druley
Best Small Animal Service Technician: Damian Launer
Best Small Animal Wards Technician: Stefanie LaJuett
Best Small Animal Intern: Emily Javery, Kristen Verdoorn
Best Small Animal Resident: Michael Kato
Best Large Animal Technician: Adam Gamble
Best Large Animal Intern: Kimberly Hallowell, Erin O’Neil
Best Large Animal Resident: Blanca Camacho
Best Veterinary Teaching Hospital Staff Member: Rebecca Maher
Honorary Member of the Class of 2021: John Joyner
Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence: Brian Gilger
Huffman Leadership Award: Megan Jacob
Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award: Laura Nelson
~Steve Volstad/NC State Veterinary Medicine
