Summer 2021 RUSVM Alumni Magazine by Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

SUMMER 2021 / ALUMNI MAGAZINE

NEW BEGINNINGS

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE FOR ROSS UNIVERSIT Y SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

FE AT U R ES.

DEAR RUSVM ALUMNI,

MARY MAULDIN PEREIRA

Wow! What a privilege it has been thus far to serve as the Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations, and our journey together has just begun! We are continuing to navigate and adjust during these uncertain times; however, our awesome alumni family remains dedicated, strong, and continues to play a fundamental role within the veterinary world. The anticipation to network in-person again is palpable, yet the virtual events that we have facilitated have been a fantastic way to engage with you and each other during a time when social activities are few and far between. We have hosted a “paint your pet” experience, a holiday party, and our first ever Ross Vet Virtual Career Fair. Just last month, we also welcomed over 400 Rossie students who are expected to graduate in 2020–2021 with a congratulatory “toast” at our post-graduation celebration. I also look forward to our biggest and best West Indies Veterinary Conference in November 2022, which coincides with RUSVM’s 40th anniversary. I hope that you’ll join us for this historical event. Some of you may wonder how St. Kitts is doing and what campus life is like amidst the pandemic. The island’s beauty and charm remain unchanged and RUSVM is still paving the way for our students to receive the highest level of education, even during these unpredictable times. Currently, the campus is offering in-person lab and surgical experiences while all lectures remain online, and we are planning for all of our students to return to the island in the fall for the first time since the pandemic began. Our team is actively planning many contributions to enhance and engage our alumni family. Although many of you are already lifelong RUSVM ambassadors on so many levels, one of our biggest forthcoming goals is to continue implementing our newly structured Alumni Ambassador program. We also plan to execute an online continuing education (CE) library that we hope will be a strong resource for you and your fellow alumni. Additionally, we will work alongside the Alumni Action Council in achieving their annual goals, and we will continue to welcome and support new students as well as promote more virtual and in-person events. These are indeed new beginnings for us all! I truly appreciate your support, and I wish each of you continued health and happiness as we look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary with you at WIVC 2022. Sincerely,

BREAKING BARRIERS This Kuwaiti alumna defies gender expectations to care for animals in her home country—and sets a standard for generations of veterinarians to come.

A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL

ESCAPE FROM THE GRIND

Why one veterinarian went back to school to practice human medicine.

How one alumna left her IT career behind and found herself practicing veterinary medicine in Jordan.

SUMMER 2021. Sean Callanan, MVB CertVR MRCVS PhD FRCPath DiplECVP Dean Mary Mauldin Pereira ’05 DVM Msc Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations Colleen Glenney Manager of Alumni Relations

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/EDITORS

Colleen Glenney Becky Holton Melissa Kvidahl-Reilly Kristine Lester Mary Mauldin Pereira MAGAZINE PROJECT MANAGERS

Colleen Glenney Kristine Lester

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE.

DESIGN

Peter Gialloreto Howard Design Group, Inc. Princeton, NJ

Lifelong Learners: Rossies, Internships, and Residencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Connecticut Practice Becomes New Home for Recent Ross Graduate . . . . . . . . . . 19 Catching Up with the Class of 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ross Vet Celebrates Graduating Class of 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Rossies with Rossies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Ross Vet’s 1st Annual Virtual Career Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Delivering on our Social Justice Commitments . . . . . . 32 Alumni Action Council Introduces Two New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Research Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 New Beginnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Mary Mauldin Pereira Associate Professor of Clinical Communication Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations

Alumni Ambassadors: Giving Back to the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

The Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Magazine is published by the Office of Alumni Relations along with the Office of Marketing and Communications. It is distributed to alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. For information or to send name/address changes please contact: rusvmalumni@rossu.edu. ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 1

EXPLORE OUR NEW LOOK & VOICE!

ecently, representatives from across the entire RUSVM community and industry partners voiced their thoughts and experiences to help RUSVM update our brand look, feel and voice. We thank all who took the time to engage with us as part of our discovery process. Because of their willingness to share their insights we now have a new brand identity, updated logo, colors, style, and voice! You may be asking why we needed to update our branding? The answer is because it was time. It is time to embrace our Caribbean location and celebrate it—not hide from it. Our old branding helped establish RUSVM as a credible, viable university with an AVMA-accredited DVM program. It is because of our entire community—both past and present—that we are well-positioned to promote how one of our biggest assets—St. Kitts—can help enhance the DVM curriculum and provide a unique location for research.

In case you missed it, check out our brand launch video!

ROSS VET 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The year 2022 will mark 40 years since the founding of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Our colleagues are currently working on anniversary-themed events, giveaways, and memorabilia to mark this historic occasion, and we need your help! Please keep an eye out for instructions in our upcoming e-newsletters and magazines about how you can submit your photos to be included in our anniversary celebration materials.

2 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 3

FE AT U R E .

“I’ve performed surgeries on lions and chimpanzees, but the most rewarding part of my job in Kuwait has been that I’m from here, and people see that and are encouraged to go that route themselves.”

BREAKING BARRIERS THIS KUWAITI ALUMNA DEFIES GENDER EXPECTATIONS TO CARE FOR ANIMALS IN HER HOME COUNTRY—AND SETS A STANDARD FOR GENERATIONS OF VETERINARIANS TO COME.

By Melissa Kvidahl-Reilly

t’s safe to say that Tamara Qabazard ’16 is willing to go the extra mile for the animals under her care. Though she’s a veterinarian at the Kuwait Zoo— which houses giraffes, elephants, zebras, chimpanzees, llamas, lions, lemurs, tigers, gazelles, and more—that’s just the beginning. She also consults at a number of local clinics, stables, rescue efforts, and aquariums. And, she sees emergencies whenever she can. “We don’t have a lot of vets here because the profession was not

4 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

TAMARA QABAZARD ’16

traditionally seen as an honorable job like being a lawyer, human doctor, or engineer,” she says. “Even though the view of the profession is changing as time goes on, the shortage of vets here means that I try to see as many cases as possible.” For Qabazard, having a small pool of colleagues is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, her willingness to pitch in translates to 16-hour workdays and few, if any, boundaries (which is why she’s seen emergency cases at 3 a.m. in her foyer). On the other hand, Qabazard’s job is incredibly fulfilling and she’s become an

authority in, well, everything. “In the States, it’s common practice to refer an animal if you’re unfamiliar with how to treat it,” she says. “Here, there is no referral. You do everything. Today alone, I saw a rabbit, a horse, a linx, a monkey, a cat, and a dog. You have to be versatile, and that’s fun and rewarding for me.” COMING HOME Meeting obstacles head-on is nothing new to Qabazard. Growing up in Kuwait, she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, even though it was seen as an undesirable

job for men, and unheard of for women. The gender bias was never more clear to Qabazard than when she graduated high school and applied for a government scholarship to attend veterinary school, only to find that the scholarship was exclusively available to men. So she went to the U.S., where she earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before enrolling at RUSVM. Today, Qabazard believes she’s the first female veterinarian to come out of Kuwait. After graduating, she spent a few months working in

American clinics but, when she had difficulty securing a visa, she fast-tracked her plan to move back to Kuwait. She landed a job at the Kuwait Zoo where she had been a vet tech before college, diving in headfirst as a veterinarian there and anywhere else she was needed. “At first, I still had comments from colleagues that because I’m a woman I don’t belong here,” Qabazard says, though she quickly showed skeptics she was up to the task. “When I have my hand up inside a colicky elephant, they come to respect me,” she quips. In addition to the

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 5

JOB POSTINGS

zoo, she has volunteered with the Princess Alia Foundation in Jordan, which rescues confiscated traded and circus wildlife, and works for a sea turtle rescue project alongside two marine biologists, which recovers and rehabilitates sea turtles that become stuck in the shallow and cold gulf waters of Kuwait. “One of the most severe cases we had was a turtle that I thought was dead when we found it, but we were able to rehabilitate and release it a year later,” Qabazard says. “We haven’t had one death yet.” That said, Qabazard and her colleagues face incredible challenges in their line of work. Some of these challenges are similar to what zoo veterinarians face in the States, namely, having to rely on minimal research and standards of care for the types of animals they treat. “I spend a lot of time researching,” Qabazard says. “There may not be research on the particular species of zebra we have, for example, so we have to rely on work done on a similar species. Or, another example is that I’ve had

6 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

to consult with a human obstetrician for a hysterectomy operation I needed to perform on a chimpanzee. There’s a lot of discussions involved, and you have to think outside the box.” Other challenges, though, are regional. “We face a lot of animal abuse, including dogfighting rings and a fairly extensive illegal animal trade,” Qabazard explains. And, while there are animal cruelty laws in place, they’re not consistently enforced. Cultural norms also come into play. “Now, the big trend is to own a baboon, which is very dangerous,” she says. “But it’s about prestige.” She and her colleagues also struggle to provide services that are common in the states, like x-rays and ultrasounds, and it can take months to acquire certain medicines. Educational resources also remain slim. “There are so many beautiful textbooks out there, but they’re all written in English, not Arabic,” Qabazard says. “Vets in Kuwait want to learn, but they don’t have the same access to materials that veterinarians have in the U.S.” Qabazard recently accepted a new position at a clinic in Abu Dhabi, where she’ll be charged with growing the wildlife and exotic arm of the practice. She’s excited to work with a number of elite zoos and have a more reasonable work/life balance. In her wake, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, excellence, and incredible care for animals. “I’ve performed surgeries on lions and chimpanzees, but the most rewarding part of my job in Kuwait has been that I’m from here, and people see that and are encouraged to go that route themselves,” Qabazard says. “I’ve had kids and adults alike approach me and say, we see you, you look like us, and we see that we can do this now. It’s awesome and very humbling.”

LOOKING TO FILL INTERNSHIPS OR FULL-TIME/PART-TIME POSITIONS AT YOUR PRACTICE?

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is happy to work to build relationships between your organization and Ross Vet alumni. Listing your openings with Ross Vet can provide you with increased exposure to quality practitioners from a variety of specialties. Support the Ross Vet community of alumni and enhance your organization by recruiting and hiring fellow Rossies. Please email RUSVMemployers@rossvet.edu.kn.

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 7

FE AT U R E .

LISA ROBERTS ’90

A WHOLE L DIFFERENT ANIMAL WHY ONE VETERINARIAN WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TO PRACTICE HUMAN MEDICINE.

By Melissa Kvidahl-Reilly

8 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

isa Roberts ’90 knew she wanted to be a veterinarian ever since she learned what the word meant at age four. So it’s no surprise that, by age 40, she had practiced emergency veterinary medicine at a variety of esteemed hospitals and owned her own practice, guiding pets and their families through healthy times and tough times. If you ask her today, she’d tell you that she loves her patients. And, she still loves medicine, having recently landed a fellowship in nephrology, specializing in...humans. “Medicine is my calling and my first love, and I found that I couldn’t practice the type of medicine I wanted to as a veterinarian,” Roberts says. “I felt the only way I could practice the highest level of medicine was to become a physician.” It wasn’t always that way. Roberts followed a pre-vet track during her undergraduate years and was so excited to start her veterinary career that she actually left college early, as soon as she finished her RUSVM prerequisites. Studying in St. Kitts was everything she wanted it to be. It fulfilled her dream of becoming a veterinarian, and also fulfilled her dream of studying abroad. “I always wanted to live in

another country and have that experience of immersing myself in a culture, rather than visiting as a tourist,” she says. “I embraced it from the first minute I arrived.” In the 1980s, while other students expressed frustration at the lack of reliable clean water or electricity, she saw it as a great adventure. After graduation, Roberts worked for a small animal private practitioner in Idaho and, when he sold the practice, she transitioned into emergency veterinary medicine. “I fell in love with medicine all over again,” Roberts recalls. Soon after that, in 1996, she launched her own practice in the small town of Ellensburg, Washington. But, after 10 years, she felt unfulfilled. She had gone through a divorce, had two children, and was running the practice alone. “Even though I had a very successful practice, I didn’t have enough of a caseload to hire another veterinarian,” she says. “That meant I was doing the billing, taxes, inventory, and everything else required to run a business, in addition to being the sole veterinarian in the practice. I spent so much time taking care of my practice that I didn’t have the time that I wanted to really hone my skills.” So she sold her practice in 2006. Roberts spent the next three years getting back on top of her game, working in emergency medicine in Seattle. She remarried, fell back in love with veterinary medicine (for the second time!), and decided to get board certified in emergency and critical care. But then she had what she calls a crisis of her professional soul.

“At the end of the day, I realized that I’d have to euthanize the vast majority of my patients due to pragmatism and economics,” she says. “Though we did work on some really interesting cases, the kind of medicine I wanted to do was rare in the private sector, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to academia in order to be on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.” BACK TO SCHOOL It was then that Roberts’ husband suggested medical school. It certainly was something she’d considered in the past, but the timing was never right. And, besides, veterinary medicine was her passion. “I loved being a veterinarian, but I loved practicing medicine, I was only 48, and I figured I have half of my life left,” she says. “I wanted to learn more.” So, against all odds, she started medical school in 2012 at Ross University School of Medicine. Though emergency medicine was her passion in the veterinary world, she soon discovered that it didn’t translate in human medicine. “They are two totally different worlds,” she says. “In human medicine, emergency care focuses on triage, resuscitation, and sending patients to specialists. I didn’t want to send patients away. I wanted them to come to me.” She decided on nephrology, figuring she’d be able to foster the long-term relationships

“I will always be a veterinarian; I just added a species to my love of medicine.”

she wanted with patients, while also getting her fill of critical care in the hospital setting. Roberts admits that comparing her veterinary and medical experiences is like comparing apples and oranges. That said, there are some lessons she’s taken with her from her veterinary training, specifically, the art of practicing medicine. When she trained at RUSVM in the 1980s, veterinarians didn’t have the multitude of tests they have at their fingertips today. Blood tests could be unaffordable. Ultrasounds were not readily available. MRIs were even less so. “We learned medicine by experience,” Roberts says. “Back in the day, we had to rely on physical exam skills, intuition, and knowledge, and that’s what I take with me into my career in human medicine.” As for a third chapter, Roberts already has big plans. She has aspirations to work in global public health. She hopes to contribute in some way to wildlife conservation. And, in the short term, she’d love to pick up some emergency shifts at local veterinary hospitals. “It’s never a question of whether I’ll go back to veterinary medicine,” she says. “I will always be a veterinarian; I just added a species to my love of medicine.”

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 9

Dear Rossies,

MOSES HUMPHREYS ’05

Happy Summer! We hope this letter finds you, your families, and your friends well. We extend our appreciation and admiration to all of our alumni as you all continue to navigate these unprecedented times. We cannot wait to see all of your happy faces in person once again! Your Alumni Action Council (AAC) is making many positive contributions this year. I am proud to welcome our two new AAC Members, Drs. Nisha Sanathara and Kimberly Riker-Brown. Dr. Sanathara is a 2011 graduate currently practicing in California and serves on our Alumni Engagement Subcommittee. Dr. RikerBrown, a 2002 graduate living and working in Ohio, serves on our Leadership and Government Subcommittee. Equally important, our very own Dr. Mary Mauldin Pereira, a 2005 RUSVM graduate, is our new Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations. Members of the Alumni Action Council are working hard on your behalf to represent our fellow RUSVM alumni. Our major pillars of work this year include supporting the university in its goals, which are: 1) support the current students, 2) foster remote and in-person alumni event opportunities, 3) encourage our alumni to seek local and national leadership positions, and 4) engage our current alumni to ensure an unparalleled network of friends, classmates, and mentorship. So far in 2021, we have represented the alumni community during the virtual 2021 graduation ceremony as well as two white-coat ceremony events. We are also working on relaunching our AAC Scholarship Fund to support future leaders in our profession. Details about the scholarship will be released this summer. Finally, we continue to foster the bonds among us and find ways to answer many of your calls to give back to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. On a personal note, our friend and fellow AAC member, Mark Salemi, RUSVM ’87, is in need of a kidney. It is a new lease on life so he can continue to be here for his loved ones, family, and friends. As you can imagine, the wait is very long, so please consider this selfless, generous and incredible gift of living donation. Mark has a lot of life left to live and he needs our help. For more information, visit rwjbh. org/ldi and rwjbh.org/livingdonorreferralform.

We want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to our Alumni Ambassadors who participated this spring in our Alumni Virtual Event Series! Each event covered a unique topic and attendance was through the roof. Thank you to all who were involved! Dr. Tiffany Lavinder ’17 . . . . . . Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto ’07 . . . . . Dr. Allen Skinner ’12 . . . . . . . Dr. Renee Streeter ’10 . . . . . . Dr. Rachel Fuentes ’11 . . . . . . Dr. Kierstin Washington ’20 . . . Dr. Nisha Sanathara ’11 . . . . . Dr. Brianna Medina ’13 . . . . . . Dr. Jazmeen Suleman ’20 . . . .

Lab Animal Medicine: Paving the Way for Human Health Opening and Owning a Veterinary Practice Veterinary Dentistry Understanding Pet Nutrition Veterinary Acupuncture Black History Month: Cultural Competency in the Clinical Setting Diversity in Veterinary Medicine Panel Discussion Diversity in Veterinary Medicine Panel Discussion Ross Vet: The Canadian Student Experience

Wishing you all the best. One Love,

Moses Humphreys, DVM RUSVM ’05

10 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 11

FE AT U R E .

“Go for it! It’s better to try than to wonder, ‘what if ’?”

ESCAPE FROM THE GRIND HOW ONE ALUMNA LEFT HER IT CAREER BEHIND AND FOUND HERSELF PRACTICING VETERINARY MEDICINE IN JORDAN.

By Melissa Kvidahl-Reilly

t was 2005, and Cora Watson ’11 was a self-identified “IT geek” climbing the corporate ladder. But she was burning out. “I was sick of being laid off, if I’m being honest,” she says, explaining that when companies cut their budgets, IT support is often the first to go. And she had enough. Veterinary school was something she always thought she might want to explore, and she finally decided to take the plunge. On the island, Watson had the same eye-opening

12 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

CORA WATSON ’11

experience a lot of students share: she developed a new appreciation for the modern comforts we enjoy in the States, but also learned the value of a good adventure. In addition to learning about new people and cultures on St. Kitts, Watson was able to work on conservation efforts in South Africa and travel to Belize, where she scrubbed in to help spay a puma and was kissed by a jaguar. By the time she finished her clinical year at Louisiana State University, she could say she worked on every animal from a mouse to a rhino. “I love dogs and cats, but when you pet a year-old lion cub who thinks

you’re a part of its pride, and it’s rubbing against you and purring, your heart melts and you want to do that forever,” she says. After a stint in private practice and a shift to relief work, Watson was ready for another adventure. It was then that she learned about a job opportunity working in the Middle East for an American security company that needed a veterinarian to train veterinarians in Jordan. Watson was in. A WHOLE NEW WORLD In Jordan, Watson’s job was to teach government veterinarians high-level medicine.

She’d lecture twice a week, but most of the education was hands-on. Watson and her team of trainees would treat parasites, ear infections, minor wounds, and dental disease, and perform spay and neuter operations. Much of the actual treatment was similar to what we see in the US; what was different was the local culture and its relationship to small animals. “The Middle East is not a place where dogs are considered an everyday pet,” Watson explains. “In Jordan, dogs are strays that live outside.” Due to an influx of Americans and other westerners into the country, locals are just starting to warm

up to the idea of a dog as a pet. As a result, much of Watson’s work has been educating practitioners on how to care for dogs appropriately. “The handlers must be comfortable having a relationship with the dog,” she says, “which is a fairly new concept.” Watson also did some learning herself. She started to learn Arabic and discovered a love for the Middle East and its people. “We have an idea of what the region is like from the media, but that’s not accurate,” she says. “The people here are amazing, and so warm and welcoming. They have big hearts and love to share their culture and their food, and give recommendations about what to explore in town and in their country.” Watson, in particular, found that she loves Middle Eastern food and especially the desserts, which she describes as “out of this world.” Today, Watson finds herself back in the US doing relief work, but already has plans to return in some capacity. “Clinical practice isn’t for everyone, and that isn’t a good thing or a bad thing, it’s just that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses,” she says. Her advice for anyone considering a big leap? “Take a chance,” she says. “Go for it. I left everything familiar to me to work in a place where I didn’t speak the language. You have to be willing to go out of your comfort zone and put your trust in something that scares you. It’s better to try than to wonder, ‘what if’?”

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 13

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Brittani Sexton, DVM May 2018 MATCH Currently completing a Neurology and Neurosurgery Specialty internship at Auburn University. Will be attending a Neurology and Neurosurgery Residency at Redbank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey NAME

GRADUATION DATE

Why did you apply for the VIRMP? Neurology has always been my passion, even during veterinary school. It seemed to “click” during my studies. After pursuing a general rotating internship and spending time within the Neurology and Neurosurgery field, I knew that this specialty was for me. I am excited to start my next adventure in pursuing my dreams.

Rossies. Internships. Residencies. By Colleen Glenney

ROSSIES

B R IT TA N I S E X TO N

Each year on March 1, the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) releases successful matches through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching

INTERNSHIPS

RESIDENCIES

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? Keep looking forward. Take this time to hone in on skills, enhance your resume, and focus on why you want to move forward. I did not get into a residency the first time and had to repeat another internship. However, I elected to focus on enhancing myself, which then allowed me to get a residency the second time around. Again, don’t doubt yourself - you have worked hard to get where you are now; you may have to work a little harder to get to that next step, but it will pay off in the end. Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I am looking forward to taking the next step to a residency. The location I will be going to is a well-known facility, with wonderful and caring staff. I feel that I will be able to not only improve my knowledge, but hopefully bring more to the table to help enhance the Neurology and Neurosurgery field in the future.

Program (VIRMP). In 2021, 74 Rossies (graduating seniors or alumni) were successfully matched—56 with an internship and 18 with a residency. The total number of Rossies matched was the second highest of all the veterinary schools (after UC-Davis with 84 matches). Way to go, Rossies! Here’s a few 2021 matched alumni profiles.

Elizabeth Pisack September 2019 MATCH Currently a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Intern at BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Rockville, MD. I matched at The University of Tennessee for an anesthesia and analgesia residency NAME

GRADUATION DATE

Jordan Foxx, DVM GRADUATION DATE May 2021 MATCH Ontario Veterinary College Small Animal Rotating Internship

Why you applied for the Match Program? I have always been passionate about anesthesia and analgesia. Applying for a residency program is the next step to advancing my career and learning everything that I can from experts in the field.

Why you applied for the Match Program? I applied for the match program to ensure I had great mentorship during my first year in practice. I also want to apply for an exotics internship next year and those placements typically require a small animal rotating internship to be done first.

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? For those who didn’t match this year, I recommend either pursuing a specialty internship (for those who didn’t match for a residency) or applying for an ER position that has good mentorship with access to specialty services (for those who didn’t match for internships). Both of those options will not only make you a more competitive candidate for next year, but will also help build your confidence as a clinician and make essential connections with specialists who will help support your future endeavors. The most important piece of advice I can give is that remember, you are a Rossie! You were taught to be resilient and that mentality will carry you beyond vet school.

NAME

JORDAN FOX X

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? If you didn’t match then don’t take it to heart. The program can be confusing and sometimes amazing candidates just don’t match, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough for the position you applied for. Look into other options and you may end up doing something even more amazing this year! Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I’m excited to be learning from all the incredible board-certified doctors at Ontario Veterinary College who will be my mentors, to challenge myself with difficult cases, and the opportunity to teach 4th year students!

14 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

ELIZABETH PISACK

Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I’m excited and humbled to start the next steps in my journey at The University of Tennessee because it’s a very strong program that offers a large and diverse caseload that will not only prepare me to be an exceptional anesthesiologist, but also how to run an anesthesia service. It seems like a nurturing environment and I’m very excited to become a part of such a great team!

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 15

LIFELONG LEARNERS Diane (DeeDee) Streiff, DVM September 2018 MATCH Currently working at VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona (Mesa, AZ), matched to a surgery internship at Animal Specialty Center (Yonkers, NY)

NAME

GRADUATION DATE

Why you applied for the Match Program? To pursue my dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon. I was in general practice for 2 years prior to applying to a rotating internship.

Why you applied for the Match Program? I entered veterinary school with the goal of becoming a lab animal veterinarian, so naturally I applied for a lab animal/comparative medicine residency position in the match. I’ve been fascinated by this field ever since I was in vet tech school, where I was also trained to be a lab animal tech. I resonated deeply with the field after discovering it was the perfect union between clinical medicine and biomedical research. It appeals to me knowing that I’d be able to be a clinical and welfare advocate for laboratory animals, while also contributing to the advancement of human and animal health.

NAME

DIANE STREIFF

Kenneth Boey, DVM, MSc (One Health) May 2021 MATCH Currently small animal veterinarian, matched to the laboratory animal/comparative medicine residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? Keep on trying! Reach out to other DVMs (especially Rossies) who have gone through the match program in the field that you’re interested in. I am thankful for my mentor (and another Rossie) Meghan Sullivan, DVM, DACVS-SA for giving me the will and encouragement to pursue my goal. This last year seems to be especially hard with COVID, but absolutely worth the effort!

KENNETH BOEY

Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I am very excited to focus on surgical techniques, especially in orthopedic and oncological cases. I look forward to treating patients of their surgical maladies and monitoring their post-op progress. I hope to use each case as a learning experience to become a better veterinarian in my specialty, as well as teaching opportunities to other veterinarians/future surgeons.

NAME

GRADUATION DATE MATCH

Valeria Benitez-Vera, DVM August 2021 Matched at Angell Animal Medical Center (Boston, MA)

Kristen Boyle, DVM May 2021 MATCH Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Internship at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle NAME

GRADUATION DATE

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? For those students who did not match this go around I would first tell them to not be discouraged. Not matching does not make you a weak candidate, it may just not have been the right timing or the right set of programs meant for you. I would also advise them to take the time to strengthen their CV/ resume through research, volunteer opportunities, and more work experience. All activities and experiences within veterinary medicine will make you a more well-rounded individual, enhance your CV, and ultimately make you a stronger candidate not only for the VIRMP match program, but for yourself as a practitioner long-term. Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I am ecstatic to be an intern at Angell Animal Medical Center because I truly believe this program will provide me with all the tools and training needed to be a strong candidate for a residency program. The program’s legacy is well-known and well-respected throughout the United States and I am certain it will prepare me for my future endeavors in veterinary medicine.

16 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? I can’t speak for internships or other residencies, but specifically for lab animal programs, there are other options outside of the match. Other than open positions available for non-matched candidates during the “scramble,” some programs do not participate in the match. There are also one or two lab animal internships that are not part of the match. Visit the programs you intend to apply to, as networking is very important. This is becoming an increasingly competitive field, but don’t give up! I know of graduates who didn’t match to a program the first year but made it the next. At the end of the day it’s all worth it! Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I’m super excited because I’ll be moving to my dream city of Seattle! In addition, UW Medicine is a very large program with many professors and researchers from different departments who are able to lend their expertise, including the Department of Comparative Medicine, of which I’ll be a part. The program also has opportunities for pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree as part of the program, and is also unique in that they are able to prepare candidates for either ACLAM or ACVP boards due to the strong foundation in comparative pathology. I’m excited to finally step into my dream 7 years in the making and be at the forefront of the ongoing advancement of One Health!

Why did you apply for the VIRMP? I knew I wanted to pursue a residency even before starting veterinary school, and to do so, a small animal rotating internship was the first step towards accomplishing my goal. I have had a love for veterinary ophthalmology before and during my time as a veterinary medicine student and that passion continues to grow day in and out. Knowing the competitiveness of matching into a residency program in the future, I wanted to explore as many programs as possible and have the opportunity to apply to renowned hospitals with reputable internship programs. Through VIRMP I was able to search for such hospitals, apply to those that meet my wants/needs as an intern, and get offered interviews before ranking them to my liking. VALERIA BENITE Z-VER A

Why you applied for the Match Program? I applied for the match because I intend to go on and double board in the fields of Emergency and Critical Care as well as Zoological Medicine. Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? If you are someone who applied and didn’t match, I would say it probably isn’t too late! Lots of programs can accommodate late/early arrivals, and there are lots of positions open. We are so lucky to be in a field that loves to teach, and there are myriad places to intern and continue training, if you so desire! K R IS TE N BOYLE

Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I am excited about my program because of the breadth of specialties represented within my hospital, as well as the advanced equipment. I was an emergency technician for several years before vet school and served as a secondary or tertiary assistant in surgery, and I am so excited to get to be the primary surgeon on some emergency cases!

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 17

LIFELONG LEARNERS NAME

GRADUATION DATE MATCH

Kekauilani “Kaui” Zukeran-Kerr, DVM Sept 2020 Small Animal Rotating Intern at Colorado State University

Why you applied for the Match Program? To pursue my dream of becoming a boardcertified veterinary radiologist. Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? Stay ready! You never know what unexpected opportunities may fall into your lap!

KEK AUILANI ZUKERAN-KERR

Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? This internship has a reputation for immersing you in your craft on day one and every day thereafter. I’m so excited to be able to focus on my passion and start developing the skills I’ll use for the rest of my career! And bonus points for moving closer to my long-lost Rossie family, most of whom ended up in Texas! REUNION!

CONNECTICUT PRACTICE BECOMES NEW HOME FOR RECENT ROSS GRADUATE RECENT GRADUATE VETERINARIAN DR. GODMIEL VAZQUEZ JOINS THE MERIDEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL TEAM. By Erin Puglisi

Catherine Mary O’Donnell May 2021 MATCH Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center of Westbury in Westbury, NY (Start Date June 2021) NAME

GRADUATION DATE

C ATH E R I N E M A RY O ’ D O N N E LL

Why you applied for the Match Program? I applied for the Match program for a few very important reasons. I’ve always wanted to pursue a specialty but have a few main interests and know that a rotating internship would be beneficial in narrowing my focus. Additionally, to pursue those specialties, a rotating internship and/or specialty internship is highly recommended in some cases. Lastly, as new graduates, we still have so much to learn and while we’ve been given a wonderful education that allows us to become great doctors, there is still so much we need in terms of experience and mentorship. With my entire clinical year being affected by COVID-19, leading to reduced hours of working with patients, seeing cases, and being in the hospital, a rotating internship was something even more important to me so that I can become the best doctor possible. I believe that good mentorship is paramount our first couple of years outside of school because we get to learn, grow, and develop into the types of veterinarians we want to become. Advice for those looking to match through the VIRMP? Regardless of your goal, whether it’s an internship or residency, continue to pursue that which you believe will make you great. Determine what your goals are and research those programs that align with those goals. Some programs may not have filled all of their spots, so after the “scramble”— continue to reach out to those of interest. Additionally, be open minded - there are incredible programs all over the country and if your search radius is too narrow, you may miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Lastly, be realistic with your goals. Apply to a few programs that are your dream programs and programs that you’re confident you could match with. Regardless, if you’re going to apply to any program—make sure that it is a place you could be happy at. Why are you excited about this next step in your journey? I am excited to start my rotating internship at the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center of Westbury in Westbury, NY because I’m ready for the next step of my education. I ready to get into the world and start learning and practicing medicine under the tutelage of wonderful clinicians. I’m excited to be an intricate part of a bustling hospital where everyone has the same goal of practicing excellent medicine and providing wonderful patient care. I know the next year will be long and difficult, but I am ready to dive headfirst into it.

18 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

eriden Animal Hospital is excited to announce the latest addition to their growing hospital team, Dr. Godmiel Vazquez! Godmiel Vazquez, or Dr. G as he is affectionately known, was born and raised in Meriden, CT, attended Rogers Sheman Elementary, Thomas Edison Middle School, and Francis T. Maloney High School. Dr. G has been a mentee of Meriden Animal Hospital since he was 15 years old. Ever since he was young, he wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Godmiel Vazquez recalls, “Dr. James was my family’s veterinarian. My mother knew that I had dreams of becoming a vet. She insisted that I come to an appointment with her. There, I was introduced to Dr. James, who readily took me in as a mentee.” After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary concentration, Dr. G worked at MAH for a year as a technician. He then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. St. Clair’s alma mater. Dr. G went on to complete his clinical training at Tufts University. In addition to his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. G is a Fear Free Certified veterinarian and bilingual in English and Spanish.

GODMIEL VA ZQUE Z

“I value the Rossie community and can confidently hire new grads because I know these veterinarians joining our team arrive prepared with a well-rounded extensive education that allows them to hit the ground running.”

He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but is particularly interested in orthopedics and radiology. In his spare time, Dr. G enjoys hiking with his wife Hiachira and dog Toby, finding new places to eat, and watching movies. Meriden Animal Hospital has become a second home for many Rossies. In total, Dr. James St. Clair has hired many Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine alumni over the years. Most recently Dr. Stacia Twarog ’15, Dr. Christi DeMonte ’18, and Dr. Godmiel Vazquez ’20. Dr. St. Clair often mentors current students over their vacations and encourages his veterinarians to attend Ross conferences and events back in St. Kitts. Dr. St. Clair explains, “I value the Rossie community and can confidently hire new grads because I know these veterinarians joining our team arrive prepared with a well-

rounded extensive education that allows them to hit the ground running.” Meriden Animal Hospital experienced significant growth during the pandemic. After completing their hospital renovation, seamlessly transforming into a curbside appointment model, and hiring many new support staff members, Meriden Animal Hospital is now looking to hire yet another veterinarian. Current students and alumni can find their job posting on the Ross University Job Openings website veterinary.rossu.edu/ alumni/career-opportunities/job-openings. Like most businesses, Meriden Animal Hospital experienced its share of trials throughout the pandemic, but they have come out strong because of it, which is why Meriden Animal Hospital is so excited to celebrate their growth, and Dr. Godmiel Vazquez’s arrival as a few of their many triumphs.

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 19

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

CATCHING UP WITH THE CLASS OF 2020

THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND FOR ALL OF US. NOW, IMAGINE BEING A NEW GRADUATE, MOVING, AND FINDING A JOB DURING THIS PANDEMIC! WE ASKED A FEW 2020 GRADUATES WHAT THEY’VE BEEN UP TO IN THE PAST YEAR. By Colleen Glenney

20 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

DR. CAITLYN CRAWFORD

DR. ROBIN SHERWIN

DR. TIFFANY MOORE

DR. JAZMEEN SULEMAN

“Since graduating in January 2020 I started my career as an associate veterinarian at a small animal general practitioner/urgent care hospital in Georgetown, TX. I am working with three other Rossie alumni and I couldn’t be happier to have them to grow with. Over the last year, in my spare time, I have started roller skating and taking lessons as well as running my own virtual health community. My oldest rescue dog was diagnosed with Soft Tissue Sarcoma and is now currently undergoing radiation therapy along with physical therapy (#teambeaker). Starting in June, I will be attending Chi University for my acupuncture certification to tie into our hospital’s newest integrative medicine wing! My first year of practice has been quite an adjustment, but I look back at the amount I have grown and learned and am so proud.”

“My name is Robin and I graduated from RUSVM in January of 2020. Since then I have adopted my dog Daisy and started a lab animal residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I have about a year of residency under my belt and I am absolutely loving it. Becoming a laboratory animal vet has been my dream and Ross helped me to achieve that. Once I finish in July 2023, I will sit for boards to be a boarded laboratory animal veterinarian. I am also in the process of applying to the United States Army which is where I hope to become a full-time lab animal vet after residency, which is very competitive. I will just have to wait and see where the world takes Daisy and me next!”

“Unfortunately, my clinical year at Louisiana State University was shortened due to COVID-19, so I moved to Las Vegas in the midst of the pandemic. I completed my clinical year with a monthlong externship at my current job, a fullservice companion animal hospital. Over the past 9 months, I have learned so much more about veterinary medicine, and I’m proud to have successfully performed a number of “non-routine” surgeries. I truly enjoy the unpredictability of each day, because not only does it allow for the next day to more exciting than the last, but it also presents new challenges and lessons. Currently, I’m splitting shifts between our exotics and small animal location, and thus far, I’m really loving the opportunity to be able to interact with and treat various species. During my time away from work, you can find me in the kitchen, relaxing while watching television, spending time with my pets, or taking a therapeutic drive through the city. After some of my tougher days, relaxing in a warm bubble bath is enough contentment for me.”

“I am currently working at Crossroads Animal Hospital in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. We are a small animal general practice that also does emergency care as there are no emergency hospitals in Medicine Hat. Since we do take emergencies, there is always a doctor on call overnight and on weekends. We are a six-doctor practice, so we all share the on-call shifts. I am also the veterinarian for the Medicine Hat SPCA, as our clinic has a contract with them, and I have a special interest in shelter medicine. In addition, my fiancé and I got engaged halfway through my clinical year at the end of 2019 and are currently planning our wedding for fall 2022. We are also in the process of house shopping, which is exciting!”

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 21

ROSS VET CELEBRATES GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSVM CLASS OF 2021! By Becky Holton

oss University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) celebrated its 55th commencement ceremony on May 22, 2021. One of our treasured traditions, this year’s commencement ceremony was our second time hosting a virtual ceremony celebrating the more than 400 eligible graduates and their hard-earned achievements. The Class of 2021 joins our network of nearly 6,000 alumni making a difference in communities around the globe and are the true definition of ‘Rossie Resilience’. RUSVM was honored to have veterinarian, journalist, corporate trainer, minister, motivational speaker, wife, and mother, Debbye Turner Bell, DVM deliver the keynote address. Bell delivered a dynamic speech, encouraging our graduates to commence the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. And while our graduates pursue success, Bell encouraged our graduates to do more to pursue significance, serving a cause bigger than themselves and making a difference. Sharon Thomas-Parrott

delivered remarks on behalf of RUSVM’s Board of Trustees. Dean Sean Callanan, Ph.D., MVB, MRCVS, CertVR, DipECVP, FRCPath facilitated the Recitation of the Veterinarian’s Oath and each graduate was recognized during the Conferral of Degrees. Celebratory videos from the board of trustees, Alumni Action Council, and RUSVM faculty, and a video yearbook tribute, with music provided by a local St. Kitts steelpan band The St. Christopher Steel Band, closed out the online event. In honor of their special day, RUSVM donated to the Basseterre Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) on behalf of all the graduates. Commencement is a celebration of not only an ending but the beginning of a new, exciting chapter in life. This year’s ceremony was a time to commemorate academic achievements, life experiences, and the friendships built as students and colleagues. The event was made even more special with the virtual involvement of student families and friends cheering them on. Best wishes to the Class of 2021! Stay strong and stay safe, until we meet again.

This page from left to right: Dr. Kherith-Brooke Taylor, Dr. Joseph Park, and Dr. Jessica Leigh Langdon Opposite page from top to bottom: Dr. David Charles Papanu, Dr. Brittany King, Dr. Emillie Dodd, Dr. Marissa Raquel Garcia, Dr. Joseph Smith, Dr. Heather Nicole Cardoza, Dr. Jerell Tolbert, and Dr. Megan Cecil

22 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 23

ROSSIES with

ROSSIES

ROSSIES with

2 Dr. Meghan (Dennis) Finley ’17 with Dr. Amber Weinke ’16. Angel Animal Hospital (Naples, FL) 3 Dr. Laura Del Valle ’15 with Dr. Kaitlyn Guerrido ’20. Lake Alfred Animal Hospital (Lake Alfred, FL)

ROSSIES

4 Dr. Caitlin Bell ’16 with Dr. Ashley Danowski ’17 volunteering at the Willow 300 sled race (Willow, AK) 5 Dr. Matt Brock ’18 with Dr. Stephanie Brock ’18. BluePearl Vet Partners (Green Bay/Appleton, WI) 6 Dr. Chris Knowlton ’12 with Dr. Brooke Knowlton ’12. Cibolo Small Animal Hospital (Cibolo, TX)

WITH ALMOST 6000 RUSVM ALUMNI WORKING ALL OVER THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, THE CHANCES OF ROSSIES WORKING TOGETHER AT A PRACTICE ARE STRONG. ROSSIE PRIDE IS REAL, AS THESE PRACTITIONERS CAN TELL YOU!

7 Dr. Adrian Holly ’03 with Dr. Laura McPherson ’21. Parker Veterinary Hospital (Oxford, MI) 8 Dr. Britney Lipps ’18 with Dr. Chelsea Davey ’16. Banfield Pet Hospital (Brighton, CO)

7 24 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

1 Dr. Adam Sebag ’19 with Dr. Maria Racioppo ’13. Long Island City Veterinary Center (Queens, NY)

8 ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 25

ROSSIES

with

9 Dr. Clarissa Selina ’12 with Dr. Sara Jane McKinstry ’17. Banfield Pet Hospital (San Antonio, TX)

17 Dr. Tanya Fraser ’01 with Dr. Emma (O’Brien) Neuberger ’08. VCA Animal Hospital (Allendale, MI)

10 Dr. Karla Gonzalez ’19 with Dr. Marina Riera ’15. VCA Knowles Snapper Creek (Miami, FL)

18 Dr. Morgan Hare ’20, Dr. Jennifer Newcomb ’04, Dr. Lisa Noel ’16, and Dr. Alissa Heisel ’19. Rescued Heart Animal Hospital (Pekin, IL)

11 Dr. Carlos Cintron ’04 with Dr. Gilbert Cintron ’04. Twins Veterinary Hospital (Bayshore, NY)

19 Dr. Andrea Kitson ’04 with Dr. James Keller ’02. Countryside Veterinary Medical Group (Queensbury, NY)

12 Dr. Angela Moorhead ’18, Dr. Jamie Johnson ’15, Dr. Anna Tackett ’17, with Dr. Caitlyn Crawford ’20. Georgetown Veterinary Hospital (Georgetown, TX)

13 Dr. Ana Cepero-Gomez ’12 with Dr. Jade Echagarrua ’16. Avocado Animal Hospital (Homestead, FL) 14 Dr. Cassandra Carradero Miranda ’19 with Dr. Lauren Zielinski ’17. Banfield Pet Hospital (O’Fallon, MO) 15 Dr. Shonna Kalos ’06 with Dr. Paige Boivin ’20. Bolton Veterinary Hospital (Bolton, CT)

20 Drs. Miguel Rivas ’10, Dr. Jillian Saldana ’10, Dr. Pámela Colareta ’19, Dr. Angie Zafiris ’14, Dr. Julia Drube ’19, Dr. Lisa Unnerstall (Phelps) ’20, and Dr. Macy Sheehan ’18 (with her coconut retriever, Milo). Coral Springs Animal Hospital (Coral Springs, FL) 21 Dr. Meghan Desgroseilliers ’21, Dr. Rachel Wisnoski ’20, Dr. Matthew Jones ’12, Dr. Johnny Weiss ’20, and Dr. Emillie Rose ’21. Middletown Veterinary Hospital (Middletown, DE)

16 Dr. Charmel Rodick ’05, Chesla Sayers ’21, Dr. Ryan Howard ’20, and Dr. McKenna Schoppe ’20. Deer Park Animal Hospital (Deer Park, TX)

22 Dr. Nicolette Gamez ’12 with Dr. Janelle Campbell ’12. Dove Mountain Veterinary Hospital (Marana, AZ) 23 Dr. Brian Husbands ’98 with Jenna Epling ’21 at Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) 24 Dr. Amanda Murti ’19 with Dr. Danielle Shearer ’16. Pender Veterinary Centre (Fairfax, VA)

15 26 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

24 ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 27

ROSSIES

with

25 Dr. Monica Capolongo ’21, Dr. Alicia Sweeney ’19, Dr. Arlene Rodriguez ’89, Dr. Meagan Hartmann ’18, and Dr. Una Miculinic ’19. Countryside Veterinary Center (Countryside, IL)

33 Dr. Miguel Diaz ’08 with Dr. Lindsay Sardina ’10. Lancaster Small Animal Hospital (Bowmansville, NY)

26 Camille (Fletcher) Barnes ’17 with Dr. Alida Sanabria ’17. Veterinary Care Group (Queens, NY) 27 Dr. Rachel (Duffany) Schwartz ’15, Dr. Courtney (Hinesley) Zander ’15, Dr. Adrienne Barchard Couts ’06, future Rossie Brenna Tomaino, and Dr. Chris D’Orazio ’07. Westford Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center (Westford, MA)

35 Dr. Sara Wells Cox ’04 with Dr. Maria Lowe ’20. Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital (West Carrollton, OH) 36 Dr. Liz Cripe ’06, Dr. Amanda Capobianco ’12, Dr. Bee Skrainka ’16, and Dr. Brittany Parsons ’18. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (remote)

36 37 Dr. Elizabeth Maxwell ’12 with Dr. Gabriel Garcia ’09 (with a group of Rossie clinical students). University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

28 Dr. Nicholas Martuccio ’18, Dr. Tracy Freedberg ’06, and Dr. Elias Diamantopoulos ’95. Center Moriches Veterinary Hospital (Center Moriches, NY)

38 Dr. Audrey Stevens ’14, Dr. Katy Fryer ’08, Dr. Julia Bergen ’19, and Dr. Nadene Oliver, ’18. Veterinary Specialty Hospital (San Diego, CA)

29 D r. Caitlin Bell ’16 with Dr. Meredith Mitchell Hustler ’16. On their way to see a stallion (Wellington, FL) 30 Dr. Katerina Kuscevic ’20 with Dr. Jaclyn Dueñas ’17. Sunset Animal Clinic (Miami, FL)

34 Dr. Jamie Lynn Gaulin ’16 with Dr. Kristen Erickson ’22. Center for Advanced Veterinary Care (Manchester, NH)

39 Dr. Audrey Stevens ’14 with Dr. Domenisha Underwood ’18. Veterinary Specialty Hospital (San Diego, CA) 40 Dr. Frankie Triveri ’11, Dr. Kristen Voglewede ’17, Dr. Nick Rinaldi ’08, and Dr. Anemone Andronescu ’06. BluePearl Pet Hospital (Virginia Beach, VA)

31 Dr. Katey Whalen ’17 with Dr. Kate Behnke ’17. Insight Veterinary Wellness Center (El Dorado Hills, CA) 32 Dr. Liz McLaughlin ’16, Dr. Genevieve Schildroth ’05, and Dr. Jessica Herman ’20. Friendship Hospital for Animals (Washington, D.C.)

31 28 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

40 ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 29

ROSSIES with

ROSSIES

41 Dr. Anna Scarberry ’10 and Dr. Melissa Bentley ’11. Guyan Animal Hospital (Huntington, VA). 42 Dr. Kaci Bain ’16, Dr. Jocelyn Ruiz ’14, and Dr. James Carroll ’13. Barnegat Animal Hospital (Barnegat, NJ)

43 Dr. Kristin Mader ’19, Dr. Brent Couts ’07, and Dr. Leah (Dalton) Goulart ’10. VCA Animal Hospital (Wakefield, MA)

ROSS VET CAREER FAIR

44 Dr. Nicole Fernous ’20 with Dr. Melissa Diaz ’21. Naperville Animal Hospital (Naperville, IL)

46 Dr. Enid Crespi ’19 with Dr. Alisson Wheeler ’15. Banfield Pet Hospital (Coral Gables, FL)

EMPLOYERS

RUSVM ALUMNI

445+

JOBS

ROSS VET’S 1ST ANNUAL VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR By Colleen Glenney

48 Dr. Amanda Hilliard ’14, Dr. Jason Crawford ’99, and Dr. Jonah Harry ’21. Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital (Ft. Wayne, IN)

47 30 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

JOBSEEKERS

4,500+ CHAT MESSAGES

45 Dr. Carrie Turnbull ’06, Dr. Emily Gallagher ’10, and Dr. Jessica Stein ’11. Staunton River Veterinary Clinic (Moneta, VA)

47 Dr. Alexis Vega ’20, Dr. Zachary Gouzopoulos ’13, and Dr. Maria Mendoza ’19. Doral Centre Animal Hospital (Miami, FL)

114 39

dapting to the current environment and supporting the job-seeking efforts of Rossies past and present, the Office of Alumni Relations, led by Dr. Mary Mauldin, Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations/Associate Professor of Clinical Communication, and Colleen Glenney, Manager of Alumni Relations, executed RUSVM’s first virtual career fair on February 27. The virtual event featured employers from corporate, private practice, and nonprofit organizations looking to hire RUSVM upper-semester students and alumni. Approximately 114 jobseekers attended the fair, visiting the 39 employers—of which 20 were RUSVM alumni. Additionally, over 445 jobs were posted at the event! It was a very interactive event with over 4,500 chat messages sent between participants and hiring employers. Another generous result of the event was the additional funding that was raised to benefit the Empower Scholarship Fund’s RUSVM Alumni Action Council scholarship. Of the jobseekers who completed the post-event survey, 90% stated they would recommend the fair to others, supporting the Office of Alumni Relations’ decision to make this an annual event, next time further emphasizing the private practices owned by Rossies as well as expanding participation to employers in other sectors of the industry. Be on the lookout for information on our 2022 virtual career fair!

48 ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 31

U P D AT E O N R U S V M

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION: DELIVERING ON OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITMENTS

ALUM N I AC T I O N C O UN CI L

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

By Becky Holton

By Colleen Glenney

oss University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is committed to becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive university. We’ve made this a priority not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because we believe that having diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities enhances our ability to meet the needs of the veterinary profession across the globe. We’re not where we want to be yet. But we’re taking steps to diversify representation in our student enrollment and our RUSVM workforce. This will always be a journey, but an exciting and positive one. Read on for a transparent look at our 2019-2020 statistics, and to see how we’re working to make RUSVM a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. WHAT WE’VE DONE SO FAR Over the past 12 months, we learned that to truly make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a priority we needed to 1) increase our commitments and accountability to making substantive change, and 2) embed our DEI initiatives into our daily operations and processes, so that they are sustainable and scalable. IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, WE’VE… • Signed a partnership agreement with Minorities in Agriculture, National Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). MANRRS members will gain opportunities for hands-on veterinary experiences, access to exclusive webinars, virtual workshops to increase exposure to the profession, and a RUSVM scholarship.

32 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

• S igned articulation agreements with two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Dillard and North Carolina A&T. Students matriculating are also eligible for our new HBCU scholarship. We are continuing our outreach to HispanicServing Institutions (HSIs) to develop partnerships and pathways. • Hosted a special listening session with SAVMA to open the dialogue and create a supportive space to discuss DEI issues at RUSVM. • Assembled a University DEI Taskforce composed of leadership, colleagues, and students that meets regularly to address initiatives on campus. The task force has already provided the university community with an initial survey and assembled recommendations of current opportunities and challenges to strengthen our DEI efforts in the coming year. • Provided unconscious bias awareness training for colleagues. • Educated colleagues through a series of webinars. After completion, they receive a DEI certification for their LinkedIn profiles and signature lines. • Announced we have a new National Director of Access and Inclusion in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (AIM), John Nwafor. The AIM program will expand opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds to become successful veterinary medical graduates by growing partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). • Hosted our first DEI webinar, Paving the Way for Diversity and Inclusion in

Veterinary Medicine, for prospective students, featuring Kianna Lyte, Andrea Rodriguez, Kierstin Washington ’20, and Vanessa Padilla ’18. • H osted our first Black History Month Livestream, The Past, Present & Future of Diversity in Veterinary Medicine. • H osted our first webinar, Expanding Access to the Veterinary Profession, for MANRRS members, featuring SAVMA President Jonathan Dumas. WHERE WE’RE AT As a leader in the graduation of veterinarians for the U.S. and Canada, RUSVM has always been focused on ensuring that our student recruitment efforts reflect the diversity of students we strive to attract and educate a population that reflects the communities it serves. We will continue to increase our efforts and the results can be seen in our current demographics for our 2019–2020 enrollment statistics. Annually, RUSVM recruits significantly more DVM students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups than that of other AVMA-accredited schools. RUSVM’s DVM program enrollment (2019-2020 cycle) reports 31.7% of students identifying as members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. This includes 18% of students identifying as Hispanic, 6% of students identifying as Asian, 3% of students identifying as Black, and 3% of our students identifying as two or more races. We will continue our efforts to continue to see those numbers grow and believe that sharing these demographics is an essential part of our commitment to DEI.

WHAT WE’RE DOING NEXT We continue to look for ways to elevate and amplify the stories of our community members. We are working with our Diversity Taskforce members and alumni to create a plan that is inclusive for all. As an organization, we feel it is important that we have a leader that ensures our efforts are embedded into the DNA of the university. We have been actively searching to find a suitable Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion for RUSVM. Amongst other things, this position will be tasked with building diversity, equity, and inclusion into our culture and help us make them key elements of our everyday behavior. As part of our annual curriculum review, we have listened to feedback and understand the importance of building key and meaningful DEI measures throughout the DVM program. Under the leadership of Drs. Gilbert and Karnik, we are actively reviewing our curriculum and will begin to enhance the pre-existing diversity and inclusion training including how it impacts client care delivered in the education of our veterinarians. We will continue to partner with you to look for additional opportunities to strengthen our program to be more reflective of the communities we serve. As we look to the future, we are optimistic about the steps we’re taking every day to act on our commitments. While we have made progress, we are not complacent in this and look forward to your continued feedback and keeping you updated on our journey.

“Rossies are a family and many feel supporting our alma mater is a great way to give back.”

he RUSVM Alumni Action Council recently selected two new members to fill open council positions: Dr. Nisha Sanathara ’11 and Dr. Kimberly Riker ’01. Council President Moses Humphreys ’05 remarked, “We were happy and impressed with the number of individuals who applied as well as their depth of experiences within the veterinary community. It is more proof that Rossies are a family and that many feel supporting our alma mater is a great way to give back. Drs. Riker and Sanathara are well suited to the tasks at hand and eager to work on ensuring our alumni association continues to work hard for the alumni and the university.” Here’s a snapshot on our two new members. DR. NISHA SANATHARA ’11 was born in India and raised

in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at University of California, Irvine and worked as a veterinary practice manager. Her travels then took her to St. Kitts and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sanathara completed her veterinary training at Washington State University in 2011, and she now practices in southern California alongside her father, caring for canine, feline, and exotic patients in their three animal hospitals. Traveling also brought her to Canada where she met her husband, Murray. Dr. Sanathara is excited to meet fellow alumni and to welcome new graduates into the global Rossie community. DR. KIMBERLY RIKER ’01 graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and is now a partner at Shoreland Animal Hospital. She is past president of the Toledo Veterinary Medical Association and served on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Finance Council. In 2015 she was elected by Former Governor Kasich to serve on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board and re-elected by Governor DeWine in 2019. She also is serving on the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Finance Committee and was Chair of Nominations in 2018. Kim married fellow Rossie Shawn Brown ’02 and has one son, Max. She is honored to be chosen to the Ross Alumni Action Council.

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 33

THE LANCET MICROBE Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s (RUSVM) Dr. Matthew Valentine, Assistant Professor, Veterinary Anatomic Pathology and Dr. Patrick Kelly, Clinical Professor, and colleagues Chengming Wang, Pathobiology Professor, and Md Monirul Hoque, graduate student, recently reported the presence of Rickettsia felis in mosquitoes on St. Kitts, a research study that was published in The Lancet Microbe. This is the first time this bacterium has been detected in Aedes aegypti (the Yellow Fever mosquito), Culex quinquefasciatus (the Southern House mosquito) and Aedes taeniorhynchus (the Black Salt marsh mosquito) mosquitoes, which can transmit viral diseases like dengue, chikungunya, West Nile fever, yellow fever and Zika. The correspondence alerts health workers to consider the possibility of flea-borne spotted fever in patients with a history of mosquito or flea bites. Research in this publication was supported by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases grant number 1R21AI128407-01 and the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kelly’s grant marks the first time RUSVM has been awarded a grant from the NIH.

RESEARCH CORNER PETSMART CHARITIES Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) has announced a grant through the One Health Research Foundation (OHRF) and PetSmart Charities that will enhance teaching and learning opportunities for our students and low-cost support for animal patients. The PetSmart Charities grant, totaling $387,168, provides funds to support the training of our DVM students to better care for under-resourced populations when they return back to the US to practice. The grant provides students with opportunities for increased exposure to shelter and community medicine experiences through our partnership with the Basseterre Animal Rescue Center (BARC). “At PetSmart Charities, we believe that all pet parents want to provide the very best care to their pets, and we want to help them access that care,” says Aimee Gilbreath, president of the national pet charity. “At the same time, we know that students pursue a career in veterinary medicine because they want to help all pets in need. Grants like this one enable us to bring those two principles together by funding community veterinary services that will help pets and their people to live their healthiest, happiest lives together.” This project will expand our community wellness program such that it continues to serve the needs of animals in the St. Kitts community. We will implement a low-cost wellness clinic four days per week. Each student, working in groups, will spend eight hours over two days each week providing wellness services to up to nine patients per day. This doubles current students’ contact time, reflecting a 100% increase in exposure before moving into their clinical year. Another aim of the project is to offset current waitlist times at BARC by offering a supplemental spay/neuter program as an extracurricular outreach volunteer opportunity for students. This volunteer opportunity will be available to upper semester students (Semester 5,6,7) who are involved in student welfare organizations including People for Animal Welfare on St. Kitts (PAWS), Saving Animal from Emergency on St. Kitts (SAFE), and Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures (VIDA). The program will implement a bi-monthly, two-day, low-cost, high volume spay/neuter program each semester. Over the course of three years, RUSVM aims to provide vet wellness services to an additional 2,500 animals, while doubling the hands-on experience and exposure for current preclinical students.

34 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES IN HORSES WITH ADVANCED ARYTENOID CHONDRITIS Dr. Pompei Bolfa, Pathologist and Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), in collaboration with researchers from Cornell University, recently published a paper in the January 2021 Veterinary Pathology Journal focusing on equine arytenoid chondritis, a condition most common in racehorses that decreases their athletic performance. The related photo was also featured on the cover. The study compares clinical scores and ultrasonographic findings with gross and microscopic lesions of naturally occurring arytenoid chondritis, in order to guide surgical treatment. Using combined clinical and pathological data, the team suggests a new, conservative approach for the treatment of this condition. The research study was funded by RUSVM Center of Integrative Mammalian Research.

AUGMENTED REALITY HEART SOFTWARE STUDY Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) faculty Dr. W. Brady Little, Dr. Cristian Dezdrobitu, Dr. Elpida Artemiou, and former colleague Dr. Anne Conan were recently published in the Medical Science Educator. Their study, “Is Augmented Reality the New Way for Teaching and Learning Veterinary Cardiac Anatomy?” introduced and asssessed a new learning resource, the IVALA® augmented reality heart program, illustrating student preference for the program in learning anatomy of the heart and supporting its use as effective as traditional methods of teaching with the benefit of increased enthusiasm and engagement. The study supports the use of an interactive virtual threedimensional anatomy software to enhance student learning of the structural aspects of the heart, complementing lectures and textbook readings.

IDENTIFICATION OF PARASITE INFECTION ON ST KITTS 50 YEARS AFTER ELIMINATION Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) researchers Dr. Jennifer Ketzis, Ian Branford, and former colleague Dr. Arve Lee Willingham, with colleagues from Cornell University and the Behavioural Science Foundation, recently published their paper, “Identification of Schistosoma mansoni infection in a nonhuman primate from St. Kitts more than 50 years after interruption of human transmission” in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. “The finding informs us of the zoonotic nature of S. mansoni in the Caribbean, as we know that both monkeys and rodents may be infected and could continue maintaining the parasite even though human cases are no longer detected. This has ramifications for verifying the elimination of the parasite from the region, which is a priority for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),” says Dr. Lee Willingham. The results of these efforts will form the basis for recommendations of sensitive and cost-effective strategies to sustain, if needed, long-term host snail surveillance and monitoring as part of an integrated approach to control/eliminate the disease.

ANIMALS, HEALTH, AND SOCIETY— RUSVM COLLEAGUES CONTRIBUTE TO NEW BOOK Several veterinary professionals from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) contributed to Animals, Health, and Society: Health Promotion, Harm Reduction, and Health Equity in a One Health World, a newly released book that is one of the first to explain health promotion, harm reduction, and health equity issues in One Health. It represents a true call to action for proactive approaches in One Health for our shared environment. This first edition from Routledge contains 23 chapters from authors from around the world, including RUSVM faculty Drs. Christa Gallagher, Luis Cruz, and Luis Pablo Herve-Claude, as well as a former RUSVM colleague, Dr. John Berezowski. The book was edited by RUSVM adjunct faculty member Dr. Craig Stephen.

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 35

I N M E MOR I A M .

N E W BEGI N N I NG S .

On April 8, 2021, DR. JOANNA (BAXTER) LERNER ’12 unexpectedly passed away during the births of

Congratulations to DR. CASEY YOUNGREN ’15

who recently opened a brand new veterinary clinic, Country Oaks Veterinary Clinic, PLLC, which serves all animals, both large and small, located in Woodhull, IL. Congratulations, Dr. Youngren! DR. CHRISTELLE FOLLETTE ’17

just started her small animal surgery internship at VCA Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, CA—way to go!

Congratulations to DR. ELENA CONTRERAS ’13, who received her Ph.D. in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University in April 2019, and just started a new job in July 2020 as Assistant Professor of Animal Welfare and Behavior at Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine!

Congratulations to our three new American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) Diplomates, (from left to right) DR. CHRISTINA DU ’07, DR. LINNEA MORLEY ’14, and DR. KATIE KNAPEK ’15—we’re so proud of you! And congratulations to DR. KELLEY VARNER ’16 (far right) for her new distinction of Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia— way to go!

her beloved twin daughters, Sadie Victoria and Rhea Grace. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She was born on September 22, 1977 to Wilfred and Malvena Baxter. She met her husband, Jeremy Lerner, at University, and they married on October 5, 2014, settling in Raymond, NH. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 and joined her dream veterinary practice, Hampstead Animal Hospital.

DR. BRYANT BOOKHAMER ’07 of Park City, Utah,

died January 4, 2021. He leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and two children, Dylan and Reece.

DR. KEVIN CHARLES NELSON ’85 died after a

DR. JUSTIN KERR ’15 is the owner of Burnt Store Animal Hospital, which received the 2020 Business of the Year in Charlotte County (FL)!

Congratulations to DR. JULIE NOYES ’13 and DR. MIKE NOYES ’13 who recently just opened their own practice, Kind Animal Care, in Spring Hill, FL! Exciting times ahead!

Congratulations to DR. DANIELLE DELFINO ’09

who is now the Manager of Veterinarians at the ASPCA Adoption Center in the Bronx, NY!

Congratulations to RUSVM Alumna DR. SUSAN BONILLA ’12 (center) who just celebrated the opening of the second location of Passionate Paws Animal Hospital, which Dr. Bonilla opened in North Carolina with her husband in August 2016! It’s a big Rossie family, with DR. CARLIE BRUE ’12 (left) and DR. STEPHANIE IZURIETA ’12 (right) rounding out the veterinary team!

DR. KRISTIN INGRAM ’12

is the Medical Director at the Animal Hospital of North Charleston (SC), which won the Best Veterinary Clinic/Animal Hospital for Charleston’s Choice 2020!

DR. ELSBURGH (TRES) CLARKE III ’08 has recently accepted the

position of Director of Animal Health and Welfare for the brandnew Sea World® Abu Dhabi, which will be one of the largest aquariums and marine animal rescue centers in the world once it opens in 2023. Congratulations and bon voyage, Dr. Clarke!

36 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

Do you have a New Beginning you’d like to share with the Ross community? Scan the QR code to share with us!

long battle with cancer on March 27, 2021. Kevin dedicated his life’s work to the care and welfare of all creatures great and small. He partnered with Bristol Veterinary Service in 1985; mainly focusing on large animals, performance horses, pleasure horses, food animals, 4H projects and any barnyard friend that needed assistance. However, his passion was for exotic animals and he served the Racine Zoo as veterinarian for over 30 years, treating everything from the largest cats to the tiniest of reptiles. He served as veterinarian for the Wisconsin State Fair, Racine County Fair, and assisted at Kenosha County Fair. In 2007, he was awarded the WVMA Veterinarian of The Year. He leaves behind his wife, Deanna, and son, Nathan.

DR. KEVIN SCHMIDT ’09 and DR. KATHLEEN SPENCER SCHMIDT ’09 are the owners of Patton Veterinary Hospital,

which was named the September 2020 Member of the Month of the York County (PA) Economic Alliance!

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 37

2021

TOGETHER STRONG Virtual 55KK Walk/Run September 25-26, 2021 Join us to help support students pursuing careers in health and veterinary care. Your time. Your place. Your happy pace. A L U M N I

A M B A S S A D O R S

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY By Colleen Glenney

hen you were thinking about veterinary schools, did alumni of the institutions in consideration play a part in your ultimate decision? When you were a Ross Vet student, do you remember the alumni speakers at various ceremonies such as White Coat? Have you attended an alumni hosted event and mingled with your fellow alumni? You probably answered yes to at least one of these questions. It’s known throughout higher education that the alumni of an institution play one of the biggest roles when it comes to recruiting and engaging future students. As an Alumni Ambassador, there are many ways that you can make a difference in the future of the veterinary profession. You have the potential to be paired with an admitted student to share your Rossie experience, be featured in a webinar specific to your specialties, or attend a college campus vet club meeting with one of our admissions team members to talk all things Ross Vet. But that’s not all that Alumni Ambassadors can do! Interested in writing? Sign up and write a piece for one of our upcoming e-newsletters or magazines. Looking forward to mingling with fellow alumni at an upcoming local event and know just the right place to hold it? Work with our Alumni Relations staff to put together events that cater to the desires of your fellow Rossies. Itching to get back to the island? There are a multitude of speaking engagements on campus to consider as well. The Ross Vet Alumni Ambassador volunteer program allows you to keep in close touch with faculty, staff, students, and your fellow alumni while giving back to the institution with your time and talents. You decide which opportunities you’d like to be a part of, and our team will connect you to those opportunities. If you’re interested in more information and/or would like to apply for the Ross Vet Alumni Ambassador program, follow the QR code. We’re waiting for you and can’t wait to work with you to make RUSVM be the best place it can be for our entire Rossie family.

4 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED 2 Mascot Competition

for 1 Register the Virtual 5K

x 5K 3 5 Challenge

$30 ($20 no-swag option)

$10

$50

Help us double, or better, triple our numbers from 2020! Sign-up to walk or run with us on September 25th or 26th. Join one of our teams or create your own. Teams will be competing to win extra cash for the school or scholarship they represent!

We want your help to find the right adorable face to motivate and represent as our 2021 race mascot. Submit a photo of your pet, get friends to vote and vie for the chance to win prizes and have your pet featured on cool race gear.

Why wait until September? Now is a great time to get on a health kick. We’ve got a mix of inspiration and support to keep you going all summer. Take the 5 x 5K Challenge and you’ll be walking or running a 5K starting in May with a goal of besting your own time each month. Submit times and photos for the chance to win great prizes.

,on t wann?t u to r

Donate

Why Participate? It’s been a long year. It’s a great time to set some goals, re-engage with friends and colleagues, and get healthy while helping to support student success! Your financial contribution directly benefits students attending:

Since 2016 we have awarded 2,172 scholarships totaling $3.9 million to support students. We Encourage. We Inspire. We Motivate. We Empower.

APPLY TODAY

EmpowerScholarshipFund.org 38 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 39

Did You Know? PromoVet isn’t just discounted pharmaceutical products, it also partners with industry-leading service providers to discount critical services for veterinarians.

A NEW

CMY

COMPOUNDING | PAYROLL | LENDING | CARD SERVICES | PRACTICE SALES

PROMOVET.VET

40 / ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021

WAY TO

LEARN

540+ HOURS OF CE CONTENT ON-DEMAND

From RACE-approved CE to the latest trends in the industry, find the right course for you today. RUSVM alumni save $25 when using code RUSVMA25 at checkout. Visit academy.vetshow.com to start learning.

ROSS ALUMNI MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2021 / 41

Office of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Relations 630 US Highway One, Suite 2031 North Brunswick, NJ 08902

732-898-0002 rusvmalumni@rossu.edu WEBSITE: veterinary.rossu.edu TELEPHONE: EMAIL:

@RossVetSchool

SAVE THE DATES NOVEMBER 6–11, 2022 Mark your calendars for November 2022, which coincides with our 40th anniversary. We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support over the years and look forward to our biggest and best conference in 2022. We hope you’ll join us for this historical celebration.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s DVM degree program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173 Tel: 800.248.2862 | Email: MMaresh@avma.org