Two fourth-year DVM students at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) are being lauded for their proficiency in surgery. 

Emily Leroux and Calah Sewell have been selected as CVM’s recipients of the American College of Veterinary Surgery’s (ACVS) 2026 Student Surgery Proficiency Awards. The award is given to senior students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude through initiative, diagnostic skill, dexterity, and perioperative care of animals undergoing surgery.

Up to two awards may be given by each institution, one for proficiency in large animal surgery and one for proficiency in small animal surgery, or one general certificate.

The Large Animal Surgery team chose Leroux for this year's large animal proficiency award. Troy Trumble, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, says Leroux has been an exceptional student throughout her equine clinical rotations and consistently demonstrates responsibility and reliability in all aspects of her studies.

"Emily is able to balance technical tasks with compassionate client communication, but her standout quality is her eagerness to learn,” Trumble says. “She doesn't merely participate in her daily duties; she takes every opportunity to deepen her understanding of veterinary medicine. We have no doubt that Emily will make a great equine veterinarian."

The Small Animal Surgery team picked Sewell for the small animal award. Josh Merickel, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, says Sewell was outstanding during her time on the surgery service. 

“She showed up prepared for and excited about her cases each day,” Merickel says. “She had clearly read up on her cases and how the surgeries were performed, and asked insightful questions. She was attentive to her inpatients and communicated well with their owners.”

Fourth-year students from each veterinary school in the United States and Canada are eligible for the ACVS awards. The award recipients receive a certificate and a one-year subscription to “Veterinary Surgery.”