In a virtual ceremony on Feb. 10, Dr. Julie Churchill was named Outstanding Faculty Member for 2022 by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). The award was announced during the 125th MVMA Annual Meeting. 

The award recognizes a faculty member who provides outstanding service to Minnesota veterinarians, who gives of their time and talent to the veterinary profession, is a leader who makes a difference to the profession, and is a dedicated contributor to organized veterinary medicine. 

Churchill is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist with an active clinical practice serving patients to help manage disease and maintain health through optimal nutrition. She teaches courses throughout the DVM curriculum and leads scholarly activity in nutrition, teaching techniques, communications, and the integration of positive psychology in veterinary medicine.

A professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) who has served as a member of the College's faculty since 1997, Churchill is widely acknowledged as an international leader in veterinary nutrition and has been recognized as an "eminently qualified specialist in small animal nutrition," according to an award nomination letter written by CVM Dean Dr. Laura Molgaard and VCS Chair Dr. Cathy Carlson. 

"She brings this level of excellence to all that she does to educate the next generation of veterinarians and to provide consultation to veterinarians across the state," Molgaard and Carlson write. "It is acknowledged by the UMN faculty that she brings positive enthusiasm, teamwork, and teaching excellence to each of her interactions."  
 
Churchill has served in many roles in the American College of Veterinary Nutrition including Board of Regents (2010-2014), Education Committee (2011-2015), and Scientific Program and Education Committee (2018-present). She has served on the Pet Nutrition Alliance (PNA) Board of Directors since 2014 and as president from 2019-2021. She also has served on multiple additional task forces and national advisory committees and is co-lead for Global Pet Obesity Initiative.

At CVM, Churchill serves as coordinator of GOALE (Gopher Orientation and Leadership Experience), a largely experiential course designed to introduce first-year students to the veterinary college, the veterinary profession, and the professional competencies of communication, collaboration, and teamwork that are essential to their success in school and as future veterinarians. She also has served as course coordinator and primary instructor of many CVM courses.

"She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the content of courses for which she is responsible is current and relevant for the veterinary students and she has been highly adaptable and proactive regarding the increased inclusion of nutrition-related topics in the curriculum," Molgaard and Carlson write.