Three fourth-year University of Minnesota DVM students’ interest and clinical expertise in internal medicine have earned them recognition from a national veterinary specialty organization. 

Heather Kim, Julia Simms, and Meagan Wojtysiak have been named recipients of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Excellence for demonstrating sincere interest and outstanding didactic and clinical expertise in internal medicine. Recipients are chosen by the faculty of their veterinary college. 

Kim and Wojtysiak were honored for their work in small animal medicine. Jennifer Granick, an associate professor and member of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service, noted in the team’s nomination that Kim brings a great knowledge base and strong clinical acumen to building effective and thorough care plans for her patients. 

“Beyond her clinical skills, Heather is a true team player who brings genuine compassion to her patients and classmates alike,” Granick says. “Her blend of intellectual curiosity and kindness makes her a standout candidate for this honor."

Wojtysiak is lauded for a performance that consistently exceeds expectations, bringing a combination of clinical excellence, intellectual maturity, and genuine curiosity, which makes her deserving of the award, according to Granick. 

“Meagan demonstrates strong analytical skills, clinical curiosity, thoughtful case reasoning, and professionalism,” she adds. 

Simms was nominated by the Large Animal Internal Medicine Service (LAIM) team for her love of learning and embracing the unknowns of internal medicine. 

"There tends to be a certain ‘type’ of person who gravitates toward large animal internal medicine. As LAIM faculty, we are always thrilled to identify one of ‘our own’ like Julia,” says Alex Bianco, an associate professor and member of the LAIM Service. “We met Julia early in her DVM curriculum as she was looking for opportunities and mentorship to ensure she would be prepared for a career in equine practice, but it was when she entered her equine electives and large animal medicine rotations that it became obvious that Julia was a natural at internal medicine.”