The 2023 College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Education Day celebrates not only the pursuit of knowledge in veterinary medicine but those whose teaching contributions have a profound impact on the students they instruct.  

Each year, teaching awards recognizing the exemplary work of faculty and staff throughout the College are presented as part of the Education Day program, which also included a poster session, presentations, and a workshop. 

The following awards were presented during Education Day on May 19, 2023: 

Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award

Recipient: Dr. John Collister

The award is given to veterinary educators in recognition of their character and leadership qualities as well as their outstanding teaching abilities. This Zoetis-sponsored award is the most prestigious CVM faculty teaching award. The winner is selected by veterinary students in all years.

Collister is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. 

CVM Outstanding Staff Teaching Award

Recipient: Abby Brown

This award acknowledges the outstanding contributions made by a staff member to the experience of students in the DVM curriculum. The winner is selected by students in years I-III. Brown is an education program specialist with the gross anatomy team. 

Undergraduate Teaching Award

Recipient: Dawn Foster-Hartnett

The recipient is chosen from nominations by the department chairs and vice-chairs to recognize faculty who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate student learning. Foster-Hartnett is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. 

Excellence in Course Coordination Awards

The award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to student learning through excellence in course coordination.

• Year I recipient: Dr. John Collister, an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.
• Year II recipient: Dr. Erin Malone, the assistant dean for curriculum and a professor in the  Department of Veterinary Population Medicine.
• Year III recipient: Dr. Chris Stauthammer, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. 
• Year IV recipient: Dr. Jordan Roberts, an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. 

  

Veterinary Clinical Sciences awards

Excellence in Teaching Award

Recipient: Dr. Sue Spence 

The recipient is selected by the third-year students as the most outstanding teacher during their first three years of veterinary school. Spence is an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. 

Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award

Recipient: Dr. Lindsay Merkel

The recipient is selected by the fourth-year students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of small animal clinical rotations. Merkel is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. 

Resident Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching 

Recipient: Dr. Adam Hunt

The recipient of the award is selected by the fourth-year Small Animal Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of small animal clinical rotations.

Veterinary Population Medicine awards

Faculty Award for Excellence in Didactic Teaching

Recipient: Dr. Perle Zhitnitskiy

The recipient is selected by the third-year students as the most outstanding teacher during their first three years of veterinary school. Zhitnitskiy is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine.  

Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical or Diagnostic Teaching

Recipient: Dr. Christie Ward

The recipient is selected by the fourth-year Large Animal/Mixed Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of large animal clinical rotations. Ward is an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. 

Resident/Intern Award for Excellence in Clinical or Diagnostic Teaching

Recipient: Dr. Alyson Booth

The recipient was selected by the fourth-year Large Animal/Mixed Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of large animal clinical rotations. 

Veterinary Biomedical Sciences awards

Outstanding Teacher Award 

Recipient: Roxanne Larsen

The recipient is selected by students in all years as the most outstanding teacher during the first three years of their veterinary training. Larsen is an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. 

Graduate Programs awards

Outstanding Graduate Advising/Teaching Award

Recipient: Yuying Liang

The recipient is nominated by students in the Graduate Programs. Liang is a professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. 

Veterinary Medical Center awards

Excellence in Small Animal Clinical Teaching (Technician)

Recipient: Rian Ashmore

The recipient is selected by the fourth-year students as having contributed significantly to their clinical year. Ashmore is a certified veterinary technician in the Anesthesia Service at the Lewis Small Animal Hospital. 

Excellence in Large Animal Clinical Teaching (Technician)

Recipient: Paul Weinand

The recipient is selected by the fourth-year students as having contributed significantly to their clinical year. Weinand is a certified veterinary technician in the Large Animal Hospital.