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Larissa Minicucci wins College of Veterinary Medicine’s community-engaged scholar award
In March, Larissa Minicucci, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), was awarded the CVM’s Community-Engaged Scholar award, which recognizes one faculty member or P&A individual annually for exemplary and engaged scholarship in their field. She was also one of seven individuals nominated for the President’s Community- Engaged Scholar Award.
Minicucci, who directs the DVM/MPH program in collaboration with the School of Public Health, has consistently shown the value of intentional, symbiotic relationship investment. She has facilitated partnerships with four Native American communities in Minnesota—Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, White Earth Nation, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Lower Sioux Indian Community—to deliver access to veterinary care and youth education while providing her students with the opportunity to practice their owner-interaction and animal care skills. Her longstanding history of building relationships with American Indian communities began in 2009 when Minicucci traveled to Leech Lake—with one colleague and nine students in tow—to increase rabies vaccination rates. Two days and 45 animals later, a partnership was born.
The students involved went on to found the Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services (SIRVS), a campus life organization that partners with Native American communities in Minnesota to deliver veterinary care and education while offering students the chance to engage in hands-on learning. Through at least six community clinics, SIRVS now provides services to approximately 650 to 800 animals annually.
“I couldn’t do it without participation from the communities and organizations we work with,” says Minicucci. “Every person who engages with our students or comes into one of our clinics with an animal is teaching our students.”
Cardona named 2018 Ranelius Award recipient
On March 14, the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) honored Carol Cardona, DVM, PhD, DACPV, professor and Pomeroy Chair in Avian Health in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, as the 2018 recipient of its prestigious Ranelius Award. The announcement was made at the MTGA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.
“The Ranelius Award is the highest honor given by the MTGA,” said MTGA President Chris Huisinga, a turkey farmer from Renville, Minn. The award is given to a recipient who has exemplified leadership and dedication to the industry, and has made contributions to enhancing Minnesota’s turkey industry. “Cardona is well deserved of this special honor.”
Porter receives the award for outstanding contributions to graduate and professional education
Rob Porter, DVM, PhD, DACVP-AP, received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Post Baccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education, along with a small group of faculty from throughout the University of Minnesota. Porter is a professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. The ceremony was held in April, during which Porter was inducted into the U of M Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Porter was also the recipient of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association President’s Award in 2009.