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May-June 2022 - Vol. 17, No. 5

<April 2022 | July 2022>


Top Stories

 

Passion for animals inspires honorary veterinary degree for Cheryl Mellenthin

Cheryl Mellenthin and President Richard Linton

The graduating class of veterinarians for 2022 celebrated with a special “plus one” during its commencement exercises at Kansas State University, held May 13. Their invited “classmate” didn’t actually attend classes, yet has provided some of the most impactful resources used to teach students at the college.

 

 

CVM presents scholarships and special awards during annual banquet

Dr. Stephanie Durbin and Meagan Wood

The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted its 2022 Senior Banquet on May 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The college presented approximately $160,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, with a total 74 awards that were presented, some to multiple recipients.

 

 

K-State recognizes Dr. Elizabeth Davis as outstanding department head for 2022

Dr. Elizabeth Davis

Dr. Elizabeth Davis, associate dean of clinical programs, is one of three individuals recognized and honored by Kansas State University with a 2022 Presidential Award for teaching and leadership excellence.

 

 

 

More Headlines

 

CVM appoints Nagaraja and Shi for Upham and Appleton professorships

Drs. T.G. Nagaraja and Jishu Shi

Sometimes good thing come in pairs, such as two faculty members in the college who have received special professorship appointments. Dr. T.G. Nagaraja is the new holder of the Dr. Roy Walter Upham Endowed Professorship and Dr. Jishu Shi was chosen as the inaugural holder of the Dr. Wayne and Hilda Appleton Endowed Professorship.

 

 

Veterinary Health Center team vaccinates animals for COVID-19 at Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo

Zookeeper and Dr. Jasmine Sarvi vaccinate Amur Leopard

This spring, Kansas State University zoo veterinarians and staff from the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan joined forces to protect all the zoo animals against COVID-19. Dr. Sara Gardhouse, assistant professor in exotic pet, wildlife and zoological medicine, said the COVID-19 vaccine for zoo animals is slightly different than Moderna and Pfizer.

 

 

The write stuff: Veterinary students win cash prizes in national essay contest

By Wendy Barnes

Hadley Watson and Nathan Jackson

Knowledge of the role of veterinary medicine in American history has helped two K-State veterinary students win third and fourth place honors in the 2022 Smithcors essay contest sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical History Society (AVMHS).

 

 

College of Veterinary Medicine presents fourth annual staff awards

Barb Turner, Leigh Ann George and Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush

After dealing with two years’ worth of a pandemic, lockdowns, closures, extra cleaning and sanitization, the College of Veterinary Medicine, or CVM, took time out recently to celebrate and recognize its hard-working staff members.

 

 

Veterinary team eyes the road to provide vision exams for working dogs

Dr. Jessica Meekins exams a dog

As part of a national event, an ophthalmology team from the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University will provide free eye exams this May for guide dogs, disability assistance dogs, detection dogs, military working dogs and other search-and-rescue dogs that selflessly serve the public.

 

 

Summer travel tips for pet owners

cute dog

Summer travel season is in full swing. The Veterinary Health Center's Dr. Susan Nelson says there are many factors to consider when deciding to travel with your pets.

 

 

VMAA Ad - It's Not Too Late to Join

 

 

Regular features

 

Alumni Events, Development and Continuing Education

Dr. Billy Bergin with classmatesAnnual Reunions, Alumni Awards and the Annual Golf Tournament top our alumni headlines this month. The Veterinary Medical Alumni Association organizes alumni receptions at several of the national annual conferences plus continuing education events and more. The AVMA reception is coming up soon, so be sure to register at the link inside.

 

 

 

News Ticker

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

VHC welcomes new class of interns
New interns
Front row, from left: Dr. Barbara Ontiveros, equine; Drs. Meagan Wood, Jessica Zito and Devin Osterhoudt, small animal medicine and surgery. Middle row: Dr. Karla Olguin Rangel, small animal medicine and surgery; Dr. Lorelei Bojorquez, diagnostic imaging and radiology; Dr. Charlee Sturkie, small animal medicine and surgery; and Dr. Niki Nabavi, small animal medicine and surgery. Back row: Dr. Tichaona Murambinda, shelter medicine; and Dr. Tim Lin, small animal medicine and surgery.

On April 7, during the student public health poster competition held for National Public Health week, Dr. Raghavendra Amachawadi had two students place. Ramya Kalam (a master's student) placed third in the graduate level with her poster, “Public Health Importance of Escherichia coli pathotypes involved in swine colibacillosis and its effect on antimicrobial resistance” and Samantha Rice, junior in animal science and industry, placed first in the undergraduate level with her poster, “Antimicrobial Activities of Cannabinoids Against Bacterial Pathogens that cause Liver Abscesses in Feedlot Cattle.”

Dr. James Carpenter and the CVM hosted An Exotic Companion Mammal Symposium presented by Oxbow on April 3. Drs. Carpenter and Sara Gardhouse gave a joint talk, “Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Significance of Cannabidiol/Cannabidiolic Acid, Robenacoxib, and Firocoxib in the Rabbit: Recent KSU Studies.”

During National Volunteer Appreciation Week April 17-23, Dr. Raelene Wouda was recognized by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) for her volunteer role as Certification Liaison to the ACVIM Board of Regents with the goal to further improve the process of residency training and certification.

Dr. Anne Lovett, Livestock Services third-year resident, was selected as the winner for Kansas State University at the 19th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit in Topeka. Her research mentors are Drs. Kathryn Reif and Emily Reppert.

Dr. Miriam Martin was chosen earlier this year as a 2022 Midwest Section American Society of Animal Science Young Scholar award recipient and has now been selected as a national Young Scholar recipient. She will give an invited talk at the National American Society of Animal Science meeting in Oklahoma City in June.

Faculty chosen for ER Frank Awards
Drs. Robert Larson, Susan Nelson and Mike Apley
Dr. Robert Larson congratulates Dr. Susan Nelson and Dr. Mike Apley on being this year's recipients of the ER Frank Award. This Award is presented to a faculty member who displays meritorious service to the college as well as the same professional essence of Dr. Frank, who was a longtime faculty member in equine surgery and a K-State alumnus. Nominees must have at least a 15-year relationship with the college, possess a noteworthy record of service and display an unassuming and unpretentious manner throughout their careers.
Shelter Medicine teams goes on the road to provide services
Santee collageDr. Brad Crauer and the Shelter Medicine service and volunteers participated in their bi-annual trip to provide outreach wellness care and surgical services to the Santee Sioux community. On April 22, the CVM Mobile Surgery Unit and the Wellness on Wheels Community Outreach Vehicle caravanned north to Niobrara, Nebraska, for a two-day wellness/surgery clinic. Drs. Brad Crauer and Hayley Barkoviak (shelter medicine intern); Kelsey Decker (shelter medicine nurse); Melissa Dalton (veterinary assistant); Chris Clarkston, Anna Kucera, Raymond Pottios, and Johanna Smith (fourth-year students who are now graduates); Meagan O’Brien and Gabrielle Lammons (currently third-year students) all participated. Jen Teeter joined the group to help overcome any technologic challenges with the Instinct Medical Documentation program. The team provided service for 135 patients in two days! Thanks to all the volunteers who contributed to this remarkable effort.
White Coat Ceremony delivers words of encouragement
White Coat - students open cards
As part of a new initiative, faculty and alumni were asked to write a note of encouragement for the new fourth-year students as they enter clinical rotations. A greeting card was "hidden" or placed in each white coat. After everyone had received their new coats and sat down, students were then told they open the cards and read them. It was a nice surprise with many of the students showing their cards to each other. If you would like to write a message and submit a card for next year's White Coat Ceremomy, contact Tony Ballard in the Alumni and Events Office by email: tballard@vet.k-state.edu.
White Coat group photo
Presenting the class of 2023 - click photo to enlarge this image. A video of the 2022 White Coat ceremony is available for viewing online.
Flint Hills Discovery Center incorporates Veterinary Health Center in new 'Prairie Playscape'
Prairie Playscape collageDrs. Beth Davis (standing) and Callie Rost (in inset) test hands-on activities at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan — featured as part of a new "Prairie Playscape" on the second floor. Children will have an opportunity to learn about the cattle digestive system and see how the Veterinary Health Center provides much-needed services to producers and pet owners who live in the Flint HIlls region of Kansas. Admission is required for visitors; learn more at https://www.flinthillsdiscovery.org/.
Fond Farewells: Good luck to new veterinarians in class of 2022
Melisssa Riley receives DVM hood at commencement
The new Dr. Melissa Riley receives her DVM hood from Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn.
Drs. Joshua and Robert G. Haynes
Dr. Robert G. Haynes, DVM class of 1986, enjoys the opportunity to present the DVM hood to his son, the new Dr. Joshua Haynes.
Dr. Madison Ludewig
Dr. Emily Reppert (left), associate professor in agricultural practices, accompanies an excited, new Dr. Madison Ludewig, as they prepare for the hooding ceremony. A video of the commencement exercises is avialable online.

 

 

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New Arrivals/Recent Departures

 

Lifelines is published each month by the Marketing and Communications Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The editors are Joe Montgomery, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu.

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