Dr. Elizabeth Davis named interim dean as K-State bids farewell to Dr. Bonnie Rush

Dr. Elizabeth Davis (pictured left) has officially stepped into the role of interim dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. She succeeds Dr. Bonnie Rush (pictured right), who is now beginning a new chapter as dean at Texas A&M University. The CVM extends its gratitude to Dr. Rush for her impactful leadership and wishes her continued success.

Dr. Brad White uses expertise to support cattle industry and rural veterinary practice

While the expression may sound backwards, Dr. Brad White is a longtime veterinarian who walks the walk - and talks the talk. In land-grants terms, his career has involved both walking the walk when it comes to teaching, research and service and talking the talk when delivering outreach through the Cattle Chat podcast with the BCI, at K-State.

Ticks with cloning ability and carrying blood parasite may already be in Kansas, pose danger to cattle industry
By Matthew Self, KSNT

Kansas researchers are monitoring the spread of an invasive tick species that poses a threat to the state’s cattle through a dangerous blood parasite.Kansas cattle ranchers are facing a new threat to their herds this year in the form of a blood parasite that can weaken or even kill their cows.

How to bolster weak calves with nutrition
By Gene Johnston, Successful Farming

Weak calf syndrome may not be a disease you’ve ever heard of before, but you’ve definitely seen it. Affected calves are typically born with no noticeable problems, but they cannot get up and may not suckle, said Gregg Hanzlicek, associate director of the Kansas State University veterinary diagnostic laboratory. All too often, they don’t make it.

Dr. Mike Apley receives prestigious award at AAVPT meeting

Dr. Mike Apley, head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, was recognized with the Lloyd E. Davis Memorial Award. This award is presented at the Biennial Symposium of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics to recognize outstanding lifetime achievements in research, teaching and professional service.

Kansas Department of Agriculture receives veterinary assessment report
By JC Post

Concerns about a shortage of rural veterinarians have been discussed across agriculture for many years. A recent assessment report produced by the Farm Journal Foundation for the Kansas Department of Agriculture has analyzed data in an effort to identify the root causes of the rural and food systems veterinarian shortage.

Dr. Raghavendra Amachawadi receives career achievement award at national meeting

Dr. Raghavendra Amachawadi, associate professor of food animal therapeutics in the Department of Clinical Sciences was selected for the 2025 Early Career Achievement Award sponsored by the American Society of Animal Science Foundation. It was presented at the recently concluded annual meeting in Hollywood, Florida.

Veterinarian urges pet owners to stay alert as summer heats up
By Rylee Coy

"Summer is a great time to be outside with your pets, but it also comes with some seasonal risks," said Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the VHC. "By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure that your pet stays safe, healthy and happy all season long."

Wishing Former Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush the best ahead

On July 11, the College of Veterinary Medicine gathered to celebrate a last day at K-State for former Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush and wish her well as she prepares to take on a new role as dean of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Her leadership at K-State will be missed, but her impact will continue to inspire others.

Top right (from left): Dr. Steve Hodes, Colleen Hodes, Dr. Bonnie Rush, Bev Richardson and Dr. Ralph Richardson.

2025 Promotions and Tenure

Congratulations to these faculty members on their recent promotions and/or tenure appointments. A. Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, promotion to full professor (shown with DMP Head Dr. Derek Mosier). B. Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, promotion to associate professor with tenure. C. Dr. Laura Miller, promotion to tenured faculty. D. Dr. Matt Basel, promotion to associate professor with tenure (with A&P Head Dr. Mike Apley). E. Dr. Emily Reppert, promotion to full professor (with Interim Dean Dr. Elizabeth Davis). F. Dr. Chieko Azuma, promotion to clinical professor (with Interim Clinical Sciences Head Dr. Brian Lubbers). G. Dr. Stefanie Durbin, promotion to clinical associate professor.

New faculty recruitments

Congratulations to Drs. Ron Orchard, Meghan McCarthy and Stacy McHaney who are now regular tenure-track clinicians.

More news from the college

Drs. T.G. Nagaraja and Raghavendra Amachawadi received $23,332 in funding from NutriQuest for their project, “In Vitro Evaluations of Anti-Fusobacterium Necrophorum Activities of Essential Oils or Phytoextracts for Eventual Development as a Feed Additive for the Control of Liver Abscesses in Cattle.”

Congratulations to Dr. Cody Dressler, Caring for Others Award, for being a great surgical experience mentor!

Approximately 20 international visitors came to KSU CVM June 4 to learn about One Health in Kansas. They were provided a tour of the CVM, the new Core research space and then they learned about the activities that take place with the Community Outreach rotation and community partners. They were also able to tour the Wellness on Wheels, or WOW, vehicle and speak with Dr. Ron Orchard.

Gina Scott welcomes Jeffrey Hart as the new instructional designer for the college. He takes over for Kayla Campbell's previous position.

The Veterinary Health Center welcomes new residents and interns

These are the new residents who arrived in July. Back row, from left: Dr. Matthew Aviles, livestock services; Dr. Kalie Fikse, diagnostic imaging and radiology; Dr. Jane Swanton, small animal surgery; and Dr. Christina Tsai, oncology. Front row: Dr. Juan Pablo Perrilliat, small animal medicine/oncology intern ; Dr. Paulina Moran, small animal medicine; Dr. Milja Koskinen, small animal surgery; Dr. Olivia Rodts-Palenik, ophthalmology; and Dr. Lucia Ayala, equine internal medicine.

These are the new interns. Back row: Dr. Julianne Nussbaum, zoological medicine; Dr. Celine Bartish, equine; Dr. Heather Moulding, shelter medicine; Dr. Logan Franek, small animal medicine and surgery; Dr. Ashley Shine, equine; Dr. Jessica Davis, small animal medicine and surgery; and Dr. Nathan Jackson, radiology. Front Row: Drs. Tanner Komlodi and Mary Freeman, small animal medicine and surgery; Dr. Sierra Shelit, livestock services; and Drs. Valeria Van Derdys, Victoria Ramos, Kylee Lindsey, Ashley Intihar and Quentin Thouvenot, small animal medicine and surgery. Not pictured: Dr. Tarah Peterson, ophthalmology.

Fort Riley general and staff tour the Veterinary Health Center

The Veterinary Health Center recently hosted a special group of visitors with the First Infantry Division (also known as the Big Red One) of the US Army from Fort Riley, Kansas. Drs. Bonnie Rush conducted tours of Trotter Hall and the Biomedical Core Facilities, and Interim Dean Dr. Elizabeth Davis led a tour of the Veterinary Health Center, Shelter Medicine and Community Outreach.

Photo captions. Top left and bottom right: Dr. Davis greets Maj. Gen. Monté L. Rone to talk about services provided at the Veterinary Health Center with the goal of future collaborations with Fort Riley. Top right: Dr. Chris Blevins recounts some of the visits over the last several years from the VHC's equine field service to Fort Riley to provide dental exams for the horses in the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard. In early July, the mounted color guard program was officially discontinued. Bottom left, Dr. Cody Dressler tells the visitors about the K-State Mobile Surgery Unit. Bottom right: Dr. Davis meets with the visitors.

K-State Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Conference

The agenda for this fall’s Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Conference at K-State Olathe is now live — and it’s packed with industry leaders and regulatory experts. From AAFCO and FDA updates to global pharmacovigilance and biotech innovation, the 2025 conference features speakers from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin and more. To see the full agenda and registration information, visit the conference website.