On Thursday, May 2, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the first Achievements Ceremony to showcase the special achievements in the College. Specifically, the Ceremony highlighted interns, residents, alumni, honorary alumni, faculty, students, and staff, who embody the College’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, and Protect.
In addition to the awards presented on May 2, we also celebrate the members of our community who received awards throughout the year. Thank you to those who submitted these awards for our presentation.
Dr. Paul Bloom, Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Practitioner Award
Dr. Paul Bloom founded the Bloom Animal Hospital and became Michigan’s first board-certified veterinary dermatologist in full-time private practice. Today, Dr. Bloom is 1 of only 10 double-boarded veterinary dermatologists in the nation.
Dr. Race Foster, Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Non-Practitioner Award
Dr. Race Foster is the originator and entrepreneur of the modern veterinary pharmacy concept. His current focus is on veterinary forensics; he hopes to give back to the animal and pet-owning community by helping to solve and prevent crimes against domestic animals.
Dr. Jon Patterson, Honorary Veterinary Alumnus Award
Dr. Jon Patterson serves as a professor for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation. His education expertise has been integral in the reinvention of the College’s DVM curriculum, and his mentorship to students is of the highest caliber.
Dr. Lorraine Sordillo Gandy, Honorary Veterinary Alumna Award
Dr. Sordillo Gandy is the inaugural Meadow Brook Chair in Farm Animal Health and Wellbeing for the College. Her research includes a nearly $1 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for adapting mobile technology to help farmers prevent dairy cattle illness. She is a fixture in the College and a mentor to many students.
Dr. Suzanna Couto, Honorary Alumna Award
Dr. Suzanna Couto is the newly appointed senior director of translational pathology for the Celgene Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical company in San Diego. She is responsible for managing various laboratories, overseeing research and development projects, and liaising for translational developments. Dr. Couto is a strong example of how a veterinary education can transcend industry and sector.
Dr. Jennifer Roberts, Zoetis Teaching Award
Dr. Roberts is an assistant professor for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. She has assumed increased lecture and laboratory teaching of professional students. Dr. Roberts is actively engaged in planning and implementation of the new professional curriculum, especially the clinical skills laboratory, and serves on the Curriculum Committee.
Jeffrey Gandy, Krehbiel Distinguished Staff Award
Jeffrey Gandy is a research assistant at the Meadow Brook Immunobiology Laboratory for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. With 15 years of outstanding service and dedication, Jeff is known for going outside the bounds of his role, becoming a resource for new and current faculty, staff, and students.
Melissa Franklin, Krehbiel Distinguished Staff Award
Melissa Franklin is an animal caretaker for small animal surgery and anesthesia patients. Her tireless work ethic and dedication to patient care goes above and beyond and provides comfort—not only in how she cares for patients, but also with kind words and a loving touch. A job done by Melissa is a job well done.
Shaun Goulet, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Shaun Goulet is a diversity representative for the Class of 2022, a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Murunos House Captain, and an instructor for the “How We Role” Program. He actively pursues organized methods to enhance diversity and inclusion in society, and uses daily interactions with individuals to share, teach, and learn how to live better together.