Every summer, after the confetti from the Commencement ceremony has settled, the College of Veterinary Medicine braces itself for another bittersweet farewell: sending off the residents and interns who have completed their programs.
Veterinary residents and interns have completed their veterinary degrees and have returned to a teaching environment to further hone their skills, often in anticipation of specialty board exams. Their programs last 1-4 years, and during that time, they are invaluable members of the organizations they work within, and, in turn, become invaluable to each other.
During a dinner commemorating the 2024 resident and intern “graduates” at the College, Dr. Dalen Agnew, chair of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, emphasized the lifelong friendships each veterinarian found within their cohort. “The people from my pathology residency are still the friends I call with life and professional questions—some of my best friends were made during my residency.”
The College congratulates the residents and interns who completed their programs—and forged lifelong bonds—this year. Their names are listed below.
A look at their work
Whether completing a one-year internship or a four-year residency, these Spartan veterinarians have been busy. Below is a look at what they’ve been up to:
No stone left unturned: Cystoscopic-assisted laser lithotripsy for canine's chronic bladder stones
In a medical case study, Dr. Andrzej Ogrodny (internal medicine resident) details the treatment of a canine patient named Riley who suffered a case of recurrent bladder stones.
A careful look
Dr. Billie Beckwith-Cohen shows off crucial equipment used by the Veterinary Medical Center's Ophthalmology Service to care for patients.
A self-described "retina nerd," Dr. Beckwith-Cohen pursues the field of comparative ophthalmology; a cross-species approach to studying the eye.
Video: Large Animal Clinical Service Residencies
Drs. Ana Moreira and Ashley VanderBroek, faculty within the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, walk through the experience of large animal residents within the Veterinary Medical Center: the cases they treat, the equipment they gain familiarity with, and the networks they form.
The doctor-patient bond
Dr. Kelsie Kittrell, emergency and critical care intern, comforts Kingston, a patient with idiopathic vestibular disease. Kingston was given the all-clear for a potential tumor, and soon after discharged to his beloved home and family.
Triple crown: Surgical resident takes home three awards for veterinary orthopedic research
Dr. William Chung, surgery resident, received an unprecedented three awards at the 2023 American College of Veterinary Surgery’s Surgery Summit. His work centers on bioengineering; particularly, investigations into orthopedic implants such as intramedullary nails for small animals.
Veterinary Pathology from Two Points of View
Dr. Alli Gerras, anatomic pathology resident, made the most of her residency by seeking out experiences to hone her interests in the field. "I go to different rounds and spend as much time as I can immersing myself in what I'm doing," she explains in an interview.
What's next, doc?
Every March, veterinary students, residents, and interns wanting to participate in the Veterinary Residency and Internship Matching Program are told the organization at which they will complete their residencies and internships. Many of the College's students and interns learned they would be staying at MSU for further opportunities, including Dr. Caitlyn Yunker (above), emergency and critical care intern, and Dr. Jordan Fansler, ophthalmology intern, who will both complete residencies in their fields.
Video: Small animal clinical service residencies
In a bustling veterinary hospital, veterinary residents learn to work on a dynamic team. Faculty mentors within the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences explain the multifaceted aspects of training at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center.