Some of it was from my failure to earn the merit badge in Boy Scouts for first aid to animals, oddly enough! Then at MSU during the pre-veterinary curriculum, I encountered a poultry professor who was so inspiring. He cared so much about diseases of the egg and chickens that it was almost impossible not to dive into this area.

After I finished my residency in nephrology and internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I wanted to stay at the AMC, but there was no position for me. My boss at the AMC knew the head of medicine at Ohio State University, and they put everything into motion for me to take this position.

I was terrified when I started. I had no formal training in teaching, and it was trial by fire. Actually, one student put his pencil on fire and waved it at me from the back of the room—he was upset I was speaking too quickly. It took me about two years to get into the classroom and be effective. I eventually learned to love interacting with the students. I was best doing this in the clinics. I love asking questions—some of which don’t have easy answers.

The whole process took over 6 years, and it took a lot out of me. I was determined to finish it as a gift to the profession. The book was 500 pages long, with 600 pictures (including some great illustrations from the Ohio State University medical illustrator), and over 2,000 references. The book was supposed to be relatively simple, but as I got into it, I realized this would be my last big thing (I am now 75 years old), and I wanted folks to have a greater appreciation for the art and science of urinalysis. This work reflects about 40 years of my career. Over half of the images were Kodachrome or Ektachrome physical slides that needed to be scanned and edited in Photoshop. This was emotional for me as I remembered most of the patients and their owners who are long since departed. It is the most important and best work that I managed to do as a veterinarian, though it came at a cost, and I have been asked by my partner to never do it again!

Receiving this award was completely humbling to me. I don’t usually try to draw attention to myself, and so it was a struggle for me to even imagine walking on stage in front of 1,200 folks and saying something! Though humbled, I was honored too. I didn’t realize how many veterinarians, residents, interns, technicians, and other faculty were impacted by my work. No one tells you this while you are in the moment; many years later, I am shocked by comments about how I may have impacted and changed someone’s life.

Be curious—same as expressed by Ted Lasso. Remember that you have an obligation to contribute new knowledge to the profession.

Have FUN—this is a great profession.

Don’t take yourself too seriously, and don’t let difficult clients get under your skin.

I am forever thankful for my education at MSU, both pre-vet and veterinary. I was provided a very strong foundation on which I could continue my career. I owe MSU a lot.