The CSU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program celebrated the accomplishments of 130 graduates during commencement on May 13, ushering the class of 2016 into veterinary careers. A number of new veterinarians received special honors during Colorado State’s DVM Hooding Ceremony, held the evening before commencement.

Also during the Hooding Ceremony in the Lory Student Center Ballroom, Dr. Will Pass delivered remarks to his classmates summarizing their time in veterinary school, remarks that were both funny and poignant. Dr. Tim Holt, with Livestock Medicine and Surgery at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, delivered remarks from a faculty perspective; the crowd of several hundred was in stitches during Holt’s tales of life in veterinary medicine.

Prior to the announcement of student honors, Dr. Dave Van Metre, a professor of Livestock Medicine and Surgery, received the 2016 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award. Each year, DVM students select a faculty member honored for providing outstanding veterinary education; Van Metre has earned the award three times, which is more than any other DVM faculty member.

Award recipients

The following is a list of student award recipients.

• SCAVMA Outstanding Senior Award: Katlin Hornig
• ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence, awarded to a senior who excels in internal medicine and outstanding didactic and clinical expertise in internal medicine: Paul Repenning, large animal; Dalton Hindmarsh, small animal; Will Pass, small animal

  

• Professional Excellence Award, awarded to a senior who provides excellent customer service, is an outstanding team player, and models professionalism and a positive attitude: Bernadette Loomis, Patrick Hunt
• American College of Veterinary Anesthesiology Award, for a senior student who excels in anesthesia:  Aryana Ayazi, Kirsten Blanchet
• DVM/Ph.D. award, presented for completion of the combined degree program that trains veterinary researchers: Jenette Joseph
• American College of Veterinary Radiology Award, awarded to a senior who excels in clinical radiology: Liz Hoaglund
• American Association of Feline Practitioners Award, awarded to a senior who shows outstanding proficiency in feline medicine and surgery: Samantha James
• American Animal Hospital Association Award, for a senior demonstrating outstanding clinical proficiency in delivering primary care: Jordan Sedlacek
• The Center for Companion Animal Studies Award, for a senior who has shown exceptional ability in performance of clinical research: Lara Barron
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons Student Surgical Proficiency Awards, for a senior who has demonstrated academic and clinical proficiency in small-animal surgery: Hannah Turner
• Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Award for Proficiency in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, awarded to a senior who has demonstrated a special interest and ability in the field: Travis Linney

  

• Gentle Doctor Awards in large animal medicine and small animal medicine, for two seniors who demonstrate knowledge, competency, extraordinary compassion, a gentle manner, and special abilities relating to clients and patients: Tom Pryor, large animal; Chuck Yurkon, small animal
• American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners Award, for a senior with clinical proficiency in caring for sheep, goats and llamas: Katy Brandes
• AABP Food Animal Experience Award, for a senior demonstrating clinical proficiency in food animal medicine: Katlin Hornig
• Livestock Medicine and Surgery Clinical Proficiency Award, for a senior demonstrating talent in livestock medicine: Steve Arnold
• Dairy Field Service Clinical Proficiency Award, for a senior demonstrating noteworthy skill in dairy ambulatory medicine: Jose Casillas
• Beef Clinical Proficiency Award, for a student displaying talent in veterinary medicine for beef cattle: Nick Lemmel
• Equine Services Clinical Proficiency Awards, for seniors demonstrating outstanding clinical performance in equine veterinary medicine: Kyle Kelly, equine reproduction; Nigel Miller, equine surgery; Jamie Balducci, equine medicine; Blake Aiton, ambulatory service; Kate Marley, equine emergency medicine

  

• American College of Veterinary Surgeons Student Surgical Proficiency Awards, for a senior displaying academic and clinical proficiency in large animal surgery, and an interest in a surgical career: Drew Koch
• Ophthalmology Service Award, for a senior demonstrating clinical and academic proficiency and a career interest in ophthalmology: Katie Seavey
• Excellence in Dermatology Award, for a senior with excellent knowledge, initiative, client communication, and clinical skills in dermatology: Natasha Bolouri-Rad
• Relationship-Centered Care Award, for seniors demonstrating excellent communication skills, strong relationships with clients and colleagues, and respect for the human-animal bond: Eddy Desko, Meghan Gibas, Olivia Love and Michelina Petri
• Clinical Oncology Student Award, for a senior with outstanding dedication and commitment to the field of veterinary oncology: Kristine Walters
• Vet Text Inc. Cheerfulness Scholarship: Meghan Gibas