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    SVM Term Awards and Phi Zeta Induction Ceremony Celebrate Dedication and Achievement

     News

    The St. George’s University (SGU) School of Veterinary Medicine celebrated excellence, leadership, and academic achievement at two hallmark events this past April: the Spring 2025 SVM Term Awards Ceremony and the Phi Zeta Honor Society Induction. Both gatherings honored the dedication and accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff across the SVM community.

    “It never ceases to amaze how much talent and excellence exist within our SGU SVM community,” said Tara Paterson, DVM ’03, chair of the SVM Awards Committee. “Congratulations to all our award winners and nominees.”

    Thirty-seven sets of awards were presented to more than 70 students and faculty during the SVM Term Awards, which took place on April 17.

    After thanking her colleagues on the SVM Awards Committee and SVM Dean’s Office staff, Dr. Paterson bid a bittersweet goodbye to the SVM term six class and wished them well as they enter their clinical year.

    On April 25, the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta welcomed 41 new inductees—17 from Term 5 and 24 from Term 6. Phi Zeta is the national veterinary honor society created to recognize students for their superior academic achievement, and it is headed by assistant professor Dr. Kerri Nigito as president and clinical faculty member Dr. Kecia Lowe as treasurer secretary.

     

    Phi Zeta Induction Ceremony Photo Album

     

    “These events highlight the remarkable depth of talent and commitment among our students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Neil Olson, dean of SVM. “Recognizing their accomplishments reflects the collective spirit of excellence that defines the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine. Congratulations to the award winners and inductees.”

    This semester’s awards are as follows:

    Outstanding Colleague Awards

    Term 1: Bailey Willis and Michaela Bird

    Term 2: Sydney Stephens

    Term 3: Cassandra Mata

    Term 4: Chelsea Paclibar and Luke Griffin

    Term 5: Shelby Richter

    Term 6: Daphne Harris

    Dean Olson’s Award for Academic Excellence

    Daphne Harris

    Adrienne Lotton Memorial Award

    Daphne Harris

    Zoetis Revolution Awards of Excellence

    Small Animal Internal Medicine: Cheyenne Koinzan

    Small Animal Surgery: Alyson Lillibridge

    Equine Medicine and Surgery: Courtney Griffin

    Food Animal Medicine and Surgery: Caitlyn Collazo

    Scholarship of Service: Samantha Hild

    Surgery Team: Meagan Baroniel, Megan Pemberton, Evia Russell and Riley Wildfeuer

    Excellence in Student Research: Shelley Lownds

    Dr. Jim Nave Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice

    Maria Escanellas Juan

    Giant Paws Giant Hearts Foundation “Hercules” Award

    Eloise Verret

    Dr. Ravindra Nath Sharma Pathology Excellence Award

    Magali Duran

    The Veterinary Professionalism Award

    Daphne Harris

    PAWS Recognition Sixth Term Facilitators

    Elizannette Bonet, David Dominguez, Maria Elena Escanellas, Samantha Forjan, Courtney Griffin, Daphne Harris, Dajuan Hinton, Ishan Jhamb, Benjamin Liu, Mikka Muramatsu, Alejandra Pardo, Shelby Pardoe, Elana Raaphorst, Abby Ramlagan, and Elizabeth Williams

    Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Executive Board Extraordinary Service Award

    Macie Brand

    Feral Cat Project

    A-meow-zing member: Karen Liang

    Cat-tastic faculty: Dr. Elizaveta Vasechkina, instructor, Small Animal Clinic

    Veterinary Public Health Committee

    One Health One Medicine Community Leader Award: Eloise Verret

    One Health One Medicine Community Faculty Excellence Award: Quacy Matthew

    SGUSVM Large Animal Society

    Large Animal Society MVP: Marialaura Gigli

    Watchful Shepherd Award: Dr. Heidi Janicke, professor, Large Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Student Chapter of the Society for Theriogenology

    Tango Award: Erika Mackenzie

    Two To Tango Award: Dr. Afroza Khanam, assistant professor, Large Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Wellness Aide and Guidance (WAG)

    The Praiseworthy Pothound Award: Hanna Holden

    Angels in Armor Animal Rescue Fund (AAARF)

    AAARF’s Angel Award: Hayoung (Katie) Kim

    AAARF’s Armor Award: Dr. Britain Tully, assistant professor, Small Animal Clinic

    Veterinary Anesthesia Club (VAC)

    No Pain All Gain Award: Emily Guy

    Sedation Sensation Award: Dr. Sophie Moittie, assistant professor, Pathobiology

    Veterinary Dermatology Society (VDS)

    Mange Squeeze Award: Nicole Land

    Itching to Help Award: Errol Pysadee

    Pride and Equality (P&E)

    Excellence in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), student: Gwendolyn Magana

    Excellence in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), faculty: Dr. Taila Guttin, associate professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SCACVIM)

    Most Dedicated Member: Caroline Tryfiates

    Student Chapter of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (SVECCS)

    Most Involved Member: Amanda Hong

    Most Influential Staff Member: Dr. Elizaveta Vasechkina, instructor, Small Animal Clinic

    Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV)

    Shelter Scholar Award: Perryn Barnes

    Students of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)

    NAVLE Review Leader: Dr. Joanne Buckland, associate professor, Dean of Veterinary Medicine Office

    Spay Neuter Pothound (SNP)

    Student Pothound Hero Award: Leigha Lynch

    Staff Pothound Hero Award: Quacy Matthews

    Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (SCACVP)

    VIP (Very Important Pathologist): Hayley Wuestenberg

    Creating A Path Award: Dr. Dawn Seddon, professor, Pathobiology

    Exotics and Wildlife Society (EWS)

    Wildlife Warrior Award: Beatrice Caouette

    World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association (WAVMA)

    MVP (Most Valuable Porpoise): Ari Streeter

    Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA)

    VBMA Officer Recognition Award: Luke Griffin

    VBMA Faculty Recognition Award: Dr. Adria I. Rodriguez, associate professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Animal Welfare and Behavior Committee (AWB)

    Welfare Warrior Award: Michaela Bird

    Green Consortium

    Ex“SEED” the Expectation: Kelli Bangert

    SVM Surgery Club

    Sharpest Scalpel Award: Brett Moffit

    Surgery Superstar Award: Dr. Heidi Janicke, professor, Large Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals Student Chapter (AAVMP)

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Excellence Award: Elim Yee

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Excellence Award: Dr. Talia Guttin, associate professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Student Government Association (SGA)

    George B. Daniel Award: Daphne Harris

    SGU SVM Outstanding Faculty Term 1-3: Dr. India Paharsingh, assistant professor, Pathobiology

    SGU SVM Outstanding Faculty Term 4-6: Dr. Thomas Hanson, professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    SGA SGU Awards of Excellence Term 1-3: Dr. Mercedes Velazquez, assistant dean of students

    SGA SGU Awards of Excellence Term 4-6: Dr. Talia Guttin, associate professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Department of Educational Services (DES) Recognition Awards

    Nicholas Aaron (T4), Rylee Dahlman (T4), Desiree Edwards (T4), Jada-Ashley John (T4), and Cayla Rubin (T4)

    SGUSVM Outstanding Staff Awards

    Administrative Staff: Cindy Henriques

    Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence: Dr. Andy Alhassan, professor, Pathobiology

    Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award: Dr. Talia Guttin, associate professor, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

    Alpha Delta Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta

    Spring 2025 Inductees

    Term 5: Sowmiya Baskar, Deanna Boner, Rylie Davis, Victoria Garantiva, Rocio Garcia, Yasmin Garcia, Jonathan Harlan, Halle Hevener, Kamron Koppel, Alexandra Niedzielski, Evia Russell, Giana Sawaya, Esmeralda Sifuentes, Dawson Stone, Alyssa Vogt, Riley Wildfeuer, and Elim Yee

    Term 6: Caitlin Benelli, Adrianne Camero, Taylor Cash, Jason Diaz, David Dominguez, Jiayu Fang, Mackenzie Fischer, Cassidy Fox, Audrey Fry, Marialaura Gigli, Ha Young Kim, Cheyenne Koinzan, Anne Manganiello, Isabelle Mays, Connor McHenry, Arianna Minnie, Danielle Nalbone, Gabriela Rivera, Stephanie Steinke, Hailey Templar, Lucas Veillon, Eloise Verret, Alyssa Womer, and JingHan Wu

     

    — Juliette Kimmins

     

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