St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine celebrated academic achievement, professional leadership, and community impact at its Fall 2025 SVM Awards Ceremony. The event highlighted students from every term, as well as faculty and staff members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the veterinary profession both inside and outside the classroom.
View SVM Awards Ceremony Facebook Album
Dr. Neil Olson, outgoing dean of the SVM, who was also recognized for his eight years of service to the School of Veterinary Medicine praised the awardees for their resilience, excellence, and leadership.
“Our students and faculty continue to raise the bar for what veterinary medical education can be,” said Dr. Olson. “Each honoree represents integrity, compassion, and determination, qualities that define our profession and strengthen our community.”
Thirty-five sets of awards were presented to more than 70 students and faculty during the SVM Term Awards, which was held on November 21 at Bourne Lecture Hall.
View Phi Zeta Induction Ceremony Facebook Album
The ceremony also recognized 45 new inductees into the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Phi Zeta Honor Society—35 from Term 5 and 10 from Term 6. On November 14, students, faculty, and alumni gathered to celebrate during a ceremony at Modica Hall. Phi Zeta is the national veterinary honor society created to recognize students for their superior academic achievement. It is headed by assistant dean of student affairs for SVM Dr. Kerri Nigito as president and head technician in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Keshia John as treasurer secretary.
Dr. Tara Paterson, associate dean of Year Four Clinical Training at SGU and chair of the SVM Awards Committee, emphasized the significance of celebrating these achievements.
“These awards honor far more than academic performance—they recognize character, service, and a genuine commitment to animal and human health,” said Dr. Paterson. “Our students make a meaningful impact every day, and this ceremony is a moment to acknowledge that dedication.”
This semester’s awards are as follows:
Outstanding Colleague Awards
Term 1: Connor Gross
Term 2: Allan Soto-Gonzalez
Term 3: Ashton Albright
Term 4: Stephanie Fasciano
Term 5: Brandon Maher
Term 6: Connor Braid
Dean Neil C. Olson Award for Academic and Professionalism Excellence
Deanna Boner
Adrienne Lotton Memorial Award
Wilfredo Vega
Zoetis Revolution Awards of Excellence
Small Animal Internal Medicine: Alexandra Niedzielski
Small Animal Surgery: Paraskevi Karvounis
Equine Medicine and Surgery: Madelyn Flager
Food Animal Medicine and Surgery: Alyssa Vogt
Scholarship of Service: Connor Braid
Student Research: Madeline Weirick
Dr. Jim Nave Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice
Madison Bates
Giant Paws Giant Hearts Foundation “Hercules” Award
Grace Putnam
Dr. Ravindra Nath Sharma Pathology Excellence Award
Elim Yee
Veterinary Professionalism Award
Monica Rodriguez and Cameron Rumsey
PAWS Recognition Sixth Term Facilitators
Kelli Bangert, Raquel Cervantes, Sophia de Felice, Jordan Haran, Morgan Minko, Monica Rodriguez, Cheyenne Roth, Giana Sawaya, Faith van Rengen, Wilfredo Vega, Kaitlyn Walker
Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Executive Board Extraordinary Service Award
Benjamin Self
Feral Cat Project
Meow-gical Mentor Award: Dr. Jhanelle Dennis
Trap Star Award: Connor Braid
Veterinary Public Health Committee
One Health One Medicine Community Leader Award: Connor Braid
One Health One Medicine Faculty Excellence Award: Dr. Peter Augustine
Large Animal Society (LAS) Awards
Most Valuable Member: Rylee Dahlman
Watchful Shepherd Award: Dr. Racquel Oakley
Student Chapter of the Society for Theriogenology
Tango Award: Desiree Edwards
Two to Tango Award: Irfan Khan
Wellness Aide and Guidance (WAG)
The Praiseworthy Pothound Award: Zuleyka Muñoz González
Angels in Armor Animal Rescue Fund (AAARF)
AAARF Angel Award: Naomi Major
AAARF Compassion in Action Award: Dr. Justine John
Veterinary Anesthesia Club (VAC)
Numb-er One Anesthetist: Pola Blaszczyk
Outstanding Opioid Alchemist: Dr. Julieta Mallea
Veterinary Dermatology Society (VDS)
Mange Squeeze Award: Taylor Edwinson
Pride and Equality (P&E)
Excellence in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), student: CeVante Magwood
Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SCACVIM)
Most Dedicated Member: Jessica Seguin
Student Chapter of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS)
Most Involved Member: Bryan Jackson
Most Influential Faculty Member: Dr. Demy van der Togt
Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV)
Shelter Scholar Award: Kensley Hess
Spay Neuter Pothound (SNP)
Pothound Hero Award: Shyler Willett
Hip to SNP Staff Award: Jude Modeste
Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (SCACVP)
VIP (Very Important Pathologist): Magali Lewis
Lab Coat Legend: Dr. Alfred Chikweto
Exotics and Wildlife Society (EWS)
Hustling Honey Badger Award: Allan Soto-Gonzalez
Dedicated Degu Award: Dr. Dan Johnson
World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association (WAVMA)
MVP (Most Valuable Porpoise): Antonella Pestana
Green Consortium
Ex’SEED’ the Expectation Award: Kelli Bangert and Himashi Goonesekera
SVM Surgery Club
Sharpest Scalpel Award: Brett Moffit
Student Chapter of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (SCAAVP)
Worm of Wisdom: Erika Makenzie
Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Club (RDIC)
RDIC’s Raddest Vet: Victoria Garantiva
Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals Student Chapter (AAVMP)
Spring Roll Model Award: Andrew Doan
Ride or Ally Award: Ladislav Novotny
Student Government Association (SGA)
George B. Daniel Award: Cameron Rumsey
SGU SVM Outstanding Faculty Terms 1–3: Dr. Hugo Hernandez Fonseca
SGU SVM Outstanding Faculty Terms 4–6: Dr. Heidi Janicke
SGA SGU Awards of Excellence Terms 1–3: Dr. David Marancik
SGA SGU Awards of Excellence Terms 4–6: Elizabeth Peach
Department of Educational Services (DES) Recognition Awards
Gregory Stewart (T5), Jonathan Perez-Silva (T5), Karolina Kocourkova (T5), Taylor Edwinson (T5), Treasure Howard (T4), Ashley Humphreys (T5), Atim Kilama (T5)
SGUSVM Outstanding Staff Award
Technical Staff: Keshia John
Hill’s Golden Apple Award
Dr. Heidi Janicke
Alpha Delta Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta
Fall 2025 Inductees
Term 5: Lithira Amarajeewa, Maria A. Balli, Macie B. Brand, Kelly A. Brander, Adia S. Casella, Paola G. Castillo, Adam C. Chard, Andrew L. Cookston, Rylee J. Dahlman, Abigail J. Dobbs, Samantha L. Doerr, Desiree N. Edwards, Olivia D. Emmett, Madelyn N. Flager, Christina Garcia, Alexis R. Garramone, Harman B. Goeller, Isabel S. Goza, Luke D. Griffin, Chiqian Han, Jordan B. Haran, Mackenzie C. Ile, Jada-Ashley K. John, Abigail E. LaBorde, Emma K. Lavelle, Rachel M. LaRue, Shelley Lownds, Emma L. Matz, Victoria V. Miller, Morgan K. Minko, Nicoline E. Pedersen, Brandi N. Ryan, Kendal J. Solis, Ryder S. Stewart, Tiffany E. Wheeley
Term 6: Crystal Morin, Samanntha G. Mueller, Andreea Paduraru, Amy M. Ridge, Quintin L. Sanchez, Kayla D. Schlichting, Anissa M. Thomas, Penny Wang, Shyler M. Willett, Hayley G. Wuestenberg
Faculty inductees: Dr. Keith Kalasi, Dr. Stuart Gordon
Honorary inductee: Vanessa Matthew-Belmar
Phi Zeta Scholarship Award
Emma Matz
