Dr. Lorraine (Johnson) Hoffman retired from her position as Director of Operations at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on April 1, 2009. She was professor of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and served as Section Leader in Bacteriology at the diagnostic laboratory from 1975-2006 at which time she was appointed to the position of Director.
Dr. Hoffman’s career was largely devoted to professional practice with specific focus on providing credible and timely diagnostic service to the veterinarians of Iowa and nationwide, developing state of the art classical and molecular test protocols for diagnosing livestock diseases, and conducting infectious disease research that benefited the production animal industries of the state and nation. Another commitment of major proportion was her involvement in mentoring and training veterinary, graduate and undergraduate students for successful careers and lives.
“I have had the pleasure to work very closely with Dr. Lorraine Hoffman for the last 18 years here at the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Dr. Pat Halbur, chair of the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. “Dr. Hoffman has been a truly outstanding faculty member in the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, a remarkable departmental and college and university citizen, a national leader in her area of specialization in veterinary microbiology, a tireless mentor for veterinary students and particularly female students, a highly effective mentor for young female faculty members, and a very active member of her local community.”
Dr. Hoffman received her undergraduate degree in biology from Wartburg College in 1964 and her MS and PhD degrees in bacteriology from Iowa State University. She is an honorary member of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and is a member of many national organizations and societies. She has received several awards acknowledging her career accomplishments, the most recent in 2006 when she received the William P. Switzer Award for significant contributions to society and the profession of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hoffman will continue to serve on the Executive Board of the American Association of Laboratory Diagnosticians and will maintain her dedication and involvement with Iowa State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine as Emeritus Professor.
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Note to editor: An electronic image of Dr. Hoffman is available upon request. Please contact Tracy Ann Raef at traef@iastate.edu