June 16, 2026
Dr. Al Jergens, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, was presented the 2026 Specialty Lifetime Achievement for Small Animal Internal Medicine this past week by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
An internationally recognized expert in veterinary small animal gastroenterology, Jergens has been a faculty member at Iowa State University (ISU) since 1989. In his career, he has led pioneering advances in canine and feline inflammatory Bowel Disease, microbiome analysis, and organoid research.
A dedicated educator, he has mentored numerous students, residents and colleagues. While at ISU Jergens has received over 100 research grants totaling over $5.4 million and is the author of over 140 research publications.
Among his many honors are the ISU Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, the Pfizer Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine International Service Award, and the ISU SAVMA Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence in Clinical Sciences.
Jergens held the Donn E. and Beth M. Bacon Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery endowed chair from 2015-2024 and is an ACVIM Diplomate with a specialty in internal medicine.
A DVM graduate of Texas A&M University, Jergens also holds a master’s degree in veterinary pathology and a PhD in immunobiology from Iowa State.
The ACVIM Specialty Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes prominent leaders by specialty and celebrates those who have made significant contributions in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, nutrition, oncology, or small animal medicine.