Look Back at 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, here’s a look back at what happened this past year in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

January

A pair of College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff were named recipients of national awards from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. Dr. Monica Howard, assistant dean of student success, received the Iverson Bell Award, while Dr. Qijing Zhang, Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in Veterinary Medicine, was named the recipient of the Excellence in Research Award.

Dr. Rodger Main, director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, has been named the 2024 recipient of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award. The award is given annually to an AASV member employed in academia who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and service to the swine veterinary profession.

Forty members of the Shelter Medicine Club traveled to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to provide a community veterinary clinic. The students performed physical exams on more than 60 dogs. They also updated vaccines, did nail clippings, microchipped dogs, conducted heartworm tests, and performed countless other veterinary functions.

The College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated a significant milestone in the advancement of the college’s long-standing commitment to providing state-of-the-art diagnostic services in support of Iowa’s $32.5 billion animal agriculture industry with dedication of Phase 1 and the groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Two College of Veterinary Medicine alumni cracked the case of why dairy cows were suddenly producing less milk. Their findings – high pathogen avian influenza was the case and the case received national attention.
For the third straight year, the College of Veterinary Medicine rose in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings. In 2024, Iowa State was ranked 13th overall in the world rankings and seventh among U.S. veterinary schools. The previous year, QS ranked Iowa State 16th overall and ninth among U.S. veterinary schools.

The College of Veterinary Medicine held Commencement ceremonies this afternoon in Stephens Auditorium. Dr. Adam Christman, class of 2004, was the featured speaker.

Researchers at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have developed a diagnostic test for swine to detect Japanese encephalitis virus, a mosquito-borne disease common in southeast Asia. While the disease hasn’t been detected in the U.S., it spread to Australia two years ago.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) caused an estimated $1.2 billion per year in lost production in the U.S. pork industry from 2016 to 2020, an 80% increase from a decade earlier, according to a new analysis by Dr. Derald Holtkamp, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.

The College of Veterinary Medicine announced the recipients of its College Achievement Awards.

Dr. Chad Brown, director of veterinary nursing programs and clinical associate professor of veterinary administration at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was named executive director of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with its LEED Silver Certification. The green building certification program is the globally recognized standard for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings and neighborhoods.
The AVMA Council on Education made a site visit to the College of Veterinary Medicine as part of the accreditation process of the college.

Scotcharoo became the 5000th patient in the Community Outreach Program which works with Central Iowa shelters and rescue organizations to enroll patients for preventive care and elective surgeries performed by third-year vet students.

Dr. Suzanne Millman, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and biomedical sciences, gave the keynote address on advancements in animal care standards at the fall 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Assessment Contest.