Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Coat of Excellence program celebrates MSU CVM personnel who go above and beyond for clients and their pets. Yesterday, Drs. Walters, Christiansen, White, Mochal-King, and Waldridge were recognized for their outstanding care and dedication to an anonymous donor's beloved horses. Their wholehearted compassion and expertise in every aspect of veterinary care does not go unnoticed. We are very grateful for the support and services they provide our equine companions.

Dr. Mark Lawrence, director of MSU’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, has been elected vice chair of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab Council. This leadership role reflects MSU's commitment to addressing global food security challenges and advancing resilient solutions worldwide. Congrats Dr. Lawrence! To read more please visit: https://lnkd.in/eE-PiC64

Today, we celebrated CVM Awards Day, honoring outstanding staff and faculty for their contributions. The President’s Pegasus Award went to Dr. Lanny Pace, and the Vice President’s Pegasus Award to Karen J. McCord. Dr. Bob Wills received the Dean’s Pegasus Award, while Dr. Lee Tyner was recognized with the E. Wynn Jones Award for Exceptional Service. The Pegasus Faculty Awards for Research, Service, and Teaching were presented to Dr. Hasan Tekedar, Dr. Kristie Chavez, and Dr. Alex Shealy, respectively. Dr. Lora Petrie-Hanson received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, and Dr. Keegan Jones was awarded the Couvillion Scholarship. Distinguished staff honorees included Russell Madison, Mary Beth Dail, and Chloe Laxer as well as Joey Kellum. Congratulations to all! To read more about the awardees please visit: https://lnkd.in/e8PPvW5c

Brentson Hall, one of our Large Animal ICU veterinary assistants and a graduate student in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, recently published an article on the MSU Extension site, with co-author, Dr. Clay Cavinder. His insights contribute to the ongoing discussion on best practices and innovations in animal care and management. To read the article please visit: https://lnkd.in/eXjSjkBn

The CVM hosted a Mentor and Mentee Lunch, connecting faculty mentors with DVM students. This event offers students valuable guidance and inspiration, while giving faculty the chance to support and shape the next generation of veterinarians. Last week, we also welcomed Dr. Scott Moor from West Virginia for a special event with our current West Virginia DVM students. This gathering offered students a unique opportunity to connect with Dr. Moor, explore career possibilities, and learn about the professional paths available to them in West Virginia after graduation.

Karen J. McCord was recently honored in Foundations magazine for her support of MSU. We are deeply grateful for her generosity, as well as the friendship she brings to CVM. Pictured with her horse, Rio—who, after treatment for a foot injury, went on to serve as a teaching horse—Karen plays an essential role in advancing hands-on learning for our students, helping them develop skills in equine care and handling. To read the full article please visit: https://lnkd.in/e4zBngg9

This year marks a milestone for our College of Veterinary Medicine, along with the Colleges of Architecture, Art and Design, and Forest Resources, with the highest enrollments in the past decade. Our College of Veterinary Medicine alone has reached an enrollment of 581 students, reflecting a 4.5% increase. We’re thrilled to be expanding and to have the privilege of educating more future veterinary professionals than ever before. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dAa4E2x4

Our full recap of Alumni Weekend is now live on the website! Be sure to keep your information up to date with CVM to stay in the loop on all things alumni. And let us know what you’ve been up to—we love hearing from you! https://lnkd.in/eiKXK5AX

We recently celebrated another Coat of Excellence ceremony, honoring Dr. Phil Bushby for his dedicated work in shelter medicine. This recognition, presented by Mayor Lynn Spruill, highlights Dr. Bushby’s incredible contributions, including a spay/neuter program that serves shelters throughout our state. Often called the “Father of Shelter Medicine,” Dr. Bushby has created invaluable opportunities for our students, enabling them to graduate with an average of 104 surgeries. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Bushby for his impact and to Mayor Spruill for her ongoing support.

Dr. Mirae Cade Wood, this year's Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Fellow, is a board-certified small animal surgeon based in Franklin, TN. She provides specialized relief services to veterinary hospitals across the southeastern U.S., where she performs diagnostics and complex surgeries for cases like soft tissue injuries, cancer, orthopedic injuries, and neurological issues. Raised in Kosciusko, MS, Dr. Wood initially considered human medicine but chose veterinary medicine, driven by her love for animals and fascination with anatomy. Her accolades include the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association Companion Animal Award and teaching awards from the University of Missouri. Alongside her clinical work, she mentors interns and residents and participates actively in veterinary societies.