2016 PVM Residents (front row, left-right): Drs. Breann Sommer, Kelly Cummings, Marcelle Hon, Gillian Haanen; (middle row, left-right) Drs. Mara Varvil (CPB), Sarah Pemberton, Lauren Mundy, Anastasia Olsen; (back row, left-right) Drs. Caroline Aldridge, Blake Marcum, and Kyle Vititoe. Not pictured: Drs. Amanda Rigterink, Ilektra Athanasiadi, Nikki Holloway, and Ethan Biswell.
New residents from across the country and abroad have arrived at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and jumped right into their busy orientation week. A total of 12 residents will be training in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS); two in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB); and one in the Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL). PVM also has a veterinary pharmacy resident, Shannon Grady, who began her training in June. Please help all of these residents feel welcome as they begin their Purdue residency programs.
Dr. Caroline Aldridge (Small Animal Internal Medicine) earned her DVM degree in 2014 at the University of Tennessee, completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, and most recently completed a small animal internal medicine internship at Auburn University.
Dr. Ilektra Athanasiadi (Radiation Oncology) earned her DVM degree in 2006 at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki followed by a Dr. Med. Vet degree in 2014 at the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich. Dr. Athanasiadi was also a practicing clinician at the Animal Oncology and Imaging Center in Huenenbert ZG, Switzerland before coming to Purdue.
Dr. Kelly Cummings (Neurology) earned her DVM degree in 2014 at the University of Georgia followed by internships at the VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colo. and The Animal Neurology and Imaging Center in Algodones, N.M.
Dr. Gillian Haanen (Large Animal Internal Medicine) earned her DVM degree at Utrecht University in 2013 and completed an externship at Paton Martin and Cruz Veterinary Services in British Columbia, Canada before finishing an internship at Moore Equine Veterinary Center in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Haanen began her residency at Purdue in February.
Dr. Marcelle Hon (Emergency and Critical Care) earned her DVM degree in 2014 at Ross University and completed a rotating internship at the VCA Antech in Aurora, Ill., where she also previously served as an emergency/intensive care unit veterinary technician.
Dr. Blake Marcum (Oncology) earned his DVM in 2011 at the University of Tennessee. He then served as emergency and critical care doctor at the Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill. Before coming to Purdue, Dr. Marcum worked as an associate veterinarian at Capitol Illini Veterinary Services in Chatham, Ill.
Dr. Lauren Mundy (Large Animal Surgery) earned her DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 2015. She also completed an internship program in 2015 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital where she had also previously completed an externship program.
Dr. Anastasia Olsen (Small Animal Surgery) earned her DVM degree at St. George's University in 2011 and has completed internship programs at the University of Missouri followed by Colorado State University before beginning her residency program at Purdue.
Dr. Sarah Pemberton (Diagnostic Imaging) achieved membership in the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (small animal veterinary radiology chapter) in 2015 after earning her DVM degree. Dr. Pemberton has also completed externship programs at East Coast Bays Veterinary Clinic and Franklin Vets in Auckland, New Zealand.
Dr. Amanda Rigterink (Animal Behavior) completed her DVM degree in 2005 at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine followed by an internship with the Indiana Veterinary Behavior Services and an ACVB non-conforming residency in veterinary behavior in 2015. Dr. Rigterink began her residency program at Purdue in January.
Dr. Breann Sommer (Oncology) earned her DVM degree in 2015 at the University of Wisconsin and completed a companion animal medicine and surgery internship in Baton Rouge, La. prior to beginning her residency program this summer.
Dr. Kyle Vititoe (Diagnostic Imaging) earned his DVM degree in 2013 at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada followed by internship and residency programs at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Mara Varvil (Clinical Pathology – CPB) earned her DVM degree at the University of Illinois. Also a certified veterinary technician (CVT), Dr. Varvil worked as a CVT for the Animal Emergency Clinic of Champaign County as well as in the University of Illinois Diagnostic Lab molecular virology section and in the research lab of Dr. Carol Maddox.
Dr. Alexandra (Nikki) Holloway (Avian Pathology – CPB) earned her DVM degree in 2016 from Tuskegee University. Dr. Holloway will be working with Dr. Pat Wakenell in completing her poultry diagnostic medicine residency program before pursuing board certification from the American College of Poultry Veterinarians in 2019.
Dr. Ethan Biswell (Anatomic Pathology – ADDL/CPB) earned his DVM degree in 2016 from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. During his studies at Purdue, Dr. Biswell completed an externship at the University of Illinois' Zoological Pathology Program. He has also completed studies in zoos, veterinary hospitals and wildlife centers in the U.S. and abroad.