Veterinary Medicine | Spring 2023

(bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) - Good afternoon, everyone, welcome to our convocation celebration.

Please now stand for the National Anthem presented to us by the Lansing Concert Band directed by Samuel Mcllhagga, conductor.

(loud drum beats) ("The Star-Spangled Banner") (audience applauding) Please be seated.

My name is Douglas Freeman, I'm the Interim Dean of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and we're gonna begin our program today with the MSU Land Acknowledgement.

We collectively acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary Lands of the Anishinabe - Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Peoples.

In particular, the University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

We recognize, support and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan's 12 federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their homelands.

By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of American Indians and Indigenous peoples.

Well, hello everyone.

On behalf of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the faculty, staff and alumni, I am delighted to extend a warm congratulations to all our graduates, their families and friends.

Welcome to the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

I'm very excited to share this tremendous occasion with all of you, and for the purpose of our ceremony, I'd like to remind you all to please turn your cell phones off or put them on silent mode.

At this time, it's my pleasure to introduce the members of our platform party.

Please hold your recognition until we've introduced everybody, Dr. Steve Carey, Professor, Small Animal Clinical Sciences.

He was selected by the class of 2023 for hooding.

Dr. Barry Olivier, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, also selected by the class of 2023 for the Hooding Ceremony.

Dr. Vic DiRita, Chair, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Dr. Kimberly Dodd, Director of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Dalen Agnew, Chair, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Dr. Robert Fowkes-Gajan, Chair, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Dr. Annette O'Connor, Chair of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Dr. Srinand Sreevatsan, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Ms. Taylor Epp, Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, Dr. Michael Blackwell, CVM Honorary Alumni Award recipient, and our commencement speaker, Dr. Larry Letsche, President, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Hilda Mejia Abreu, Associate Dean for Admissions, Student Life and Inclusivity.

Dr. Bo Norby, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, and Dr. Julie Strachota, Director of Clinical Education.

And I would like to invite our faculty members in attendance on the platform and in the audience to please stand.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) Thanks, everyone.

So classes of 2023, welcome to our commencement celebration.

It's a big day, marks the completion of this stage of your professional careers and the beginning of the next exciting step in your journey.

You've worked extraordinarily hard to accomplish this goal.

You've earned your doctorate in veterinary medicine degree or your veterinary nursing degree, and along the way, you've also built lifelong community of friends, family and colleagues.

Great accomplishments almost always involve partners and a supportive team.

So let's recognize and thank everyone that supported our graduates throughout their time in school.

Will the parents, siblings, spouses, partners and others, grandparents, great grandparents, family members, friends and any other supporters, please stand and be recognized.

(audience applauding) (Dr. Freeman clapping) It doesn't look like I left anybody out, if I did, I apologize.

Your degrees, graduates are also the product of a successful partnership between you and this amazing college.

So I'd like to ask again, the faculty and staff who contributed to your success, please stand and be recognized.

(audience applauding) (Dr. Freeman clapping) Your journey through your veterinary education has carried more unusual challenges than many previous classes, you began your first classes on site, but then moved to an online environment in March of 2020 during the pandemic.

You needed to adjust to a different learning modality, as we worked to ensure the quality and breadth of our education was still comprehensive, and yet here you all are now at graduation.

You adapted and continued to move towards your goal and you were all successful in that endeavor.

Change is never easy, our profession is in fact a very resilient profession.

Consider how we evolved over the years from caring for the horses who pulled farm equipment, to production and population medicine, to companion animals as they move from the kennel to the house and eventually to the bedroom, we work to preserve species at zoos and wildlife parks.

We're active in public health and we impact human wellness in multiple ways.

So change brings both challenges and opportunities.

I can assure you that the broad-based education and training you've received here has prepared you to move forward in the veterinary profession in all of its possibilities.

You're ready to launch the next phase of your careers, the profession has so many opportunities and your path may take you in multiple directions throughout your careers in veterinary medicine and each one is just another step in a long journey.

As you travel through the profession, remember the important role of partnership, teamwork, and mentorship.

So when you think about the relationships that you have built here with your classmates, faculty, staff here at the college, you recognize how vital partnership and teamwork is to your professional work and growth, whether that's in the clinic, laboratory, classroom, or other setting.

In the past, practitioners have asked me, "Now you are teaching graduates to work as part of a team, right?

And they know how valuable each member of their veterinary team is and the importance of working together as an effective team."

Our combined graduation here acknowledges that team.

You are going to partner with your clients as well, and the veterinarian-client-patient relationship is cornerstone of practice.

Your growth and success will also be strengthened through productive relationships with mentors.

You'll likely have many mentors throughout your career and you will have opportunities to be a mentor yourself.

That relationship is an important partnership as well.

Mentors, they may be senior members of the profession, trusted peers, and even people outside the profession, who can help you grow your skills and direct lifelong learning.

The partnerships that you formed with the faculty, staff and your fellow students and the personal support those partnerships provided are really priceless.

Our successful partnership led to this graduation today, we want to continue that partnership with you, so please stay in touch with the college, connect with us at meetings, professional associations and through continuing education.

Stop by and share your journey, participate in the college's growth.

Help us continue to meet your professional needs as we all navigate the future together.

So in closing, I wanna acknowledge how much you've achieved as professionals throughout your time here at the college.

You've demonstrated success through persistence and resilience.

Today we celebrate that success and look forward to your professional journey.

The possibilities are challenging and exciting.

Thank you, congratulations, classes of 2023.

(audience applauding) (Dr. Freeman clapping) So those of you in attendance may like to know a little, a few highlights from our DVM class.

So this group was admitted from a pool of 2,122 applicants.

The DVM class of 2023 consists of 81% women and 19% men.

(audience applauding) In their pre-vet program, 67% were science majors and 33% were non-science majors.

They represent 16 different states.

The class of 2023 speaks 12 different languages, I'd like to list them.

A visual language, which is the American Sign Language, Bengali, English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Canada, Korean, Polish, Telugu and Thai.

It's an accomplished and interesting group, indeed.

Congratulations to the class of 2023 on a job well done.

(audience applauding) It's now my distinct pleasure to introduce our commencement speaker.

We are delighted that Dr. Michael Blackwell accepted our invitation to join us for commencement this year.

Before his remarks, let me read a brief introduction.

Dr. Blackwell exemplifies a career in public service.

Like his father, he earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University.

He also earned a Master of Public Health degree from Loma Linda University.

Dr. Blackwell currently serves as the director of the program for Pet Health Equity in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee.

His mission is to improve access to veterinary care, especially for families with limited means.

He also chairs the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition.

Previously, Dr. Blackwell served as Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States, as Deputy Director of the Center of Veterinary Medicine in the Food and Drug Administration, and Chief Veterinary Officer for the US Public Health Service and the Humane Society of the United States.

He achieved the rank of Assistant Surgeon General of the US Public Health Service Commission Corps, doing 23 years on active duty.

In addition, he's owned two private practices.

Dr. Blackwell's received numerous awards and recognitions, most notably the Distinguished Service Medal, which is the highest personal honor award of the US Public Health Service.

He has twice been awarded the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal.

He currently serves as a member of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors.

At this time, please join me in welcoming Dr. Blackwell.

(audience clapping) - This room is bursting with rifle pride from the parents, other family members, friends, associates, from our faculty who've worked so hard for this class.

I wanna welcome you to the future.

Dean Freeman, distinguished platform guests, I am honored to be here today to welcome our colleagues into their roles in serving our society.

Today marks a significant milestone.

You are about to embark on a journey as healthcare professionals, as teachers, as researchers, as regulatory officials and beyond.

Our nation needs you, our nation needs you to do all the roles that you will step into.

You're gonna take an oath today, and in that first line, is the phrase for the benefit of society, those words.

That what you're pledging to do, what you've studied so hard to do, was to go out and benefit society.

So before we go into a few more details, I'm gonna ask if we will all just say another congratulations to our class of 2023.

(audience applauding) Let me share a story that illustrates the gravity of our responsibility.

A few years ago, a veteran returned from the war and he was living with PTSD and other health issues.

And this veteran was supported every day by a special companion, his dog.

Well, unfortunately, the dog became ill, it's a treatable problem, but it resulted in euthanasia because the veteran couldn't pay for the care.

I ask you, what are we doing?

What are we not doing that we cannot ensure access to veterinary care and especially, for those who have served our nation, served our society?

Who are these people anyway?

Well, they're public servants, they're school teachers who we all depended on to get to where we are today.

There are fellow citizens that work in retail positions, in the food industry, in construction, service roles that ensure our wellbeing, and yet, I'm sad to say more than one out of four of our families struggle to access veterinary care.

You would think there was an evil plan, but there wasn't.

This problem is really our failure, our society, not just veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, but our society's failure to ensure that all have access to healthcare.

And let's be reminded, the welfare of one, can mean the welfare of all.

Let's talk about our society just a little bit and society is big and it's complex, but so we're gonna focus in on three main characteristics of society.

This is the society you guys are gonna have to serve.

So the three I wanna focus on is first diversity.

The United States is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, having a Racial and Ethnic Diversity Index of 61%.

Now, what in the world is a Racial/Ethnic Diversity Index?

It's a figure that the US Census Bureau reports representing how likely it is for you to encounter people of different racial or ethnic groups.

So in other words, if I were to randomly select two people from this audience, six out of 10 times, I'm going to select two people who are from different racial or ethnic groups.

That's the society you're going out to serve, and we are becoming more diverse every day.

So when we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, and again, another big topic, as healthcare professionals, we should be mindful that increasingly the individual you're serving or the individual working beside you, is someone from a different race or ethnicity and there are many other forms of diversity that defines us as humans.

There's a second form of the three diversities I want to focus upon, and that is, seven out of 10 households in the United States have pets.

Now, less than four out of 10 have children.

And so when we think... Well, yeah, it's funny, isn't it?

I don't know, as humans, we're different.

No, our families are bio-diverse.

And the challenge we have is that the programs that we operate within, the systems we are working in every day, are mostly 20th century constructs, 20th century ideas.

They were great ideas then, but for a society where the word family meant only humans.

Now, if that doesn't speak volumes to you as veterinary professionals, I don't know what will because what that translates into is that if you are in any way serving a family by taking care of their non-human member, the pet, you literally are in the business of family healthcare, not veterinary medicine, not certainly dog doctors or cat doctors and nurses, but family healthcare professionals.

That's an important paradigm for you to take forward in your work.

The third form of diversity that I wanna touch upon... Oh, by the way, may I make one statement about those 20th century policies and ideas, they extend to housing and transportation and other necessary services in our society.

So this is a societal shift that needs to happen in many respects.

If you want to understand one health, that's it.

Start with the family unit, what makes up our communities and therefore our nation, the core unit of our society and its humans and non-humans in a shared environment.

And that shared environment may be upper or strong middle class, or it may be actually low income.

That's the family unit.

The third form of diversity that I want to touch upon is the diversity within our ranks.

There are multiple disciplines and specialties required to fulfill the needs of society.

We are all important.

The general practitioner veterinary care team or general practice veterinary care teams, the shelter veterinary care teams, are just as important as the specialists with advanced medical knowledge.

Our government colleagues, those in public health and research and in education, are all essential for our society to be well.

It is our diversity, in fact, it makes us indispensable.

We have a lot of work to do, however, because take for example, a lack of racial diversity in our industry, that is important to address, remember where our society is today.

The second characteristic of our society that I wanna touch on of the three, is individualism, which characterizes our society by being centered around rights and freedoms that we all hold dear.

The right to healthcare is an essential aspect of individualism as it threatens as our freedom, I'm sorry, as we pursue our freedoms, our goals should be in order to make sure that we all have access to these needed services.

So healthcare professionals, you are, you have a role, a crucial role in protecting these rights, these freedoms, ensuring the wellbeing of your patients, their families and society.

Lastly, capitalism.

Our society is based upon capitalism.

It's a system of free markets competition, private ownership.

Capitalism drives individual achievement and interest and success.

It also, however, creates disparities in income and access to healthcare.

Healthcare professionals, you are, must address these disparities and achieve equity within our systems of healthcare delivery.

As you embark on your journey, it is essential to acknowledge the responsibility you bear.

You're not only providers of individual patient care, you are the collective here, but also guardians of our society's wellbeing.

Your roles transcend the boundaries of traditional healthcare and you have the power to address malalignments, misalignments in our systems and advocate for more inclusive and equitable healthcare for all.

In conclusion, dear graduates, you are the future of healthcare.

As you take this noble profession on, remember that the spectrum of care extends from the individual patient to the broader society.

You have the power to positively impact countless individuals' lives and contribute to our society's welfare.

Let us be intentional about regaining public trust as healthcare professionals, working together to create a future where healthcare is genuinely accessible to all bio-diverse families.

Be the change makers, the advocates, and the compassionate caregivers.

Your dedication, your passion, undoubtedly will contribute to a healthier, more equitable and more inclusive society.

Congratulations to the graduating healthcare professionals of 2023, may your future be filled with success and may you go forth and make a difference in this world.

God bless.

(audience clapping) - I just gotta make sure I don't skip to the back here.

Dr. Blackwell, thank you so much for those inspiring words.

(paper rustling) At this time, I would like to introduce Ms. Taylor Epp, who is the Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program.

Taylor is a graduate of the Michigan State University's Nursing Program.

She also holds a master's degree in educational technology from Michigan State, Taylor began her career in surgical oncology and found her way back to the Veterinary Nursing Program in 2011 as an instructor.

Taylor has been the director of the Veterinary Nursing Program since 2017.

Please welcome Ms. Taylor Epp.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon, I'm Taylor Epp... Oh boy.

- (murmurs) get it on.

- Thank you.

Good afternoon, I'm Taylor Epp, I'm the Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program, I am extremely happy to be here with you today to celebrate our graduates and their incredible accomplishments.

I would like to take a minute to give a brief explanation of the Veterinary Nursing awards that will be conferred here today.

The Bachelor of Science and the Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Nursing, are awards made to students who complete a curriculum approved by Michigan State University and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

At Michigan State University, this educational experience includes a strong basis in the physiological sciences and technical skills.

Our students' learning is focused on the development of problem-solving skills, and the integration and application of this knowledge to the healthcare of their animal patients.

The Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Nursing requires the completion of 71 credits in pre-clinical coursework and 600 hours of clinical experience in the Veterinary Medical Center.

The Certificate of Completion Curriculum serves as the core curriculum for the Veterinary Nursing Program.

This afternoon, four candidates will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing, requires the completion of 120 semester credits.

In addition to the core program curriculum, the Bachelor of Science degree includes the general education requirements of the university and elective course credits.

Bachelor of Science candidates may choose a clinical track or a combined clinical and elective track.

In addition to their didactic classroom and laboratory work, the clinical track candidates have completed 30 credits or 1,200 hours of clinical work.

In the Bachelor of Science combined clinical and elective track, the candidates complete 15 credits or 600 hours of clinical experience, as well as additional elective didactic courses, which represent a second emphasis of study.

This emphasis of study is complimentary to the veterinary nursing education and may include business finance and accounting, agribusiness, zoology, animal science, biology, and fisheries and wildlife.

This afternoon, 25 candidates will graduate with a bachelor's degree.

To the family and friends in attendance, I would like to thank you for all the support you have given your loved ones.

They have put an incredible amount of themselves into this educational experience, and have been flexible and have shown their versatility and perseverance in their time with us.

Your support to them has been vital to their success.

To the program faculty and the clinical veterinary nurses and veterinarians, I would like to thank you all for the critical role you play in the student's educational process and I express our gratitude for your passion and dedication to our students.

And to the graduates, as you move forward on your journey from here, I ask that you take with you the mission that you have tried... that we have tried to instill into each one of you to learn, discover, heal and protect, never stop learning, try new things and discover your passion in veterinary medicine.

Strive every day to heal and protect our animal patients and their human family members.

We are so very proud of the professionals that you have all become.

Your hard work and dedication, your passion, your talents and your tenacity in the educational process, all what have permitted us to arrive here at this celebration today.

Now, I ask that you take that determination and personal strength and couple it with your knowledge and our belief and confidence in you, and make an impact in veterinary medicine, take our profession to the next level.

And so on behalf of your future patients and their owners, the college would like to thank you for choosing this profession as your life's mission.

Congratulations graduates, you've made it.

(audience clapping) At this time, I would like to introduce you to each of the veterinary nursing candidates for individual recognition.

(audience applauding) - First up.

Go ahead.

Kaylee Barker Cook.

(audience applauding) Colette Walraven.

(audience applauding) Erin Anderson.

(audience applauding) Taylor Bailey.

(audience applauding) Deanna Blair.

(audience applauding) Rebecca Bridge.

(audience applauding) Olivia Doolittle.

(audience applauding) Isla Eubanks.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] You know I love you.

(audience laughing) - [Ms. Taylor] Rebecca Gradsky.

(audience applauding) Tanya Hemmingson.

(audience applauding) Selena Hernandez Lopez.

(audience clapping) Madeline Hahnemann.

(audience applauding) Anna Hanyor.

(audience applauding) Erin Kietzmann.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] We love you, Erin.

- [Ms. Taylor] Ashley Kissin.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Yeah, that's right.

- [Audience Member] Go, ma'am.

- [Ms. Taylor] Katie Koshez.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go get it.

- [Ms. Taylor] Sharon Kovacs.

(audience clapping) Carly Kozlowski.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Let's go, Carly.

- [Ms. Taylor] Lexi Martin.

(audience applauding) Brianna McBride.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go Bri.

- [Audience Member] Yeah, go Brianna.

- [Ms. Taylor] Nicole Olden.

(audience applauding) Sage Porter.

(audience applauding) Patricia Gacnor.

(audience applauding) Alyssa Roberts.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) Elizabeth Shererman.

(audience applauding) Caitlin Slusarski.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Caitlin.

- [Ms. Taylor] Courtney Stewart.

(audience applauding) And Anna Zuver.

(audience applauding) - It's my pleasure to introduce you to Dr. Bo Norby and Julie Strachota.

Doctors Norby and Strachota worked with our graduates since they started the program, and they are here to assist in presenting our members of the class to you the audience, as we celebrate this occasion.

Graduates will be presented with their diplomas as they walk across the stage.

(paper rustling) I'd also like to announce our hooders, assisting with the hooding today as selected by the class, Dr. Steven Carey from the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, and Dr. Barry Olivier, also from the Department of SACS.

(audience applauding) - (murmurs) walk behind you.

(audience chattering) Do it.

Can we start now?

- Patrick Dine, being hooded by Dr. Andrew Dine.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) (audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Haley Abbott.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] You go, Haley.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Alexa Acevedo, hooded by Dr. Kirk Munoz.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Laura Adams, being hooded by Dr. Kirk Munoz.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Ashley Alberts.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Shrimona Bonda Patai.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Megan Berry.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Wyneya Bergmann.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Baylor Bessemer, she's being hooded by Dr. Keith Nelson and Dr. Gary Higgins.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Girl.

(audience giggling) (audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Jason Blevins.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] That's my girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Kiara Bowie.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Gabrielle Voischer.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Sienna Bowman.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Anna Buscrash.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Anna.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Jake Bradley.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Sean Brady.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Macy Broer.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Glory Brownstein.

(audience applauding) - Congratulations.

(both murmuring indistinctly) - [Dr. Norby] Carla Campwesecko.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Jessica Karong.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Karong.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Josika Chandei, she's being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Hi, girl.

- [Audience Member] Go girl.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] David Chase.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] It's not par.

(audience laughing) - [Dr. Norby] Alison Shenaki.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Kelly Clancy, being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] That's my baby.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Anna Collinson.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Get it, Anna.

(chuckling happily) - [Dr. Strachota] Amanda Comfort.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Aaron Duget.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Emmanuel DeJesus.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Brianna DiMilang.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Bri.

- [Audience Member] It's not par.

(laughing heartily) - [Audience Member] That's my girl.

- [Dr. Strachota] Melissa Devin.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] You go, girl.

- [Audience Member] Go girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Megan Duck.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Kelsey Dugan.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Maki Dupee.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Manita Juba.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Rebecca Enerson.

(audience applauding) - Oops.

- [Dr. Strachota] Nicole Fischoff.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go girl.

- [Audience Member] It's not the par.

- [Audience Member] Go, girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Emily Flaherty, she's being hooded by Dr. James Lanz.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) (laughing heartily) - [Dr. Strachota] Danielle Forton, being hooded by Dr. William Forton.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Chloe Fry.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Kylie Galer.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) - [Dr. Norby] Olondra Gaiyego.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Jessica Gamble.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Brianna Gingrich.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Kimberly Guzmann.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go girl.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Hannah Hipkiss.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) - [Audience Member] Kinda girl.

(chuckling happily) - [Dr. Strachota] Jane Hall.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Sarah Hoffman.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Natalie Huntoon, being hooded by Dr. Christine Kasasech.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Natalie.

- [Dr. Norby] Lina Hureyby.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Lina, go girl.

- [Dr. Strachota] Jessica Hines.

(audience applauding) (audience chattering) - [Dr. Norby] Elizabeth Jackson.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Mary Johnson.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Megan Jones.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Megan, girl.

- [Audience Member] Yeah, Megan.

- [Audience Member] Go Megan.

- [Audience Member] Go Megan.

- [Audience Member] Yeah, Megan... - [Dr. Strachota] Jacqueline Kildow.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Susan Kim.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Susan.

- [Dr. Strachota] Aimee Labrie.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Antonia Langfield.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Shannon Lee.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Megan Luis, and she's being hooded by Dr. William McLay.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Megan.

- [Audience Member] Love you.

(shouting loudly) - [Dr. Strachota] McKenna Lucca.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Okay, girl.

- [Audience Member] It's not the par.

(laughing heartily) - [Dr. Norby] Jay Luoma, he's being hooded by Dr. Jim Luoma.

(audience applauding) (audience laughing) - [Dr. Strachota] Emily Lynch, being hooded by Dr. James Lynch.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] You go, girl.

(audience clapping) - [Dr. Norby] Zachary McDonald.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Zack.

(shouting loudly) (audience laughing) - [Dr. Strachota] Alana Mije.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Alana.

- [Audience Member] That's my girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Britney Mercer, she's being hooded by Alexandra Brown and Dr. Lindsay Roland.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] It's not the par, (murmurs).

- [Audience Member] Go girl.

- [Dr. Strachota] Ashley Miller.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Taylor Miller.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] (murmurs) you twins.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Jenna Mitchell.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Yes, that's my girl.

(audience laughing) - [Dr. Norby] Jose Mix.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Raven Moore.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Brendan Knocker.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Brendan.

(audience chattering) - [Dr. Strachota] Ethan Neiman.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Ethan.

(audience chattering) - [Dr. Norby] Orlando Ochoa, he's being hooded by Dr. John Silva and Dr. Andrew Dine.

(audience applauding) (laughing heartily) - [Audience Member] Go, Orlando.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Monica Affinder, being hooded by Dr. Bonnie VanderWal.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) (audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Yay, Monica.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Elise Irene Genevie Ortega Reka.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Irene.

- [Dr. Strachota] Caitlin Osborne.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] You go, pretty.

(audience clapping) - [Dr. Norby] Tiffany Oosterbaan.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Sebastian Palomino.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Tatiana Penagos Kadilee.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Love you, Tati.

- [Dr. Strachota] Hailey Penticoff.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] That's my baby.

(laughing loudly) - [Audience Member] Yeah, Penticoff, that is.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Petes Funnensteel.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] William Pocho.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Joseph Preston.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Maria Puis, being hooded by Dr. Kevin Russ.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Maria.

(audience clapping) - [Dr. Norby] Arin Quinn.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Arin girl.

- [Dr. Strachota] Nicole Raphael.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Jessica Rizer.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Yeah, that's my girl.

(audience clapping) - [Dr. Strachota] Karina Sayad.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] I love you, Karina.

(audience clapping) - [Audience Member] Karina, I love you.

- [Dr. Norby] Jared Sanderson, he's being hooded by Dr. Elizabeth Venema.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) - [Dr. Strachota] Dominica Sandoval.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Caitlin Shiady, she's being hooded by Dr. Frank Nichols.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) - [Dr. Strachota] Emily Shermanns.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Melissa Kustethro.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Shaweni Shashegara, being hooded by Dr. Ioana Sonea.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Morgan Shields.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] That's my girl.

- [Audience Member] I love you, girl.

- [Audience Member] Caitlin loves you more.

- [Dr. Strachota] Rachel Shoke.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Rachel Smendy, she's being hooded by Dr. Shannon Smendy.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Great, not par.

(laughing heartily) - [Dr. Strachota] Eric Stilker.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Cody Stangwich.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Cody.

- [Audience Member] Yeah, Cody.

- [Dr. Strachota] Olivia Stubens Belsen.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Caleb Sutton.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Megan Sweet.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] That's Ms. Sweet.

- [Audience Member] That's my girl.

- [Dr. Norby] Sarah Thomas, and she's being hooded by Dr. David Thomas.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Nicole Thompson.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] (murmurs), Nicole.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Norby] Olivia Maini.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Emily Whitewin.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Go, Em.

- [Dr. Norby] Alexis Wilson.

(audience applauding) - [Dr. Strachota] Zachary Woolaschek.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] Proud of you, Dr. Zack.

- [Dr. Norby] Lindsay Wotz.

(audience applauding) - [Audience Member] We love you.

- [Audience Member] I love you, Nic.

- [Dr. Strachota] Jennifer Wotz.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) - At this point I'd like to ask the graduates to stand, please.

Members of the classes of 2023, on behalf of Interim President Woodruff, who has delegated to her the authority of the State of Michigan vested in the Board of Trustees, I confer upon all of you the baccalaureate degree, Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Nursing, and the Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for which you have been recommended with all of the rights, distinctions and responsibilities pertaining thereto.

This act represents a conclusion of great achievement and marks the beginning of a lifetime of dedicated service to your fellow humans and the animal kingdom.

It's an achievement worthy of celebration, and we are here this afternoon to celebrate your completion of the academic program in the College of Veterinary Medicine in Michigan State University, congratulations.

(audience applauding) You can take your seats, please.

- Sorry.

(high-pitched ringing) It's customary for a couple of candidates to represent their classmates and share their thoughts of their educational experience with families, friends and faculty in attendance.

Kaylee has several years of experience in shelter medicine and rescue work, and continued to pursue that in her clinical rotations by completing an externship with the Mazunte Project, while working for Rosie's Pet Rescue pro bono.

She has accepted a veterinary nursing behavior position at a facility in Grand Rapids with plans to pursue her veterinary technician specialty and behavior.

She is also currently waiting on her acceptance as an accredited dog trainer through the International Association of Behavior Consultants.

At home she has a cat, a dog, a fiance and endless foster animals.

(audience chuckling) Please welcome Kaylee.

(audience applauding) - I actually just found out last night that I received my accreditation for dog training through the International Council.

(audience applauding) So first of all, I would just like to thank you all for being here to support the veterinary professionals that are graduating today.

I also want to take time to give a special thanks to Taylor Epp, Dr. Julie Strachota and Dr. Birgit Puschner for advocating so passionately for both the doctors and veterinary nursing students alike.

I cannot express how grateful I am for all of you taking the time to advocate for and believe in us as students.

To my now veterinary nursing colleagues, Holy Hereford, (chuckling happily) what a whirlwind the last few years have been.

We somehow persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic, haring events on campus and our own personal losses.

We pushed through anatomy completely online, freezing rain at the dairy barns and the joys and disappointments that working the clinic floor has brought us.

These experiences forged an undying resilience and persistence to succeed, that will make us phenomenal veterinary nurses.

And now we continue to forge ahead as we prepare to take the VTNE and to become licensed veterinary nurses and an integral part of the veterinary medical team.

And to all of us as veterinary professionals, it is now our responsibility to better this field.

We will go forward advocating for each other, we will advocate for ourselves and our physical and mental wellbeing, we will provide extraordinary compassion and medicine to the patients in our care, and we will proceed to grow as we take our oaths of continuous education and sensitivity.

Our work is not done.

We must continue to have faith in this field and the work that we are doing.

We must be the change that we desperately need to see in veterinary medicine.

Wherever we end up in the world, we have a responsibility to ourselves, each other, our field, and most importantly, the patients that are the reason we are all standing here today.

So to the class of 2023, go green.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Kaylee.

(audience chuckling) At this time I would like to invite Colette Walraven to deliver commencement remarks to her fellow veterinary nursing graduates.

Colette is a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing student, who will be completing her clinical rotations over the summer.

After graduation she plans to pursue wildlife conservation and rehabilitation medicine with her degree.

She is from Davidson, Michigan, she is part of the MSU Concert Orchestra and has two cats at home, Lightning and Cavu.

Please welcome Colette Walraven.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon, it is a privilege to speak to you all tonight.

I wanna express how grateful I am for the family, friends, mentors and colleagues that have come to celebrate this special achievement with us.

I would like to begin by congratulating my fellow veterinary nursing graduates.

Now, I don't wanna sound cliche, but a lot of literal blood, sweat and tears have gone into our education.

This program has been hard.

We hit the ground running our first semester and we never slowed down.

We went from learning physiology and anatomy, to anesthetizing patients in just a year.

That is not an easy feat.

The future nurses in this room are an extraordinary group of individuals.

They're some of the smartest, kindest, hardworking and most compassionate people that I've had the pleasure of knowing.

It takes a special kind of person to do this job, it takes more than just the love of animals.

It takes strength, determination and dedication.

I would like to share with you something my mom has told me in times of need for as long as I can remember, "It doesn't matter if you fail.

What matters most is that you tried your best, and I will always be proud of you, no matter what."

Throughout my life, I have struggled with severe anxiety.

I let a lot of opportunities pass me by, simply because I was afraid to fail.

It took a long time for me to realize I needed to step outta my comfort zone if I wanted to experience everything life has to offer.

This didn't happen overnight and it took a lot of work.

The one factor that helped me succeed was the support from not only my loved ones, but the community that surrounded me.

When I came into the Vet Nursing Program, I discovered what a wonderful tight-knit community really is.

I found instructors that never ever give up on their students and want nothing but the best for us.

I met nurses and veterinarians on the clinic floor that will answer every question I have, no matter how silly I think it is, and I found friends that have always been there for me through all the good and bad days and never judged when I accidentally called horses ruminants.

(audience laughing) The point of that anecdote is to emphasize the importance of community in fostering positive relationships within the veterinary field.

This is especially important now more than ever.

This field can be extremely taxing on our physical, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing.

Having a strong and supportive community not only helps us survive, but helps us thrive.

This kind of community begins with everyone in this room.

Wherever you go, bring kindness with you.

Cheer on your colleagues' victories, big and small.

Be the one to tell someone that you're proud of them because that may be what they need to keep going.

Above all else, remember that you are not alone in this work.

Your colleagues, mentors and fellow graduates, are all part of the community that supports you.

Lean on each other and continue to learn from one another.

Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

Congratulations once again on this wonderful achievement.

Your hard work is paying off, and I look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish in your careers as veterinary nurses.

Go green.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Colette.

- Now I have the honor of introducing the Class President of the DVM Class of 2023, Dr. Patrick Dine.

(audience applauding) (shouting loudly) Dr. Dine is a member of the DVM Class of 2023 and has served as a class president for the last three years.

He is proud to be a second-generation MSU student and veterinary student.

Following graduation, he plans to join his father at his small animal clinic in Detroit, Michigan.

During his time at MSU CVM, he has participated in various opportunities, including supporting his fellow classmates during COVID-19 by checking in on them during illness, by making sure they have necessary funds to cover healthcare, and as a contributor during this college's Student Advisory Council, in the College Advisory Council.

He is very grateful to be following his dream alongside an awesome cohort and excited to watch his classmates blossom in their near-future careers.

- [Audience Member] Go (murmurs).

(audience applauding) (Dr. Dine growling) (all laughing loudly) - Good afternoon, everyone.

Welcome and thank you all for coming, family and friends, everybody who've supported us and welcome, Class of 2023.

Well, to my fellow veterinarians and veterinary nurses, I'm honored to be able to speak in front of all you today, and as I'm sure most of you know, my name is Patrick Dine and I officially wanna say that this is the last time I'll be representing this extraordinary group of individuals.

I know each and every one of you will have a significant impact on the field of veterinary medicine moving forward.

I would also like to take the time to thank our faculty for attending this ceremony and for all your time teaching and mentoring us through our time in the hospital.

I'm sure some of you're here wondering where my dismissals are and well, I'll email you my exam fee.

(all laughing loudly) Clinics are finally over, and whether we are moving into internships, residencies or private practice, or wherever we end up, we are going into environment that is both lucrative and challenging for veterinarians.

From here on out, we'll be leaders in our field.

We'll be making decisions that impact not only our patients, but their families and our clients that bring them in.

Although this is daunting, I have complete faith in each and every one of you.

Graduation may seem like an endpoint, but in reality, our lives as veterinarians are just starting.

I'm not gonna stand here today and remind us of all the hardships we have overcome to get to this point, graduation is a day of looking forward.

We are all here for a reason.

I hope in the next five, 10, the rest of our lives are spent understanding and growing into our roles as leaders, teachers, confidants and role models.

Each member is an important part of veterinary medicine, and each of us has taken a different path to get to this point.

These differences make the class of 2023 a force and a welcome change in the veterinary field.

I've appreciated getting to know each and every one of you during our rotations in the hospital, and I know for a fact, that I would trust each and every one of you with the care of my pet.

Our class found a way to keep veterinary medicine fun even in trying times.

I don't really think that can be understated.

My hope moving forward for this class is that we will be a positive change for this field to become a field that nurtures talent and hard work and takes a stand against toxicity in the workplace, we'll be a generation of professionals that changes this field for the better because each and every one of us understand our worth in the field and our dedication to practicing veterinary medicine at the highest standard possible wherever we end up.

We are the class of resiliency, of hard work and a passion for the field.

Looking at each of you in the crowd, eager for new horizons, nervous about the future, but excited to impact veterinary medicine, I'm very thankful that I was able to lead the class of 2023, which is a special class.

And although we might not agree on everything, anything, (all chuckling happily) I'm excited to see where this field takes us.

We are classed as producing students for all aspects of veterinary medicine.

Looking out to all of you, I see veterinarians about to undergo the requirements to be specialists in their desired field, whether it be exotics, small animal, or even like me, large animal, big, large animal guy.

(laughing heartily) The last four years were not always the most fun, but we made it here and we are now ready to start living the dream we have been imagining for the last four years, but in reality, our whole lives.

Thank you to each and every one of you for making this such a memorable experience.

I am now officially no longer the class president of the class of 2023, but thank you all for the honor of representing you these years.

I will always be one phone call away and appreciative of the support you all have given me.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding) (murmuring indistinctively) (all chuckling) - Now to welcome you all to the profession, we will proceed to administer your oaths.

Will the veterinary nursing students please stand?

It's in the back of your program.

Please read aloud with me.

Ready?

I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering and by promoting public health.

I accept my obligations to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adhering to the profession's code of ethics, and furthering my knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning.

- I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

- Great job.

(audience applauding) - We'll now proceed to administer the veterinarians oath to the DVM class of 2023, and I'd like to invite Dr. Blackwell to join us, please.

I think you all know the oath is in the back of your program as well.

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation, the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

Thank you, all, please be seated.

(audience applauding) Thank you, Michael.

(audience applauding) (whistling loudly) It's now my pleasure to introduce Dr. Larry Letsche, and I'd like to express my gratitude to Dr. Letsche for his service as Michigan Veterinary Medical Association President and for attending commencement today to welcome you to the profession.

Dr. Letsche graduated from the Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984.

Please welcome Dr. Letsche, thank you.

(audience applauding) - Hello, I would like to thank the entire Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine for allowing me to be here today.

As the 2023 President of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, on behalf of all of our members, I would like to welcome you today to the profession.

39 years ago, almost to this day, I walked across this stage and I received my diploma just like all of you did today.

I still remember that honor and I have great pride in being able to do that.

I was extremely pleased to see the looks on all of your faces and the smiles and all the goodwill of all of your family and members when they shouted out your names and who you are and what you are.

You should be proud of all of your family and you should be proud of yourselves for this extraordinary moment.

I hope you cherish this moment and you carry it with you for the rest of your life.

To all the veterinary graduates, once again I would like to welcome you to the profession and to wish you the best in all of your future endeavors.

All of you have had a unique and very challenging four years.

With the COVID crisis and the recent tragedy here on campus, you have been tested more than any other veterinary students that I have come in contact with.

Your strength, your fortitude, and your resilience, will serve you well.

Veterinary medicine will bring you times of joy, times of sadness, times of stress and happiness.

Please embrace it with all of your being and enjoy it to its fullest.

Lastly, I would like to be one of the first to call you doctor.

(audience applauding) You have all earned that recognition today.

Sorry about that, I'm not really a public speaker.

I'm just a small animal practitioner, so... (all laughing heartily) To all the veterinary nursing graduates, I would also like to welcome you to the profession.

Nurses hold a very unique place in our profession.

You are the caregivers, you are the nurturers and the backbone of our profession.

(audience applauding) Nurses do not receive the recognition that they deserve.

I for one, would like to tell you, your importance is not only necessary, but vital for successful outcomes for all of our veterinary patients.

Please hold your head high and enjoy your futures.

In closing today, I would like to extend to all of you a few pearls of wisdom that I received from my very first veterinary mentor, Dr. Kenneth Makhasy, a former president of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

He told me that you could be the smartest and the best veterinarian in the world, but you will have failed if you do not give back to society.

So I would like to have all of you please try to give back to your community, your family, the university, and organized veterinary medicine.

It will completely... it will complete you as a veterinary profession.

Once again, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation today and remember to be Spartan Strong.

(audience applauding) - [Panel Member] That was good... - [Dr. Letsche] Thank you... - Thank you, Dr. Letsche.

And I would like to comment that we hold practitioners in great respect, as you work on the frontline of serving people and animals.

Well, I have a few thank yous to share, it's always a nice part of the job, I'd like to thank our captioner, Ms. Andrea Cliver, for her role today, thank you to the MSU CVM, (audience clapping) yep, okay.

Thank you to the MSU CVM Office of Admissions, Student Life and Inclusivity, and also thank you to the Wharton Center of Performing Arts personnel for planning and conducting this happy occasion.

(audience applauding) And lastly, I'd like to thank the Lansing Concert Band for providing such wonderful music today.

(audience applauding) So a final note to the classes of 2023, today, you join an elite group of over 7,700 veterinarians and approximately 1,300 nurses, who preceded you at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

That's since the formation of this college over 100 years ago.

And while you may travel far from East Lansing, the college remains a place that connects all of us.

Do not forget your MSU roots, your classmates and colleagues, your professors, veterinary nurses and staff members that contributed your education and your future careers.

Know also that veterinary medicine is one of the most trusted among all of the health professions.

Help us to protect and enhance that reputation of the college and the profession, and give thanks to those whose support helped you achieve this goal, they are extremely proud of you.

Lastly, to each of you new doctors and nurses, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the MSU administration, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the faculty and the staff, and for me personally, congratulations.

We absolutely wish you the very best in your lives and your careers.

So if history holds true and the laws of physics remain in place, there may be some celebrations going on today, (audience chuckling happily) be safe and enjoy.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music) (audience applauding) (bright upbeat music)