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[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHEERING]
Good afternoon. Welcome to the Class of 2025. Please be seated.
[APPLAUSE]
LORIN WARNICK: My name is Lorin Warnick, and I serve as Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine here at Cornell. It's my pleasure to welcome our students, family and friends, alumni, faculty, and staff to the white coat ceremony for the Class of 2025. I also extend greetings to all those watching online.
I want to recognize our keynote speaker, Dr. Niccole Bruno, and other members of the College Advisory Council and Alumni Association executive board in attendance. Could you please stand and be recognized. All of you.
[APPLAUSE]
It's wonderful to see so many of you here. We're celebrating the Class of 2025 transition from the preclinical curriculum to fourth year clinical rotations, a significant milestone in your education. Most of you have already had significant clinical experience through early rotations, employment in our hospital or elsewhere. The Southside Healthy Pet Clinic and other volunteer activities. And this next year, we'll build on those experiences as you take on new roles and responsibilities as a fourth year student.
Whatever your career plans, whether in primary care or specialty clinical practice, government or military service, biomedical research, laboratory animal medicine, public health, wildlife conservation, and I'm sure other endeavors, your clinical education will be foundational to your future work. Employers and the public look to veterinarians to understand the scientific basis of health and disease, to advise them on preventive medicine, to know the processes of diagnosis and treatment, the transmission of infectious diseases, and the intersection of the health of animals, people, and the environment.
This coming year will also be the final educational step required to enter the veterinary profession as doctors of veterinary medicine. It may seem a long way away now, but it'll go by very quickly. You are following in the footsteps of Dr. Daniel Salmon, the first person to receive a DVM degree in the United states, and he graduated from Cornell in 1876.
In my own experience as a student, and I want to emphasize this was well over a century after Dr. Salmon, I found the comparative aspects of veterinary medicine to be valuable and interesting. Even though I knew I was headed for large animal practice, all the cases I saw in small animal, or laboratory medicine, or other rotations I did had value for me later. So I encourage you to gain the full benefit of each of your clinical rotations through study, attention, and interest, regardless of your specific career interests.
You will benefit in the year ahead from the hard work by our faculty and staff to update and improve the curriculum. For example, you'll have a new evaluation system that was implemented a year ago that really emphasizes actionable feedback and growth in skills and knowledge. You also have an app that you can use to track procedures you are doing. This will be useful for you, but I understand, it's also leading to more opportunities for students. So I appreciate all the hard work of everyone who is making these changes for the benefit of our future veterinarians.
In light of your expanded responsibilities, later in the ceremony, you'll take the veterinary oath. And with that, you commit to certain principles related to being a veterinarian. And in the future, just over a year from now, your membership in the profession will be signified by a diploma, perhaps by wearing a white coat or coveralls and the stethoscope around your neck or in your pocket. But most importantly, it will be recognized by what you do and how you act.
So I wanted to briefly emphasize three critical principles and responsibilities related to the profession. The first is ethical decision making and actions. Veterinarians need to be honest in their communications and create trusting relationships with colleagues and clients. You'll be responsible to carefully follow legal and regulatory obligations, for example, in prescribing medicines or reporting diseases. And when mistakes are made, as we all do, we must acknowledge and correct those to the extent we can.
Secondly, your success will depend on working effectively as part of a team, and in your future careers, often in a leadership role. And it's very important to respect and value all members of a clinical health care team-- licensed veterinary technicians, animal care assistants, office professionals, and so on. Part of successful teamwork is to share your own observations and ideas respectfully and constructively, even if you're relatively new or inexperienced.
Years ago on a snowy winter day south of Ithaca in the steep hills near Spencer, and this was at a time before our ambulatory service had four wheel drive vehicles, I turned into the snowdrifts to drive up a steep lane to go see a horse we needed to treat. The student riding with me said with alarm, you're not going to drive up there, are you? And I shrugged off the comment, easily drove up the hill.
But on the way back down, I wished I had listened to her caution as I slid off, and much to my embarrassment, had to get on the radio to get somebody to tow us out of the ditch. So be open to good ideas from your entire team, and don't hesitate to speak up when you have an important idea to share.
Third is continue to learn. During those years as an ambulatory clinician, while driving between calls, I would ask the students questions about cases of the day or other topics. It passed the time. I enjoyed it. I'm not sure all of them did, but as I reflect back on those questions, it reminds me that medical knowledge is very dynamic. And at that time, I wouldn't have listed highly pathogenic avian influenza as a pathogen affecting cattle. Now, of course, as everyone is seeing in the news, it has to be considered, and veterinarians need to learn new information, new rules to follow, and so on.
You have knowledge at your fingertips through the internet, smart phones, and artificial intelligence in a way that graduates of my era did not at that time. But you have perhaps an even greater need to exercise expertise and judgment in differentiating reliable and unreliable sources of information. And if you played with it already, you've already seen that ChatGPT, at this point, it may get better later, but now it's like that overconfident friend you have who is right sometimes, but not always. And so you have to be alert to that.
Professional organizations and state societies and species or specialty associations provide a critical service to veterinarians and the profession by educating members in new medical knowledge, evolving regulations, and so on. For example, Cornell graduate, Michael Capel, who is the current president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and a member of our College Advisory council, has been working diligently to provide up to date information on avian influenza in cattle.
So on this busy and celebratory day, please take a few minutes to reflect on these principles-- ethical behavior, working well in teams, and continuous learning. These and other professional obligations should become second nature as you take this next step in your education. Congratulations to all of you on your achievements to date, and I'm very much looking forward to hear all the great things you'll do in the future. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
So now let's move on to the coating part of this ceremony. Students have invited a veterinarian or a faculty member who has been important in their education and for their future careers. I encourage everyone in attendance to listen closely as each person is introduced and to join in thanks and appreciation that they've expressed through the messages that will be read. And I'd now like to invite Dr. Jai Sweet, Assistant Dean for Veterinary Student Services and Admissions to the podium to present the class. Dr. Sweet.
DR. JAI SWEET: Thank you, Dean Warnick. Class of 2025, are we ready? OK. OK, we're going to start the coating ceremony with Jude Rita Aboukhater, being coated by Dr. Daniel Lopez.
Jude would like to thank her late dog, Roxy, her mom, Noor, her dad, John, her sister, Layla, and her twin brother, Hekmat, her Heal Vet family in Boston, and her friends, mentors and church community in Syria.
[APPLAUSE]
Laura Mishell Abreu Nicolas, being coated by Dr. Noha Abou-Mari. Laura quisiera agradecer a su madre, Janina Nicolas, por todo el arduo trabajos y los sacrificios que isa para poder estar aqui hoy. And thanks to her mentors for guiding her in this crazy journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Natalia Antonsanti-Santana. Being coated by Dr. David Munoz Masso. Natalia would like to thank her parents and sister for their loving encouragement and for believing in her, even when she doubted herself. You are the pillar of her support. She would also like to thank her family, friends, and professionals who have supported her along her journey and contributed to her becoming a better person and a future veterinarian.
[APPLAUSE]
Marta Bakaj, being coated by Ricardo de Matos.
[APPLAUSE]
Marta would like to thank her family, Joshua Wendell and family, and all faculty and friends that have supported her.
[APPLAUSE]
Samantha Sue Bartley, being coated by Dr. Katie Roberts.
[APPLAUSE]
Samantha would like to thank her loving parents for their steadfast support in her education and for never discouraging her from adding just one more four legged member to the family. She would also like to thank her sister, Sarah, for her constant inspiration and guidance. Lastly, a huge thank you to all her friends, extended family, mentors, and animals, both past and present, who have each uniquely impacted her career path.
[APPLAUSE]
Jaylene Beach, being coated by Dr. Cynthia Sloan. Jaylene would like to thank her parents, John and Janita, for their infinite support, love, and sacrifice through every chapter of her life. Her boyfriend, Alex Salberg, for his encouragement and patience, her family and friends, sisters, uncles, cousins, and mentors, Dr. Sloan and Dr. Abel and her little cat buddy, Otto.
[APPLAUSE]
Kate Beier, being coated by Dr. Daniel Lopez.
[APPLAUSE]
Kate would like to thank her parents, Dina and Kevin, as well as her partner, Jack, for their support.
[APPLAUSE]
Tessa Bider, being coated by Dr. Jorge Colón.
[APPLAUSE]
Tessa would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for all of their help along the way.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda Bielecki, being coated by Dr. Jennifer Bloodgood.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda would like to thank her family for their endless support and invaluable encouragement, her friends who have filled her memories with laughs, and all those who have provided guidance and direction along her journey. She thanks you all for being the pillars of strength in her life.
[APPLAUSE]
Warren Billard, being coated by Dr. Jacqueline Harp.
[APPLAUSE]
Warren first and foremost, thanks God for bringing him this far, all of his mentors at Cy-Fair, the Cornell staff for their continued support of his veterinary pursuits, and last but not the least, his mom and family for being there when he needed a break from vet life.
[APPLAUSE]
Heather Bloom, being coated by Dr. Jessica Perrucci.
[APPLAUSE]
Heather would like to thank her family, her friends, and her ER coworkers.
[APPLAUSE]
Kaitlyn Carberry, being coated by Dr. Carol Carberry.
[APPLAUSE]
Kaitlyn would like to thank her family and friends who have provided endless support throughout this journey, particularly those who have known her since the days of dreaming about becoming a doggy doctor. Notably, she would like to thank her coater, who has served as both her aunt and her greatest mentor in veterinary medicine.
[APPLAUSE]
Soleil Carissimo, being coated by Dr. Cece Zhu.
[APPLAUSE]
Soleil would like to thank her parents, Aaron and Stephanie, her sisters, Summer and Jana, her partner RJ, and the rest of her family, friends, and mentors, for their continuous love and encouragement throughout her journey.
[APPLAUSE]
RaeAnne Elizabeth Carpenter, being coated by Dr. Jessica Borisi.
[APPLAUSE]
RaeAnne would like to thank her family for believing in a nine year old's fantasy and teaching her to seize every opportunity and milk it for all it's worth. Her animals, for all the life lessons they have taught her, the work ethic they have ingrained in her, and for always improving her mood, even on the worst days. The friends and faculty that make up a Cornell family for making her time here at Cornell Vet legendary, and for helping her grow both professionally and personally. You are all utterly amazing.
[APPLAUSE]
Genevieve Cassie, being coated by Dr. Karen Hirsch.
[APPLAUSE]
Genevieve would like to thank her friends, her family, and her partner.
[APPLAUSE]
Erica [? Kaitlyn-Shaso, ?] being coated by Dr. Mary Smith.
[APPLAUSE]
Katherine Chemas, being coated by Dr. John Kim.
[APPLAUSE]
Katherine would like to thank her mom, dad and brother for being an unconditional source of support and thank Joelle for always showing up for her.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda Cheung, being coated by Dr. Leslie Appel.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda would like to thank her family, especially her parents, Katie, Sophie, Zaria, Sam, and all her pets.
[APPLAUSE]
Sarah Elizabeth Coby, being coated by Dr. Jorge Colón.
[APPLAUSE]
Sarah would like to thank her mother, brother, and grandparents for their ongoing love and support. She would also like to recognize her father, who is no longer with us, but shows his pride and love for her every day.
[APPLAUSE]
Christopher Joseph Connolly, being coated by Dr. Jacinta Cox.
[APPLAUSE]
Chris would like to thank his entire family for always supporting him in this lifelong dream. Chris would also like to thank Dr. Cox for being the doctor who made him fall in love with veterinary medicine. Most importantly, Chris wants to thank God for making all of this possible.
[APPLAUSE]
Patrick Cowley is not present. We have Claudia [? Crasadi ?] next, being coated by Dr. Ricardo de Matos.
[APPLAUSE]
Claudia would like to thank her parents, her sister, and Izzy for their unrelenting love and support throughout all the accomplishments and challenges faced during this program.
[APPLAUSE]
Amber Crowder, being coated by Dr. Paula Rode.
[APPLAUSE]
Amber would like to thank her husband, Noah, for taking care of everything and always being in her corner. Amber would also like to thank her parents and sister for their love and support, as well as Dr. Paula Rode for her guidance and mentorship.
[APPLAUSE]
Amber Rose Davis, being coated by Dr. Joe Wakshlag.
[APPLAUSE]
Amber would like to thank her family, friends, and her pets for getting her to and through vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Emily Lynne Davis, being coated by Dr. Thomas Scavelli.
[APPLAUSE]
Emily would like to thank her parents for their constant love and support. And of course, a huge thank you to VBMA and the many people she has met through this organization.
[APPLAUSE]
Sage Dimopoulos, being coated by Dr. Alexander Travis.
[APPLAUSE]
Sage would like to thank her parents, Jacqueline Elric and Byron Dimopoulos, and her brother, Bryce Dimopoulos, for sharing their medical passion with her and supporting her throughout vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Lindsay K. DeNooyer, being coated by Dr. Chris Brockett.
[APPLAUSE]
Lindsay would like to thank her fiancé, Chris, and their dog, Winnie, and her parents, Jim and Darlene, for supporting her every day along these past three years. Her mentor, Dr. Chris Brockett, for helping her grow in the veterinary field, and her entire family for encouraging her in her path through veterinary medicine.
[APPLAUSE]
Rachel DePonte, being coated by Dr. Kathryn Bach.
[APPLAUSE]
Rachel would like to thank her parents, family, and friends for their unwavering support throughout the years.
[APPLAUSE]
Sohela Dhillon, being coated by Dr. Laura Brown.
[APPLAUSE]
Sohela would like to thank her family for their endless love and support throughout the many years of schooling, every veterinarian, tech, and fellow student who has helped her learn and grow in the veterinary field, and her friends and her partner for their endless support and good memories during her time here in Ithaca.
[APPLAUSE]
Eden Doh, being coated by Dr. Glenn Jackson.
[APPLAUSE]
Eden would like to thank all the primates, both human and non-human, who have gotten her here. Special thanks to Ashley, Jacob, her parents, and her growing clan of needy pets.
[APPLAUSE]
Faith Edwin, being coated by Dr. Katherine Vissio
[APPLAUSE]
Faith would like to thank all of all her loved ones who have supported her on this journey, as well as Dr. Vissio for exemplifying what it means to be a Cornell veterinarian. Faith is dedicating her white coat to her stepfather, Rishi Mahangi, who has always encouraged her to dream big and believe in herself.
[APPLAUSE]
Hannah Eileen Eggert, being coated by Dr. Susan Fubini.
[APPLAUSE]
Hannah would like to thank her parents, Tom and Yvonne, her sisters and extended family for all their support as she chases her dreams. She couldn't have done this without you.
[APPLAUSE]
Emma Fralin, being coated by Dr. Rodman Getchell.
[APPLAUSE]
Emma must thank her parents, sister, best friends, and fiancé for their unwavering support and tolerance. She would not be here if it were not for every one of them. Clinics, get ready.
[APPLAUSE]
Adam Frosolone, being coated by Dr. Rodman Getchell.
[APPLAUSE]
Adam would like to thank his family and friends.
[APPLAUSE]
Gloria [? Yuhan ?] [? Ghu, ?] being coated by Dr. Meredith Erin Henry.
[APPLAUSE]
Gloria would like to thank her parents, her dear friends, for their unwavering support throughout this journey. She is immensely grateful for everyone's love, kindness, and steadfast presence. Gloria also wants to thank her ridiculously cute cats, Dough and Eggnog, for being the beacon of light in her vet school life. Their existence has made this journey all the more bearable and meaningful.
[APPLAUSE]
Jovannah Gerisma, being coated by Dr. Michelle Moyal.
[APPLAUSE]
Jovannah would like to thank her family, especially her parents, Christine and Hubert, for their continuous love and support throughout her journey. She would also like to thank her close friends for always believing in her and cheering her on through life's victories and challenges. Last but not least, she would like to thank her mentors, colleagues, and anyone who has played a part in getting her to where she is today.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexia Giannoulias, being courted by Dr. Chelsea Field.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexia would like to thank her wonderful family and friends from back home, the amazing people she has met here, Dr. Field for her continued mentorship, and her dog, Rita.
[APPLAUSE]
Reese Lillian Susan Gidner being coated by Dr. Noha Abou-Madi.
[APPLAUSE]
Reese would like to thank her family, her mother, Amy, her father, [? Igy, ?] and sister, Sadie, for always supporting her dreams, no matter where they take her. She couldn't have done this without you.
[APPLAUSE]
Kylie Gillen, being coated by Dr. Rory Todhunter.
[APPLAUSE]
Kylie would like to thank her parents, Amy and Joe, for always believing in her, her sisters, Alyssa and Sarah, for always making her laugh, and for all her family, friends, classmates, mentors, for all their endless support throughout this journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Claire Glover, being coated by Dr. Robin Radcliffe.
[APPLAUSE]
Claire would like to thank her loving family, supportive partner, and inspiring friends for laughing with her and believing in her throughout vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Sabrina Graham is being coated by Dr. Claire Scott.
[APPLAUSE]
Sabrina would like to thank her family members, Nadia, Scott, Dalton, and her grandmothers, as well as friends and Cornell faculty mentor, Dr. Rod Getchell.
[APPLAUSE]
John Grealish, being coated by Dr. Brian Collins.
[APPLAUSE]
John would like to thank his grandmother, Martha Rose, for her love and support, all of his family, and the cardiology team at Angel.
[APPLAUSE]
Erin Brooke Guntram, being coated by Dr. Laura Sinclair.
[APPLAUSE]
Erin would like to thank her entire family for their constant support and encouragement, as well as all of the wildlife hospital staff for their continued mentorship.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexandra, Lexi, Haley, being coated by Dr. Erin Corrigan.
[APPLAUSE]
Lexi would like to thank her friends and family, especially her incredible parents, Terry and Chris, for their unwavering support and belief in her over the last many years of her journey. She also thanks her many encouraging mentors, particularly Dr. Corrigan and Dr. Friedman. She will be a better veterinarian for having known you. She can't forget her grandmother, [? Trey-Trey, ?] for always slipping money into her pockets when she was home to support her coffee addiction during vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Bailey Michael Hall, being coated by Dr. Jonathan Wood.
[APPLAUSE]
Bailey would like to thank his parents, siblings, and partner.
[APPLAUSE]
Liv Halvorsen being coated by Dr. John Fondacaro.
[APPLAUSE]
Liv would like to thank her mother, Brit, her late father, Eric, and her siblings, Lily and Leif, for their love and support. She thanked Steven, Mudge, and Ozzie for always believing in her and keeping life fun. Thank you to her grandparents, Gerda, Bob, Linda, and Richard for their love from afar. Most notably, Liv is continuously inspired and in awe of her grandmother, Gerda, for her lifelong dedication to rescuing animals.
[APPLAUSE]
Haley Hardy, being coated by Dr. Rick Watters.
[APPLAUSE]
Haley would like to thank her parents, grandparents, and sisters for all their support in getting her to where she is today. She would also like to thank her coater, Dr. Rick Watters, and her aunt, Sharon.
[APPLAUSE]
Blaise Harmange, being coated by Dr. Derek Cavatorta.
[APPLAUSE]
Blaise would like to thank all the bovine-oriented faculty at Cornell, especially Dr. Needham, for pushing him to think critically about the dairy industry and the role of the veterinarian in the industry. Jeff Hall for all the opportunities he's provided at the teaching dairy, and his friends and family for the support they have given him.
[APPLAUSE]
Lauren Ashley Harper, being coated by Dr. Matthias Wieland.
[APPLAUSE]
Lauren would like to thank her family, friends and mentors for helping her pursue her dreams.
[APPLAUSE]
Isabel Hartenstein, being coated by Dr. George Hartenstein.
[APPLAUSE]
Isabel would like to thank her family, friends, and roommates.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda Hartman, being coated by Dr. Paul Maza.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda would like to thank her mom, dad, nana, Matt, and future in-laws, Kelly and Dan, friends and colleagues, and her zoo, Carter, Piper, Henry, Paul, and Poppy.
[APPLAUSE]
Caitlin Henry, being coated by Dr. Emily Hill.
[APPLAUSE]
Caitlin would like to thank her parents and brother for their love and support, her dog, Jordan, for all the practice in behavior medicine, her friends for all the laughs, and the Cornell SEC team for all the amazing experiences and mentorship.
[APPLAUSE]
Margaret Holloway, being coated by Dr. Christopher Corrado.
[APPLAUSE]
Margaret would like to thank her supportive family and loved ones and everyone at North Warren Animal Hospital.
[APPLAUSE]
Church Harrison Humphreys, being coated by Dr. Thomas Massie Jr.
[APPLAUSE]
Church would like to thank his parents, sister, and uncle for always supporting him. He would also like to thank his friends who have helped him along the way. Finally, he would like to thank his mentor, Dr. Massie for encouraging him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and for serving as his coater today.
[APPLAUSE]
Carrie Ercolano, being coated by Dr. Skylar Sylvester.
[APPLAUSE]
Carrie would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors, and the AMC oncology team for all their unwavering support.
[APPLAUSE]
[? Erika ?] Jackson, being coated by Dr. Ken Kiefer.
[APPLAUSE]
Erica would like to thank her parents, sister, aunts, and uncle for supporting her throughout vet school. She would also like to thank her pets, Pebbles, Puddles, and Pumba, for being her first patients.
[APPLAUSE]
Mia Jacobson, being coated by Dr. Kelly Hume.
[APPLAUSE]
Mia would like to thank her parents, Linda and Seth, and her partner, Joe.
[APPLAUSE]
Jennifer Jung being coated by Dr. [? Lina ?] [? Ditar. ?]
[APPLAUSE]
Jennifer would like to thank her family for always believing in her, even when she doubted herself, and for being her biggest supporters throughout her journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Emma Selma Kerr, being coated by Dr. Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy.
[APPLAUSE]
Emma would like to thank her family, friends, and all her mentors who have supported her along the way.
[APPLAUSE]
Lauren Krukawski, being coated by Dr. Alyson Waring-Scott.
[APPLAUSE]
Lauren would like to thank her family, her peers, and her boyfriend.
[APPLAUSE]
Noah LaBarge is being coated by Dean Lorin Warnick.
[APPLAUSE]
Noah would like to thank his amazing wife, Cara, his parents, Andrew and Amy, and other family who have supported him along the way.
[APPLAUSE]
Joseph leal, being coated by Dr. Rodman Getchell.
[APPLAUSE]
Joseph would like to thank all the animals that have cultivated his love for non-human beings. He also appreciates the support--
[LAUGHTER]
Love for non-human beings. He also appreciates the support and love of humans, including his pops, Leon, his mom, Tracy, and his older siblings, Jacob, Josh, Katie and Suze. Lastly, he would like to thank his friends, as well as the inspiring faculty at the vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Karen Lee, being coated by Dr. Daniel Fletcher.
[APPLAUSE]
Karen would like to thank her parents for encouraging her to follow her dreams, her friends, Cassie and Alexis, for supporting in undergrad and beyond, and her significant other, Ben, for motivating her during those stressful study nights.
[APPLAUSE]
Meng Li is being coated by Dr. Gillian Perkins.
[APPLAUSE]
Meng would like to thank Dr. Gillian Perkins for her support.
[APPLAUSE]
Edith Linda [? Baring, ?] being coated by Dr. Ann Harris.
[APPLAUSE]
Edith would like to thank her parents, Jennifer and Nick, for their continuous love and support. She would also like to Thank Dr. Harris for being such a wonderful role model.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda Loehr, being coated by Dr. Jenna Park.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda would like to thank her family, friends, and her partner, Ryan.
[APPLAUSE]
Kate Loonie is being coated by Dr. Willow M'Cloud.
[APPLAUSE]
Kate would like to thank her parents, friends, families, and mentors.
[APPLAUSE]
Rebecca Lowenstein is being coated by Dr. Alexandra Barrientos.
[APPLAUSE]
Rebecca would like to thank her parents, sisters, friends for their endless support over the years. She would also like to thank Dr. Alex for her continued encouragement and mentorship.
[APPLAUSE]
Ashley Messina.
[APPLAUSE]
Ashley is being coated by Dr. Paul Maza.
[APPLAUSE]
Ashley would like to thank her family, including her nana, her parents, and Alex for all the sacrifices they've made for her, her Brynn Moore friends, who believed in her when she was lost, Laura for making her tougher, and her team, Seneca7, for helping her realize who she is outside vet school.
[APPLAUSE]
Brianna Malboeuf, being coated by Dr. Noha Abou-Madi.
[APPLAUSE]
Brianna would like to thank her family and friends, especially those who are here today, for all their endless love and support. Her fiancé, Nate, for being her rock, and all the animals, past and present, who make her life wonderful.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine Marchesano, being coated by Dr. Regan Stoneburner.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine would like to thank her parents, family, and friends for their immense love and support in helping her on this difficult journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Jacqueline Marquez, being coated by Dr. Nicole Buote.
[APPLAUSE]
Jacqueline quisiera agradecer a Manuel y Evangelina Marquez y su familia. Gracias por siempre estar azulado.
[APPLAUSE]
Savannah Martin, being coated by Dr. Meredith Erin Henry.
[APPLAUSE]
Savannah would like to thank her family and friends, her partner, and her mentors at the Tompkins County SPCA.
[APPLAUSE]
Christian Mazariegos, being coated by Dr. Meredith Miller.
[APPLAUSE]
Christian would like to thank his parents, brothers, classmates, and professors here at Cornell. Their endless love and support have allowed his dream of becoming a veterinarian a reality.
[APPLAUSE]
Vladimir Mazur, being coated by Dr. Paula Ospina.
[APPLAUSE]
Vladimir would like to thank his family for their love and support and to all the friends he's made along the journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Ben Morse, being coated by Dr. John Loftus.
[APPLAUSE]
Ben would like to thank his parents, Jeff and Ellen, and the countless friends, family, and mentors who have supported him through all phases of life.
[APPLAUSE]
Isaiah Moten, being coated by Dr. Brian Collins.
[APPLAUSE]
Isaiah would like to thank his mom, his aunt, and his close friends for allowing him to blossom into the person he is today.
[APPLAUSE]
Samantha Moya, being coated by Dr. Kayla [? Dond. ?]
[APPLAUSE]
Samantha would like to thank God for sustaining her through his love and kindness, her mother and grandparents for their support and acceptance, and her friends who remind her to enjoy life.
[APPLAUSE]
Maryna Mullerman, being coated by Dr. Kelly Leibold.
[APPLAUSE]
Maryna would like to thank her mom, her sister, her late father, and her Ukrainian family in the Netherlands for always believing in her. She also wants to thank her fiancé, Vlad, and the whole Pinkhasov family for always supporting her on her journey.
[APPLAUSE]
James Mullmann, being coated by Dr. Lena DeTar.
[APPLAUSE]
Juliana [? Nation ?] being coated by Dr. Selena Tinga.
[APPLAUSE]
Juliana would like to thank Dr. Tinga for her mentorship, and her amazing family and friends for being there for her every step of the way. Your support means the world to her, and she couldn't do this without you.
[APPLAUSE]
Tuuli Victoria Overturf, being coated by Dr. Kathryn Bach.
[APPLAUSE]
Tuuli would like to thank her parents, Brenda Hall and Brett Overturf, as well as the rest of her family for their encouragement and support over the last seven years.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda Owens, being coated by Dr. Jennifer Scheid.
[APPLAUSE]
Amanda would like to thank her family, boyfriend, and the veterinarians who have mentored and inspired her.
[APPLAUSE]
Alison Parker, being coated by Dr. Edward MacKillop.
[APPLAUSE]
Alison would like to thank her family for their unwavering support since their 10-year-old daughter told them she was going to be a veterinarian someday. She would also like to thank the people she has formed connections with through Cornell, who have given her the tools to confidently enter clinics. Lastly, she would like to thank all her amazing friends, who have guided her through ups and downs. She's confident she won't be standing here without your positive influences.
[APPLAUSE]
Bethany Pilon, being coated by Dr. Korana Stipetic.
[APPLAUSE]
Bethany would like to thank her family and friends.
[APPLAUSE]
Sandra Pinto, being coated by Dr. Glenda Wexler.
[APPLAUSE]
Sandra would like to thank her parents for the sacrifices they have made to help her achieve her dreams, her family and friends, and her cat, Cheerio, for being the best vet school buddy these past three years.
[APPLAUSE]
Hannah Randazzo, being coated by Dr. Jethro Forbes.
[APPLAUSE]
Hannah would like to thank her parents, Laura Lovejoy and Steven Randazzo.
[APPLAUSE]
Sadie Ray, being coated by Dr. Christian Folk.
[APPLAUSE]
Sadie would like to thank her friends and family, especially Brian Corrigan, and all her veterinary mentors.
[APPLAUSE]
Gabrielle Rose [? Redmond, ?] being coated by Dr. Patrick Carney.
[APPLAUSE]
Gabrielle would like to thank her parents, Lisa and Rob, for their endless support in helping her achieve her dreams, her boyfriend Dillon, for always being there for her and bringing her joy to her days, her sister, Summer, and her dear friends, and all her extended family for their love her whole life.
[APPLAUSE]
Emily Rita Riley being coated by Dr. Jordyn Boesch.
[APPLAUSE]
Emily would like to thank her family, friends, and especially her husband for their continued support.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine Roviera, being coated by Dr. John Wesson.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine would like to thank her parents, Elena Pizana and Pierre Michel Rivera.
[APPLAUSE]
Noah Anthony Russo, being coated by Dr. Katelyn Carney.
[APPLAUSE]
Noah would like to thank his parents who made all of this possible, his siblings and friends for their support, and all the people at Petchester Animal Hospital who helped him get here.
[APPLAUSE]
Mason Elyse Shire, being coated by Dr. Bradley Davis.
[APPLAUSE]
Mason would like to thank her friends and family, who have supported her endlessly throughout this journey. Notably, the strong female role models in her life, including her mother, Nancy [? Japeri, ?] and her veterinary mentor, Dr. Sharon Sheehy.
[APPLAUSE]
Taylor Schmeiser, being coated by Dr. Jorge Colón.
[APPLAUSE]
Taylor would like to thank her parents, sisters, Jarrett, and all other family, friends, and Cornell faculty who have supported her on this journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Kayla James Schum being coated by Dr. Kimberly McHenry.
[APPLAUSE]
Kayla would like to thank her mom, grandparents, and sister.
[APPLAUSE]
Benjamin David Specht, being coated by Dr. Mary Smith.
[APPLAUSE]
Benjamin would like to thank his parents, Beth and Harvey Specht, Meghan Hauser, the late Willard De Golyer of Table Rock Farm, and his extended family of doctors, vet techs, and co-workers at the Cornell Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospital.
[APPLAUSE]
Zachary Spodek, being coated by Dr. John Loftus.
[APPLAUSE]
Zachary would like to thank his family, peers, and the Cornell CVM faculty, as well as the technicians and staff of the Cornell University Hospital for Animal ICU and INC for all of their support.
[APPLAUSE]
Anna Lia Sullivan, being coated by Dr. Selena Tinga.
[APPLAUSE]
Anna Lia would like to thank her parents, Daniella Sullivan and Gregory Sullivan, Dr. Selena Tinga, and all her other incredible academic mentors, as well as her friends and future colleagues, for making this journey possible.
[APPLAUSE]
Natalia Sitch, being coated by Dr. Noha Abou-Madi.
[APPLAUSE]
Natalia would like to thank her husband, [? Mina, ?] for his unwavering encouragement, support and love since day one. Natalia would also like to thank her family, especially her parents, for the various practical ways they have helped her throughout this vet school journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Justine Tarsillo, being coated by Dr. Cece Zhu.
[APPLAUSE]
Justine would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support throughout this journey.
[APPLAUSE]
Lindsay Thomas, being coated by Dr. Emily [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE]
Lindsay would like to thank her parents, Gina and Chris Thomas, for all their love and support, and her grandma, Anna Thomas, who has always supported her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
[APPLAUSE]
Jack Timmons is being coated by Dr. Noha Abou-Madi.
[APPLAUSE]
Jack would like to thank his family and friends for their love and encouragement throughout this journey. He would also like to thank the faculty and staff here for their support and guidance during his time.
[APPLAUSE]
Kaylee Jordan Tobin being coated by Dr. Jordyn Boesch.
[APPLAUSE]
Kaylee would like to thank her family, especially her parents, Stacey and David, for all their love and support.
[APPLAUSE]
Andrew Trudeau, being coated by Dr. Stuart Stevens.
[APPLAUSE]
Andrew would like to thank his family, his partner, and his friends for their constant support.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexandra Charleson, being coated by Dr. Jill Greisman.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexandra would like to thank her family and friends for all their support and encouragement.
[APPLAUSE]
Ashley Varnado, being coated by Dr. Daniel Lopez.
[APPLAUSE]
Ashley would like to thank her vet school mom and dad, [? Elanie ?] and Matt, her best friend, Eden, and her twin sister, Anna, for their unwavering support, compassion, and friendship during her journey with chronic illness. And special thanks to her beloved senior cat, Juniper, who continues to inspire her to keep moving forward.
[APPLAUSE]
Vu T Truc, being coated by Dr. Cece Zhu.
[APPLAUSE]
Truc would like to thank her parents in Vietnam and her sister in Australia, who have been so supportive of her during this journey. They are not here today, but she is so fortunate to have her friends, who she met during vet school, and the ER department for being her second family. Special Thanks to Deborah, Sarah Lowell, and April Saranti for being here for her.
[APPLAUSE]
Maya Vulkan, being coated by. Dr. Susan Dexter der Vulkan.
[APPLAUSE]
Maya would like to thank her friends, family, and fellow students.
[APPLAUSE]
Mitch [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE]
Being coated by Dr. Erica [? Malika. ?]
[APPLAUSE]
Mitch would like to thank his mom and his sister, May. Thank you for taking care of dad and Nala when he couldn't be there for them. Your unconditional love is why he is able to walk the stage today.
[APPLAUSE]
Katerina Wehe, being coated by Dr. Eileen Geagan.
[APPLAUSE]
Katerina would like to thank her parents, Jennifer, Sean, and Eileen, her brother, Cooper, her fiancé, Brett, and the rest of her family here today for all their love and support during veterinary college.
[APPLAUSE]
Margaret Whittington, being coated by Dr. Jordyn Boesch.
[APPLAUSE]
Margaret would like to thank the Black DVM community, friends, and family members.
[APPLAUSE]
Tyler Wyatt, being coated by Dr. William Tancredi.
[APPLAUSE]
Tyler would like to thank his friends, mentors, and family, especially his parents, Ray and Cindy, for all their help along the way.
[APPLAUSE]
Sophie Yasuda, being coated by Dr. Sarah Charles Sanford.
[APPLAUSE]
Sophie would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexandra Nicole [INAUDIBLE], being coated by Dr. Daniel Fletcher.
[APPLAUSE]
Alexandra would like to thank her family and friends who came to represent her today. You're all so very special. She would also like to thank her friends and mentors in the ER for all the good times, regardless of the literal blood, sweat, and tears.
[APPLAUSE]
Rachel Yost, being coated by Dr. Dawn [? Tornicello. ?]
[APPLAUSE]
Rachel would like to thank her father, Raymond Yost, and grandfather, Gerald Yost, for their unwavering support.
[APPLAUSE]
Julie Yu, being coated by Dr. Jethro Forbes.
[APPLAUSE]
Julie would like to thank her family, all her loved ones and friends, and a very special thank you to her mom, who has been there for her through the years and celebrating her from the skies above. She wants to thank you for all the endless support and guidance during this huge milestone.
[APPLAUSE]
Stephanie Zeitouneh, being coated by Dr. Lisa Singer.
[APPLAUSE]
Stephanie would like to thank her husband, Frederico, for being her greatest supporter and friend. She would also like to thank her parents for their endless love and support. This achievement is a reflection of their strength and sacrifices in this country. She would also like to thank her mentor, Dr. Singer, her friends, her dog, Delilah, and the doctors at LVT. LVT is from the CUHA's anesthesia department.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine Angel Zhang, being coated by Dr. Robin Radcliffe.
[APPLAUSE]
Christine would like to thank her Mima for always understanding and welcoming her home when she managed to escape from school, Dr. Paul Maza, for being a humorous reminder to be mentally and physically well, and her friends at school, who create an accepting and supportive environment.
[APPLAUSE]
[INAUDIBLE] Shea Zhao.
[APPLAUSE]
Being coated by Dr. Nicole Petrie. Shea would like to thank her cat, Chew, for being the squishiest study buddy, her brother for funding her pistachio bombolone cravings, and her mom and dad for supporting her from day one.
[APPLAUSE]
That concludes the coating part of the ceremony. Congratulations, Class of 2025.
[APPLAUSE]
LORIN WARNICK: Thank you and congratulations to the Class of 2025. I would now like to welcome to the podium, Dr. Mara DiGrazia, DVM Class of 1996 and President of the Alumni Association Executive Board, who will administer the veterinarians oath. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Mara DiGrazia. I'm from the class of '96 and I welcome you on behalf of the Alumni Association Executive Board. I'm thrilled to lead you through the Veterinarian's Oath today.
You are about to take the next step towards becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. When you're finished with your rotations, you'll be a competent, hard working, intelligent, compassionate veterinarian in any field you decide to dive into. Our extensive network of Cornell alumni will always be here for you, and we're so excited for you today. So let's get to it. Ready? All right.
Can the Class of 2025 please stand?
[APPLAUSE]
Raise your right hand and repeat after me. Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine.
AUDIENCE: Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills.
AUDIENCE: I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: For the benefit of society.
AUDIENCE: For the benefit of society.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: Through the protection of animal health and welfare.
AUDIENCE: Through the protection of animal health and welfare.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: The prevention and relief of animal suffering.
AUDIENCE: The prevention and relief of animal suffering.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: The conservation of animal resources.
AUDIENCE: The conservation of animal resources.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: The promotion of public health.
AUDIENCE: The promotion of public health.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: And the advancement of medical knowledge.
AUDIENCE: And the advancement of medical knowledge.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: I will practice my profession conscientiously.
AUDIENCE: I will practice my profession conscientiously.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: With dignity.
AUDIENCE: With dignity.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: And in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
AUDIENCE: And in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: I accept as a lifelong obligation.
AUDIENCE: I accept as a lifelong obligation.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: The continual improvement.
AUDIENCE: The continual improvement.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: Of my professional knowledge and competence.
AUDIENCE: Of my professional knowledge and competence.
DR. MARA DIGRAZIA: Congratulations, Class of 2025. May the 4th be with you.
[APPLAUSE]
LORIN WARNICK: Please be seated. Thank you.
So it's now my pleasure to introduce Dr. Niccole Bruno, DVM class of 2006, who will be our keynote speaker today. Dr. Bruno worked in clinical practice, and most recently founded blendVET as a way for veterinary workplaces to become certified in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
She serves as a member of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Advisory Council, the Veterinary Innovation Council, and Pawsibilities, a virtual mentorship platform for students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Dr. Bruno, we are proud of the impact you're having on the profession through your work, and it's a pleasure to have you with us today. We look forward to your remarks. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
DR. NICCOLE BRUNO: It's a tough act to follow with that sort. As you know, I'm not-- all right. So I wanted to start this keynote off with a quote from Mother Teresa. "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." I will expand upon this quote later in the presentation.
Good afternoon, Class of 2025, family, friends, faculty, staff, and other distinguished guests. It is an extreme honor to be standing here today to deliver this keynote speech.
This is actually my third time on this stage. My first was receiving my white coat on December 4th, 2004, almost 20 years ago. The second time I graced the stage was in December of 2011 to coat my younger sister, Dr. Jasmine Bruno. I felt immense pride and joy to coat my best friend and mentee.
And now I stand here, for the third time, as the Cornell white coat keynote speaker. As a third year student in 2004, I could have never fathomed standing on this stage in this capacity. It speaks to life's unexpected twists and turns and the incredible opportunities they offer. I'm deeply grateful to Dean Warnick for entrusting me with the responsibility of sharing some wisdom with you that I've accumulated this last 20 years. Like many of my predecessors, I want to leave words that will resonate in your clinical years and the careers and the titles that you will choose daily.
Over the past two decades, I have assumed various roles beyond the title of DVM. From wife and mother, to medical director, CEO, and founder of blendVET. Each of these roles has brought its responsibilities, serving as the foundation of my life's story and a constant reminder of my why, my purpose in life, and the importance of aligning my actions with my values.
Values, often rooted in our lived experiences, our family upbringing, and our cultural backgrounds, can serve as our North Star in navigating complex career decisions that we will encounter. They provide us with a compass, guiding us through moments of uncertainty and stress.
As future veterinarians, you will soon realize that our profession is not solely about the medicine we practice, but equally about the people we serve and the diverse teams we work alongside. Being a veterinarian is inherently a leadership role, and our leadership reflects the values and principles we hold dear.
It is crucial to lead from a place of authenticity and to create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. My core values of diversity, belonging, community, and trust have been profoundly influencing my journey in veterinary medicine.
Growing up in a diverse environment in New York City, I felt isolated when I entered the field of veterinary medicine, as I didn't see many individuals that looked like me. It was hard to see the dream as I grew up in the early 90s with early internet, dial up internet, AOL, books, magazines, and I had a mother to give me and guide me and my sister contexts about veterinary medicine.
It was only through finding a sense of belonging at an historically Black college and university, the Tuskegee University, from my undergraduate studies, and later at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine that I realized the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping the culture of our profession. I initially hesitated when being accepted into Cornell because I was worried that I would not feel a sense of belonging here, but I was fortunate to be a part of the class of 2006.
Alongside my classmates, we helped to foster a culture of inclusivity at Cornell as the founding class of voice, which we called Veterinary Students as One in Color and Ethnicity during our time here, demonstrating that the diversity of voices and experiences enriches our profession. Culture is just as essential as the medicine we practice.
When I graduated from Cornell in 2006 and entered the world of private practice, there were moments in my career where I felt a disconnect between my values and the reality of the profession. Serving a diverse community with a homogeneous workforce, I saw firsthand the barriers that affected patient outcomes and saw opportunities for change. I wanted to do more, but I often felt limited as an associate veterinarian, and that led to a period of my career where I felt disengaged with the profession that I loved.
Wanting more, I stepped into a leadership role, which restored my passion, as I could make a difference in recruitment and build teams that could meet the diverse needs of our communities. In 2020, I felt a call to something bigger outside of the walls of my hospital. As a devoted veterinarian and now mother, I felt responsible for leaving a better profession for future generations.
Over the last four years, this led me to an adventure, pivoting from general practice to relief work, while founding blendVET. blendVET was born to address the lack of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, or DEIB, in veterinary medicine. We aim to provide DEIB training to veterinary professionals and expose underrepresented minority students and their families to this profession.
In the last two years, we have hosted student and pathway programs nationwide to allow students to see themselves in vet med. We invite the vet community to support our events, and we often leave more fulfilled than the students because we remember our why.
With blendVET, there have been so many unknowns and uncertainties in the last four years as I entered a whole new world outside of my comfort zone. I no longer practice small animal medicine, but instead work to transform the scope of how we cultivate relationships outside of the medicine and bridge barriers with the DEIB lens.
This work, while challenging in a time where the value of this work is often called into question, brings me peace through the uncertainty. Which brings me back to this quote from Mother Teresa I shared. "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Class of 2025, let us strive to choose peace daily by taking the following five action steps as you navigate clinics in your professional careers.
One, choose to be purposeful. Begin each day intentionally, expressing gratitude to those around us. Whether it's a simple thank you to a team member for their dedication or acknowledging the invaluable contributions of your veterinary technicians, your client service representatives, and assistants, let us cultivate a culture of appreciation. By recognizing the efforts of others, we reinforce a sense of belonging and unity within our veterinary community.
Two, choose to be equitable. We must elevate the voices of others, particularly those who do not always have a seat at the table. Like blendVET owes its presence in vet med to advocates who championed its cause, let us commit by advocating for inclusivity and diversity in our profession. When confronted with injustices, let us lean into that discomfort and embrace courage as we strive to affect positive change.
Three, be accountable. Choose a learner mindset. Embrace a mindset of continual learning and humility. Wisdom can come from the most unexpected sources. Some of my greatest life lessons came from those I least expected. And so, if you will allow me, I'm going to share a brief story. It's funny.
So in 2009, I had the idea to move to LA. I contacted the great Dr. Stephen J. Ettinger, the founder of Internal Medicine and author of the Internal Medicine Textbook that graces many bookshelves today, including mine, to advise me on what hospitals in LA I should find work.
When I think back on it, pretty bold just thinking I could just call him and just ask him these questions. But I trusted that he was a Cornell alumni and that he would help me. When I called his office, he came to the phone right away. And after listening to me, he asked me, why are you moving from New York? I told him it was for a relationship I was in. He asked me if I had a ring on my finger.
I recall exactly where I was standing and glancing at my finger before answering slowly, no. He said, you don't move for anyone without a ring. And I was shocked and speechless, but he was right. Valuable romantic advice from Dr. Ettinger, the last person I would ever think to get that advice from. Nothing to do with internal medicine, but the advice held, and that person is thankfully not my partner. I eventually met my partner, who moved to New York for me, and we'll celebrate--
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you. And we will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary on Monday.
[APPLAUSE]
I finally had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ettinger this year in a conference, and I shared the story. He asked me if he had been right, and I told him, yes, and I laughed. We laughed and laughed. I told him I was going to talk about him today.
But on a serious note, some of my most valuable medical and leadership lessons came from my team. My veterinary technician, Heather, who recently lost her battle with cancer, taught me so much as a new graduate about anesthesia. I still have her anesthetic protocol in my phone today. My teams continue to teach me how to be a better leader daily. Never doubt who you can learn from.
So back to our action steps. Be effective in your communication. Effective communication lies at the heart of veterinary medicine. Beyond words, it encompasses body language, active listening, and fostering genuine connections with clients and colleagues alike. By prioritizing communication, we strengthen our relationships, we build trust, improve patient outcomes, and create environments where everyone feels heard and valued.
And lastly, practice with empathy. Empathy is a powerful tool and skill that must be honed daily. By empathizing with others and striving to understand their perspectives, we cultivate compassion and foster a sense of belonging. Empathy is the cornerstone of compassionate care and effective leadership, whether it's confronting a distressed pet owner or supporting a team member through challenging times.
So remember, the practice of belonging begins with choosing peace. Peace comprises of being purposeful, equitable, accountable, communicating effectively, and choosing empathy. In the absence of peace, we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
These words are timeless. They run deep, and they've been a testament to my leadership story. As a third year, I never expected that my life journey would bring me out of practice into being a speaker and an entrepreneur with an intense desire to create a culture shift in vet med. But returning to Cornell in this capacity feels like a full circle moment in my career.
Some of you may know exactly what you want in your career path, whether it's specialty, academia, research, or industry. For some, you may not have an idea at all, or you may have a blend of ideas. That is OK. There is beauty in the unknown and creating your blend of career paths.
Veterinary medicine is not a one size fits all. There is as much diversity and options as there are species we treat. As you embark on your professional journey, remember that your path may change, just like the seasons, and that's OK too. Lean into your values, embrace uncertainty, and never be afraid to pivot when you are not standing in alignment with your principles. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and always strive to create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. It will come back to you in more ways than you ever will know.
And it came back to me recently, as recent as last weekend. Last weekend I received a text message from my cousin and former client in New York City who had to take her dog to the ER overnight for what turned out to just be a tooth root abscess. My cousin says she was greeted by a veterinarian and felt an instant appreciation for the care she was provided with. The warmth, the attention, and the education she received, she said, was, "a dream."
Towards the end of the appointment, my cousin asked the veterinarian if she had ever heard of blend. The veterinarian smiled and said, Dr. Niccole Bruno is my mentor. They took this picture. What happened to the picture? The picture is gone, but that's OK. We're going to ad lib. Can we get that last slide back up, please?
They took a picture, and it was my mentee, Dr. Kayla Anderson. Let me see if I can do something. Well, this is what they don't teach you. And this is true on the cuff. Oh man. My mentee was Dr. Kayla Anderson, And the picture is on here. I put it on the slide if we can get that up.
But I gave Dr. Kayla Anderson her first summer job when I was in my first leadership position in New York. I wrote her recommendation letter to vet school and was in the audience when she graduated from Saint George's University in 2022. The pandemic prevented me from coating her. To see her become a clinician brings me so much joy.
I text Kayla to Thank her for helping my cousin. She responded back, "I credit you for the doctor I am today. I know you are a mentor to many, but you changed my life so much. When your cousin mentioned blend, my jaw dropped." It becomes a full circle moment when you realize how each interaction you have, whether it's directly or indirectly, can touch people's lives. How people will advocate for you even when you're not in the room.
We have the incredible power to impact our clients, our colleagues, and the future of veterinary medicine daily and make them feel as if they belong in this space. And now, for my grand finale.
As members of the Cornell community, we are a part of a legacy of leaders and trailblazers in veterinary medicine. Lean on your community. Seek wisdom from those who came before you, and know that you are never alone in this journey.
I recently asked my classmates to join me in sharing their knowledge with you, as we are a diverse class of specialists, clinicians, academics, entrepreneurs, and more. In the spirit of honoring my class and our 20 years, if you scan this QR code, you will read their advice to you as you navigate your next chapter in your clinical career.
Yeah, I'm letting you pull out your phones. Class of 2025, I wish you peace and belonging. And because it is so appropriate, May the 4th be with you. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
Dr. JORGE COLÓN: Good afternoon, everybody. For those who don't know me, my name is George Colón. I'm a proud Cornell equine trained veterinarian.
[APPLAUSE]
Kentucky Derby, 6:20 tonight, post time. I also have a business degree, and I now have the privilege of serving as the Director of Veterinary Business Education at the college, which means that I've been tasked with helping your coatee learn how to use their veterinary degree to make money and pay their bills.
I'm here today on behalf as a member of the college's Award Committee to present the John F. Cummings Award. And if I may, I would like to give three very quick reasons as to how I feel this award is so important.
Number one, this is a peer-nominated award. It is students nominating students for this award. We at the Awards Committee just serve as air traffic controllers for the submissions coming in. But we get out of the way of the students making submissions, and somehow, some way, they're always pretty damn right about it.
Number two, the significance of this award can be presented today by the fact that this is the sole standalone award being awarded to a student in this extremely important ceremony. And number three, as a former student of Dr. Cummings, I can attest, and I hope that the recipient will understand, that having your name being mentioned in the same sentence as Dr. Cummings is nothing but a gallant honor.
So if you may, I will respectfully ask you to bear with me while I read a fairly lengthy description of the award. John F. Cummings, BS '58, DVM '62, Master of Science '63, PhD '66.
James Lowe, professor of anatomy, had a long, distinguished career at Cornell as a teacher, researcher and mentor to both veterinary and graduate students. He was an exciting and inspiring teacher, known for his interest in patience with and compassion for students. Dr. Cummings was also a researcher in comparative neuropathology, internationally renowned for his work with animal models of human neurological diseases.
His ultimately death on November 3-- I'm sorry, his untimely death on November 3rd, 1996 filled everyone who knew him with great sadness. Dr. Cummings was the kind of person that many of us aspired to be. He was a modest person of the highest integrity who knew the importance of family, community, and social responsibility, and who had broad interest, knowledge, and expertise outside, as well as within, veterinary medicine.
He approached every aspect of life with enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, and a legendary sense of humor and wit. He respected and cared for others, and earned their respect and admiration in return. The College of Veterinary Medicine classes of 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 established a fund to provide an annual award to be given to a member of the third year class who best exemplifies these qualities of Dr. Cummings.
Students in any of the four veterinary classes can nominate a member of the third year class for this award. The recipient of the award is then chosen by the Faculty Awards Committee from among those students nominated. And this award is commemorated through a plaque that I would ask the recipient to please come to the stage and receive.
So with that, I would like to, on behalf of the College of Veterinary Medicine, announce that the 2024 recipient of the John F. Cummings Memorial Award is Emily Lynne Davis.
[APPLAUSE]
I would like to invite Dr. Meg Thompson, Associate Dean for Hospital Operations and Director of CUHA to give the students their welcome to the hospital.
[APPLAUSE]
DR. MEG THOMPSON: I think all I have to say is we are ready for you. So welcome to CUHA, all of you, and to your clinical year. For all the rest of you here, one of the big things you have to learn when you're actually a veterinary student is what all the abbreviations mean. I unfortunately learned another one this year, 20 plus years into my career, and you're going to continue to learn these abbreviations. So CUHA stands for Cornell University Hospital for Animals.
You might be nervous about this journey ahead of you. Being nervous is a good thing. It means you care. And you might also be thinking right now, am I ready for this? We know you have so many questions. What should my fanny pouch have in it? Do I have to wear a fanny pouch? How do I prepare for each rotation? How do I fit in studying for boards? How do I handle that horse that I've never successfully put a halter on by myself? What easy vet trick do you use most often? How do I prepare for my cases? What am I going to do after I graduate?
So we all love that these questions are logistics, not, how do I understand renal disease in a patient? How do I learn to communicate with clients? How do I evaluate lameness in a horse? You've learned so much in your first three years, it shows. You are worried about the job part of rotations, not whether you have the tools to understand and learn medicine or be a good clinical team member. You are well prepared to answer the medicine and surgery questions, and this year is going to be about solidifying all of that knowledge and learning all kinds of fun new skills.
It was great to see so many clinical faculty and residents coating you today. So many of you have been in the hospital. For those that haven't and all of you that have, the clients, animals, faculty, technicians, client service team, other staff, residents, and interns, are so excited to have you join us in the next few weeks. We love this time of year, and it's so exciting to have you guys be so excited.
You will love your time getting to know your classmates you don't know well, all the great people who work in the hospital, the special pets, fun farms, engaged rehabbers, and grateful clients. We all love teaching you because you all love learning so much, and we learn from you all the time. So ask questions, ask for help, read, watch, ask for breaks, listen.
If you get really stressed, go say hi to the new fish tank, or to Clementine the barn cat, or to Mocha, our blossom replacement, our cow, or Felicia, our teaching cockatoo. So involve yourself, walk your dogs, go to the gym, play with your cats. Go out and enjoy the crabapple blossoms today and all the baby leaves all over the place. We are so pleased and honored to welcome you as you step into this really fun and meaningful year in your life. So CUHA welcomes the Class of 2025.
[APPLAUSE]
LORIN WARNICK: Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for that wonderful welcome to the teaching hospital and all the experiences that await the class. I also want to congratulate Emily on the award.
[APPLAUSE]
Dr. Colón for his participation and representing the Faculty Awards Committee. So before I finish up, I want to recognize one other special guest, and that's my wife, Jill Warnick, who's sitting beside me.
Jill is a tireless supporter of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and I really appreciate all she does in this and every other way. I also want to extend my congratulations to Dr. Bruno for 10th anniversary on Monday. What a wonderful event.
[APPLAUSE]
And Dr. [? Degrasso, ?] happy birthday.
[APPLAUSE]
So now, as we conclude, I have a couple directions to give. One is, as the class leaves, I would ask the audience to stay seated for about five minutes or so. The class will go out to the front steps of Bailey and pose for a photo, so we'll allow time for them to do that.
And then, following that photo, all of you are invited to a reception up at the College of Veterinary Medicine in the main atrium. Just go through the main doors of the college. We very much look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for attending the white coat ceremony and congratulations to the Class of 2025.
[APPLAUSE]
Saturday, May 4, 2024
The first white coat ceremony, sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, was held at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993. Since that time, white coat ceremonies have become a tradition at many schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, osteopathy, and at veterinary medical colleges across the country. At these ceremonies, students receive a white coat – the symbol of professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. The purpose of white coat ceremonies is to alert medical students to the need to balance excellence in science with humanistic patient care.
This event is also an acknowledgment and acceptance of professional values, growth, and commitment as students assume the responsibilities of the practice of veterinary medicine and its obligations before supportive witnesses.
Our college takes the celebration of this “rite of passage” one step further by honoring the mentors who have provided considerable support and special encouragement to our students along the way. These individuals will enrobe their students with the time-honored mantle of the medical profession: the white coat.
