LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Confers 98 Degrees
May 18, 2022
Dr. Ben Andries with Dr. Shannon Dehghanpir
Dr. Brenda Cheong with Dean Oliver Garden
Dr. Viviana Colon-Gonzales with Dean Oliver Garden
Dr. Rae Hogan with Dean Oliver Garden
Dr. Jasmine Knight with Dean Oliver Garden
Drs. Cora Schneider and Katie Miley
Dr. Justine Bruner being hooded by Drs. Joseph Taboada and Shannon Dehghanpir
Drs. Becky Brennan, Megan Comeaux, Sylvie Sandoval, Casey Fekete, and Alejandra Ramirez
And now they're doctors!
Congratulations to the LSU Vet Med Class of 2022!
WATCH VIDEO OF COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine conferred 98 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in an online ceremony at its 46th annual Veterinary Medicine Commencement on Monday, May 16.
Oliver A. Garden, BvetMed, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, dean, presided over the ceremony. Nancy Welborn, DVM (LSU 1990), associate professor of community practice, was selected by the Class of 2022 to give an address, and Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVS, dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, gave the formal commencement address. Dr. Moore served on the LSU Vet Med faculty from 1994 to 2006.
Laurie Lipsey Aronson, representing the LSU Board of Supervisors, conferred the degrees. Rae Hogan (Class of 2021) opened the ceremony with the invocation. Program speakers also included Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Matthew Lee, PhD; and Kathleen Elstrott Achord, DVM (LSU 2011), president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Katie Como, DVM (LSU SVM 2022) closed the ceremony.
Students who received Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, senior awards, and internships and residencies are listed below alphabetically by state/country, hometown, and then last name:
Alabama
Marisa Pierluisi Halvorson, from Vestavia Hills, Ala., will work in a small animal practice in Harvey, La. Dr. Halvorson received the American College of Veterinary Pathology Award of Excellence in Anatomic Pathology.
Arizona
Madison Rae Harrison, from Coolidge, Ariz., will work in a small animal practice in Topsham, Maine.
Arkansas
Olivia Geels, from Bentonville, Ark., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Geels received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Robert Rosenthall Senior Student Award for Proficiency in Clinical Oncology.
Mary Ivy Grace Cox, from Greenwood, Ark., will work in a feline-exclusive practice in The Woodlands, Texas. Dr. Cox received the American Association of Feline Practitioners Proficiency Award, the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation Jack R. Redman & Elizabeth G. Redman Scholarship, the Audrey Engelhart Scholarship in Shelter Medicine, and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Rafael Castro, from Little Rock, Ark., will work in a small animal practice in The Woodlands, Texas.
Ashley Marie Finney, from Little Rock, Ark., will work in a small animal practice in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Finney received the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Award.
Hannah Elizabeth Maxwell, from Little Rock, Ark., will begin a theriogenology internship at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Maxwell received the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation Jack R. Redman & Elizabeth G. Redman Scholarship.
Nickolas Alan Zimmerman, from North Little Rock, Ark., will work in a small animal practice in Little Rock, Ark. Dr. Zimmerman received the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Award, the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award, and the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Mayzie A. Miller, from Russellville, Ark., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Miller received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
California
Justine Trueger Bruner, from Sacramento, Calif., will work in equine rehabilitation medicine in Sacramento, Calif.
Jennifer Alice Pye, from San Diego, Calif., will work in a small animal practice in New Orleans, La.
Connecticut
Patricia Rae Meade, from Stratford, Conn., will work in a small animal practice in Fairfield, Conn. Dr. Meade received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award.
Delaware
Hope Janet Jennings, from Wilmington, Del., will work in a small animal practice in Castle Rock, Colo.
Florida
Amanda Maryam Quintal, from Coral Springs, Fla., will work in a small animal practice in Oviedo, Fla. Dr. Quintal received the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Summer Reneé Towne, from Mims, Fla., will work in a mixed animal practice in DeLand, Fla.
Mikayla Danielle Sanford, from Tampa, Fla., will work in a mixed animal practice in Roswell, Ga.
Illinois
Michael S. Polick, from Glendale Heights, Ill., will work in a small animal practice in Arlington Heights, Ill. Dr. Polick received the Dr. Ricky Broussard Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice, the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award, the Merck Academic Excellence Award, and the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Indiana
Keely Renee Shine, from Lafayette, Ind., will work in a large animal practice in Jonestown, Texas. Dr. Shine received the Robert B. Lank DVM Memorial Scholarship.
Louisiana
Ana Leah Tribaldos Meaux, from Abbeville, La., will work in a small animal practice.
Ethan Jameson Olah, from Albany, La., will work in a small animal practice in Double Oak, Texas. Dr. Olah received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Sylvie Lavergne Sandoval, from Alexandria, La., will work in a small animal practice in Alexandria, La. Dr. Sandoval received the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Benjamin David Andries, from Baton Rouge, La., will work in a small animal practice in Parker, Colo.
Katie Renee Como, from Baton Rouge, La., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Como received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award, the IDEXX Proficiency in Companion Animal Medicine Award, the Kaytee Outstanding Senior Award in Avian & Exotic Animal Medicine, the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Outstanding Student Award, the Merck Academic Excellence Award, and the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Innovation Award.
Brian Joseph Hernandez, from Baton Rouge, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in Bossier City, La.
Murphy Michelle Sachse, from Baton Rouge, La., will begin a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sachse received the Dechra Award for Excellence in Small Animal Medicine and the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Grace Elizabeth Samson, from Baton Rouge, La., will work in a small animal practice in Arlington, Texas.
John Coleman Wahlborg, from Baton Rouge, La., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wahlborg received the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Proficiency Award, the Merck Academic Excellence Award, and the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Susan Margaret Waters, from Baton Rouge, La., will work in a small animal practice in Baton Rouge, La.
Bailey K. Jones, from Belle Chasse, La., will work in a small animal practice in Austin, Texas. Dr. Jones received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Gage Tanner Shorten, from Belle Chasse, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in Pipe Creek, Texas. Dr. Shorten received the Boehringer Ingelheim Outstanding Food Animal Student Award.
Jasmine Nicole Knight, from Belle Rose, La., will work in a small animal practice.
Lauren Atkins Leflett, from Benton, La., will work in an equine practice in Benton, La. Dr. Leflett received the M.K. Clucas Equine Scholarship.
Quinci Vivette Middlebrooks, from Benton, La., will work in a small animal practice in Walker, La. Dr. Middlebrooks received the Dean Peter F. Haynes Equine Award.
Audrey Morgan Free, from Bossier City, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in Aubrey, Texas. Dr. Free received the Certificate of Excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery.
Jennifer Garcia, from Bossier City, La., will work in a small animal practice in Shreveport, La.
Andrew N. Mudd, from Cameron, La., will begin a small animal rotating internship in Houston, Texas.
Cody Austin Pfister, from Covington, La., will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La. Dr. Pfister received the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Lauren M. Vincent, from Covington, La., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Alexis Lynn Marie Hanneman, from Des Allemands, La., will work in a small animal practice in Plainfield, Ill. Dr. Hanneman received the American College of Veterinary Pathology Award of Excellence in Clinical Pathology, the American College of Veterinary Radiology Award, and the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Cassidy Opal Zanca, from Doyline, La., will work in small and exotic animal medicine in north Florida.
Rhett Dale Sonnier, from Erath, La., will work in an equine practice in Opelousas, La. Dr. Sonnier received the Dechra Award for Excellence in Equine Sports Medicine.
Elizabeth Danielle Rumfola, from Erwinville, La., will begin a large animal medicine and surgery internship at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Rumfola received the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence and the Robert B. Lank DVM Memorial Scholarship.
Allison Dawn Briscoe, from Eunice, La., will work in a small animal practice in Ville Platte, La. Dr. Briscoe received the Certificate of Excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery.
Karen Lemee Robbins, from Folsom, La., will work in a small animal practice in Opelousas, La.
Erin Whiteside Carter, from Gonzales, La., will work in a small animal practice in Baton Rouge, La. Dr. Carter received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Morgan Alexis Smith, from Haughton, La., will work in an equine practice in Bossier City, La. Dr. Smith received the Certificate of Excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Megan Allyson Olivier Comeaux, from Houma, La., will work in a small animal practice in Davidson, N.C. Dr. Comeaux received the Boehringer Ingelheim Community Practice Award and the Edward Lloyd Mitchell Memorial Award.
Julia Kay Fincher, from Houma, La., will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La. Dr. Fincher received the Bill Pollock Memorial Award.
Lauren Marie Dartez, from Lafayette, La., will work in a small animal practice in Lafayette, La.
Claire Hughes Hise, from Lafayette, La., will work in a small animal practice in Lafayette, La. Dr. Hise received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Kelsie Klair Melancon, from Lafayette, La., will work in a small animal practice in Lafayette, La. Dr. Melancon received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Mary Margaret France, from Lake Charles, La., will work in a small animal practice in White Plains, N.Y.
Casey Catherine Fekete, from Mandeville, La., will work in a small animal practice in Las Vegas, Nev. Dr. Fekete received the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Rachel Rebekah Howie, from Mandeville, La., will begin a laboratory animal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Howie received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Marley Elizabeth McInnis, from Mandeville, La., will begin a small animal rotating internship at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. McInnis received the Audrey Engelhart Scholarship in Shelter Medicine, the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award, and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Jensen Amelia Liljeberg, from Metairie, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Patricia Kelly Owens, from Metairie, La., will work in a small animal practice in Kenner, La. Dr. Owens received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Kristin Mathilde Schof, from Metairie, La., will work in a small animal practice in Covington, La.
Abby Sticker, from Metairie, La., will work in small animal practice & Emergency Medicine .
Courtney Ann Williams, from Metairie, La., will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La.
Kaela LeAnn Turner, from Mittie, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in central Louisiana. Dr. Turner received the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Sydney Renee Shelby, from Monroe, La., will work in a small animal practice in Shreveport, La.
Anna Kristina Hugel, from New Orleans, La., will begin an integrative medicine and rehabilitation internship at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Cora Jennie Schneider, from New Orleans, La., will work in a small animal practice in Baytown, Texas. Dr. Schneider received the Mike the Tiger Caretaker Award.
Montana Oubre, from Paulina, La., will work in poultry medicine in Parsippany, N.J.
Hanna Dudley Meade, from Prairieville, La., will work in a small animal practice in Baton Rouge, La.
Katherine Miley, from Prairieville, La., will begin an equine rotating internship at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Miley received the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Proficiency Award, the Ben Greene "Make a Difference" Memorial Scholarship, the Mike the Tiger Caretaker Award, and the Theriogenology Clinical Proficiency Award.
Natalie Marie Schildroth, from Ruston, La., will work in a small animal practice in Rogers, Ark. Dr. Schildroth received the Bayou Kennel Club, Inc. Scholarship.
Lori Anna Winborne, from Ruston, La., will work in small animal emergency medicine in Denver, Colo. Dr. Winborne received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award.
Rae Hogan, from Stonewall, La., will work in a companion exotics practice in Austin, Texas. Dr. Hogan received the Oncology Certificate of Merit.
Sara Lynn Guidry, from Welsh, La., will work in a small animal practice in Lake Charles, La. Dr. Guidry received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Rachel Colleen Barr, from West Monroe, La., will work in a small animal practice in Las Vegas, Nev. Dr Barr received the Nestle Purina Business Management Award.
Kayla Robin Fontenot, from West Monroe, La., will work in a mixed animal practice in Houston, Texas.
Allison Michele Searcy, from West Monroe, La., will work in a Small or mixed animal practice in north Louisiana. Dr. Searcy received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Kristen Alexandra Boquet, from Winnsboro, La., will work in a small animal practice in Boise, Idaho.
Maryland
Ryan P. Buhrer, from Annapolis, Md., will begin a laboratory animal medicine residency at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Buhrer received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Massachusetts
Rachel Nicole Raguin, from Acton, Mass., will begin a small animal medicine and surgery internship in New Jersey.
Missouri
Rebecca Lynn Brennan, from Smithville, Mo., will work in a small animal practice.
New Jersey
Ursula Rivero Ramalho, from Demarest, N.J., will begin a small animal rotating internship in Manhattan, N.Y.
New York
Stephen Vesey, from Saint James, N.Y., will work in a small animal practice in Lake Grove, N.Y.
North Carolina
Ansley Williams Sackett, from Greensboro, N.C., will begin a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sackett received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award and the Hershey Comeaux Memorial Award of Excellence.
Puerto Rico
Krizia Santos Rodríguez, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La. Dr. Rodriguez received the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence and the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award.
Viviana M. Colon Gonzalez, from Cayey, Puerto Rico, will work in a small animal practice in Colorado.
Nicole Arana Valencia, from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, will work in a small animal practice in Fairfax, Va.
Cristina I. Sanchez Latoni, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will work in a small animal practice in Tampa, Fla.
Tennessee
Heather Marie Fraser, from Nashville, Tenn., will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La.
Kaylee Jo Leydens, from New Johnsonville, Tenn., will begin an internship in Salado, Texas. Dr. Leydens received the Texas Equine Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship.
Texas
Alejandra Ramirez, from Austin, Texas, will work in a small animal practice in Austin, Texas.
Sydney Grace Wodrich, from Colleyville, Texas, will work in a small animal practice in Metairie, La.
Anisah Hasan El-Heet, from Garland, Texas, will work in small animal emergency medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. El-Heet received the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award and the Sheri Ellen Cole Memorial Scholarship.
Brenda Marie Cheong, from Houston, Texas, will begin an internship in Encinitas, Calif.
Sheldon W. Cochran, from Houston, Texas, will work in a mixed animal practice in Alvarado, Texas. Dr. Cochran received the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Griffin Daniel Copeland, from Houston, Texas, will work in a small animal practice in Magnolia, Texas.
Ashleigh E. Smith-Jimenez, from Kingsville, Texas, will work in a mixed animal practice in Kingsville, Texas.
Morgan Hailey Selman, from May, Texas, will work in Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery in Weatherford, Texas. Dr. Selman received the Certificate of Excellence in Equine Medicine & Surgery and the Merck Academic Excellence Award.
Alisa Michele Sandoval, from Texarkana, Texas, will work in a small animal practice in Texarkana, Texas.
Brittany Nicole Musick, from Yorktown, Texas, will work in a small animal practice in Mineral Wells, Texas.
Virginia
Rhiannon Nicole Hodges, from Virginia Beach, Va., will work in a small animal and exotic practice in Chesapeake, Va. Dr. Hodges received the Companion Animal Medicine Certificate of Merit Award, the Companion Animal Surgery Certificate of Merit Award, the Dechra Award for Excellence in Dermatology, and the Heartland Veterinary Partners Business Award.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.