1970s

On March 27, 2012 the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) honored Peter S. Conserva (V’74) as the 2012 Connecticut Veterinarian-of-the-Year. The award recognizes a distinguished CVMA member who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine in Connecticut in one or more of the following areas of organized medicine, education, research, practice or regulatory service. Dr. Conserva was recognized for his instrumental role in developing a unique program under CVMA auspices, the Connecticut State Animal Response Team (CTSART) Equine Response Unit.

John Cullen (V’75) received the BSTP C. Gopinath Lecture Award from the British Society of Toxicologic Pathology at the annual meeting of the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology in Uppsala, Sweden in September 2011. Dr. Cullen has been at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine with the pathology group since 1984 where he serves as professor.

1980s

Paul V. Marino (V’81) was recently interviewed for a recent Hoofs Beats magazine cover story about world champion pacer, A RocknRoll Dance, which Dr. Marino bred. The article also mentions Rich Meirs, V’82.

Wayne M. Johnson (V’87) is a member of Noblemen, a philanthropic group in Virginia Beach that helps raise money to aid children with special needs. Dr. Johnson was instrumental in the creation of NoblePets, the newest chapter of Noblemen.

Michele R. Rosenbaum (V’89), DACVD was recently awarded the Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Operations Leadership Award for her work as a senior dermatologist on the veterinary specialty team.

1990s

Joseph Gaydos (V’94) has been elected chair of the science panel of the Puget Sound Partnership, part of a comprehensive effort to restore the nation’s largest inland sea. Dr. Gaydos is a senior wildlife veterinarian at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Health Center, where he serves as regional director and chief scientist of the SeaDoc Society. He has also been a member of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Commission since 2004.

2000s

Anne Hessinger (V’00), MPH, DACVPM recently married Scot Hector in Fort Bragg, NC. Major Hessinger is the group veterinarian for the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Medical Group where she trains future Special Forces medics.

Aylin Atilla (V’04), DACVS married Beau Cleland in August of 2011. Penn Vet Class of 2004 classmates Bjorn Lee, Kate Vickery, Daphne (Downs) Tanouye and Nancy Park were in attendance. Dr. Atilla currently works at Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre in Alberta.

Maureen Luschini (V’06) has been named medical director of the Veterinary Medical Center of CNY. Dr. Luschini is the area’s only veterinary Criticalist and has been the director of VMC’s emergency and critical care services since joining the practice in 2010.

Deaths

1971 Frank Klimitas in April 2012.

1981 Brian J. Prescott on January 7, 2012. 

In Memoriam

Edgar Robert Marookian (V’54) of Clinton Township, NJ, passed away on May 18, 2012. Dr. Marookian was a veterinarian, pharmaceutical researcher, and business entrepreneur, retiring in 1992. He was also a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving during the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the liberation of the Philippines. Dr. Marookian was a familiar name and face on the Penn Vet campus having served as an adjunct professor and returning annually for the Marookian Lecture Series. He was also a dedicated supporter of the School, both through the creation of the Marookian Auditorium in the Hill Pavilion and the E. R. Marookian VMD/PhD Research Scholarship Fund.

New Director of Alumni Relations Named

Kristen McMullen joins Penn Vet team from Pinewood Prep in South Carolina.

Kristen McMullen is joining the Penn Vet team as director of alumni relations, effective July 10.

Kristen brings more than 15 years of alumni relations, fundraising and career services experience and a passion for veterinary medicine to Penn Vet.

“I am thrilled to announce Kristen’s appointment to this vital role within the school,” said Melissa von Stade, assistant dean, advancement, alumni relations and communication. “Her experience, combined with her appreciation of veterinary medicine and affection for animals, will be a good fit for our faculty, staff, students and, of course, our alumni.”

Most recently, Kristen served as the director of alumni relations and communications for Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville, SC, where she developed the school’s first alumni association and served on the school’s senior leadership team.

In her previous role as assistant director of executive MBA and alumni career services for Duke University she created, marketed and delivered professional development services for a globally diverse student and alumni population.

Kristen started her alumni relations career at Penn State where for seven years she served as director of alumni relations for the College of Communications. In this role, Kristen increased alumni involvement by 300 percent and developed innovative career service programming for more than 12,000 alumni and 3,000 students.

She remains an active volunteer for Penn State and recently completed a six-year term on the Penn State Alumni Council where she chaired the Alumni Volunteer Support Committee with the goal to provide support to more than 280 alumni affiliate groups. She also served on the planning committee and as a presenter at the May 2012 Penn State Alumni Leadership Conference and is an active member of the Penn State Alumni Career Services Advisory Committee.

Kristen earned a bachelor of science in health policy and administration from Penn State. She has completed the Penn State Management Institute certificate program and the The Penn State Leader: Excellence in Leadership and Management program. She also has her CareerLeader certification.

As director of alumni relations at Penn Vet, Kristen will be responsible for strategically enhancing current alumni programming, identifying opportunities to increase alumni and student engagement and managing the Dean’s Alumni Council. Kristen will also oversee Darleen Coles, special events coordinator, and work to build upon Darleen’s success with Penn Annual Conference.

Kristen is excited to bring her love for veterinary medicine to Penn Vet, which began in middle school when she completed an externship in a veterinary office, and her extensive experience working with graduate alumni to this new role.

Contact Us

Have you received a promotion, gotten married, had a baby or received an award? Have you volunteered somewhere special, moved into a new building, ventured into a new business or discovered the cure for avian flu? Please share with us all of your good news to include in the CLASS NOTES section of the Bellwether and the vet.upenn.edu website. All residents, interns and fellows are also invited to share!

Forward all alumni news to Jillian Marcussen at jillian2@vet.upenn.edu or write Office of Alumni Relations, 3800 Spruce Street, Suite 172 E, Philadelphia, PA 19104.