SAVMA Student Teaching Awards 2026 

    Two people standing with awards in front of a sign.
    At this year’s SAVMA Teaching Awards, Susan Bender (left), associate professor of anatomic pathology, received the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, and Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident Jessica Cathcart (right) received the William B. Boucher Award for Outstanding Teaching at New Bolton Center. (Photo by John Donges)

    On Friday, April 10, the Penn Vet community gathered to honor students, faculty, and hospital staff during the annual SAVMA Student Teaching Awards. Recipients are selected by the student body in a variety of categories.

    The results are as follows:

    Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award: Susan Bender, VMD, PhD, DACVP

    William B. Boucher Award for Outstanding Teaching at New Bolton Center: Jessie Cathcart, DVM

    V’29 Awards

    Student Spirit: Isabelle Loaisiga

    Outstanding Lecturer: Rose Nolen-Walston, DVM, DACVIM, DACVP

    Outstanding Lab Instructor: George McClung, VMD

    V’28 Awards

    Student Spirit: Ned Maguire

    Outstanding Lecturer: Kimberly Agnello, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR

    Outstanding Lab Instructor: Jolie Demchur, VMD, DACVP

    V’27 Awards

    Student Spirit: Gabriella Alvarez

    Outstanding Ryan Instructor: Ariel Mosenco, DVM, DACVIM

    Outstanding NBC Instructor: Liz Arbittier, VMD

    V’26 Awards

    Student Spirit: Allan Villalva

    Outstanding Ryan Instructor: Marc Kraus, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM

    Outstanding NBC Instructor: Mary Jane Drake, VMD, PhD, DABVP

    Outstanding NBC Resident: Hannah Taylor, VMD; Amanda Santos, VMD

    Outstanding NBC Intern: Kayla Even, VMD

    Outstanding Ryan Resident: Joseph Frame, DVM; Elizabeth Lemmon, VMD, PhD

    Outstanding Ryan Intern: William Moorhead, VMD

    Outstanding Ryan Nurse: Saffiera Esquilin

    Outstanding NBC Nurse: Eileen Rule

    Senior Veterinary Student Outstanding Patient Care Awards

    Ryan: Jack Aversa, Julia Freeman, Cara Hackley

    New Bolton Center: David Vega, Abigail Hamilton, Dominique Lester

    SAVMA Club Awards

    Outstanding Wellness Event: Latinx Veterinary Medical Association (Mocktail Mixology Event)

    Outstanding Community Event: MLK Day Vaccination and Wellness Clinic

    SAVMA Appreciation: Lisa Futch

    See photos from the Student Teaching Awards here>>

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    About Penn Vet

    Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

    Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 30,000 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,300 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 22,400 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.