Two Penn Vet Faculty Members Have Been Named Recipients of Prestigious University of Pennsylvania Awards For Teaching

Kimberly A. Agnello, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR, professor of small animal surgery;at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), has been given a Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Elizabeth M. Woodward, PhD, clinical associate professor in the department of Biomedical Sciences, has received a Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence by Non-Standing Faculty.

“Doctors Agnello and Woodward are distinguished educators who bring exceptional energy and care to their teaching, both in clinical settings and in the classroom,” said Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Honored with these awards is a testament to the profound impact they have on our students and their enduring dedication to shaping the next generation of veterinary leaders.”

Both Agnello and Woodward are dedicated mentors. 

“As a clinician who has devoted my career to academics, there isn’t a greater honor than getting an award for teaching,” said Agnello. “It’s a part of everything we do in our day.”  

In addition to teaching through lectures and laboratories, Agnello also educates in the clinical setting, as one of the leaders of the Orthopedic Surgery Service at Penn Vet Ryan Hospital. Her teaching experience in clinical orthopedics and orthopedic surgery has ranged from beginners to the most advanced learners, including surgical residents and junior faculty. She appreciates that students’ nominations are routinely part of the Lindback Award process.

“Students can be a tough crowd, so it really is an honor to receive this award,” Agnello said.

Besides sharing her surgical skills and knowledge, Agnello seeks to instill in her students the belief that each patient should be treated as an individual, not just a textbook case.

“I try to emphasize that each patient is unique,” said Agnello. “We need to develop our diagnostic and treatment plan that is customized for that individual patient.” 

A graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Agnello completed her residency in small-animal surgery at the University of California, Davis. She was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of George School of Veterinary Medicine.

Agnello is boarded by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is also a Founding Fellow of Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Before the Lindback Award, Agnello’s most recent honor was the 2026 Penn Vet SAVMA Class of 2028 Lecture Teaching Award. 

Woodward said she feels “honored and humbled” to receive the Provost’s Award. 

“I absolutely love teaching,” said Woodward, whose previous background was “100 percent research.” 

 “The students are constantly inspiring me to learn more,” she said. “They’re constantly challenging me to do better. I really enjoy that they keep me on my toes.” 

Woodward teaches physiology and gross anatomy, primarily to first- and second-year students. More recently, she has also branched out into other subject areas as co-leader of a new course, One Health and Climate Change.  

With so many of her students at the beginning of their veterinary education, Woodward said she enjoys being part of their transition toward the clinicians they are preparing to become.

“Helping them to navigate some of these changes and watching them grow is really invigorating for me,” she said. “You see them start to gravitate towards some things and really develop a passion. It’s really exciting to help them discover their passion and be a contributing factor in that.” 

Prior to her 2016 Penn Vet faculty appointment, Woodward held postdoctoral research appointments in the Reference Andrology Laboratory at New Bolton Center and at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, where she also earned her doctorate studying equine reproductive physiology. 

Woodward received the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award in 2022. 

About the Lindback and Provost’s Awards

The Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1961 with support from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Christian Lindback was the president and principal owner of Abbotts Dairies, Inc., and a trustee of Bucknell University. The Foundation established the Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching at colleges and universities throughout Abbott Dairies, Inc.’s service area in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. 

Up to eight Lindback Awards are given out each year University-wide, including four to faculty in Penn’s health-related schools. The Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence is given to a faculty member in a health-related school, and the other to faculty in a non-health school.  

Any member of the University community, past or present, can make nominations for the Lindback and Provost’s awards, including faculty members and students.