Niccole Bruno, DVM 2006
CEO and Founder of Blendvet
10 Black vet med professionals to watch in 2023

One of the founding members of the first VOICE chapter at Cornell, Bruno went on to work in private practice for more than 15 years before realizing her call to do more for inclusivity in the profession.

She is the CEO and founder of Blendvet^©, a veterinary hospital certification program in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

“At the hospital level, I hope that having a Blendvet certification will be seen in the same way that we see AAHA accreditation or Fear-Free^© certification—so that people can see that sticker in the window that says, ‘we are a hospital that has made DEI important to us, and we practice these DEI protocols,’” said Tierra Price, DVM, MPH, and founder of BlackDVM Network. 

At VMX 2023, Bruno and Blendvet’s chief operating officer, Genine Ervin-Smith, DVM, led a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, bringing young children to the conference to learn about vet med. This is part of a larger pipeline program at Blendvet that connects Black veterinarians to elementary and middle schools, where they inspire through hands-on classroom activities and mentor kids who are interested in veterinary careers.

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Cherese Sullivan, DVM 2010
Practice Owner, Skyline Pets
10 Black vet med professionals to watch in 2023

Sullivan has been a leader since her vet school days when she was president of the first ever Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) chapter founded at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, which is now a nationwide organization.

She is a past-president of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, and she continues to work for a more inclusive and culturally competent profession as co-owner of Skyline Pets in Houston, Texas, which she owns with Adria Flowers, DVM. They are among the small percentage of Black female practice owners in the profession.

Tierra Price, DVM, MPH, and founder of BlackDVM Nework, said the fact that Sullivan and built her practice from the ground up is something that hasn’t been seen much.

“There are a lot of male practice owners, but not as many female practice owners, and especially not as many Black female practice owners,” Price said.

Mary Kate Lawler  D.V.M. ’95  selected as the 2021 American Humane Hero Veterinarian

Dr. Mary Kate Lawler ’95 has graced the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program with her proficient leadership, as chief surgeon in San Antonio, TX since 2006, and as Executive Director since 2015.  Her tireless work and dedication allow her to perform as many as 8.500 spay/neuter surgeries per year.  

Shadi Ireifej, D.V.M. '06, on the five things you need to shake up your industry

Dr. Ireifej is a board-certified veterinarian and veterinary surgeon with over 16 years of experience who has practiced in all facets of the veterinary field - rescue organizations, general practice, emergency hospitals, and specialty hospitals - across the United States...

Curtis Dewey ’85, D.V.M. ’89 recognized for multiple awards

The contributions by Dr. Curtis Dewey ’89 have been recognized on both the national and New York state level.   He is the 2021 recipient of the DVM360 Veterinary Hero Award for Integrative Medicine. He was also selected as the 2021 recipient of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Outstanding Service to Veterinary Medicine.  This award honors an individual whose efforts in education, research, practice, or another veterinary-related occupation significantly contributed to the advancement and improvement of veterinary medicine in New York State.

Mary Kate Lawler  D.V.M. ’95  selected as the 2021 American Humane Hero Veterinarian

Dr. Mary Kate Lawler ’95 has graced the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program with her proficient leadership, as chief surgeon in San Antonio, TX since 2006, and as Executive Director since 2015.  Her tireless work and dedication allow her to perform as many as 8.500 spay/neuter surgeries per year.  

Spearheaded by Gary Block, D.V.M. '91, Class of 1991 creates a brand-new endowed scholarship

Thanks to bonds, old and new, among Dr. Gary Block and his classmates coupled with a desire to 'do something of significance' following the passing of a classmate who took her own life, the Class of 1991 Scholarship will provide financial support to a student in the Fall of 2021.  "I am incredibly grateful ...

Human-animal bond fuels veterinary passion for Michelle Moyal, D.V.M. '07

“Veterinary medicine impacts so many aspects of our daily life, public health, medical research and beyond,” she said. “I am in awe of the work that veterinary professionals do across all disciplines. My goals are to learn something new as often as possible, share the things I’ve learned with the veterinarians of the future and ...

Cornellians awarded inaugural ACVIM Specialty Lifetime Achievement Awards

Alexander de Lahunta, D.V.M. '58, Ph.D. '63 and Stephen Ettinger '62, D.V.M. '64 are recognized as prominent leaders in veterinary medicine. A founding member of the ACVIM and the Specialty of Neurology, Dr. de Lahunta led and exemplary 42-year career as a professor, department chair and hospital director at Cornell University.  Dr. Ettinger was one of the ACVIM's charter diplomates, charter board members and its first cardiology specialty president who left his mark on the specialty of cardiology at every level ...