CVM Faculty, Staff and Student Accolades

Gheorghe Constantinescu, DVM, PhD, professor emeritus of veterinary anatomy in the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and medical illustrator in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, was elected as the vice president for the Americas of the executive committee of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists.

The World Association of Veterinary Anatomists is an international association representing and promoting all aspects of veterinary anatomy. The organization has a number of objectives, including encouraging the study of domestic animal anatomy, promoting research and dissemination of new knowledge of veterinary anatomy, encouraging the use of modern methods in the teaching of veterinary anatomy and many others.

Constantinescu has taught at Mizzou for more than 30 years, and began working within veterinary anatomy organizations in 1964. A native of Romania, Constantinescu was a founding member of the European Association of Veterinary Anatomists, which celebrated 50 years of existence in 2014. He also holds membership in the International Committee of Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature, the editorial committee of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria and served as the editor for the most recent edition of the Illustrated Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature. In addition, he holds three honorary degrees and has published more than 440 publications, with 23 of them being books. “This distinction looks like the icing on the cake for my 66 years of activity as a veterinary anatomist,” said Constantinescu. “I’ve been able to demonstrate that while approaching 90 years of age, as a retiree, I’m still energetic and enthusiastic enough to fulfill my duty.”

By Nick Childress

Alexandria Hoffmann, a first-year student in the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, was awarded second place for her poster presentation at MU Health Sciences Research Day. The MU Health Sciences Research Day took place on Nov. 19 in Columbia and featured more than 240 poster presentations. Hoffmann’s poster, titled “Diabetic Ossabaw Pigs Demonstrate Abnormal Expressions of Collagens in the Corneal Stroma,” took home second-place honors in Category I Basic Science. Hoffmann is mentored by Rajiv Mohan, MSc, PhD, FARVO, a professor of ophthalmology and molecular medicine at the CVM.

The MU Health Sciences Research Day is a yearly event in which MU provides a forum to highlight original research and educational innovations by undergraduate, medical, nursing and health professions students, as well as predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees working with faculty in the School of Medicine, Sinclair School of Nursing and School of Health Professions. The symposium awards prizes to the three best presentations in each of the five student categories.

By Nick Childress

Tamara Hancock, DVM, MS, DACVP, PhD, the coordinator for curriculum and student outcomes and an assistant teaching professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected to serve on the International Council for Veterinary Assessment’s Academic Veterinary Assessment Committee.

The ICVA is a world leader in veterinary assessments. Its assessments, including the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination or NAVLE, which is required for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada, are administered in 68 different countries.

The Academic Veterinary Assessment Committee is charged with identifying areas of opportunity where the ICVA can better assist academic veterinary medicine, as well as facilitating best practices for assessment within institutions across veterinary medicine, providing grant opportunities to further research within assessment best practices and facilitating opportunities for collaboration across institutions. The committee provides ICVA’s board members with recommendations to assist and enable best assessment practices within the academic veterinary context.

Hancock, who has been at the CVM since 2011, will collaborate with other committee members to provide the ICVA and the academic veterinary medicine community with resources for best assessment practices. In addition, she will also assist in developing educational support for the academic veterinary context.

Hancock says there was an open nomination process and a colleague contacted her to consider self-nominating. “They suggested I would be a great fit due to my strong background in various relevant fields,” said Hancock. “My background in veterinary medicine, education, research, and assessment all converge into the work of this committee. I was one of two new members selected by the ICVA board from the pool of applicants.”

Within the committee there are 11 members, with three being international members. There is no specific length of time that each member will serve on the committee.

“Research and practice shows that assessments direct learning in professional programs, they communicate organizational values, and are important means to be accountable to myriad stakeholders,” said Hancock. “I am honored to be included in this important work as a service to both the public and our profession. Most of all, I look forward to facilitating the provision of fair, equitable, and meaningful assessments within the academic veterinary context.”

By Nick Childress

Manda Riley, the financial aid advisor for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, was named the recipient of the Bob Berger Newcomer Award by the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel. Riley’s Newcomer Committee was also named the Committee of the Year by MASFAP. The awards were announced during a conference held recently at Lake of the Ozarks. The event provides interest sessions for student aid personnel throughout Missouri at both the college and high school levels, as well as recognizes those who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the profession.

The Bob Berger Newcomer Award recognizes those new to the financial aid profession who have kept students’ interest as a top priority, shown dedication to providing professional development for others and themselves, given back to the financial aid community, and demonstrated leadership by supporting student aid related activities and programs. One recipient is selected per year. The honoree also receives a scholarship to attend the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Leadership Symposium, which is designed to help cultivate future leaders in MASFAA, state associations and campus communities. The Committee of the Year award recognizes a committee based on its outstanding accomplishments, activities and contributions to the organization.

Riley has worked in the profession for three-and-a-half years, beginning in 2018 in Mizzou’s Office of Student Financial Aid. In 2019, she began advising at the CVM part time, and has now been serving the CVM full time for more than a year. A nomination letter for Riley emphasized her dedication to the profession. “Since beginning in financial aid a few years ago, Manda has been a strong advocate for our students,” the letter read. “She is dedicated to providing the best service and takes her time with students to provide resources unique to their situation. She truly listens. It is clear that her students are always her first priority, which is evident by her 99% customer service satisfaction rating since beginning at Mizzou.”

Riley says receiving the Bob Berger Newcomer Award is significant for her. “It is a great honor to be selected as the recipient of the Bob Berger Newcomer Award,” she said. “While I never knew Bob, he is known in the financial aid profession as a fierce advocate for students. I am proud to carry his legacy forward as we continue to serve students holistically and ensure their access and success. MASFAP has provided immense opportunities for my personal and professional growth. I am grateful to be recognized for what brings great joy to my life and profession, serving and empowering students.”

By Nick Childress

Manda Riley, the financial aid advisor for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, was named the recipient of the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Outstanding New Professional Award at the recent MASFAA Conference. The conference, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, provides professionals with the opportunity to learn and network with colleagues from throughout the Midwest, provides information on relevant topics and fosters conversation for attendees from nine different states. They also distribute awards that recognize members for their outstanding commitment, contributions, and achievements in the financial aid profession.

The New Professional Award is given annually to recognize the outstanding contribution of a new professional to the financial aid profession. To be eligible, a recipient must have been in the profession for less than five years and made outstanding contributions at the institutional, state, regional, or national levels.

Riley has been in the profession for three-and- half-years, beginning in 2018 in Mizzou’s Office of Student Financial Aid. In 2019, she began advising at the CVM part time, and has now been serving the CVM full time for more than a year. An anonymous nomination letter for Riley stated that she has consistently worked to improve and make lasting impacts on students. “Manda is a role model for fellow financial aid advisors and a friendly face for new members of our profession,” the letter read. “I have no doubt she will continue to be a future leader in our profession and a trailblazer in all she does.”

“It is an immeasurable honor to receive this award, particularly from such an immense group of talent across nine states,” said Riley. “For me, this award represents and validates my commitment to compassionately support and advocate for our students using holistic, strengths-based frameworks. I am fortunate to have such wonderful colleagues that empower me and challenge me to be the best I can. It is such an honor to represent the financial aid profession and the amazing students we serve.”

By Nick Childress