tvmaa

Save the Date: 44th Annual Fall Scientific Veterinary Conference

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:47:48 GMT

Call for Nominations: 2026 TVMAA Alumni Awards

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 02:10:18 GMT

Deadline: February 15, 2026 @ 11:59 PM EST

The Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (TVMAA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 TVMAA Alumni Awards. These awards honor alumni and supporters whose leadership, service, and impact have strengthened the veterinary profession, Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM), and communities around the world.

This is your opportunity to recognize those whose contributions deserve to be celebrated.

Award Categories

Distinguished Alumnus Award (DA)

Honors an alumnus/a with an established career who has achieved exceptional distinction through transformative contributions to the veterinary profession, community, and nation. Nominees should demonstrate sustained support of TVMAA and TUCVM and a lasting professional legacy.

Distinguished Service Award (DS)

Recognizes exemplary service and substantial contributions to TVMAA, the veterinary profession, and local or global communities. This award celebrates individuals whose long-term dedication has strengthened both TVMAA and TUCVM.

Recent Alumnus Achievement Award (RAA)

Honors an alumnus/a who has been in the profession for 10 years or less and has demonstrated exemplary service, leadership, and meaningful contributions to TVMAA, the veterinary profession, and their community.

Honorary Alumnus Award (HA)

Recognizes a non-alumnus who has provided outstanding service and sustained support to TVMAA and/or TUCVM. Nominees may include leaders, advocates, or professionals who have made significant contributions to the veterinary profession or society at large.

Unsung Hero Award (UH)

Celebrates individuals excelling in uniformed service and/or civilian community outreach. Awardees may have overcome extraordinary challenges, advanced One Health initiatives, promoted diversity in the profession, or supported impactful outcomes benefiting TVMAA and/or TUCVM.

Nomination Requirements

For full nomination details and where to submit questions, see here .

Important Dates

Nomination Deadline: February 15, 2026 @ 11:59 PM EST

Award Presentation: March 20, 2026, during the Annual TUCVM Veterinary Symposium Banquet

Help us shine a spotlight on excellence, service, and leadership within the Tuskegee veterinary community. Submit your nominations today!

TVMAA Spotlight: Dr. Susan M. Williams Featured in Alumni Interview

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:57:04 GMT

We are honored to celebrate Dr. Williams’ contributions to veterinary medicine and the Tuskegee legacy

TVMAA is proud to spotlight Dr. Susan M. Williams, a distinguished graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, in this featured video interview.

Dr. Williams is a Professor in the Department of Population Health at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and serves as the Interim Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence. A diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, she is deeply involved in advancing poultry pathology, diagnostics, mentorship, and inclusive excellence across the profession.

In this video, Dr. Williams shares insights from her academic and professional journey, her commitment to mentorship, and her leadership within veterinary medicine.

Trailblazers in Veterinary Medicine

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:49:41 GMT

Diversity & Inclusion on Air 005 - Patricia Lowrie & 50 Years of Diversity

On the 5th episode of Diversity and Inclusion on Air, Lisa Greenhill interviewed Ms. Patricia Lowrie, a long time diversity advocate about the effort to diversify veterinary medicine. Ms. Lowrie has worked hard to increase access for underrepresented student populations for more than 30 years. She joined the show to discuss AAVMC's diversity efforts as the organization celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The video includes a very special clip of Dr. Billy Hooper, the AAVMC's first executive director discussing these efforts during the last 50 years.

From Director-Comparative Medicine to Director-Site Affairs: Meet the Woman Leading Pfizer's Revolutionary Moves in Cambridge, MA

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:18:41 GMT

From Director-Comparative Medicine to Director-Site Affairs: Meet the Woman Leading Pfizer's Revolutionary Moves in Cambridge, MA

In a groundbreaking move set to redefine the landscape of pharmaceutical innovation, Dr. Chandra Williams '94 has been appointed as the Director-Site Affairs of Pfizer's Cambridge, MA site, effective May 1, 2024. Dr. Williams, who previously held the esteemed position of Director-Comparative Medicine at the same location, brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and vision to her new role.

Having traversed the corridors of academia and industry with unparalleled dedication and acumen, Dr. Williams emerges as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals in the field of biomedical research. With a distinguished career spanning decades, her journey epitomizes resilience, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to scientific advancement.

In her latest endeavor, Dr. Williams assumes a multifaceted leadership role, entrusted with spearheading the strategy and implementation of crucial initiatives at Pfizer's Cambridge site. As the Director-Site Affairs, she will orchestrate colleague engagement, streamline site operations, foster external outreach, and enhance internal communications. Her mandate extends beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing a holistic approach to organizational excellence and innovation.

One of the pivotal aspects of Dr. Williams' role lies in her collaboration with the Global Workplace Experience (GWE) team, responsible for Facilities Management. By synergizing efforts and optimizing resources, she aims to ensure the seamless functioning of the site, while maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency and sustainability.

Moreover, Dr. Williams assumes the pivotal role of being the primary liaison for all Research Units and Science Lines within Pfizer. This pivotal responsibility underscores her integral role in facilitating collaboration, driving interdisciplinary synergy, and catalyzing scientific breakthroughs. With her innate ability to foster cross-functional partnerships and nurture talent, Dr. Williams is poised to lead Pfizer's Cambridge site into an era of unparalleled innovation and transformative impact.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Williams embodies the ethos of servant leadership, characterized by

empathy, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her leadership style is rooted in empathy, characterized by a genuine concern for the well-being and professional growth of her colleagues. Through mentorship, advocacy, and empowerment, she cultivates a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, wherein every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

As the torchbearer of Pfizer's mission to improve health and well-being through groundbreaking biomedical research, Dr. Chandra Williams stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and purpose. Her ascent to the role of Director-Site Affairs heralds a new chapter in Pfizer's illustrious journey, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of scientific excellence. In the hallowed halls of Pfizer's Cambridge site, Dr. Williams' leadership shines as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.

Dr. Greg Shaw is using his platform to make change

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:15:33 GMT

Dr. Greg Shaw is using his platform to make change

What do pets and music have in common?

Well, if you are an animal located in Nashville, Tennessee, then the answer is Dr. Greg Shaw!

As a veterinarian, he has a passion for helping both people and pets. Plus, Dr. Shaw performs, teaches, records, and produces music for artists around the globe. In his world, art meets science in the coolest of ways.

For this Tuskegee University graduate, nothing is “im-pawsible.” Every single day, he is proving that you can be multi-passionate. From writing books, making music, and of course being an animal scientist and veterinarian (with concentrations in public health, foreign animal diseases, zoonotic diseases, small animal medicine, shelter medicine, holistic as well as traditional treatments, and exotic animal species and diseases) Dr. Shaw shows us, yes…you can do it all!

Vet Candy is delighted to introduce this gracious and groovy vet to our readers.

Be Yourself. Everyone Else is Taken.

Veterinarian. Musician. Author. Actor.

Those are the titles Dr. Greg is known for. And though he serves on multiple boards as a consultant as well as a mentor for aspiring veterinarians, he also understands that there’s more to life than just “work.”

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that most veterinarians work full time, often clocking more than 40 hours per week – including nights and weekends. That’s a whole lot of time dedicated to caring for others. As such, vets need to be careful not to lose their sense of self and become consumed by work identities.

Remember, you are more than your job!

Dr. Shaw explains:

“My mission in life is to inspire the world to dream in a way that transcends professional or societal norms and to create your own path and own who you were created to be. Your purpose. Your dreams. Your way.”

He further adds, “I was brought up with the old saying that either you can wake up each day to help make someone else's dreams come true or you can wake up and make yours a reality. While I believe you can do both, having a purpose helps you maintain that vision for yourself so that at the end of the road you don't have any regrets and you brought your uniqueness to the world.”

And it is that uniqueness that makes Dr. Shaw so wonderful!

Why Music and Medicine?

In addition to his animal calling, Dr. Greg also loves music. He plays an assortment of instruments, including the saxophone, harmonica, piano, and even didgeridoo.

For him, music is a way to clear his head after a busy day of practicing medicine.

“Being from Memphis and living in Nashville, music is a part of my DNA,” he says. “I'm a big country music and blues fan, so being in Nashville allows me the opportunity to escape to the music whenever I need to get away.”

Check out his tunes by visiting @drgregshaw on Instagram.

Meet Dr. Treyton Diggs: The Heartfelt Tale of Westminster Kennel Club's Veterinarian of the Year 2024

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:12:32 GMT

Meet Dr. Treyton Diggs: The Heartfelt Tale of Westminster Kennel Club's Veterinarian of the Year 2024

In a momentous announcement, the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) has unveiled the recipient of its prestigious Veterinarian of the Year Award for 2024: Dr. Treyton Diggs, hailing from Boutte, Louisiana. Selected from a pool of over 200 nominations spanning the nation, Dr. Diggs stood out to an esteemed veterinary judging panel for his exceptional values, dedication, and ethical compass in the realm of animal care.

A graduate of Tuskegee University's esteemed veterinary program, Dr. Diggs honed his expertise through extensive training under top Board-Certified veterinary specialists across the United States. His journey in veterinary medicine led him back to his roots in Louisiana, where he became an integral part of the VCA Causeway Animal Hospital family before founding Allstar Animal Clinic in 2013. At Allstar Animal Clinic, Dr. Diggs specializes in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, as well as canine reproduction, showcasing his commitment to advancing veterinary care in his community.

Upon receiving the esteemed award, Dr. Diggs expressed profound gratitude, stating, "I am truly humbled and honored to have been selected for such a prestigious award from The Westminster Kennel Club, which significantly highlights my career and who I strive to be personally and professionally." He attributed his success to his dedicated colleagues and emphasized the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving one's dreams.

Dr. Diggs's impact extends beyond the walls of his clinic, as he is deeply involved in community service initiatives aimed at promoting animal welfare and education. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing protocols for The Inner Pup of New Orleans, a heartworm prevention initiative dedicated to providing affordable care to low-income families. Additionally, Dr. Diggs volunteers his veterinary services to the Pen Pals Program at Jackson Correctional Institute, where inmates care for and train dogs for adoption, fostering rehabilitation and compassion.

Dr. Diggs's remarkable journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring veterinarians and underscores the profound impact of compassionate care and community service in the field of veterinary medicine. As the esteemed recipient of the Veterinarian of the Year Award, Dr. Treyton Diggs exemplifies excellence, compassion, and dedication in his unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals and his community.

Dr. Tomeshia Hubbard is on fire

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:12:23 GMT

Dr. Tomeshia is on fire

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.