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VMBS Honors Outstanding Faculty, Students at Annual Awards Ceremony
Elizabeth Rumfola receives the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Earl Waddell Award from TVMF President Tracy McAdoo during the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Honors & Awards Ceremony.
Credit: Photos by Nadya Pichkasova, VMBS Marketing & Communications
The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) recognized 71 students, staff, and faculty members at the 2026 Honors & Awards Ceremony on April 1.
The annual event honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and professional contributions to the veterinary field; it also recognizes those who lead through their commitment to educational excellence and impactful leadership, applauding their accomplishments and the difference they are making in the academic community.
View photos from the ceremony here.
2026 Honors & Awards Recipients
- American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Student Award: Jamie Sahlberg
- American Animal Hospital Association Award for Proficiency in Primary Care: Jamie Sahlberg
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Award: Bridget Moore, Erin Connolly, & Elisabeth Moore
- American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Award: Laurel Bailey
- American College of Veterinary Pathologists Award for Excellence in Veterinary Pathology: Alyssa Zubieta & Samantha Hicks-Peña
- American College of Veterinary Radiology Student Award: Victoria Marshall
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons Student Proficiency Award: Cierra Cadena & Caroline Knight
- Arden Kemler Award: Trevor Warren
- Award for Proficiency in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care: Michaela Stavropoulos
- Bridges Teaching & Service Award: Dr. Charity Cavazos, Dr. Salena Scott, & Dr. Meriam Saleh
- Feline Veterinary Medical Association Award: Gilbert Ramos
- Fred P. Jaggi Award: Alexandra Isler
- George T. Edds Award: Evan Farkas, Steven Jackson, & Olivia Lampe
- Gerald Bratton & Charles Hall Clinical Neurology Award: Kortney Lyle
- Griffeth/Quick Cardiology Award: Sophie Tippit
- Joanne Hardy Excellence in Surgery Award: Dr. Morgan Steiner
- John Milliff ’28 Veterinary Award for Teaching: Dr. Leslie Easterwood
- John Milliff ’28 Veterinary Student Award: Jessica Martinez
- John Paul Delaplane Award: Ian Kirimi Daniel
- Juan Carlos Robles Emanuelli Teaching Award: Dr. Candice Chu & Dr. Amanda Trimble
- Kaytee Avian & Special Species Excellence Award: Alyssa Hartmann
- L. P. Jones Pathology Resident Award: Sarah Jacobson & Kristen Shekelle
- Merck Small Animal Parasitology Award: Daniela Sierra
- Merck Large Animal Parasitology Award: Caleb Baker
- North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society Student Anesthesia Award: Dylan Thomas
- Outstanding Graduate Student & Postdoc Mentor Award: Dr. Ivan Rusyn
- Outstanding Thesis Masters Student Award: Ainrisq Rifai
- Outstanding Non-Thesis Masters Student Award: Lydia Darbonne
- Outstanding PhD Student Award: Maureen Kelly
- Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate Award: Anil Pant
- Outstanding Research Leader Award: Dr. Larry Suva
- Outstanding Research Support Award: Dr. Sarah Christian
- Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award: Dr. James Cai & Dr. Peter Nghiem
- Outstanding Young Faculty Research Award: Dr. Emily Gould
- Patton W. Burns Award: Caleb Metts
- Proficiency in Theriogenology Award: Jack Richison
- Richard H. Davis Teaching Award: Dr. Lauren Stanahan
- Schubot Avian Health Director’s Award: Stephen Satchfield & Michael Lira
- Texas Veterinary Medical Association Research Award: Dr. Camilo Hernandez-Aviles
- Texas Veterinary Medical Association Teaching Award: Dr. Erin Ray
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Earl Waddell Award: Dr. Elizabeth Rumfola & Molly Wart
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Dr. Eve Gerome Memorial Scholarship: Alexis Tillett
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Dr. William & Denise Liska Award: Dr. Meghan Watt
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation One Health Scholarship: Alexandra Isler
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Philanthropy Award: Delaney Leibensperger
- Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Student Research Scholar Award: Charles Lee & Kaitlyn Morales
- Veterinary Cancer Society Bob Rosenthal Student Award in Clinical Oncology: Joshua Kennon
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Clinical Service Award: Dr. Dustin Major, Dr. Lance Wheeler, & Dr. Joao Cavasin
- VMBS Research Scholar Award: Reagan Stephens
- Wade Burton & Susan Hopper Veterinary Emergency Team Award: Michaela Stavropoulos
- Walter “Dub” Ruoff Memorial Award: Zachary Harbers
- Winnie Carter Wildlife & Exotic Animal Award: Austin Warren & Kendall Preece
- Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence: Dr. Christopher Seabury
- Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award: Dr. Laura Bryan
