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John L. Pitts Aquatic Veterinary Education Awards Program

A program to assist veterinary students & new veterinary graduates

The John L. Pitts Aquatic Veterinary Education Awards Program is pleased to offer financial support each year to a limited number of veterinary students or recent graduates of recognized veterinary schools, allowing recipients to explore a career in aquatic veterinary medicine through a variety of aquatic veterinary educational activities.  Activities supported include attending aquatic veterinary workshops, giving presentations at meetings, participating in externships, internships, or engaging in small-scale research projects.

Click here to learn more about the impacts this Program has had on aquatic veterinary medicine globally.

 

2023 Awardees

John L. Pitts Scholars:

- Alvarado, Sheyling; Post Graduate (Peru)

- Bohora, Padam Bahadur; Agriculture/Forestry University (Nepal)

- Anton, Brian; University of Madison, Wisconsin (USA)

- Bradley, Megan; University of Minnesota (USA)

- Khadka, Yashoda; Agriculture/Forestry University (Nepal)

- Lee, Vivian; Cornell University (USA)

- Ma, Nathan; UC Davis (USA)

- McDonald, Sienna; UC Davis (USA)

- Penas, Carmen; Madrid (Spain)

- Prosper, Hector; Valencia (Spain)

- Slater, Jamie; NC State (USA)

- Smith, Hannah; Purdue (USA)

- Tan, Spencer; Murdoch University (Australia)

- Torchia, Brittany; Cornell University (USA)

Award Intent & Criteria

Awards are intended to assist veterinary students and veterinarians who have graduated in the previous two years, to become involved with aquatic veterinary medicine. Previous recipients of the award are ineligible to apply. Upon completion of the activities, award recipients are required to submit a report of their activity for publication in The Aquatic Veterinarian.

Awards (generally between $250 and $1,000) are intended to support aquatic veterinary activities and educational opportunities, and may be used towards offsetting personal costs for:

  • Travel, accommodation, and/or registration at aquatic veterinary conferences, symposia, and other continuing education and professional development (CEPD) meetings, including on-line aquatic CEPD;
  • Travel, accommodation, and other activities directly associated with externships that expose veterinary students to clinical aquatic veterinary medicine;
  • Equipment and supplies needed for aquatic veterinary research projects not funded by other sources.

 

Program Objectives

  1. Introduce veterinary students or recent graduates to aquatic veterinary medicine.
  2. Encourage participation in the profession.
  3. Encourage the development of aquatic veterinary medicine in a global manner.
  4. Increase veterinary involvement in aquatic animal health in regions where it has traditionally been lacking.
  5. Select applicants who demonstrate a passion for the subject, either by previous experience or by overcoming difficulties to become involved.
  6. Promote individuals whose experiences will likely benefit the advancement of aquatic veterinary medicine in their country or region.

 

Program History

This Program was initiated in 2010 to celebrate the contributions of John L. Pitts, DVM (1941-2009) to advancing aquatic veterinary medicine, and his dedication to helping veterinary students and recent veterinary graduates navigate their way into a highly rewarding career. His service to the profession began in 1969 as a veterinary student, when he was instrumental in helped form the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA). John also helped in the formation of the National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators, the Aquaculture and Seafood Advisory Committee of the AVMA, and worked tirelessly to shape and help pass the Minor Uses and Minor Species Act. To continue John's vision, a committee comprised of individuals representing private practice, academia, past recipients, WAVMA student members, and the Pitts family work to administer the Program. Awards of 250-1,000 USD have been made to veterinary students and newly graduated veterinarians from all around the world.

Click here to learn more about the impacts this Program has had on aquatic veterinary medicine globally.

 

Application Process

The application process for the 2024 John L. Pitts Aquatic Veterinary Education Awards Program is now open from 1st March to April 7 2024.The application form is avialable here: 2024 Application Form

Commonly asked questions are addressed here: FAQ doc link 

Flyer for general Pitts Awards program promotion

John L. Pitts Scholars

2023: Alvarado, Sheyling; Post Graduate (Peru),  Bohora, Padam Bahadur; Agriculture/Forestry University (Nepal)

2022: Maria-Antonia Minea; University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (Romania)

2021: Sampada Devkota; Agriculture and Forestry University (Nepal) and Michelle Greenfield; Cornell University (USA)

2018-2020: Due to the high quality of all applications, a Scholar was not able to be identified

2017: Shiva Prasad Bhusal, Agriculture and Forestry University (Nepal)

2016: Christina McKenzie, University of Saskatchewan (Canada)

2015: Austin McConnell, Auburn University (USA)

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The Pitts'Awards Program relies on contributions from WAVMA members, other organizations, sponsors, and others keen to support the development of a well-trained aquatic veterinary workforce. Donations in any amount may help to increase the number of students we can help to find their place in aquatic veterinary medicine worldwide. Please check with your tax advisor to determine if your donation would be considered a tax-deductible expense.

Donate Now

 

Donors

We gratefully acknowledge donations from the following for their support of this program: