Education
- D.V.M., The Ohio State University
- B.S. in Biology, Saint Vincent College
I have worked in clinical practice for 12 years as a veterinarian with about 20 years total experience within the field, and I am an accredited, PA licensed veterinarian. I have a special interest in education and public health. Prior to coming to Grove City College, I was the Medical Director & instructor at Vet Tech Institute/Median School of Allied Health Careers for six years. For three years, I taught within the Biology Departments at Penn State-Beaver and Geneva College. I have also consulted with on-line educational programs in the areas of anatomy and physiology.
Research
Zoonotic disease, public health, and tick-borne diseases. In our previous five-year study, we have speciated nearly 3,000 ticks and tested the ticks for the presence of five tick-borne pathogens. Ticks are known to host zoonotic pathogens, however, there are few Pennsylvania (PA) state-wide studies that define regional tick species and the prevalence of common tick-borne pathogens. Two major objectives of our study is to confirm common tick species found in PA and the prevalence of common pathogens carried by Ixodes scapularis or the deer tick.
During the 2019 spring semester, I took a sabbatical to study all aspects of apiculture and to develop a new research program at the College which involves bringing a research and teaching apiary to campus. I have the opportunity to travel to France, Scotland, Montana and within Pennsylvania to consult and work with multiple experts in bee medicine and beekeeping. Stay tuned for new developments!
Courses
- Zoonotic Disease & Public Health
- Human & Mammalian Anatomy (lecture and laboratory)
- Human & Mammalian Physiology (lecture and laboratory)
- Internship in Biology
- Independent Research in Biology
- Histology
- Crow Indian Reservation Travel Course
- Biology of Diving
- Introduction to Biology Health
- Introduction to Pathology
My medical background, my interests in public health and the many areas of biology, as well as the needs and interests of my students are the motivation for my courses’ development.
What is the most important piece of advice you give your students to help them succeed?
Make informed plans, be responsible for your choices, and watch what God might do (you’ll probably have no idea but it won’t be boring). I advise many students in the areas of pre-health school preparation. I try to take a very practical, real-life approach to teaching in the classroom what they will need in life academically, socially, and spiritually.
Selected Publications
- “A Most Unusual Case: Snake’s Sticky Situation,” Veterinary Forum (Oct. 2006)
- Review “Nutrition for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses by Ann Wortinger," The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2007)
- “Issues in Practice: Harnessing the ‘Right’ Stuff,” Veterinary Forum (2007)
- “Lead Story: It Takes A Team,” Veterinary Forum (2008)
- Letter to the Editor. “Incorporating the One-health Concept into Undergraduate Education,” JAVMA (2011)
- “Evidence of Powassan virus (POWV) in Black-Legged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) Recovered from Hunter-Harvested White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Heads in Pennsylvania,” Zoonosis and Public Health (Aug. 2018)
- "Borrelia miyamotoi infection rate in black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) recovered from heads of hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Pennsylsylvania: A public health perspective," Journal of PA Academy of Science (2018)
- "Examples of Undergrad OH Education," One Health Commission website Narratives of One Health in Action (Feb. 2018)
- “Ticks collected in late fall from hunter harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) heads in Pennsylvania, 2013-2015,” Journal of the PA Academy of Science (2017)
Is there any additional personal experience you would like to share?
One of the greatest blessings I have been able to participate in at Grove City College is the Crow Reservation Travel Course. This course occurs during the May Intersession. It focuses on various aspects of public health, which can be tailored to students’ specific interests. It also includes exposure to the culture and history of the Crow people and their lands.
Once in Montana, students participate in group and/or specifically-students designed public health projects (Rabies clinics, West Nile clinics, Gardening & Nutrition Seminars). We work with prominent members of the tribe, the Little Big Horn College, and the Crow Indian Hospital in the development and implementation of these projects. These projects are held over four days. The other days are spent exploring the history and culture of the Crow Reservation region, including: The Little Big Horn Battlefield tour & re-enactment, tour of Chief Plenticoups National Park, and an Ok-a-beh reservoir trip. Our host family has since adopted me into their Apasaalooke family.