2022 Interns and Residents Graduate

“[Our interns and residents] stepped up, worked hard, and did an amazing job to keep our hospitals and clinics running. Thank you on behalf of Cummings School.” - Dean Alastair Cribb

Cumming School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University held its annual Department of Clinical Sciences Intern and Resident Graduation ceremony June 29, where 25 Interns and 20 residents were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Cummings School’s hospitals and clinics through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents completed a three-year appointment while interns each served the school for one year, with 15 finishing small animal rotating internships.

Mary Labato, V83, the Anne Engen and Belle Professor in Clinical Nephrology, and Alastair Cribb, Cummings School dean and Henry and Lois Foster Professor, presided over the ceremony.

“The interns have been critical to operating our hospitals and clinics,” Cribb stated. “We couldn’t have done it without you. And the residents have had an experience like no others before you with over two years in pandemic mode … You stepped up, worked hard, and did an amazing job to keep our hospitals and clinics running. Thank you on behalf of Cummings School.”

Dean Cribb announced the recipients of the annual resident achievement awards, recognizing the top performers from this year’s graduating class, and shared some comments received from professors about each recipient.

Jules and Lucy Silver Animal Bedside Manner Award
Awarded annually to a resident demonstrating outstanding care, concern, and sensitivity for the well-being of both animal patients and clients, the Jules and Lucy Silver Animal Bedside Manner Award was presented to Dr. Lauren Carvalho for small animal medicine and Dr. Jillian Minuto for large animal medicine.

“She is so kind, patient, and the owners love her,” professors asserted about Carvalho. “She demonstrates outstanding patience, gentleness, and kindness with clients and is tirelessly committed to her patients.

Minuto was lauded as “a perfect example of a clinician who demonstrates outstanding care, concern, and sensitivity for the well-being of both animal patients, and clients … and spent hours on the phone talking with owners in her calm, reassuring voice, painting a vivid picture of their animal’s progress.”

Resident Award for Excellence in Teaching
Peter Czajkowski (small animal surgery) and Jenna Lambert (large animal surgery) received the Resident Award for Excellence in Teaching for educating and serving as a role model for students during the residency.

“He is a superstar teacher,” professors noted about Czajkowski. “He spent extra time and effort to teach, which he truly seems to enjoy. He is great in rounds and at the surgery table.”

Lambert was recognized for doing “an outstanding job engaging with the students during their clinical rotations. With consistently excellent evaluations, she shows the patience and enthusiasm needed to teach students.”

Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England (VSTONE) Award for Clinical Excellence

Catherine Stecyk, specializing in small animal surgery, received the Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England (VSTONE) Award for Clinical Excellence, presented to a resident who is from New England.

Stecyk was characterized by professors as “one of the most talented small animal surgeons we have trained over the last 20 years … great with clients, patients, faculty, and staff … a pleasure to work with and able to deal with high stress and a high caseload with a smile.”

Dr. James Ross Memorial Award

Julianne Richard (Zoological Companion Animal Medicine) received the Dr. James Ross Memorial Award, presented to a resident who demonstrates clinical excellence, and whose passion, energy, collegiality, and commitment shine in all aspects of veterinary medicine, including teaching, bedside manner, and research. Established in 2021, the award honors Dr. Ross, a founding member of Tufts [now Cummings] School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Julianne has carried the weight of the exotics service more than might have been anticipated for a resident,” remarked a professor. “And she always maintained composure and high standards of patient care.”

Each graduate received a certificate of completion from their program director and a gift bag from the Department of Clinical Sciences.

Among the 20 residents, six earned their D.V.M. at Cummings School, five previously served as Tufts interns, and three hold a veterinary degree from an international institution.

The interns included four Cummings School graduates and four who earned a veterinary degree abroad.