2025 House Officers’ Graduation Ceremony

Cumming School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University held its annual House Officer, Interns and Residents, Graduation ceremony on June 26. 

Twenty-five interns and 19 residents were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Cummings School’s hospitals and clinics. Residents completed a three-year appointment, while interns each served the school for one year. Fifteen veterinarians finished small animal rotating internships.

Professor Emerita Mary Labato, D.V.M., DACVIM (SAIM), V83, the Anne Engen and Belle Professor in Clinical Nephrology, presided over the ceremony, welcoming everyone and announcing the recipients of the annual resident achievement awards. These awards recognize the top performers from this year’s graduating class. 

Jules and Lucy Silver Animal Bedside Manner Award

This award is presented to residents demonstrating outstanding care, concern, and sensitivity for the well-being of both animal patients and clients. This year’s recipient is Dr. Merav Stein, neurology resident. 

Clinical Sciences Excellence in Teaching

This award is presented to residents for their exceptional talents and efforts in teaching and serving as student role models. This year’s recipients are Dr. Marica Montgomery, emergency medicine and critical care resident, and Dr. Keaton Cortez, diagnostic imaging resident. 

Outstanding Research Award

This award is presented to a resident who excels in research during their residency. 

This year’s recipients are Dr. Tim Chan, dermatology resident, and Dr. Fionna Lehmann, large animal medicine resident. 

Charles and Althea Simons Award for Clinical Excellence (sponsored by VSTONE)

This award is presented to a resident from New England who demonstrates excellent clinical skills. This year’s recipient is Dr. Amanda Johnson, emergency medicine and critical care resident. 

Dr. James Ross Memorial Award

This award is 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. This year’s recipient is Dr. Sabrina Manley, emergency medicine and critical care resident.

Following the resident award presentations, each intern and resident received a certificate of completion from their program director.

Interns 

Community Medicine
Program Director: Dr. Jenni Grady, V12
Intern: Dr. Joanna Gromadzki

Cardiology
Program Director: Dr. Vicky Yang, V09
Intern: Dr. Erin LeRoy

Cardiology Research
Program DIrector: Dr. Lisa Freeman, V91
Intern: Dr. Mark Bilger

Clinical Trials
Program Director: Dr. Cheryl London, V90
Intern: Dr. Logan Kursh

Large Animal Surgery
Program Director: Dr. Thomas Jenei
Intern: Dr. Andrea Messina

Neurology
Program Director: Dr. Dominik Faissler
Intern: Dr. Andrew Shulman

Ophthalmology
Program Director: Dr. Stephanie Pumphrey, V08
Intern: Dr. Milan Piva

Small Animal Rotating
Program Directors: Dr. Alexia Berg and Dr. Lilian Cornejo 
Interns:

Dr. Natassja Boham
Dr. Sophia Buoniconti
Dr. Sarah Danelius
Dr. Rachel Garrett
Dr. Yassmina Habib
Dr. Madison Janzen
Dr. Ines Ladjel
Dr. Sarah Langfitt
Dr. Natalie Lovelace
Dr. Elena Mahmoudi
Dr. Cassandra Munroe
Dr. Kirsten Rico
Dr. Rocio Remolina Palomino
Dr. Cameron Stewart
Dr. Magnus Yoshimura

Zoological Companion Animal Medicine/Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
Program Director: Dr. Marjorie Bercier
Intern: Dr. Brianna O'Malley, V24

Zoological Companion Animal Medicine
Program Director: Dr. Marjorie Bercier
Interns:

Dr. Erica Evans
Dr. Caroline Titel

Residents

Anesthesiology
Program Director: Dr. Lois Wetmore
Resident: Dr. Elhanan Lehmann

Cardiology
Program Director: Dr. John Rush
Resident: Dr. Hannah Melhorn

Clinical Pathobiology
Program Director: Dr. Francisco Conrado
Resident: Dr. Rachel Whitman

Dermatology
Program Director: Dr. Ramon Almela
Resident: Dr. Tim Chan

Diagnostic Imaging
Program Director: Dr. Amy Sato
Residents:

Dr. Keaton Cortez
Dr. Alexandra MacLeod

Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
Program Director: Dr. Armelle de Laforcade, V97, and Dr. Ian DeStefano
Residents:

Dr. Amanda Johnson, V21
Dr. Sabrina Manley
Dr. Marica Montgomery
Dr. Junes Ossman

Large Animal Medicine
Program Director: Dr. Daniella Bedenice
Resident: Dr. Fionna Lehmann

Large Animal Sports Medicine and Surgery
Program Director: Dr. Kirstin Bubeck
Resident: Dr. Violette Cassiers

Neurology
Program Director: Dr. Dominik Faissler
Resident: Dr. Merav Stein

Small Animal Medical Oncology
Program Director: Dr. Jennifer Mahoney
Residents: 

Dr. Sarah Adrianowycz, V20
Dr. Katilee Jacobs

Small Animal Internal Medicine
Program Director: Dr. Mary Labato, V83
Residents: 

Dr. Kayla Prentice, V21
Dr. Louis Roussille

Small Animal Surgery
Program Director: Dr. Ray Kudej
Residents: 

Dr. Valeria Colberg
Dr. Danielle Creamer