Outstanding Alumni and Faculty Hall of Famers Recognized
The Tufts University Veterinary Alumni Association (TUVAA) inducted two members to its Faculty Hall of Fame and recognized a pair of Outstanding Alumni Award recipients at a ceremony held in May, during the Alumni Reunion and Springfest celebration at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Faculty Hall of Fame inductee and Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Robert McCarthy
Robert McCarthy, V83, clinical associate professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, received the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award and was recognized as the 2021 inductee into the Faculty Hall of Fame.
A member of Cummings School’s first graduating class, he served on the faculty of Louisiana State University and earned a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota before joining the school’s faculty in 1993. He retired this year after nearly three decades of service to the school and served as one of two faculty members selected to hood the graduates at this year’s Commencement ceremony.
A veterinary surgeon specializing in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, McCarthy worked primarily with small companion animals, and performed surgery on exotic, wildlife, and zoo animals as well.
McCarthy was nominated for the Hall of Fame by Laurence Sawyer, V99, clinical director of Angell at Nashoba [veterinary clinic] in Westford, Massachusetts. “He has had one of the most significant and lasting impacts on Cummings School vet students as well as veterinarians in Massachusetts,” says Sawyer.
“By both teaching and practicing he gives students a broad, well-rounded, and realistic perspective on a wide variety of surgical cases. He puts students at ease and helps them see that surgery is something that can be fun and very rewarding rather than intimidating.”
McCarthy mentioned that he was honored to join the highly influential Faculty Hall of Fame inductees who came before him and pleased that he had the opportunity to get to know all of them.
In her nomination letter of McCarthy for the Outstanding Alumni Award, Emily Karlin, V08, assistant professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, noted, “Dr. McCarthy has mentored hundreds, if not thousands of students, house officers, and colleagues over a long successful career. He is always willing to take on challenges and to try new things to help all animals in need.”
At the ceremony, Karlin and Rebecca Reader, V13, assistant professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, shared stories and words of praise on behalf of a number of faculty who have worked with McCarthy throughout his career.
McCarthy was humbled by the company he joined by earning this recognition. “I am incredibly honored to even be considered with the group of others that have received these awards,” he confessed. Among those he mentioned were:
- Sue Cotter, a pioneering researcher of feline leukemia and human AIDs;
- Larry Kleine, “who could diagnose almost everything off a plain x ray before the advent of CT, MRI and ultrasound,” according to McCarthy;
- Lisa Freeman, J86, V91, NG96, an expert on nutrition;
- Jim Ross, a pioneer of veterinary cardiology; and
- John Rush, one of the world’s experts on trans-catheter interventions.
2021 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Jennifer Lofgren
Jennifer Lofgren, V07, VG07, received the 2021 TUVAA Outstanding Alumni Award. The global head of animal welfare and research compliance at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge Massachusetts, her distinguished career has included work in the Division of Comparative Medicine at MIT and service as a clinical veterinarian at the University of Michigan.
Nominated by Robert Marini, V84, (and others) he applauded Lofgren’s promotion of animal welfare for all species used in biomedical research and noted “she embodies those virtues to which a Cummings School graduate aspires: she is engaged, impactful, principled, committed, and visionary.”
Unable to attend the ceremony, in a gracious letter of thanks, Lofgren wrote “I never would have achieved anything in laboratory animal welfare without my family, mentors, and colleagues that inspired, empowered, and guided me … with this award you have reminded me that it isn’t the species you help or where you help them that matters, but rather the help that you give.”
Awarded annually since 2005, the Outstanding Alumni Award honors alumni for the good name they bring to Cummings School, the veterinary profession, and the community through their distinguished accomplishments.
2022 TUVAA Faculty Hall of Fame inductee Gregory Wolfus
Gregory Wolfus, V98, is the 2022 inductee to the TUVAA Faculty Hall of Fame. After graduating from Cummings School, he worked for 13 years at a local small animal hospital before joining the school’s faculty to direct Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.
A clinical associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, at Tufts at Tech Wolfus leads a team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and fourth-year veterinary students to provide subsidized veterinary care to underserved local populations. Located at Worcester Technical High School (WTHS), students in the school’s veterinary assistant program assist with operation of the clinic while learning from its staff.
Nominated for the award by Mariah Lancaster, V17, Wolfus was commended for “making the clinical year vastly more educational through the Tufts at Tech program and being an all-around amazing guy.”
Thankful for the recognition, Wolfus shared, “I’m incredibly humbled and honored to be inducted into a group of my veterinary heroes.”
Cummings School’s Faculty Hall of Fame recognizes faculty members for their outstanding commitment to excellence in teaching. Since 2005, one or more faculty members have been inducted annually to recognize, encourage, and maintain the exceptional teaching at the school.