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Four Penn Vet Students: Student Inspiration Awards

From left, Corey Spies, Brianna Parsons, Talia Wong and Molly Klores

From left, Corey Spies, Brianna Parsons, Talia Wong and Molly Klores are the 2017 recipients of Penn Vet’s Student Inspiration Awards.

Penn Vet has awarded students Molly Klores, Brianna Parsons, Corey Spies and Talia Wong with the 2017 Student Inspiration Awards. Each year, the award is presented to Penn Vet students who demonstrate the potential to significantly advance the frontiers of veterinary medicine and expand the profession’s impact on the wellbeing of animals and society.

“It is incredibly encouraging to see our students champion such important issues for the betterment of society,” said Joan C. Hendricks, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Our students are always good-hearted and creative, but this year I am really struck by the sophistication and attention to sustainability beyond the time of their engagement. Both of these projects have genuine potential for significant lasting impact. The future of veterinary medicine is very bright.”

Ms. Parsons, a third-year student from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Spies, a second-year student from Kinnelon, New Jersey, were awarded $25,000 for their proposal, Gambia Goat Dairy—An Innovative Goat Milking Facility in Bwiam, The Gambia. They spent eight weeks in The Gambia researching the feasibility and sustainability of developing a goat dairy and developed a comprehensive business plan with input from over 25 key Gambian stakeholders. The pair will use the funds to improve community nutrition and healthcare in an impoverished area of The Gambia by generating a local supply of affordable, safe, high-quality animal protein that also generates a sustainable source of revenue for the hospital.

Ms. Klores, of Washington DC, and Ms. Wong, of Brookline, Massachusetts, both third-year students, received $11,500 for their proposal, Educating the Public: Bringing One Health to the Clinic. They will use their award to create educational materials, including posters and a website, promoting One Health considerations in routine appointments at Penn’s medical and veterinary hospitals. The project’s goal is to engage clients and patients in the One Health conversation, and encourage them to take ownership of their family’s health. The educational materials will focus on the connections between pet and owner health in order to improve the detection of zoonotic risks.

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