The Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship recognizes veterinary nurses who have demonstrated leadership skills and made a positive impact on the profession. We congratulate the 2020 scholarship winners:
Trish Farry, RVN, AVN, VTS (ECC, Anesthesia & Analgesia), GCHEd
Queensland, Australia
Trish received her certification in veterinary nursing from Ithaca College in 1995 and a graduate certificate in higher education from the University of Queensland in 2015. She was licensed as an RVT in 2019. She is currently a master of philosophy candidate at the University of Queensland, where she is an associate lecturer and clinical instructor. Her areas of teaching include emergency medicine, anesthesia, analgesia, and clinical practices for undergraduate veterinary and veterinary technology students. Among her many awards are Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia Nurse of the Year and Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technician of the Year, both awarded in 2017.
“I feel honored, humbled, and grateful to be recognized for the scholarship named for Dr. Rippie, who was such a visionary and advocate for veterinary nurses,” Trish says. “I have been in this industry for over 30 years now and I owe my longevity to having a wonderful supportive network of colleagues and employers who have recognized my passion, skills, and knowledge and encouraged further development.”
Bea Biddinger, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Ithaca, Mich.
Bea specializes in veterinary student education and is the Instructional Labs Administrator of the LeBlanc Critical Skills Laboratory/Student Surgery Laboratory at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1998, she graduated from MSU as an LVT; that same year, she was certified as a Veterinary Technician Specialist (Emergency and Critical Care) with the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses. Bea gives frequent presentations and hands-on laboratories at veterinary conferences and has been widely published.
“The existence of the [Rippie] scholarship means a great deal, as it proves veterinary nurses are valued as an integral and important part of the veterinary team,” Bea says. “I just know I would have thoroughly enjoyed meeting Dr. Rippie. This award will be a memorable part of my career.”
Pamela Mahlie, RVT
Granger, Ind.
Pamela works at Western Veterinary Clinic, which is a mixed small animal and equine practice. She possesses advanced skills in many areas, including patient ICU nursing care, surgery assistance, emergency medicine, and client education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and agriculture education from Ohio State University in 1979. In 1981, she received her RVT license. She is a member and district representative of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association.
“Thanks to the Rippie scholarship, I felt very blessed to be able to attend one of my favorite conferences,” says Pamela. “I was able to return to my practice with all kinds of wonderful information! Being in a mixed practice, I had days I attended sessions on geckos, horses, dogs, cats, and birds, all in the same day, and I brought dozens of pearls back that we have already used. The time in the exhibit hall allowed me to gather a contact to update our K laser, find solutions for back-ordered medications, and discover new foods to share with cats suffering kidney failure.”
To learn more about the scholarship and application process, visit the NAVC’s website.