LSU honors 2 veterinary professors

An associate professor and an alumna from the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine were recently honored at the 2023 Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association annual conference in Lafayette, Louisiana. Mustajab Mirza, DVM, DACVS, associate professor of equine surgery, received the Everett D. Besch Distinguished Service Award, and Christine Navarre, DVM (LSU 1990), DACVIM, professor of veterinary science, received the 2020 Dr. Ralph C. Cooper Award as Veterinarian of the Year.

Everett D. Besch Distinguished Service Award

Established to recognize outstanding service to the community and veterinary profession, the Everett D. Besch Distinguished Service Award was named for the founding dean of LSU Vet Med. Besch was instrumental in establishing the veterinary school at LSU, served as dean from 1968 to 1988, and passed away in 2008.

Mirza joined the faculty of LSU Vet Med in July 2006. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in Pakistan in 1992 and his Master of Science degree from LSU Vet Med in 1998. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

"For each disaster, we ask that the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine put their Large Animal Technical Response Team on standby. Dr Mirza is the lead veterinarian for the team and for the past 17 years he has always been willing to respond to animals in need. He has responded to every disaster in the state since Hurricane Katrina,” said a peer in support of Mirza’s nomination for the award.

“For animal emergency response our first concern is always responder safety then public safety then animal safety. Technical large animal response can be very dangerous if responders are not properly trained. This is why LSART collaborates with LSU, the LDAF, and national partners to provide a week-long training in animal disaster response including technical large animal response. For over 12 years, Dr Mirza has been the primary trainer for technical large animal response. He has trained hundreds of veterinary students, veterinarians, vet techs and animal control officers in technical large animal rescue. His dedication to education and teaching these responders has prepared them to respond in their communities and to always think of safety first when responding to large animal emergencies," the peer added.

Ralph C. Cooper Veterinarian of the Year

The Ralph C. Cooper Veterinarian of the Year Award is given annually to the person who is recognized by his or her colleagues as having given the most of themselves in time, energy, and ideas to the veterinary profession in the state of Louisiana. Each nominee must have had a positive influence in promoting animal health and welfare in the community as well as within the profession. Nominees should also be of good character and well respected by colleagues; be presently active in local, state, and/or national veterinary associations; and have shown an outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine, either through his or her work or through his or her actions and public awareness.

Navarre joined the faculty at LSU in September 2005. She received her veterinary degree from LSU Vet Med in 1990 and her Master of Science from Texas A&M in 1994. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Large Animal).

Reference

LSU professors honored at Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association annual meeting. News release. Louisiana State University. February 22, 2023.