College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2018 White Coat Ceremony Saturday, March 18, 2017 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM Bailey Hall Dr. Matthew Antkowiak is a member of the 1997 graduating class of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Born in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Antkowiak earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and returned to New York State for his degree in veterinary medicine. He went on to Intern at SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center where he remained as an Emergency Veterinarian for fifteen years. During that time, he took over as director of the Internship program and for ten years oversaw the matriculation of over fifty veterinary interns many of which whom went on to achieve specialty degrees. In 2012, he left emergency medicine and with his friend and business partner, Dr. Christopher Miller, opened The Atlas District Veterinary Hospital or AtlasVet in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC. In four years, AtlasVet has grown from six employees and one doctor to thirty employees and seven doctors and was voted “Best Veterinarian in DC” three times by the readers of the Washington City Paper. With a strong following on Instagram and Twitter, AtlasVet (via Dr. Antkowiak and Dr. Miller) regularly appears on WJLA ABC 7 in DC and is very involved in their neighborhood through educational school programs and community events. PROGRAM Welcoming Remarks Lorin D. Warnick, DVM, PhD Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine Coating Ceremony Katherine M. Edmondson, PhD Assistant Dean for Learning and Instruction Lorin D. Warnick, DVM, PhD Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine Veterinarian’s Oath Susan Ackermann, DVM `86 President of the Alumni Association Executive Board at CUCVM The John F. Cummings Memorial Award James K. Morrisey, DVM, ABVP Address to Class Matthew Antkowiak, DVM `97 Co-Owner, AtlasVet, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC Closing Remarks Lorin D. Warnick, DVM, PhD Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine Photo montage of the Class of 2018 Class Photo Reception immediately following Physical Sciences Building, Baker Portico Class of 2018 Elizabeth Alexander Amanda Anthony Carly Augustyn Catherine Avelar Tyler Barnes Megan Bernard Robert Blakely Daniel Bloomfield Ariana Boltax Earl Brady Julie Breed Zachary Brett Hannah Brodlie Ashleigh Bruno Nicholas Buscaglia Cristina Bustamante Abigail Carr Daniel Cimino Anne Collier Alyssa Cornelius Cassandra Cromer Joseph DiBenedetto Matthew DiFazio Rayne Ellington-Lawrence Jennifer Ewald Erica Feldman Morgan Feldman Sabine Fischer-Daly Jordan Ford Adele Friello Rachel Gates Efren Gonzalez Jennifer Grover Alexandra Halasz Amber Harris Arianna Hendry Caitlin Hepps Keeney Emily Herrold Joshua Holowinski Marissa Horton Amanda Hsu Sarah Hummel Benjamin Jasper Tyler Junco Melissa King-Smith Erin Klingensmith Alexandra Kuvaldina Amanda LaCroix Lindsey Lavin Natasja Lavin Alison Lindsay Isabelle Louge Samantha Lovering Ellen Matheny Alyssa Matos Oneeka McBean Sarah McCalla Alexa McCourt Sean McGrath Kimberly McHenry Michael Merkhassine Polina Mikhelzon Nicholas Milano Steven Moirano Amy Molitoris Christina Moore Monika Mostowy Kevin Mu Kellyann Murphy Taryn Pena Ella Pittman Rachel Pollard Eva Quijano Carde Bethany Rappleyea Julian Rivera Steven Robillard Lane Robinson Nicholas Ruocco Kathleen Russell Maura Ruyechan Diana Rydzewski Graham Sager-Gellerman Jessica Schlauer Hannah Schnitzler Mark Sibley Miriam Smith-Drelich Susan Sperling Skylar Sylvester Alina Tsareva Helen Tsoi Nathaniel Violette Chyna Wagoner Katherine Walden Meagan Wheatley Cynthia Willems Mariah Williams Thomas Wootton Alexandra Wright VETERINARIAN’S OATH Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence. THE WHITE COAT CEREMONY The first white coat ceremony, sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, was held at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993. Since that time, white coat ceremonies have become a tradition at many schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, osteopathy, and at veterinary medical colleges across the country. At these ceremonies, students receive a white coat - the symbol of professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. The purpose of white coat ceremonies is to alert medical students to the need to balance excellence in science with humanistic patient care. This event is also an acknowledgment and acceptance of professional values, growth, and commitment as students assume the responsibilities of the practice of veterinary medicine and its obligations before supportive witnesses. Our College takes the celebration of this “rite of passage” one step further by honoring the mentors who have provided considerable support and special encouragement to our students along the way. These individuals will enrobe their students with the time honored mantle of the medical profession: the white coat