2025 Dean’s Staff Awards
Instituted through the SVM People First strategic initiative, the annual Dean's Staff Awards (now in their second year) shine a light specifically on staff. These recognitions not only honor individuals, but also serve to acknowledge the broader impact of the staff to the SVM community.
The selected recipients demonstrated contributions that encompass the school’s mission including: advancing animal health; environmental protection; public health; and economic development through high-quality education, research and service programs.
Congratulations to the following winners!
Jason Peters: Staff Member of the Year
Jason was recognized with the Staff Member of the Year Award for his extraordinary impact on the Diagnostic Imaging Service and the School of Veterinary Medicine with the opening of the All Species Imaging Center (ASIC). He played a pivotal role in coordinating equipment installation, staff training, workflow development, and the full transition of multiple modalities into the new facility. Even under relentless challenges, Jason maintained professionalism and positivity, serving as a pillar of support to staff, residents, faculty, students, and visitors. According to Geena Urton, Radiology Technician, “We would not have been able to survive this year without him!”
“During the final stages of construction and equipment installation in the new All Species Imaging Center, Jason has had to do a lot of troubleshooting and problem solving to meet current needs” said Ehren McLarty, Assistant Professor. He became highly proficient in IT support for imaging systems and led training for new and existing staff, ensuring the service operated at full capacity despite staffing shortages and equipment issues.
As supervisor, Jason embodies servant-leadership. He routinely works late or weekends, covers technical gaps, and ensures his team’s well-being while maintaining operational efficiency. He collaborates closely with service chiefs, hospital administration, and faculty to address scheduling, staffing, and equipment needs. His dedication to quality, safety, and efficiency is evident in every aspect of the service, from daily operations to clinical education and research support. Harmony Lindberg, Clinical Operations Administrator, states “Jason supported his team through this critical expansion, hired more team members, trained on the new equipment with care. All the while, ensuring that the VMTH diagnostic imaging service never stop providing services to the entire VMTH patient population.”
Over the past two years, Jason has been instrumental in the planning, development, and construction of ASIC, liaising with vendors, contractors, and campus partners to integrate advanced imaging technologies such as MRI and CT scanners. He ensured seamless implementation while maintaining diagnostic services for VMTH patients, training staff, and supporting research initiatives. His tireless commitment, expertise, and leadership have been essential to the success of ASIC and the continued excellence of the Diagnostic Imaging Service.
Ashley Carr: Teamwork
Ashley was recognized with the Teamwork Award for her exceptional leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving ability. As part of ADMAN leadership, she co-led the creation of the Tiger Team, bringing together campus and ADMAN leadership to address operational challenges in real time and ensure academic departments’ needs are considered when major systems like Aggie Enterprise are launched. Her efforts resulted in regular, direct communication with FOA leadership, benefiting not only Vet Med but the entire campus.
Ashley also initiated the SVM Continuous Improvement Committee, launched a project to streamline faculty reporting, and partnered with colleagues to introduce Lean Six Sigma methodologies for research administration reporting. She consistently brings campus expertise to SVM by organizing presentations, sharing updates, and advocating for practical solutions to Aggie Enterprise challenges.
Ashley routinely supports units outside her own, training staff, aligning budgets, and providing hands-on help simply because she knows others are understaffed. Her approachable nature, willingness to admit mistakes, and steady professionalism make her an exceptional colleague and leader.
Ashley’s efforts extend deeply into research, education, and departmental operations. She played a central role in re-establishing the VMB Bioanalytical Research Core (BARC), updating pricing, improving billing, and restoring its capacity to support cutting-edge research. She ensures graduate and undergraduate students are supported and welcomed into a positive learning environment.
According to one of her nominators, Jennifer Larsen, Professor of Clinical Nutrition, “Ashley (is) a rockstar.” Another nominator, Suzette Smiley-Jewell, Research Grant Program Officer, adds “Ashley is a fantastic team player not only in the School of Vet Med (SVM), but also across campus.”
Vu Dao: Innovation
Vu was recognized with the Innovation Award for his creativity, work ethic, and solution-oriented mindset, all of which have become essential to one of our most impactful external communication tools: video storytelling.
From Minute with Mark to scholarship stewardship videos, fundraising campaigns, and service-area features, his eye for detail and artistic talent share our story with the world in meaningful, memorable ways.
Kristy Peterson, Senior Director of Alumni Relations & Special Events, said “I have no doubt that (the) videos have touched the hearts of donors, alumni and students in a way that deepened their connection to the school, and reinstilled their sense of community. In some cases, this can inspire significant financial support though philanthropy.”
Vu is also exceptionally reliable, optimistic, diligent, and collaborative. Seeing him (and Bella, his faithful companion) brightens the day for just about everyone.
Blake Linschied: Positive Impact
Blake was recognized with the Positive Impact Award for his outstanding contributions during the 2024 influenza outbreak. He played a pivotal role in supporting Davis Biotech by volunteering extra hours and helping restore testing capacity in Tulare. His dedication significantly strengthened the entire CAHFS system during a period of intense demand and staffing shortages.
Blake demonstrated exceptional initiative by creating the AAVLD referral lab list—detailing assays, turnaround times, and costs across accredited labs—which is now hosted on the AAVLD website and used nationwide to guide sample referral decisions.
He is a reliable team player who regularly supports the bacteriology section, covers weekend work, and assists with field necropsies—even during extreme conditions such as the 2023 Central Valley heatwave following the Tulare flood. He also consistently volunteers to provide coverage for the Davis biotechnology branch during outbreaks and staffing gaps.
Blake’s client-focused approach directly supports CAHFS’s mission to deliver fast, reliable results for California’s animal and poultry producers. His enthusiasm was key to restarting biotechnology testing in Tulare, helping eliminate backlogs and improve turnaround times so Davis could concentrate on outbreak-related testing. This has enhanced diagnostic efficiency, supported timely decision-making for producers, and strengthened disease control efforts statewide.
Shivani Adhikari, Biotechnology Lab Supervisor, stated “Blake 's initiative and his work ethic, his hard work has helped significantly in CAHFS mission is to help animal food producers (livestock, poultry, dairy) by providing timely results for our diagnostic and screening services.”
Cindy Pinzon: Professional
Cindy was recognized with the Professional Award as she is a true “unsung hero” according to her nominator, Karen Boudreaux, Educational Specialist. As the school’s curriculum scheduler, she plays a pivotal role in advancing educational excellence by ensuring that student schedules run seamlessly and faculty are thoughtfully and appropriately assigned to teaching sessions.
She demonstrates exceptional professionalism in coordinating lectures, laboratories, discussions, problem-based learning, and team-based learning. Cindy’s collaborative spirit shines in the way she works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to align resources and priorities, ensuring that the DVM curriculum is delivered smoothly and effectively.
Through her efforts, she not only promotes operational efficiency but also strengthens communication, trust, and teamwork across the entire school community, directly enhancing the quality of education. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that course information is accurate, updated daily, and adjusted seamlessly.
Cindy provides timely support with a calm and professional demeanor, she consistently responds with respect, patience, and grace. Her dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to teamwork make her an indispensable member of the school and a model of true professionalism.