Beth Boynton graduated from University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After working in private practice, she started the primary care service at the University’s teaching hospital and taught pediatrics, geriatrics, vaccinations, communication, human-animal bond, preventive behavior, interview skills, pet selection, and pet loss. She started at WesternU CVM in 2003 for clinical teaching, preventive care, and facilitation. She has extensive training in communication and directs the veterinary communication curriculum. She completed AMEE Essential Skills in Medical Education Certificate in 2017. She is a founding leader of Primary Care Veterinary Educators since 2008, joining the RTA in 2015.
Kristy Dowers is an Associate Professor and board-certified veterinary internist at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She teaches throughout all four years of the veterinary medicine program in a variety of settings, including large didactic classes, small group discussions, experiential communications skills laboratories, and clinics. Her primary interest is teaching clinical reasoning within a knowledge-heavy curriculum. She received her undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science from MIT and worked as a software engineer for several years before returning to receive her DVM and advanced specialization training from Colorado State University.
Samantha Gizerian is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies in the Program in Neuroscience at Washington State University. Her role includes curriculum development and program assessment, teaching first-year and senior Neuroscience students, and academic advising. She is currently studying the implementation of innovative practices in program assessment. Samantha holds a PhD in Neurobiology from the University Of North Carolina School Of Medicine and a BS in Biology from the California Institute of Technology.
Paul Gordon-Ross is the Director of Year 4 Curriculum at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, California. He completed his Masters of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. In his current position, he oversees the fourth-year curriculum and the clinical learning of the fourth-year student. In pursuing his interest in teaching and learning, he has completed two programs for medical educators at the Harvard Macy Institute and is a Ph.D. candidate in Education and Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University. His research focus is on how training in teaching and learning affects the clinical veterinary educators teaching and subsequent student learning.
Rachel Halsey graduated from Oregon State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006. As Academic Coordinator at Washington State University she is actively involved with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Academy, whose mission is to “Make Teaching Matter.” She has had an active role in the RTA since 2012, and serves as the Executive Coordinator for the Academy’s programs. Rachel is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Mathematics and Science Education with an emphasis on teaching and learning particularly in the area of veterinary medical education. Her research interests are professional development in this veterinary medical education, specifically how an individual’s teaching behaviors can influence the learning environment and educational culture of the college community.
Suzie Kovacs graduated from the University of Guelph with a Master of Science in Epidemiology in 2004. Shortly afterward she moved to California and began teaching at WesternU’s College of Veterinary Medicine when the college’s charter class was in the 2nd year of their program. Suzie has since received a PhD in Higher Education from Claremont Graduate University. At WesternU she teaches epidemiology within the problem-based learning curriculum as well as a course in public policy for veterinary students. Suzie has been an active member of the Regional Teaching Academy since 2013 and helped to create and deliver the RTA’s inaugural VETS 1.0 program.
Steve Lampa received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Washington State University in 2004. He is an experienced anatomy teacher in both the lecture and laboratory setting for human and veterinary medical students at Washington State University (WSU); as well as a neuroanatomy instructor to undergraduate and medical students. He is an active participant in the WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Academy helping organize an annual summer series related to faculty development. His involvement with the Regional Teaching Academy Faculty Development group began in 2015 and has helped develop, support, and facilitating modules presented during the VETS programs.
Ohad Levi, DVM, is a Professor in Surgery and Course Leader for the third year surgery and anesthesia course at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. Ohad received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 in Turin, Italy. He completed the Israeli specialty in Equine medicine and surgery at the Koret veterinary medicine school, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel in 2001. Ohad taught at the Koret veterinary medicine school, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel as a clinical lecturer of Large Animal medicine and surgery between 1992 – 2007 and serve as the Head of the Large Animal Department between 1997 – 2006. Before his teaching career Ohad was an equine private practitioner in Israel and Italy in 1989 – 2000. He did his residency in Equine surgery at University of California, Davis in 2007-2010. His area of research interest is mainly in the area of surgery education and minimally invasive surgery training for veterinarians and veterinary medicine students.
Susan Matthew is Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Veterinary Medical Education in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, USA. In this role she works with her colleagues to enhance the curriculum and teaching of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program. Susan’s teaching focuses on veterinary clinical communication and leadership. Her research portfolio includes investigating veterinary resilience, competency-based veterinary education and clinic-based learning. Susan’s overarching goal in her work is to help members of the veterinary profession thrive in their chosen career.
Martin Smith, is a CE Specialist in Scientific Literacy with over 30 years of experience. His areas of expertise are curriculum development and educator professional development. Martin has published numerous peer-reviewed science and environmental education curricula, as well as journal articles on constructivist-based science teaching, applied research on science learning, and effective professional development for science educators.
Andrew West is the Director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. His role includes working with faculty to develop innovative approaches to sustain and promote excellence in educational programs and to make improvements in areas identified by faculty, students, alumni, employers and the veterinary profession. Prior to joining CSU, Andrew was an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Western Kentucky University. Andrew holds an MEd and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri and a BS in Biological Sciences from Montana State University.