LSU Vet Med announces Distinguished Alumnus Awards
April 11, 2024
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is proud to announce the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients: Jay Addison, DVM (LSU 1983); Cyril Clarke, BVSc (RSA), PhD (LSU 1987), DACVP; and Judy Pawlusiow, DVM (LSU 1992), MS (LSU 1981), DACVIM (SAIM). The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes alumni of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for outstanding professional and personal achievements. Any graduate from Louisiana State University is eligible for the award. Candidates are recognized for their accomplishments in veterinary medicine or science and/or contributions to the community through public service.
LSU Vet Med Dean Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, presented Dr. Addison with his award at the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Winter Meeting in Shreveport, La., on January 27, 2024, at the LSU Vet Med Alumni Reception. Drs. Clarke and Pawlusiow received their awards from Michael Graziano, MS (LSU 1981), PhD, on April 3, 2024, at LSU Vet Med. Dr. Graziano was LSU Vet Med’s first Master’s graduate and a recipient the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Jay Addison, DVM (LSU 1983)
Ellen and Jay Addison at the LVMA Winter Meeting, where Dr. Addison received his award.
Dr. Addison has become a prominent figure within equine veterinary medicine and environmental conservation over his 40-year career. He works as a private equine practitioner and partner at Equi-Vet, LLC, using cutting-edge technology to contribute and advance the Thoroughbred racing industry. He introduced the use of ultrasounds, digital radiology, and endoscopy, into the racing world at a time when these technologies were in their infancy. His impact extended beyond the clinic as he developed a unique relationship with the LSU Equine Health Studies Program, bringing clinicians, equine residents, and students to the racetrack, fostering mentorships and preceptorships. He continues to share his expertise through professional presentations on topics such as video endoscopy for detecting upper airway diseases in racing thoroughbreds and new techniques for correcting dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Beyond veterinary medicine, Dr. Addison founded and served as CEO of Land Trust for Louisiana, a non-profit organization protecting and enhancing the state's land and water resources. His contributions to the establishment of the Cherokee Beach Research Forest and the Justin Addison Memorial Research Fund showcase his commitment to education and research in biological sciences. Additionally, he received the Land Trust for Louisiana's Most Valued Donor Award in 2022, and he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Southeastern Louisiana University in the same year. His extensive involvement in professional associations, such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Land Trust Alliance, further attest to his leadership in the field. Overall, Dr. Addison's career reflects a multi-level commitment to veterinary medicine, environmental conservation, and community service.
Cyril Clarke, BVSc (RSA), PhD (LSU 1987), DACVCP
Dr. Clarke earned his veterinary degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and earned his PhD in veterinary pharmacology from LSU Vet Med. After completing his doctorate in 1987, Dr. Clarke joined the veterinary faculty at Oklahoma State University. He became academic department head and then associate dean for academic affairs at the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. While at OSU, he became certified as a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and completed a master’s degree in higher education. Dr. Clarke taught veterinary pharmacology while performing research and received the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence.
In 2007, he was appointed as the Lois Bates Acheson Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. Dr. Clarke continued to teach veterinary pharmacology, receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Award and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s President’s Award. He joined Virginia Tech in 2013 as dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and currently serves as executive vice president and provost of Virginia Tech.
Dr. Clarke's academic service includes the Board of Directors of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), membership on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, responsible for accreditation of North American veterinary medical institutions, president of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, as well as other prominent and important professional organizational leadership positions.
Dean Oliver Garden (left) and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education Tammy Dugas (right) congratulate Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients Dr. Judy Pawlusiow and Dr. Cyril Clarke.
Judy Pawlusiow, DVM (LSU 1992), MS (LSU 1981), DACVIM (SAIM)
Dr. Pawlusiow was the second student to graduate from the LSU Vet Med master's program in 1981 and built a strong and lasting connection with the school. After earning her master’s degree in Toxicology of Veterinary Clinical Science in 1981 and her DVM in 1992 at LSU, she completed an internship and her residency for Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery at Ohio State University in 1995. Dr. Pawlusiow then received diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 1996.
She has over 25 years of experience as a small animal internal medicine veterinarian and works as the founder of Advanced Veterinary Mobile Diagnostics, PC. This diagnostic service provides ultrasound, echocardiography, and endoscopy at veterinary hospitals on Long Island, N.Y. Dr. Pawlusiow is also owner and founder of BAER Mobile Testing Service, an evaluation system for deafness among canines and felines. Using brain auditory evoked response testing, the service is on-site for breeders and pet owners.
In addition to her mobile diagnostic services, she remains an active member in several veterinary medical associations and an instructor in training programs for veterinary technicians, veterinary medical students, and area veterinarians who wish to gain more ultrasound skill and experience.
At LSU Vet Med, Dr. Pawlusiow established the Pawlusiow Scholarship, which is an endowed scholarship for out-of-state students with financial need.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.