Faculty and Staff
The College of Veterinary Medicine is currently under the leadership of Dean John Tegzes, MA, VMD, Dipl. ABVT. Our distinguished faculty and administrative staff, listed below, are the backbone of our college, contributing their knowledge and passion to shape the future of veterinary medicine. Contact information for each member can be found here, allowing you to connect and engage with our dedicated team.
To delve deeper into the backgrounds of select faculty and staff, click on their names for additional information.
Faculty & Staff
Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on your success. We embrace a culture of inclusive teamwork, where faculty, staff, and administrators work together to ensure our students are well-prepared to deliver expert, inclusive, and value-based care.
With a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators who thrive in a humanistic healthcare education environment, we create a nurturing and supportive atmosphere. Graduating from our institution means more than just academic achievements; it means forging deep, personal relationships within the University community. At Western University of Health Sciences, we are committed to empowering you for a fulfilling and impactful career in veterinary medicine. Find out more about our amazing team by using the links below:
Join Our Team At WesternU CVM
At the College of Veterinary Medicine, we’re dedicated to inspiring future professionals and advancing knowledge to serve society. If you’re driven by passion and a desire to make a transformative impact, join us in shaping the future of compassionate and innovative veterinary care. Together, let’s unleash our potential and create a meaningful difference.
Research Assistant
Project Overview:
Urban greenspaces in the San Gabriel Valley provide vital recreation for people and pets—but they also serve as habitats for wildlife that host ticks. These ticks may carry pathogens that pose serious health risks to both humans and animals. Surprisingly, there is limited data on tick populations and tickborne pathogens in the eastern San Gabriel Valley and broader Southern California region.
Urban greenspaces in the San Gabriel Valley provide vital recreation for people and pets—but they also serve as habitats for wildlife that host ticks. These ticks may carry pathogens that pose serious health risks to both humans and animals. Surprisingly, there is limited data on tick populations and tickborne pathogens in the eastern San Gabriel Valley and broader Southern California region.
This research project seeks to close that gap by using a novel tick-collection approach and a multiplex molecular assay to screen for several tickborne pathogens. The data generated will help determine what tick species are present in local greenspaces, what pathogens they may carry, and when the risk of exposure to these infections is greatest.
Student Responsibilities:
The selected undergraduate student will assist in various aspects of the research, including fieldwork, sample processing, and laboratory diagnostics.
Manager of Clinical Education
In collaboration with the Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences, this role serves as the primary operational point of contact for the Chair and works closely with the Offices of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and external partners to support and advance clinical education goals.
The position is responsible for overseeing and managing the third- and fourth-year curriculum for students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Key responsibilities include:
- Supervising and directing the Year 3 and Year 4 Rotation Coordinators, as well as the Clinical Relations Coordinator, including task delegation and project oversight
- Collaborating in the development and refinement of core third- and fourth-year clinical rotation sites
- Partnering with the Clinical Relations team to support the enrollment and retention of clinical preceptors
- Coordinating with other departments that contribute to Year 3, Year 4, and clinical relations aspects of the WesternU CVM curriculum
Clinical Affiliation Specialist
The Clinical Affiliations Specialist is responsible for coordinating the development and execution of affiliations and related documents between the College and external partners as it relates to clinical rotations. Position incumbent will be relied upon to track all contracts, coordinate re-negotiations, process preceptor payments and provide operational support to the Senior Director of Operations.
Animal Care Assistant
The Animal Care Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.
Social Media Student Ambassador – CVM
This position is a Federal Work Study position. WesternU CVM Student Ambassadors will act as a bridge between the college Digital Marketing Communications Specialist (DMCS) and the student experience. This position allows students to gain marketing experience, explore the concepts of social media reach and analytics. Content, or ideas for content, will be self-generated by student ambassadors on a weekly basis, be reviewed at weekly team meetings, and launched in a timely manner. These are shared skill sets between the ambassador positions: analytics, content creation, event marketing, relationship management, social media marketing, and videography.
Pathology Prosector
This position is responsible for creating, developing and maintaining anatomical pathology material to increase and improve the existing collection of pathology gross and microscopic specimens in the College of Veterinary Medicine. These positions require dedication, self-motivation to study and to look for resources (assistance will be provided by Pathology Faculty) and skills to dissect.
Student Dissector/Prosector
This position is responsible for creating prosections and anatomical preparations to increase and improve the existing collection of anatomical specimens in the College of Veterinary Medicine. These positions require dedication, self-motivation to study and to look for resources (although assistance will be provided by Faculty and Staff) and skills to dissect.
Academic Lab Assistant
The Academic Laboratory Assistant provides technical and non-technical support to the academic labs of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Embalm/harvest, prepare anatomical specimens and provide support for cadaver-based activities. The Academic Laboratory Assistant reports to the Academic Laboratory Manager.
Animal Care Assistant
The Animal Care Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.
Academic Technology Specialist
The Academic Technology Specialist reports to the Senior Technology Project Manager. These individual supports curriculum delivery and has the primary purpose of enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the electronic platforms and technology used by the college.
Student Affairs Coordinator
The Student Affairs Coordinator provides high-level student affairs support, including, but not limited to administrative support to the CVM Associate Dean for Student Affairs, event management, and oversight of the work in collaboration with a diverse audience. The position incumbent is expected to manage and monitor all aspects of assigned duties including, but not limited to, maintaining the office of Student Affairs while serving a diverse audience of guests including prospective students, students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, donors, community members, and other distinguished guests.
The position reports to and is evaluated by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for the College of Veterinary Medicine.