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:
Because of climate change, there has been a significant rise in the risk of tickborne infections in animals and humans across the United States, intensifying the demand for reliable diagnostic methods. Our lab has developed a duplex high throughput diagnostic assay utilizing Barcoded Magnetic Bead technology to detect two groups of tick-borne pathogens from a single sample. The targeted pathogens include 6 tick-borne pathogen species. This cost-effective, highly sensitive diagnostic approach aims to deliver accurate results to veterinarians within a short 5-hour time frame from sample collection. We intent to use our assay for retrospective samples, making it suitable for both surveillance studies and routine clinical diagnostics. The proposed work is poised to have a lasting impact on the One Health triad, as animals can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities.
Because of climate change, there has been a significant rise in the risk of tickborne infections in animals and humans across the United States, intensifying the demand for reliable diagnostic methods. Our lab has developed a duplex high throughput diagnostic assay utilizing Barcoded Magnetic Bead technology to detect two groups of tick-borne pathogens from a single sample. The targeted pathogens include 6 tick-borne pathogen species. This cost-effective, highly sensitive diagnostic approach aims to deliver accurate results to veterinarians within a short 5-hour time frame from sample collection. We intent to use our assay for retrospective samples, making it suitable for both surveillance studies and routine clinical diagnostics. The proposed work is poised to have a lasting impact on the One Health triad, as animals can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities.
Project Title: Unifying Medicine and Veterinary Science: Development of One Health Multiple Molecular Diagnostic assay in Tick Pathogens
Registered Veterinary Technician POOL
This is a continuous recruitment for an application pool to fill – full time hourly Registered Veterinary Technicians on an as-needed basis. Applications are accepted year-round and will remain in the pool.
To support clinical teaching and service in the curriculum and public practice of the College of Veterinary Medicine
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.
Clinical Field Liaison
This position supports the Office of Clinical Relations by ensuring the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of clinical education experiences for students. The role is responsible for monitoring student and preceptor evaluations, identifying concerns, and facilitating timely resolution to maintain a high standard of clinical training.
The incumbent serves as a key liaison between WesternU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), students, preceptors, and clinical sites, ensuring clear and effective communication across all stakeholders. Responsibilities include assisting with oversight of clinical sites through site visits, safety and facility inspections, and documentation to ensure compliance with institutional standards and a safe, positive learning environment.
This role requires regular travel to affiliated clinical sites to conduct in-person evaluations and safety inspections, with driving distances that may reach up to 100 miles per day.
Additionally, the position supports the enforcement of CVM policies and procedures, assists in the training and development of preceptors, and contributes to the recruitment of new clinical sites and preceptors. The role also plays a critical part in preparing reports and documentation required for quality assurance and accreditation processes.
Operations Coordinator
The Operations Coordinator supports the College of Veterinary Medicine. This individual will be relied on to provide accurate data and assist in the execution of various short, medium, and long-term projects as deemed necessary to carry out the mission of the College and University.
Position reports to the Assistant Director of Operations for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Executive Assistant
The Executive Assistant provides high-level support to the College of Veterinary Medicine Dean and leadership team. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the leadership office. The Executive Assistant exercises sound judgment, demonstrates a level of professionalism, maintains confidentiality, and contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of the College’s leadership team.
Administrative Assistant III
This individual will provide administrative support for years 3 and 4 for the CVM curriculum. This individual will also provide general clerical support to years 3 and 4 Rotation Coordinators and manage documents, schedules, and on-line resources.
Assistant Professor of Foundational Sciences
The position plays a critical role in the training of veterinary students by contributing to Foundational Sciences education, including lectures, laboratories, problem-based learning facilitation, and discussions on veterinary issues. The role also involves pursuing scholarly endeavors, such as developing a self-sustaining research program, mentoring veterinary students, and participating in post-DVM training initiatives. Additionally, the position requires active participation in college and university committees, as well as representing the institution to external agencies and funding bodies. If applicable, maintaining a California veterinary license and any relevant specialty certifications is also expected.
Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences
The position plays a critical role in the training of veterinary students by providing expertise in clinical specialties, contributing to clinical science lectures and laboratories, problem-based learning facilitation, and curriculum development. The role also involves engaging in scholarly activities, advancing clinical sciences, and supporting the training of students across all levels of the DVM program. Additionally, the position requires active participation in college and university committees, as well as contributing to institutional governance and curriculum innovation. If applicable, maintaining a California veterinary license and any relevant specialty certifications is also expected.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences
The position plays a critical role in the training of veterinary students by providing expertise in clinical specialties, contributing to clinical science lectures and laboratories, problem-based learning facilitation, and curriculum development. The role also involves engaging in scholarly activities, advancing clinical sciences, and supporting the training of students across all levels of the DVM program. Additionally, the position requires active participation in college and university committees, as well as contributing to institutional governance and curriculum innovation. If applicable, maintaining a California veterinary license and any relevant specialty certifications is also expected.
Associate Professor of Foundational Sciences – Tenure Track
The position plays a critical role in the training of veterinary students by contributing to Foundational Sciences education, including lectures, laboratories, problem-based learning facilitation, and discussions on veterinary issues. The role also involves pursuing scholarly endeavors, such as developing a self-sustaining research program, mentoring veterinary students, and participating in post-DVM training initiatives. Additionally, the position requires active participation in college and university committees, as well as representing the institution to external agencies and funding bodies. If applicable, maintaining a California veterinary license and any relevant specialty certifications is also expected.
Registered Veterinary Technician
To support clinical teaching and service in the curriculum and public practice of the College of Veterinary Medicine
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.
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.