Dr. R. Tod Beckett, a 1989 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has built a remarkable career defined by clinical excellence, visionary leadership, and transformative mentorship.

Beginning in mixed animal practice and later serving as a lead trauma surgeon, Dr. Beckett now oversees multiple VCA hospitals in the Columbus area as Medical Director, leading a team of over 80 professionals. His leadership has brought advanced surgical and medical services—such as his own double-reinforced lateral suture technique for CCL injuries—into general practice settings, greatly expanding access to high-quality care.

Beyond his clinical contributions, Dr. Beckett is deeply committed to education and professional development. He has mentored countless veterinary students and early-career professionals through externships, internships, and direct clinical teaching. His mentorship emphasizes both technical skill and professional confidence, offering students immediate hands-on experience and personal encouragement. Many mentees now hold leadership positions, including Medical Director roles, thanks to his support and example.

Dr. Beckett has created meaningful opportunities for underrepresented students in veterinary medicine, fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for all. His service extends to the profession and community as former President of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, board member of the Columbus State Veterinary Technology Program, and past President of the Columbus Humane Society. He continues to support more than 20 rescue organizations statewide.

Dr. Beckett’s enduring connection to Ohio State is reflected in his service on the Veterinary Medical Advancement Board and Alumni Council. His career exemplifies the college’s values of leadership, service, and mentorship. 
 

Dr. Susan E. Orosz received her DVM in 1984 from The Ohio State University. Prior to that, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from Heidelberg College and earned a Ph.D. in Neuroanatomy from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. This strong academic foundation has propelled a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, research, education, and public service.

A dual diplomate in avian medicine through both the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Orosz is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field. She has served as president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and was named the Lafeber Practitioner of the Year.

Her scholarly contributions include numerous research articles, book chapters, and several authoritative texts, most notably Avian Surgical Anatomy: Thoracic and Pelvic Limbs, which received top honors from the Society for Technical Communication. Her international reputation is reflected in her frequent invited lectures, including at the University of Vienna.

At the University of Tennessee, Dr. Orosz serves as Assistant Professor in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine and Veterinary Anatomy. She is known for her excellence in teaching, mentorship, and service, and was recognized as a finalist for the university’s Tribute to Women Award. Her weekly Zoom tutorials for ABVP board candidates highlight her commitment to training future veterinary specialists.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Orosz has served on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases, chairs the IACUC at Bowling Green State University, and engages in international community service through Toledo Sister Cities and Hungarian-American initiatives.
 

Dr. John C. Prososki is a pioneer in reproductive genetics and a leader in the dairy and embryo transfer (ET) industries. A 1986 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Prososki has dedicated his career to advancing food animal practice and shaping the future of dairy cattle reproduction.

As founder of Wittenberg Embryo Transfer, he provides full-service ET care, including international embryo marketing. His innovative work integrating IVF and embryo culture techniques into real-world farm environments has set a new standard in applying reproductive technology. He helped refine methods to collect and transport ova to off-site labs—work that has influenced genetic progress both domestically and globally.

Dr. Prososki owns and breeds some of the world’s leading Holstein genetics, working alongside his sons, including Dr. Aaron Prososki. Together, they operate two dairy farms and a bull stud, making theirs a true veterinary and agricultural family enterprise. His visionary leadership also extends to professional service: he served as President of the American Embryo Transfer Association, led legislative efforts to preserve ET as a veterinary procedure in Wisconsin, and has mentored countless colleagues.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Prososki is admired for his character, work ethic, and commitment to community. He and his wife, Dr. Linda Prososki (OSU CVM ’87), raised four children who share their values of perseverance and service.

Known for his humility and willingness to help, Dr. Prososki’s career exemplifies innovation, leadership, and the enduring impact of Buckeye alumni in food animal medicine. His contributions continue to shape the industry and inspire future veterinarians.

Dr. Ashlie M. Saffire, a 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in feline medicine. Early in her career, she recognized gaps in the standard of care for feline patients and committed herself to raising that bar. Her dedication led her to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Feline Practice)—a distinction held by only 54 practitioners in the U.S. and just two in Ohio.

Dr. Saffire now hosts one of only five ABVP Feline Residencies, mentoring veterinarians through the intensive three-year board certification process. She also serves as a tutor for the University of Sydney’s Centre for Veterinary Education, where she teaches feline medicine to veterinarians around the world. Her passion for education and communication has taken her to veterinary clinics in Argentina, and she is a frequent speaker at major conferences such as VMX, WVC, Feline VMA, and the Purina Global Summit.

Currently the President of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (2024–2025), Dr. Saffire plays a key role in shaping global feline health guidelines, policies, and education. She has also led initiatives to re-engage veterinary students post-COVID through her role as Student Development Chair.

Her contributions to clinical research include monitoring feline clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and universities, including OSU, and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications on topics such as osteoarthritis, renal disease, and diabetes.

Dr. Saffire remains closely connected to Ohio State through her involvement in admissions interviews, guest lectures, and as a mentor to fourth-year externs. Her efforts embody the mission of OSU CVM through advocacy, mentorship, and a deep commitment to advancing feline veterinary medicine.

Dr. Thomas “Leo” Cropper received his DVM in 1974 from The Ohio State University. His education and training after graduating from Ohio State include a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis in addition to attending the  Air War College,  Air Command & Staff College, and Squadron Officers School.

During his career, Dr. Cropper achieved full Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. One of his assignments was Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for Public Health, where he oversaw the careers of 150 Air Force public health officers and 1,000 support staff. He coordinated immunization programs and other programs in cooperation with public health personnel in the Army, Navy and Marines, at the Department of Defense level. He organized and equipped public health personnel for world-wide assignments, and provided many briefings to the Air Force Chain of Command with input to the Secretary of Defense. A partial list of other positions included: Master Instructor and Chief of Battlefield Medicine Training at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine; Director of Trainee Health Surveillance for the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute; Consultant to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)for Pandemic Influenza Emergencies; Consultant for Air Force Institute of Operational Health; Project Manager at Battelle Memorial Institute; Chief of Public Health at McClellan Air Force Base; Deputy Inspector General and leader of staff for a Major General in the USAF. 

Dr. Cropper is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM) and received the Distinguished Diplomate Award at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) meeting in 2015. Other awards include two Air Force Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, four Commendation Medals, twice selected as the Civilian of the Quarter for the 559th Medical Group, and recognized for outstanding service to the Defense Health Board for briefings on Women's Health. Recent examples of his continuous work addressing public health issues include helping to establish the Texas Chagas Task Force, serving on the Texas Diseases in Nature Conference Leadership Team, and volunteering at Lackland Air Force Base to address issues pertaining to Military Working Dogs. All of the above was achieved while Dr. Cropper was a very dedicated father and single parent for his four daughters. A role that was always his first priority. 
 

Dr. Bob Dahlhausen earned his DVM from The Ohio State University in 1983, MS in 1980, and completed coursework and general exams towards his Ph.D. in 1983. He has practiced avian, exotic, and laboratory animal medicine for the past 41 years. As a researcher, he helped pioneer embryo transfer techniques in exotic animal species including the first successful interspecies embryo transfer of the African Bongo antelope.

He was a research consultant to the Procter & Gamble company where he helped develop on-site protocols for veterinary surgery and assisted in establishment of the company’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) program. Dr. Dahlhausen served as a consulting veterinarian to the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Cinicinnati College of Medicine, and to the Ethicon Endosurgery Institute, Professional Education Division, where he assisted in surgeon training in endoscopy and endoscopic surgery. His work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) included evaluation of exotic animal facilities where he also performed exotic animal restraint and capture for animal relocation.  

In 1991, Dr. Dahlhausen established Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics (VMD), the first commercial molecular diagnostic laboratory to serve veterinary medicine. In addition to developing assays for select avian and exotic animal diseases, the laboratory developed specific testing for avian Chlamydiosis that is a current standard today. Dr. Dahlhausen is a leading researcher in avian ganglioneuritis, offering the only anti-ganglioside antibody ELISA available for disease diagnosis and having pioneered the use of COX-2 inhibition for the successful treatment of this disease. He has given over 126 presentations and written33 scientific publicationsand for 4 veterinary textbooks.  In 2009, Dr. Dahlhausen was awarded the T.J. Lafeber, avian practitioner of the year award at the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Dr. Dahlhausen is semi-retired but still active in both research and avian/exotic animal medicine. As a board member of RAPTOR Inc., he helps with the medical management and rehabilitation of birds of prey. He has two children and enjoys hiking, birding, and outdoor pursuits with his wife Diana.

Dr. Amanda Darbyshire received her DVM in 2016 from The Ohio State University. She began her journey as a non-traditional student years after obtaining her undergraduate degree. It was her passion for the field of lab animal science, cultivated by her positions as a Research Assistant and Animal Care Technician at The Research Institute of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, coupled with her desire to contribute more to science, and society that drove her to pursue continuing her education at Ohio State.

Throughout her time at Ohio State, residency at Vanderbilt, and career at Purdue Universities, Dr. Darbyshire has earned numerous scholarships, awards, and honors, including the Boehringer Ingelheim Summer Research Mentorship Award. She earned the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Foster Award in 2020 for obtaining the highest score on the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) certification examination that year on her first attempt. Since then, Dr. Darbyshire has earned a position as Chair of the ACLAM Exam Resources Committee and is currently serving as Chair of the ACLAM Exam Committee. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) and the Indiana Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). She also chairs the ASLAP Animal Welfare Committee.

At Purdue University, Dr. Darbyshire began  as a Clinical Veterinarian, with a courtesy appointment as a  Clinical Assistant Professor. She quickly received a faculty appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. In 2022 she was promoted to Assistant Director of Clinical Medicine within the Laboratory Animal Program at Purdue. She has recently been acting as Interim Attending Veterinarian. As Director of the Indiana Collaborative Laboratory Animal Training Program, she trains and mentors veterinary residents to prepare them for ACLAM boards. She also is the Attending Veterinarian for DePauw University’s animal program.
She has published 9 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 policies available on the Purdue website, 6 non-refereed articles, with 25 associated posters or presentations. 
 

Dr. Thomas Herdt received his DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 1973 and had an outstanding career as an educator and clinician scientist. He is highly regarded as an internal medicine specialist with considerable expertise in the management of metabolic and nutritional diseases in dairy cows. After completing his residency at the University of Minnesota in Large Animal Medicine, he joined the faculty of Michigan State University (MSU) where he spent a career spanning 40 years.

He was Chief of the Nutrition Section of the MSU Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (now known as the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory), which was and remains one of the largest and most complex veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S. Under Dr. Herdt’s leadership, the Nutrition Section retained and expanded its national and international reputation in the veterinary community and served as a reference laboratory. In addition, he also served as the Chairperson of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences for 6 years. During his time as chairperson, he instituted the Training Center for Dairy Professionals program, which received accolades in two accreditation reviews of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Working with a faculty colleague, Dr. Herdt developed many innovative assays that provided essential information for the treatment and management of nutritional diseases in numerous domestic and zoo animals. He was highly successful in publishing and presenting his work at various scientific conferences. Heauthored the gastrointestinal sections of the first through sixth editions of Cunningham’s Textbook of Veterinary Physiology edited by Bradley G. Klein.

Dr. Herdt was also active in his specialty college, the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, where he served as President and Chairperson of the Board of Regents.

Because of his exemplary leadership over 25 years, the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s nutrition section provided outstanding service to referring veterinarians and animal owners. Dr. Herdt also provided exceptional service to the veterinary profession and has been a wonderful ambassador of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
 

Dr. Lorraine Kogut Jarboe graduated with her DVM from The Ohio State University in 1979.  While there, she met and married Dr. Daniel Lee Jarboe in 1977 after he received his DVM.  Her husband had a four-year commitment to the US Army Veterinary Corps, so Lorraine also joined the US Army Veterinary Corps to, in her words, “better understand the acronyms.”  She learned that the benefits of a couple being in the Army were not twice the benefits of being in the Army, in 1982 she transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve.  She credits her Army training with honing her organizational and leadership skills.

Dr. Jarboe practiced mostly in Richmond, VA, and Silver Spring, MD, while her husband pursued his training as an immunologist.  In every small animal practice where she worked she was instrumental in establishing practice manuals, standing operating procedures and consistency in record keeping.  While her husband pursued his PhD at Medical College of Virginia, she pursued veterinary specialty certification with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Companion Animal Practice.  She was also very active in the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and Academy of Feline Medicine.  

She spent five years overseas, having a small house-call service in Rio de Janeiro for the ex-pat community and then, in Bangkok, was a contractor setting up quality control standards for a specimen processing laboratory for HIV research. After returning from Bangkok, Dr. Jarboe joined a brand-new practice that was a merger of two local veterinarians and was instrumental in getting its AAHA accreditation and setting up practice manuals and operating procedures.  She became active in organized veterinary medicine, eventually becoming president of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), and was instrumental in encouraging the development of alternate methods of recertification.  She later became president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and served as its representative on the Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee of the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).  Dr. Jarboe also participated in item writing, item review, and examination review of certifying/qualifying examinations of the ABVP, AVMA, and the National Veterinary Licensing Board.

In 2005, after finally staying in one house for 10 years, she and her husband retired to Fort Walton Beach, FL (aka ‘paradise’) where she did some relief work, especially at the local humane society.  She now spends most of her time planning travel, having traveled to more than 100 countries.