Dr. Krista Keller Wins Ross University’s Inaugural Rising Star Award

At the 2018 commencement ceremony at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), Dr. Krista Keller, assistant professor at the Illinois veterinary college, received the Ross school’s first-ever Rising Star Award.

This award recognizes a recent alum who has experienced an accelerated career progression with a nationally recognized organization and exhibited excellence in their practice – supporting clinical, diagnostic, public health, and/or military service.

“I am proud to receive the inaugural Rising Star Award from my alma mater!” said Dr. Keller. “Even better was being able to go to the 2018 Ross University Commencement ceremony to enjoy the celebrations of our newest class of Ross alumni. Several of the students graduating spent their clinical year here at University of Illinois, where I had the pleasure of interacting with them and teaching them about zoological medicine. What a treat to be able to see them celebrating their commencement with their family.”

Dr. Keller, originally from Biddeford, Maine, graduated from RUSVM in 2010. After completing a one-year rotating internship at Louisiana State University and a three-year residency in Zoological Medicine at the University of California-Davis, she achieved diplomate status in the American College of Zoological Medicine, the first RUSVM graduate to achieve board certification in that specialty.

Dr. Keller developed a busy primary and referral avian and exotics practice in Denver, Colo., before joining the faculty at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. where she can continue her clinical practice while also teaching and performing research.

She hopes to change the world by inspiring future veterinarians to practice high-quality medicine on all species and by investigating the epidemiology of an often-fatal cutaneous fungal infection in bearded dragons.

“The RUSVM Alumni Association is pleased to honor some of our finest graduates,” said Dr. Sean Callanan, dean at RUSVM. “The awardees represent leadership in the larger veterinary community and profession, and their success inspires our current students and the entire RUSVM alumni family.”

RUSVM, located on St. Kitts in the Leeward Islands, was founded in 1982. It is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the worldwide public and professional healthcare team and to advance human, animal and ecosystem health through research and knowledge exchange. Its DVM program holds accredited status from the American Veterinary Medical Association.