Ryan Fries, DVM ’07, Dipl. ACVIM, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for 2022. This award recognizes the success of alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession and industry while embodying RUSVM’s purpose, vision, and values. through community involvement and encouraging and inspiring future leaders. Dr. Fries is an expert in cardiology, currently serving as an assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Illinois.
He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2012 after completing a cardiology residency at Texas A&M University. He created the University of Illinois’ cardiology services as it operates today, building it up to a full-service caseload and cardiology residency program.
"RUSVM provided me with the educational foundation necessary to become a veterinarian and it showed me the impact an educator can have directly on their students and our profession,” said Dr. Fries. “I am proud to be an RUSVM alumnus and now I strive to make a positive impact through my service, teaching, and scholarship on students and the veterinary community. Many of my life's accomplishments both personally and professionally can be traced back to my decision to attend RUSVM; a decision I would make every time."
THE ALUMNI RISING STAR AWARD
Stephanye Quinn, DVM ’18, was awarded the Alumni Rising Star Award, which recognizes alumni who are under 10 years post-graduation and have achieved early career success through accelerated career progression and advancement.
Ever since her time at RUSVM, Dr. Quinn has had a passion for bringing veterinary care to underserved areas and bridging the gap to accessible care. Through her work with Open Door Veterinary Collective, she is piloting programs to increase access to veterinary care and teaching clinics across the country that they can too. She has trained over 20 clinics so far in 2022, with many more applicants waiting to begin the program. She will also be speaking at the first-ever Access to Veterinary Care Conference hosted by the ASPCA later this year.
“I’m thankful for my experiences at RUSVM and life in St. Kitts for molding me into the veterinarian I am today. Through these experiences, I have learned to be adaptive and innovative which has helped me to increase the access to veterinary care in my area while also teaching techniques developed to other clinics across the United States so they can do the same.”
