About the Scholarship
The Dr. Jack Walther Recent Graduate Scholarship is a 3-day, no-cost course at the Viticus Center, including registration, lodging, ground transportation, and meals.
Open to recent DVM graduates, the event is hosted at the Viticus Center in Las Vegas, NV, and honors the legacy of longtime WVC honoree and, "veterinarian’s veterinarian" Dr. Jack Walther.

Applications are now open! Apply by clicking the link below.
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a Licensed DVM who is 0-5 years out of school and able to practice in the US or Canada.
- Recipients must be able to attend the Dr. Jack Walther Recent Graduate Boot Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 5-7, 2023.
- Recipients are required to purchase their travel to and from Las Vegas, Nevada to accept the scholarship.
- You may still apply if you have only attended a WVC Annual Conference or participated in the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) Clinical Proficiency Exam.

Meet the 2022 Scholarship Recipients 🎓
Alyssa Goehri
DVM
Kansas State University
Dr. Alyssa Goehri is excited to be a part of the Jack Walther Recent Graduate Bootcamp this year. She graduated from Kansas State University in 2020 and started in emergency work right after graduation. After a 1.5 years of emergency she transitioned into primary care. She loves to travel and studied abroad in both Spain and Costa Rica. Dr. Goehri has three dogs, two Dachshunds and a Vizsla. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, kayaking, reading, board games, running, and music.
Bryan Clifford
DVM
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Bryan Clifford is from Long Island, NY. He graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. After graduation, he completed an internship in Wildlife and Conservation Medicine at Tufts Wildlife Clinic. Dr. Clifford has since settled down in Massachusetts and works as a small animal general practitioner at Ayer Animal Medical Center. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys spending time with his family, including his new born son; his cats; taking walks; and training for amateur strongman competitions.
Caitlin Conner
DVM
Coming soon
Dene Vann
DVM
University of Tennessee
Originally from a small family farm in eastern North Carolina, I attended veterinary school at the University of Tennessee. After graduating, my partner and our two cats packed up and drove across the country to settle in the beautiful pacific northwest. I now work as a mixed animal general practitioner at Fair Isle Animal Clinic in Vashon, Washington. I am especially interested in dermatology, parasitology, and radiology. Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy rock climbing and gardening.
Emily Ragusa
DVM
Kansas State University
Dr. Emily Ragusa is a practicing small animal veterinarian in New York. She received her DVM degree from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Her areas of interest include oncology and geriatric medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and their Goldendoodle, Teddy.
Erica Addante
DVM
Oklahoma State University
Originally from Stockton, California, Erica received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 2019. Currently, Dr. Addante is currently a small animal/exotics veterinarian in a busy GP/ER practice in the beautiful Space Coast of Florida, where she lives with her husband, 1-year-old son, two sighthounds, and one leopard gecko. In her free time, she loves playing at beach, paddle boarding or trail running.
Naysa Ali
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Jill Rankin
DVM
University of Calgary
Dr. Jill Rankin was born and raised in Calgary Alberta Canada, and has always had a deep love for all animals.
She first pursued an undergraduate degree with honors in natural science with a major in chemistry, and then went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. Besides a love of chemistry she also has a deep passion for surgery, internal medicine and dentistry, and has recently completed the University of Illinois Small Animal Surgical Dentistry Intensive course.
Dr. Jill also has a love for the outdoors and caring for her pets. Her favorite hobbies include running with her Aussie Archie, snowboarding, biking and traveling the world.
Dr. Rankin is excited to be taking part in the Jack Walther recent graduate bootcamp, so she may further advance her knowledge and technical skills in order to better serve her furry lovable patients!
Kat Neupauer
DVM
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Katherine Neupauer was born and raised in the greater Philadelphia area. She went on to obtained her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in Lancaster County where she majored in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with a minor in Chemistry. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary school and clinical training. Dr. Neupauer enjoys all things nature; hiking, biking, plants, and traveling. Most of all she loves to spend time with her husband and pets.has recently completed the University of Illinois Small Animal Surgical Dentistry Intensive course.
Dr. Jill also has a love for the outdoors and caring for her pets. Her favorite hobbies include running with her Aussie Archie, snowboarding, biking and traveling the world.
Dr. Rankin is excited to be taking part in the Jack Walther recent graduate bootcamp, so she may further advance her knowledge and technical skills in order to better serve her furry lovable patients!
Meg Radford
DVM
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Meg Radford grew up in New Jersey and has always loved animals, especially dogs and cats. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Rutger's University in New Brunswick, NJ, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then went on to major in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Dr. Meg also has a creative side - she loves to sing with her parents in their rock band (The Professors) and is an avid crafter. Dr. Meg is passionate about preventative medicine and keeping companion animals healthy and happy.
Meghan Goldman
DVM
Auburn University
Even though Dr. Goldman has always had a love for animals, her dream of becoming a veterinarian was solidified after a farm call to care for her choked horse, Gracie. Dr. Goldman, a graduate of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, practices small animal medicine at Wesson Animal Clinic in Mobile, Alabama. Dermatology and soft tissue surgery are her areas of special interest. She was a 2019 Power of 10 recipient. In her free time, you can fine her enjoying the outdoors or supporting the Auburn Tigers at their athletic events.
Michael Derling
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Nichole Pattern
DVM
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Growing up in Massachusetts, Dr. Patten has always had an interest in veterinary medicine from a young age. She attended Salem State University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry. She went on to graduate from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Dr. Patten enjoys every aspect of general practice but has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, dentistry and dermatology. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her two cats, Ruby and Chloe, as well as family and friends.
Regan Franko
DVM
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
My name is Regan Franko. I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware pre-veterinary program and then headed to the Midwest at The University of Illinois where I attended veterinary school where I also completed my clinical year. I have a special interest in exotic animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, etc. in addition to dogs and cats.
On my off time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, going on walks, hikes, and spending time with my family and friends.
Oleg Khomutets
DVM
Poltava State Agrarian Academy School of Veterinary Medicine
Hello my name is Oleg Khomutets , I graduated from Ukraine’, Poltava State Agrarian Academy School of Veterinary Medicine with a dual degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology in 2011, as well I'm a recent graduate of ECFVG program , graduated in June 2021.My particular interest in Orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, epidemiology, and infectious diseases – I believes veterinary medicine is critical not just in supporting the health of your furry family members but also in protecting the health of human populations from dangerous zoonotic diseases. At this moment I'm practicing at Columbia pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center, Annandale , Virginia as an emergency veterinarian.
Sara Toner
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Sharon Yue
Ontario Veterinary College
Sharon Yue BIO
My name is Sharie and I went to the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada. I am from the Toronto area and will be moving to Calgary to work in general practice. I am a total cat lady, love to hike, and am an avid adventurer.
William Garrison
DVM
"I was born and raised in northeast Arkansas and graduated from a small liberal arts college in 2002. I briefly went to medical school but was really turned off by the experience and spent time doing a few jobs throughout my 20's, including research on animals. I realized that I greatly enjoyed working with animals, so I obtained an associates' degree as a vet technician and worked for 7 years, before finally making the leap to vet school in 2016. During my time in veterinary school, I married my wife and we had our son during the fourth year of school. I graduated in May 2020, just as coronavirus was overtaking the world and started working as an associate veterinarian at Roscoe Village Animal Hospital in Chicago, IL."
Angela Sharma
DVM
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Sharma graduated from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2020. She moved to Minnesota after graduation where she practices small animal medicine at a busy general practice just north of the Twin Cities. Her professional interests include surgery, dentistry and internal medicine. Outside of vet med, she loves hiking, traveling, reading and spending time with her husband, two cats and rescued Doberman.
Madison Gioiello
DVM
Kansas State University
Dr. Madison Gioiello is originally from a small community just outside of Dayton, Ohio. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Findlay in Ohio and graduated with her DVM from Kansas State University in 2021. She is now wrapping up her first year of general practice at Stoneridge Veterinary Service in Troy, Ohio.
Sarah Haddy
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Krista Wilkerson
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Chandler Mercer
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Hunter Goldsmith
DVM
Bio coming soon!