Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award
The Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award is given to educators in recognition of their character and leadership qualities as well as their outstanding teaching abilities. Winners of the Distinguished Teacher Award are then evaluated annually to select the National Award winner.
Lance Visser - 2019 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award
Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology
Dr. Lance Visser is recognized for excellence in teaching cardiac physiology and clinical cardiology in the classroom and the clinic.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and Chief of Cardiology Service, Dr. Visser received his DVM and MS (2010) from MSU, completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at North Carolina State University and a Residency in Cardiology with a second MS degree at the Ohio State University (2014). He joined the faculty at UCD in September 2014.
Teaching in VET408 and VET433C, Dr. Visser provides students with a solid working knowledge of cardiac physiology while making the content relevant and interesting. He developed a series of ECG unknowns for the second year students, designed to assist learners with basic skills needed to analyze an ECG tracing. Dr. Visser receives exceptional teaching evaluations from veterinary students and it is clear they appreciate his efforts to make a complicated topic more manageable. Many students mention his effective use of humor and historic references to engage their learning. Students consistently comment on his organization, approachability and accessibility, including availability for office hours.
Dr. Visser is also recognized as an exceptional clinical teacher. He has designed image-based presentations to augment the one-on-one teaching he does throughout the clinic day. Strongly reflected in cardiology rotation comments is Dr. Visser’s compassion for both student learning and well-being. Students describe, in glowing terms, the positive learning environment he fosters. Dr. Visser has been named the favorite small animal clinician three consecutive years. He is an effective and thoughtful teacher whose talents have made a positive impact on students, residents and peers at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
- Past Recipients
- (Formerly Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence and Smith-Kline Beecham Award)
2017 Claire Yellowley
2016 Jim Clark
2015 Brian Murphy
2014 Geraldine Hunt
2013 Matthew Mellema
2012 Fern Tablin
2011 Linda Barter
2010 Richard Nelson
2009 Birgit Puschner
2008 Janine Kasper
2007 David Maggs
2006 Walter Boyce
2005 Eric Herrgesell
2004 Lisle George
2003 Barry Ball
2002 Gary Carlson
2001 Robert Hansen
2000 Rick LeCouteur
1999 Pat Conrad
1998 Jan Ilkiw
1997 Mary Christopher
1996 Sue Stover
1995 Charlie Plopper
1994 Tony Stannard
1993 Jim MacLachlan