Dugat Among '40 Under 40: Professors Who Inspire'

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Dr. Danielle Dugat, assistant professor of small animal surgery at Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, was chosen as a “40 Under 40: Professors Who Inspire” by NerdScholar, a branch of NerdWallet.

Dugat, a small animal surgeon at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, teaches veterinary surgical knowledge and skills to her students and surgeons-in-training in both lectures and within the surgery suites at OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

She also spends countless hours coordinating evening and weekend training opportunities for veterinary students to broaden their educational experience and engaging high school FFA students in veterinary medicine through a state competition. Dugat led the small animal tornado animal relief efforts following the 2013 tornadoes, treating 37 cats and dogs injured during the violent storms. Numerous hospital clients rave about the care she provides their pets and the compassion she shows pet owners.

“Being recognized in the '40 Under 40 Professors Who Inspire' is an honor that I did not expect,” Dugat said. “I have to thank my colleagues at Oklahoma State University for the nomination and truly believe this honor is merely a reflection of my dedication to this profession and our future veterinarians.

"Enjoying the success of watching my students learn and the health of my patients being restored when they are ill reinforces my passion daily for veterinary medicine and surgery. Being honored for performing my job at the level I believe it should be performed is both rewarding and humbling.”

Dugat earned her DVM degree from OSU in 2007. She also completed an internship and small animal surgery residency at OSU before completing the requirements to become a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, or in other words, a board-certified veterinary surgeon.

These 40 professors were chosen based on their ability to captivate and engage students in the classroom, their outstanding involvement on campus and in the community, and their overwhelming passion for their subject matter. Nominations were collected through student, alumni and faculty recommendations following an open call to several hundred colleges and universities across the country.

NerdWallet is a consumer finance website that helps people make better decisions when it comes to their money. NerdScholar is the higher education branch that offers advice and resources specifically for college students. The free website walks students through the process of choosing a best-fit college, applying for financial aid, taking out student loans and landing a job.