Former Vet Med Teaching Hospital client becomes student, wins McElroy award
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Media Contact: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu
Eighteen years ago, a third-grade student loaded his steer roping horse, Blue Creek, into a trailer to make the trip to Stillwater.
However, they weren’t traveling to compete in a rodeo; they were headed to the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Blue Creek had developed colic and was in and out of the hospital several times over the next few weeks.
This meant frequent trips to the OSU VMTH for the student and his family. On one of the trips, the student met equine internal medicine professor Dr. Lyndi Gilliam. They were performing an endoscope and Gilliam showed him what they were doing on the screen and explained the process. From that day on, all the student could talk about was wanting to become a veterinarian.
Fast forward to May 10, 2024, when Dr. Braden Steidley graduated from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, followed his dream, obtained a DVM and was hooded by Gilliam, the same person who sparked his interest in veterinary medicine years before.
Steidley didn’t just receive his degree; he was also named the 2024 Dean Clarence H. McElroy award recipient. The graduating class and fourth-year instructors select the recipient. The award is the highest honor a CVM student can achieve.
Steidley, originally from Claremore, Oklahoma, grew up showing livestock, competing in rodeo events and was active in FFA. He first attended Rogers State University before transferring to OSU to obtain his bachelor’s degree in animal science.
Family tradition, a sense of home, cowboy pride and inspiration from Gilliam led Steidley to stay at OSU to pursue his DVM.
“It was a dream school for me, even in my undergraduate studies,” Steidley said. “I always wanted to come to OSU and attend veterinary school here.”
Throughout his time in veterinary school, Steidley was extremely active, serving as a CVM ambassador, class president and member of several student organizations.
“Braden was the first of many ambassadors I started working with a few years ago and will make an everlasting impression on my career here at OSU,” said Chasity Srader, prospective students coordinator. “Because of his commitment and dedication, he helped me grow professionally and become a better coworker and leader. I do not doubt that no matter where he goes next, he will be an exceptional DVM and will always be a great representative of OSU CVM.”
"The support from the faculty and staff was also very influential in helping me make
it through such a rigorous program."
As he reflected on his veterinary school experience, the thing that stood out most to him was the connections he made.
“I met some of my very best friends in veterinary school,” Steidley said. “The support from the faculty and staff was also very influential in helping me make it through such a rigorous program.”
Steidley described receiving the McElroy award as a true honor.
“It was a surreal moment for me when I heard my name called as the McElroy award winner,” Steidley said. “I’m honored to be selected for this award and grateful for all the people who helped me along the way.”
In June, Steidley will move to Kansas City, Missouri, to work as an associate veterinarian at Strothertowne Pet Hospital, a small animal general practice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Steidley’s involvement in the college won’t end after graduation. He will serve as a class of 2024 representative in the OSU CVM Alumni Society and plans to stay as involved as possible.
“There were a lot of alumni before me who have helped students through financial contributions or just through support,” Steidley said. “Looking back, there were a lot of times where vet school was very challenging, and you sometimes question why you are still doing it. Getting to talk to alumni and faculty members about what the profession looks like after graduation was really helpful for me in making it through and helping me remember why I started.”
Steidley said he wants to be able to help students with questions or concerns they may have while they’re in school and provide a support system for them the same way his mentors did for him.
“Even if you don’t talk all the time, knowing there are people behind you, supporting you is a really big deal,” Steidley said. “I have a lot of those people, so I want to give back in that same way.
“I have a long history with this school, and I just want to be able to keep pushing it forward to see everyone throughout OSU Vet Med succeed and see the school continue to prosper.”
Photos By: Taylor Bacon
Story By: Taylor Bacon | Vet Voices Magazine