UF’s Chrisman honored for veterinary service

University of Florida veterinarian Cheryl Chrisman, D.V.M., is the 2002 recipient of the Robert W. Kirk Award for distinguished national and international service in the veterinary profession. The award was presented to Chrisman at the 2002 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) forum in Dallas, and is given annually to an ACVIM diplomate for their national and international contributions to the profession.

A board-certified veterinary neurologist, Chrisman is a professor of small animal clinical sciences and chief of the neurology service at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her D.V.M. at Michigan State University in 1968, and completed her residency in internal medicine and neurology at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974. She then joined the faculty at Ohio State and later came to the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine to become an assistant dean (1984-1989). In 1991, Chrisman received an Ed.S. degree in counselor education with an emphasis on student development from UF.

Chrisman is recognized for her contributions to research and publications in the field of veterinary neurology, and is the author of the textbook, “Problems in Small Animal Neurology.”

In research, she has discovered previously unknown neurologic diseases, and her early work identified the benefit of electromyography in the clinical setting.

She is best known for her enthusiasm, energy and passion for teaching in the classroom, on clinical rounds and at continuing education courses, and continues to be an influential role model and inspiration for the many people she has come in contact with. Among Chrisman’s many teaching awards is the Norden Outstanding Teaching Award from UF. She also was an American Animal Hospital Association Veterinarian of the Year award recipient. She delivered the commencement address to the UF veterinary college’s class of 2002.

Chrisman is past president of the AVCIM’s neurology specialty subgroup, and past president and chairperson of the ACVIM board of directors.