Dr. Kristy Pabilonia named the 2024 recipient of the AAVLD E.P. Pope Award
Kristy Pabilonia, executive director of Clinical Diagnostics for CSU’s Veterinary Health System (VHS), was named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians’ E.P. Pope Award.
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Kristy Pabilonia, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVM, executive director of Clinical Diagnostics for CSU’s Veterinary Health System (VHS), was named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians’ (AAVLD) E.P. Pope Award.
The award was established in 1974 in honor of Dr. Edward P. Pope, one of the founders of the AAVLD. It’s the highest award presented to an individual who has made noteworthy and significant contributions to the association and the field of veterinary diagnostic laboratory medicine.
Pabilonia was nominated by Bruce Akey, D.V.M., director emeritus of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
“She is a highly energetic, tireless proponent of the AAVLD and veterinary diagnostic medicine, whether [it be] training the next generation of diagnosticians or educating administrators at the state and federal level on the importance of our laboratories,” expressed Akey.
Veterinary Health System and veterinary diagnostics leadership
Pabilonia was instrumental in forming CSU’s Veterinary Health System and stepped in as interim associate dean from September 2021 to July 2022. Today, she plays a critical role on the VHS leadership team.
As the executive director of CSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (VDL), Pabilonia led her team through organizational restructuring, a global pandemic, and human COVID testing. She also led the VDL though regional/global zoonotic pandemics. Specifically, for the last two and a half years, she has been a state and national leader in managing the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus outbreak.
Since July, following a mandatory order from Colorado’s state veterinarian, the lab has added weekly bulk milk tank testing to their surveillance efforts, in addition to testing cattle, wild birds, and other mammals. She is regularly interviewed and quoted for her expertise.
High praise from colleagues
Christie Mayo, D.V.M., Ph.D., associate professor and virology section head, said Pabilonia has been an amazing mentor and shared that the team is all so proud, excited, and grateful to have Kristy serve as [their] director.
“Pabilonia is superhuman and indeed an impressive figure in the field of veterinary medicine. Her involvement with AAVLD has significantly shaped many careers, contributing to her reputation as a mentor, collaborator, and leading expert in her field,” stated Mayo.
VHS Senior Associate Dean Sheila McMullan also shared her praise for Pabilonia: “Kristy is an inspired leader who genuinely embodies what it means to be a champion for [animal and public health]. We are lucky to have her expertise in diagnostic medicine and her unwavering support of the VHS mission. It is only right that the AAVLD recognize Kristy [for the hard work and dedication we see every day].”
Pabilonia, a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (MIP), won numerous awards over her impressive 22-year career at CSU, including the AAVLD Distinguished Service Award in 2018 and the Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award in 2021.
Josh Daniels, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVM, bacteriology section head and associate professor in MIP, expressed his delight with Pabilonia receiving this award, “Kristy achieved more in the past 20 years than most people do during their entire careers.”
She is in her eighth consecutive year as secretary-treasurer on the AAVLD Executive Committee; an enormous time commitment given her other roles and obligations, including leadership and membership in various other AAVLD/NAHLH committees, shared AAVLD Awards Committee Chair Eric Burrough, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP. She spent 15 years in the auditor pool for the Accreditation Committee and audited multiple laboratories during that time.
“In summary, through her multiple and varied roles in the AAVLD, [Kristy] has helped shape and lead our organization in its mission to promote continuous improvement and public awareness of veterinary diagnostic laboratories,” said Burrough.