AAEP Virtual Wednesday Round Table: Finding the Right Fit- How to Get the Most Out of an Equine Internship

Dr. Reuss is equine technical manager with Boehringer Ingelheim in Duluth, Ga., and chair of the AAEP’s Horse Owner Education Committee. A veterinary graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Reuss completed her internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala. She transitioned from academia to industry in 2016 following six years as a clinical assistant professor and chief of the large animal medicine service at the University of Florida. She also served on the Admissions and the Internship and Residency Evaluation committees and as a faculty advisor to the AAEP and AVMA Student Chapters.

Dr. Barton holds the Fuller E. Callaway Endowed Chair and is a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She also serves as assistant dean of clinical academic affairs, overseeing the program for third- and fourth-year veterinary students. Dr. Barton received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois before completing an internship at North Carolina State University and a combined Large Animal Residency and Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Christakos is a shareholder at Littleton Equine Medical Center in Littleton, Colo., and a member of the AAEP board of directors. Upon receiving her veterinary degree from Colorado State University, Dr. Christakos completed an internship at Littleton Equine where she has remained on staff. Dr. Christakos is a past president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the AAEP’s Scientific Review and Editorial Committee and has volunteered with AAEP student programming.

Dr. Loppnow is an equine surgery resident at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics in Salinas, Calif. After receiving his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Loppnow served an internship at Anoka Equine and stayed on as an associate for three more years. He completed a large animal rotating internship at Iowa State University in 2021–2022 before accepting his current position. Dr. Loppnow serves on the AAEP’s Member Engagement Committee.

Dr. Liepman is a board-certified equine internist with Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Phoenix, Ariz. She received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University, completed an internship at BW Furlong & Associates and a residency in large animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University. Dr. Liepman has spent several years collaborating with young veterinarians and university leaders to build a strong internship program focused on skills development and open communication.

Dr. Tyma is a board-certified surgeon at Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, N.Y., where she completed her internship following graduation from Cornell University. She returned to Rhinebeck Equine in January after three years as an associate surgeon at The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center. Dr. Tyma also completed a large animal surgical residency at the University of Georgia and is certified in veterinary acupuncture. Dr. Tyma is passionate about providing dedicated mentorship and a strong sense of community for intern veterinarians through her practice.