Aquatic Animal Medicine Certificate Alumni
2023
- Monica Calderon – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Alyssa Carillo
- Taylor Collins – Thomas W. Ernst Scholarship Recipient
- Kaitlyn Dantoni – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Lindsey Edwards – Thomas W. Ernst Scholarship Recipient
- Justin Hanson – Knopf Family Foundation Scholarship Recipient
- Michael Kanzlemar
- Samantha Klett
- Katelyn Lanctot
- Kimberly McFarlane – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Alexandra Ulacia
2021
2022
- Alyssa Blew – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Cristina King
- Brittany Liguori
- Jenny Lind
- Brooke Newmans
- Tesla Richards
- Bryce Talsma
- Sarah Allred
- Pamela Betancourt
- Caitlyn Buerk – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Lindsay Culbertson
- Sofia Danford – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Alexandra Emelianchik – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Jeffrey Jacobs
- Baylie Locke
- Gregory Trende – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Chani Rue
- Marlynna Triggs
2019
- Stephanie Alexander
- Hillary Allgood
- Kaylee Brown
- Katherine Cardenas – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Megan Joyce
- Kayla Lawlor – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Bryce Miller
- Jessica Sands
- Riley Shugg
- Mariajesus Soula – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- William Smith
- Chelsey Tournade
- Hayley Violetta
- Lindsay Wilfong – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient

2020
- Federico Cunha
- Danielle De Rosa
- Geri Roth
- Stephen Long
- Charlotte Cournoyer – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Fernanda Gusmao – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Ishita Shah
- Natalie Nagle
- Natalie Torkelson
- Rachel Henriquez
- Jennifer Turner – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
2017
- Staci Spears
- Jacqueline Dolan
- Christine Mayer – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Jere Stern
- Jordyn Sthay
- Sarah Johnston
- Megan Strobel
- Shelby Loos – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Hannah Williams
- Hayley Booth
- Kristin Cook
- Lauren Brown
- Brian Vagt
- Carmen Morales
- Claire Paige
2018
- Dana Applegate
- Aslyn Brandt
- Heather Hoffman – “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award Recipient
- Kyra Hartog
- Christa Barrett
- Anna Hayley Bird

2015
- Lindsey DeFalco
- Kelly Evans
- Jenny Larson
- April Larson
- Barbara Linnehan
- Amanda Sefcik
2016
- Erica Schwarz
- Paige Garrett
- Sofia Gaviria
- Chelsea Hawkins
- Erica Moore
- Dorothy Nelson
- Kristi Rhodes
- Jake Saunders
- Justin Stilwell
- Michelle Donathan
2013
- Christina Lioce
- Danielle Lore
- Amanda Foskett
- Jocelyn Lyle-Dugas
- Nicole Compo
- Charlotte Jones
2011
- Aharon Lazerson
- Kristine Aviles
- Jenny Dill
- Kate Fischman
- Shannon McDonald
- Katie O’Donnell
2012
- Alissa Deming
- Susan Fogelson
- Brianne Phillips
- Nicole Fisher

Awards
The “Deke” Beusse Aquatic Animal Health Award
This award is established in honor of Dr. Diedrich O. Beusse who served as the Aquatic Animal Health Program’s first director. Dr. Beusse had worked as a contract veterinarian for Sea World Orlando for over 30 years, in addition to Universal Studios, Disney, Tiger’s Eye Productions, Paw Print Productions and was an Adjunct Professor in the UF Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences since 1983. He was a past president of the CVMA and the FVMA, and was the FVMA’s veterinarian of the year and recipient of the FVMA distinguished service award. Dr. Beusse passed away in 2008 but left a strong sense of value for life with everyone he met.
Dr. Beusse always developed an incredible rapport with his colleagues and the veterinary students he interacted with through his work at the University, SeaWorld, and at conferences. This award is in honor of the far reaching and positive influence he had inspiring students to pursue their passion for learning more about Aquatic Animal Health and caring for the many species he felt so strongly about.
Student Criteria – The student has shown exceptional effort and interest in pursuing a career in aquatic animal medicine and is in good academic standing. There is no requirement for nationality, Florida residency or financial need. An overall well-liked individual that is willing to work hard.
Thomas W. Ernst Scholarship
Annual scholarship which supports junior or senior DVM students who have demonstrated a financial need and have an interest in aquatic animal medicine.
Knopf Family Foundation Scholarship
Annual scholarship which supports one rising senior DVM candidate student. Preference is given to a student with a desire to pursue a career in aquatic animal medicine and is enrolled in the UF Aquatic Animal Medicine Certificate.