CSU names Melinda Frye associate dean of vet school

Colorado State University associate professor of biomedical sciences Melinda Frye, DVM, DACVIM, PhD, was named associate dean of professional veterinary medicine for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. An expert in cardiovascular physiology and equine medicine, Frye has taught graduate-level physiology for the past seven years after a career in both human and veterinary medicine. Frye is the first woman to attain the associate dean position, joining Colorado State’s veterinary program’s all-male leadership.

Frye enters the position when 80 percent of the 550-member veterinary student body is female. Frye came to veterinary medicine by way of human medicine, starting her medical career as a registered nurse. According to a release from CSU, Frye’s love of animals prompted her to pursue veterinary medicine rather than medical school when she was ready for her next step.The professional experiences that led to Frye’s appointment as associate dean include:

> teaching in the veterinary school

> National Institutes of Health-supported research into the links among dietary fat, obesity and heart disease

> equine-focused veterinary practice in both private and university settings

> service on curriculum and steering committees for the CSU veterinary school.

“Beyond her admirable credentials in teaching, research and clinical service, it’s wonderful to have an accomplished woman in a role that so visibly demonstrates what our students can do in science, medicine and the veterinary industry,” says Mark Stetter, DVM, dean of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Frye will replace Dean Hendrickson, DVM, MS, DACVS, who held the associate dean position for the past two years. She plans to continue efforts to address challenges the veterinary profession is facing—such as an abundance of companion-animal practitioners, restrained veterinary pay and the burden of college debt—with a new financial advising system and by encouraging students to explore a variety of professional opportunities.

“I look forward to building on Dr. Hendrickson’s strong efforts directed to training for unconventional veterinary roles, focusing on a broader array of careers,” Frye says in the release. “At CSU, we plan to start pairing students with faculty mentors in unconventional career pathways to help open the doors to new and different options.”

Frye will assume her position in July, while Hendrickson returns to full-time teaching and equine surgery.