UF veterinary medicine names six Superior Accomplishment winners

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has named six staff, scientist, and clinician honorees in the 2026 UF Superior Accomplishment Awards program: Nicole Adams, Shannon Branton, Alexis Jenkins, Kevin Kroll, Michelle Wilhelmy, and Billi Wilson. Adams, a biological scientist in infectious diseases and immunology, received Rookie of the Year; Wilson, a certified veterinary technician in anesthesia and analgesia, was recognized for Individual Employee Performance; and Branton, Jenkins, Kroll, and Wilhelmy received Sustained Excellence awards. The college said the winners were recognized at a Feb. 16 banquet for UF Health and academic health college recipients, with each receiving a $300 cash award and advancing into consideration for university-level honors. (vetmed.ufl.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the announcement is a reminder that academic veterinary medicine depends on far more than faculty visibility alone. UF’s award criteria emphasize service, efficiency, and measurable impact on students, patients, clients, and colleagues, which mirrors the operational realities of teaching hospitals and research programs. Recognition across business operations, student affairs, research management, laboratory science, technician roles, and clinical support also highlights how broad the workforce is behind veterinary care and training. (vetmed.ufl.edu)

What to watch: The next step is whether any of the six college-level honorees are selected for UF’s university-level Superior Accomplishment Awards, which include additional cash prizes. (vetmed.ufl.edu)