Dr. Melissa MacIver Receives CVMA Teaching Award

Dr. Melissa MacIver, Assistant Professor of Small Animal Surgery in OVC’s Department of Clinical Studies, has been awarded the 2023 Teacher of the Year Award from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

The award is presented annually to one professor at each of the five veterinary colleges in Canada. Recipients are selected by veterinary students and are awarded to the professor who most inspired them through their approach to the subject, teaching methods and enthusiasm. 

Dr. MacIver graduated from OVC’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program in 2013. She obtained her board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2020 and joined OVC as an assistant professor in 2019. Her primary interests include orthopedic surgery, minimally invasive surgery and stem cell therapy. She has always enjoyed teaching and is passionate about presenting complex topics in ways that are accessible and interactive for students. 

“You always hope to make a difference as a teacher,” says MacIver. “We aren’t trained in teaching; we’re clinicians. Orthopedics is an advanced subject, so it’s difficult content to teach in a way that sparks interest and curiosity.”

MacIver says her goal is to encourage students to consider orthopedics as a potential career path, so she invests a lot of time preparing her lectures to keep classes as lively and fun as possible.

“To be nominated by my students and know that I’m reaching them in ways that I’d hoped is the greatest reward for this work.” 

Visit the CVMA website to view the official announcement.