Sulfridge receives white coat during ceremony held at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

Third year student Travis Sulfridge, of the Paint Creek/Jellico Creek community, recently received his white coat during a ceremony held at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The white coat ceremony was held January 27 at the CVM campus for the 122-member Class of 2019, and is a symbolic transition from didactic to the clinical phase of veterinary medical education.

The professional coating ceremony recognizes each student’s achievement in their medical education to date.
Guests and students were welcomed by Dean, Calvin Johnson before the presentation of the coats led by Dr. Dan Givens, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Representatives from the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine participated in the program.

Travis was one of three students from the local area who received a white coat at the ceremony. The other two students from Williamsburg are Anthony Davis and Jessica Ball.

Travis said he has completed all of the course work and is ready to start putting his knowledge to use in the AUCVM small animal hospital and large animal hospital.

His fourth year at college will consist of 24 clinical rotations, including ophthalmology, dermatology, food animal hospital, ambulatory services, etc. as well as an eight week preceptorship where he will go to a general practice to finish up his education before his graduation in May 2019.

“I will be working on mixed animals. I have a deep passion for cattle and equine work,” said Travis.
After graduation, Travis will return to his hometown of Williamsburg to work with Michael Culver, DVM at the Williamsburg Veterinary Clinic. Travis has been associated with the clinic for 6 years.

“I am looking forward to Travis graduating vet school and coming back home to join this practice. I am anxious to have some help,” said Michael Culver, DVM. “He is already acquainted with many of the clientele and well liked by them. He will be an asset to the clinic.”

Travis is the husband of Ashley Blackburn Sulfridge, formerly of Jellico, who is a RN at Baptist Hospital in Corbin. He is the son of Vince and Pam Sulfridge of Paint Creek, Williamsburg, and he is the grandson of Cecil and Wanda Roberts of Paint Creek, and David and Cathy Sulfridge of Canadatown.