Jane Barchent Flores, D.V.M., C.V.A., '94 has been practicing and teaching at The Ohio State University (OSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital since April 2006.  She is an assistant professor at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in the department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and is the team leader of the Community Practice Service in the veterinary teaching hospital. 

Already, she has been rewarded for her work.  After only two years at OSU, she has been recognized for the effectiveness and quality of her efforts.  She recently received the 2008 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  The award is given to a faculty member who contributes significantly to the advancement of the veterinary profession through ability, dedication, character and leadership.  She was nominated by the veterinary student body and the Honors and Awards Committee.  In the nomination students commented, "The environment that Dr. Flores creates truly encourages active learning.  She always puts the students and their opportunity for education first."

Flores said the part of her career that she most enjoys is teaching.  "The students are wonderful and it is really exciting to think I may be contributing to our profession in some way."

After graduation from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and completing and internship in 1998, she worked in a small animal general practice until she returned to teach at OSU in 2006.  In addition to her D.V.M. degree, she also is a certified veterinary acupuncturist.  She performs acupuncture on multiple species, from lizards to horses.

Flores said that the hands-on approach of The University of Findlay's pre-veterinary medicine program prepared her well for veterinary school and practice.  "It was the most animal handling education of my college years," she pointed out.  "The program also made me understand all of the options I had available to me as a veterinarian."

But perhaps even more important than the benefits she gained through her animal-handling experiences at Findlay, Flores was inspired by the pre-veterinary medicine faculty at The University of Findlay-Dr. Linda Peck and Dr. Michael Kerns.  "They made me realize you can wear many hats as a veterinarian.  I also saw the impression they made on so many students, and I thought that maybe I could have the same impact one day."

Flores and her husband, Ian, have two children, Ann and David, and live in Plain City, Ohio.