Pay attention to the body
Dr. Nickie Baird has been selected, following national and international searches, to be Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Professor with tenure in the College’s Department of Clinical Sciences, effective January 10th.
He comes to Auburn from Purdue University, where he was full professor for four and a half years and faculty in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences for 20 years. Baird served as chief of staff for nine years, served on the teaching hospital’s board of directors for 15 years, and served on the hospital’s interim management during a recent change in management from 2019-20.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree from Texas A&M University, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn in 1984. He is a diplomat from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Previous appointments include a three year professorship at Penn and eight years as a faculty member at Auburn from 1990-98, attaining the rank of Associate Professor of Perpetuals.
“It is difficult to find the words to express my appreciation to the faculty, staff and administration of Auburn for giving me the opportunity to return home as Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs,” said Baird.
“My experience at other institutions gives me a unique perspective to re-examine our program, build on our strengths, and make changes in areas that can be improved. I look forward to working with the world-class Auburn faculty in our state-of-the-art facility to provide patients with the best possible care and service for our clients and referring vets while continuing to produce the outstanding hands-on graduates that have always been a strength of the Auburn program. Our goal will simply be to make Auburn a little better today than yesterday. “
In his role as Chief of Staff at Purdue, he represented the interests of the major animal faculty and staff vis-à-vis the hospital director. He currently does around 24 weeks of clinical work per year in Large Animal Surgery I and takes part in didactic / laboratory courses in Large Animal Surgery I, Large Animal Surgery II and Applied Anatomy of Farm Animals.
During his tenure at Purdue, he has mentored 42 PhD students, residents and interns. Of those in the graduate school, he worked as a primary advisor for five and as a mentor for 10. In the Clinical Track Residency program, he served as a committee member for 11 resident doctors. He has also served on and headed one of five Masters Advisory Committees. Baird has consistent experience mentoring veterinary students – 36 since 2005.
Baird has contributed to the publication of 57 peer-reviewed research papers, seven published procedures in food and fiber animal surgery, and several hospital patient case studies. He has given 15 scientific lectures to regional, national or international groups and engaged veterinary and veterinary surgery with 19 national, 24 regional / state and 16 local advanced training presentations. This led to 12 peer-reviewed continuing education publications, the editing of four books with multiple chapter contributions, and 19 published book chapters.
He has served on the ACVS, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the World Buiatrics Congress, and served on numerous university, college, and departmental committees.