The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Board of Regents has recognized Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services Terry Hensley, MS, DVM as a 2022-2023 Regents Fellow Service Award winner.
Dr. Terry Hensley, Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services
According the TAMUS website, the Regents Fellow Service Award Program was established in 1998 to recognize extension, service, and research professionals. Each year, this award is given to individuals who have provided exemplary professional service to society that has created large and lasting benefits to Texas and beyond.
Hensley joined TVMDL in 2012. In his role as assistant agency director, he oversees TVMDL’s veterinary services, intra-agency collaborations, case coordination, and client consultations. Hensley also serves as a liaison between TVMDL and multiple partner organizations, such as the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Throughout his tenure, Hensley has worked alongside TVMDL’s partners during multiple animal health outbreaks.
For example, in 2019 Hensley worked with TPWD and TAHC during an anthrax outbreak in west Texas. He led community meetings with concerned citizens and met with land and animal owners to ensure samples were submitted properly. In 2020, Hensley was instrumental in establishing a SARS-CoV-2 testing component for pets during the pandemic. Through an external approval process, pets whose owners tested positive for COVID-19 and exhibited clinical signs were tested for the virus TVMDL. Aside from his help establishing testing protocols at TVMDL, Hensley communicated with veterinarians and pet owners whose patients or pets were awaiting test results.
Most recently, Hensley asserted himself as a leader within TVMDL’s testing efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Following updated requirements from TPWD, TVMDL’s CWD submissions essentially doubled the past two years. Despite supply chain issues and staffing shortages, Hensley has worked tirelessly to provide superior service to TVMDL’s deer clients.
In addition to his commitment to diagnostics, Hensley also dedicates a significant amount of time to education. Annually, Hensley serves as an educator at Texas A&M AgriLife Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP) camps, guest lecturer for multiple graduate and undergraduate courses at Texas A&M University and hosts countless visitor groups at the College Station laboratory.
Prior to joining TVMDL, Hensley had already cultivated an impressive career in veterinary medicine. He spent several years as a practicing veterinarian, served as a veterinary medical officer for the USDA, and was the assistant agency director for the TAHC.
Hensley is now one of eight TVMDL professionals who have received the Regents Fellow designation. Please join TVMDL in congratulating Dr. Terry Hensley on this recognition.