Sydney Rosario, poultry programs administrator, is a 2022 recipient of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Director’s Excellence Award in the administrative category.
Sydney Rosario accepts the TVMDL Director’s Excellence Award from TVMDL Director Dr. Amy Swinford
Rosario joined the laboratory three years ago. She leads the agency’s testing services for the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) Program and serves as the state’s coordinator for the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).
As the administrator for the Texas PT Program, Rosario manages over 250 authorized testers. In addition to overseeing their testing efforts, Rosario is also responsible for ensuring each tester is certified to perform testing for pullorum disease and fowl typhoid. This requires Rosario to host annual trainings to certify new testers and renew current testers’ certifications. Trainings consist of a lecture portion and hands-on demonstrations, all led by Rosario.
Most recently, Rosario is praised for her efforts to provide convenient, accessible testing services in underserved areas the state. She accomplished this through developing a partnership with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). Through this partnership, Rosario trained TAHC inspectors to test for pullorum disease and fowl typhoid. Now, flock owners have the option of requesting a TAHC inspector for testing if an authorized TVMDL tester is unavailable in that area.
“Sydney serves a valuable role in maintaining the health of Texas’ poultry flocks,” Mallory Pfeifer, communications specialist and Rosario’s nominator, said. “She has successfully updated the PT Program, partnered with the Texas Animal Health Commission, and asserted herself as an industry leader in the three short years she has been with the agency.”
In addition to her dedication to TVMDL’s poultry clients, Rosario is also committed to internal agency outreach. She has led staff holiday celebrations, appreciation events, and fundraising efforts. Through this, she has developed a reputation within the agency for how well she works with peers.
“Sydney has demonstrated work ethic, determination, and leadership throughout her time at TVMDL,” Pfeifer said. “She knows the value of working with others but has the drive and motivation to work independently. Her hard work is deserving of recognition.”