Two Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, employees were selected to receive Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence honors at the Texas A&M AgriLife Connect ceremonies Jan. 7 on the Texas A&M University campus. Since 1980, Texas A&M AgriLife has annually recognized individuals whose exceptional contributions have advanced its mission. The 2025 award recipients include TVMDL employees Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP, and Mallory Pfeifer.
Diagnostic Services
Julie Piccione, assistant agency director for clinical pathology, is the Diagnostic Services Award recipient. In her 10 years with the agency, Piccione has built a culture of scientific rigor and excellence. She oversees clinical pathology, parasitology, and endocrinology testing services at the College Station and Canyon laboratories. Passionate about the future of diagnostics, she drives improvements in testing services to meet the evolving needs of veterinarians and producers. Her leadership was essential in creating TVMDL’s digital cytology program, a service widely embraced across the entire agency. While being exceptionally good at maximizing operational and testing efficiency, Piccione values client service and care just as much. When consulting with clients, she provides insightful interpretations of results to assist in choosing the tests best suited to their needs. Client Services Section Head, Dr. Ashley Arnold said, “Clients trust her not only for her diagnostic expertise but also for the care she takes to communicate results in a way that supports informed decision-making. Julie pairs world-class diagnostic knowledge with genuine care and humanity.”
Special Services Award
Mallory Pfeifer, communications manager at TVMDL, is the Special Services Award recipient. For the last eight years, Pfeifer has overseen the scope of communications and marketing for the agency’s four laboratories located across the state of Texas. She is responsible for shaping and delivering TVMDL’s messages through technical and feature writing, photography, graphic design, website management, and video production. Her work ensures that TVMDL’s news and updates are clearly communicated, making diagnostic services and health information accessible to veterinary clients and the public. Pfeifer’s diligence to uphold transparency and prompt dissemination of critical information, such as updates on testing options and animal disease status, exemplifies her devotion to TVMDL’s six-decade-old mission of protecting animal and human health.
Executive Associate Director, Stacy Morris said, “Mallory takes initiative, embraces every challenge, and meets every task with creativity, professionalism, and heart. She doesn’t merely perform her duties; she exceeds them, elevating our public presence and supporting our clients and staff.”
