UPEI saddened by passing of Dr. Theresa Bernardo
UPEI is saddened by the passing of Dr. Theresa Bernardo, the first graduate student at the University, on March 13, 2024.
Dr. Bernardo graduated from the University of Guelph with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1984. In 1986, she became the first graduate student at UPEI, studying epidemiology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine under Dr. Ian Dohoo, a world-renowned scholar and leader in the field.
After graduating with her Master of Science degree in 1989, Dr. Bernardo went on to a stellar career, contributing to international veterinary medicine, animal health, public health, and teaching. She was a dedicated mentor for graduate students, veterinary students, and field veterinarians.
Dr. Bernardo has been recognized by her peers, professional organizations, and on the international level throughout her career. Her awards include a UPEI Distinguished Alumna Award in 2012 and the American Veterinary Medical Association XIIth International Congress Prize in 2019 for her contributions to international veterinary medicine.
Dr. Bernardo was a world-renowned innovator in information technology and cutting-edge processes, with a decade of experience in health informatics. She co-developed multilingual disease surveillance/mapping software used in over 100 countries and adopted by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH-OIE) and the United Nations. Dr. Bernardo led the development of a baseline for the Global Burden of Animal Disease. She was IDEXX Chair in Emerging Technologies and Preventive Healthcare at the University of Guelph and co-lead of the Informatics. She was a member of Veterinarians Without Borders Canada’s board of directors.
UPEI extends sincere sympathy to Dr. Bernardo’s family, friends, and colleagues.
The complete obituary may be read here.
