Every fall semester, veterinarian Dr. Frank Krupka spends time on campus, supervising the surgeries conducted on rats by students in Dr. Pam Faber’s Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab.One fall, the lights mysteriously went dark during the surgeries, and he rolled with the punches, continuing on with the work under emergency and available natural lighting.
It was all in a day’s work for this busy 1994 graduate, who balances a hectic career with an equally hectic home and family life, yet understands the value of his gift of giving back to Heidelberg students.
Frank is the co-owner of Avon Lake Animal Clinic, Paws by the Lake Pet Resort, Polished Paws Pet Grooming and Up and Running Canine Rehabilitation, all part of the Avon Lake Pet Health Campus.
Following his graduation from Heidelberg, Frank completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With special interest in non-traditional species medicine and surgery, he is an active member of a variety of veterinary organizations and has published a number of articles on exotic animals.
Frank has volunteered his expertise to Heidelberg’s School of Natural and Allied Health Sciences in many ways over the past three years. He serves as the veterinarian of record on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which reviews and approves laboratory curricula and proposals for research using live animals. In that role, he typically works with students to help them achieve approval for their research projects, then is available to them during the time of data collection.
He is a patient, practiced mentor who understands well the professional development process of young scientists. On an annual basis, Frank inspects the Longaker Animal Laboratory and its protocols. He also helps to provide fresh materials for anatomical study so that students can have exposure to more natural anatomy, not modified by chemical preservatives. This resume-building opportunity is part of what makes our students stand apart from others as they apply for jobs or graduate programs.
His work with our science students exposes them to additional surgical techniques and anesthetics beyond that which they have learned previously. Additionally, he invites pre-veterinary students to his clinic, where he demonstrates strategies to strengthen their applications to veterinary programs.
When he isn’t practicing veterinary medicine, Frank enjoys spending time with his wife, Donna Powell ’94, and their three sons. He is a scout leader, a soccer coach and offers 4-H veterinary guidance to his kids’ 4-H club, called Forward Bound. The Krupkas also have a farm where they raise goats, chickens, rabbits, pigeons, pigs and lambs.