Dr. James E. NaveThe AVMA has conferred its highest honor on a veterinarian whose natural leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and vision have influenced the course of the profession and inspired countless others.
Dr. James E. Nave (MO '68) of Las Vegas accepted the 2009 AVMA Award from AVMA President James O. Cook during the AVMA Opening Session Saturday.
Dr. Nave said, "I will cherish this honor forever. I know what it represents from the point of this Association."
Themes evident throughout Dr. Nave's professional and personal leadership include maintaining quality in veterinary education, mentoring students and colleagues, fostering public respect for veterinarians, and recognizing the importance and impact of globalization. At present, he is the AVMA globalization liaison agent for education and licensing.
"No leader has influenced the growth and stature of the AVMA more than Dr. Nave," wrote former AVMA president Dr. James H. Brandt in nominating Dr. Nave for the AVMA Award. "I haven't met anyone in leadership at AVMA who hasn't been assisted by him. He has been a teacher to all of us."
As AVMA president in 2000-2001, Dr. Nave worked to restructure the AVMA's political process and establish new Executive Board districts. He also helped create an AVMA mentoring program. At the award ceremony, he thanked the House of Delegates for having elected him president, calling it the greatest honor he has ever had.
Dr. Nave contributed greatly to the profession's economic future by helping establish the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues in 2000 and serving as its first chair. He also served on the AVMA Executive Board, chairing it in 1996-1997.
Following his graduation from the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Nave became a U.S. Army captain, earning a bronze star for his service in Vietnam.
Returning to civilian life, he settled in Las Vegas and opened Tropicana Animal Hospital in 1974, followed by multiple general veterinary hospitals and a veterinary specialty clinic.
In an interview last week, Dr. Nave said, "The ability to learn new and different things is, more than anything else, what excites me. The new graduates we have in our hospitals are sharp young veterinarians. They make me think young and of new ways to improve our abilities to treat our patients and run our business.
"I often say every day I leave work with the full knowledge I didn't get everything done, but we have a lot of opportunities for tomorrow."
He continued, "With my involvement in a lot of other areas, I get to work with some of the brightest people, whether in banking, gaming, or the hotel business."
For example, he has served on and chaired the Nevada Athletic Commission, winning the title of Boxing Commissioner of the Year once from the North American Boxing Federation and five times from the World Boxing Council. He currently serves on the board for Station Casinos Inc., the Western Alliance Bancorporation, and Bank West of Nevada. Opportunities for such positions in other industries often arise out of his hospitals' involvement with top law and investment firms, he said.
In veterinary medicine, Dr. Nave has been president of the Nevada VMA, vice president of the Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and delegate or alternate representing Nevada in the AVMA House of Delegates from 1985-1991. He is a former president and board member for the Western Veterinary Conference.
Dr. Nave worked relentlessly with Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to restore the rank of brigadier general to the chief of the Army Veterinary Corps. He told convention attendees his organizational work was done with his head, but his Corps work was with his heart.
He maintained that other veterinarians are equally deserving of the AVMA Award and that if the award represents accumulated contributions, many individuals have helped him achieve it.
"I have unbelievable respect for AVMA and for this recognition," Dr. Nave said, "but I hope it's not over for me; I hope there is more for me to do at AVMA." He views the AVMA's vision for international involvement with particular importance.
On the personal side, Dr. Nave plans to spend more time with his mother and explore new places. He added, "My daughter is getting married later this fall, and that potentially opens up a whole new world of grandchildren."
