Dr. Jane R. Shaw

Dr. Theodore B. Robinson

Dr. Peter Eyre

Dr. John L. Noordsy

Darlene M. Verbelia

Four AVMA members and one AVMA Staff member received awards during the Hill's Opening Session at the convention center on Saturday. These awards were in addition to the AVMA Award, which was presented to Dr. Peter F. Haynes (see page 1).

Dr. Jane R. Shaw, a veterinarian who also earned a PhD, received the Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award for her outstanding work in increasing the understanding of, preserving, and protecting human-animal relationships. Dr. Shaw's dissertation involved one of the first scientific studies of veterinarian-client-patient communication. She is an assistant professor of veterinary communication and the director of the Argus Institute at Colorado State University. Dr. Shaw implemented the communication curriculum at CSU, focusing on clinical interviewing skills to enhance professional performance through partnership with colleagues and clients. She conducts skills-based communication workshops at veterinary conferences and symposia. In addition, Dr. Shaw consults with members of veterinary practices to enhance teamwork, continuity of care, and client service.

Dr. Theodore B. Robinson earned the Meritorious Service Award for contributing to the advancement of veterinary medicine and bringing honor and distinction to the profession through personal and professional activities conducted outside the areas of organized veterinary medicine and research. Dr. Robinson created the Native American Veterinary Services project. The project began in 2001 as a one-time, two-day volunteer veterinary clinic on a Navajo reservation and has grown into a project that affects thousands of animals and people on four Native American reservations throughout the southwestern United States. Volunteers provide veterinary care to the animals of Native Americans and educate residents on proper animal care. In turn, volunteers are exposed to different cultures.

Three individuals were presented with the AVMA President's Award for having a positive impact on animal, human, or public health, veterinary organizations, and the profession.

Dr. Peter Eyre was one recipient of a President's Award. He served as dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine from 1985 to 2003 and was appointed dean emeritus of veterinary medicine at Virginia Tech in 2007. Earlier in his career, Dr. Eyre was head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and associate director of the Canadian Centre for Toxicology at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. In organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Eyre held the role of president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in 2003. He has served on numerous councils and committees, including the AVMA Council on Governmental Affairs and AVMA Legislative Advisory Council.

Dr. John L. Noordsy, an internationally recognized veterinary surgeon, also received a President's Award. Over the course of his career, Dr. Noordsy worked at a rural South Dakota private practice specializing in food animal medicine and surgery for 13 years and spent 30 years in academics at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. At KSU, Dr. Noordsy served as an instructor, progressing to assistant and interim dean. He was secretary of the South Dakota VMA and was president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in 1979. In addition, Dr. Noordsy has served on the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service for 11 years, including four years as chair.

Darlene M. Verbelia was the third recipient of a President's Award. She holds the position of executive assistant to AVMA's Executive Vice President W. Ron DeHaven, assisting him with the administrative duties related to managing the Association, including the production of agendas, minutes, and reports. Ms. Verbelia has held this position in the Office of the Executive Vice President for nearly 31 years. She has assisted four AVMA executive vice presidents, beginning in 1977 with Dr. Donald A. Price. Her duties include working with the AVMA officers, district directors, delegates, and alternate delegates. She assists the executive vice president in his role as chief executive officer of the Association and his duties related to the House of Delegates.