By Katie Burns

Low-income pet owners, military service, the One Health Initiative, and horse welfare are the causes of four AVMA members who received awards Saturday during the Opening Session at the convention center.

These awards were in addition to the AVMA Award, which the Association presented to Dr. James E. Nave (see page 1).

Dr. Brian W. Forsgren (OSU '77) received the Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award for outstanding work in increasing the understanding of, preserving, and protecting human-animal relationships.

Dr. Forsgren has devoted his career to providing veterinary care in Cleveland's low-income communities. He spent many years working with low-income pet owners and stray animals at the Willey Avenue Animal Clinic in partnership with the Cleveland Animal Protective League. He opened the Gateway Animal Clinic in 1999 with the mission of providing access to care for all companion animals in the community.

Outside of practice, Dr. Forsgren has been active in the Ohio VMA. He served as OVMA president, chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, and chair of the Practice Act Task Force. He was state veterinary representative for an update of Ohio's statutes on animal cruelty. With the OVMA and other organizations, he helped develop courses on shelter medicine for the Midwest Veterinary Conference.

The late Col. Cliff L. Walker (KSU '82) was one of the recipients of the AVMA President's Award—which goes to AVMA members who have had a positive impact on animal, human, or public health; veterinary organizations; and the profession.

Col. Walker served as an Air Force navigator before leaving to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. He established a practice in Austin, Texas, later selling the practice to enter the Army Veterinary Corps. His assignments took him from Texas to Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, he was commander of the Army Veterinary Command.

Col. Walker's military honors include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Forces Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Expeditionary Medal, and National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Navigator Wings. He also was a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

Dr. Roger K. Mahr (ISU '71) was another recipient of a President's Award.

As the 2006-2007 AVMA president, Dr. Mahr proposed the One Health Initiative to facilitate collaboration and cooperation among colleagues in veterinary medicine, human medicine, and environmental sciences. In response, the AVMA Executive Board established the One Health Initiative Task Force to recommend actions to help advance the one-health concept. Dr. Mahr was the project director for the subsequent One Health Joint Steering Committee, and he now is acting as the interim chief executive officer for the new One Health Commission—which was just established on June 29.

Dr. Mahr spent most of his career in small animal practice. He established Meadow View Veterinary Clinic in Geneva, Ill., in 1974. For three decades, he owned and operated the clinic. He also has held leadership positions in the Chicago VMA, Illinois State VMA, and many community organizations.

Dr. Douglas G. Corey (COL '76) was the third recipient of a President's Award.

A partner at Associated Veterinary Medical Center out of Walla Walla, Wash., Dr. Corey is active in organized veterinary medicine and has devoted much of his attention to issues of horse welfare.

Dr. Corey is a past president and board member of the Oregon VMA and American Association of Equine Practitioners. He has chaired many AAEP committees, including the AAEP Equine Welfare Committee. He also has chaired the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee.

Active with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Dr. Corey was instrumental in establishment of a full-time welfare position at PRCA. He helped develop care guidelines for rodeo livestock and other welfare guidelines for PRCA. Dr. Corey also is a member of the American Horse Council's Equine Welfare Committee and serves each year as the National Final Rodeo's On Call veterinarian for media relations.