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This annual award recognizes individuals and groups inside and outside veterinary medicine, who have made a positive impact on animal, human, or public health, veterinary organizations, and the profession.

Bruce W. Little, DVM

Dr. Little received his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was an associate and practice owner in central Illinois before he joined the staff of the AVMA in 1985. He has served as executive vice president of the association since 1996. He served on the task force and committee that oversaw the purchase and renovation of both the five-story office building at 1931 North Meacham Road in Schaumburg, Illinois, that serves as AVMA's headquarters and the four-story historic townhouse in Washington, DC, that houses the association's Governmental Relations Division.

As executive vice president, Dr. Little was instrumental in creating a Communications Division, a department to monitor state legislative and regulatory issues, a stand alone Convention and Meeting Planning Division and establishing a new Animal Welfare Division, and enhancing AVMA's communications with members, pet owners, the general public, and other groups. The association's online services include a world-class Web site where members and the public can read full-text AVMA Journals, browse policies and issue briefs, and learn about AVMA advocacy efforts on behalf of the veterinary profession.

Dr. Little has orchestrated partnerships between the AVMA and industry that have improved education and communications, expanded programs related to the AVMA's annual convention, and enhance the economic base of the profession. He serves as a charter member of the Board of Directors of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues and has worked to establish programs within the Commission to enhance the economic base of the profession.

Dr. Little has been honored for his work in veterinary medicine and association management. He was designated a Kansas State University Alumni Fellow, received the Meritorious Service Award from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, is an Honorary Member of the British Veterinary Association, a member of the International Veterinary Officers Council, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Association Forum of Chicagoland and as chair of the forum's Communications Committee. He is a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Dr. Little has been involved in the thoroughbred racing industry since 1967. As an owner and breeder he has formed owner partnerships and presently sits on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Arlington Heights, Illinois. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.

Janis H. Audin, MS, DVM

Dr. Audin editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and director of the AVMA Publications Division. Dr. Audin has made the AVMA scientific journals relevant for the entire profession by providing articles on the many facets of veterinary medicine. Her technological innovations included creating the AVMA Journals Online to offer subscribers a virtual library of journals beginning in 2000. Globally, she has broadened the journals' reach by promoting interdisciplinary cooperation in veterinary research, greatly increasing foreign manuscript submissions. She has upheld standards of excellence in the veterinary literature.

As staff consultant to the Executive Board Bylaws Committee, Dr. Audin helped develop the Amended and Restated AVMA Bylaws adopted in 2006. She has served on the Strategic Planning Task Force and the Long-Range Planning Committee.

After earning a master's in reproductive physiology and, in 1979, her veterinary medical degree from the University of Illinois, Dr. Audin worked in a small animal practice. She joined the AVMA staff in 1985 with promotions that culminated in her current position in 1995.

Dr. Audin, once editor-in-chief of her high school and veterinary college yearbooks, has been active in the Council of Science Editors and Society of National Association Publications. The Boston native first came to Illinois while earning her bachelor's degree in art history and biology at Lake Forest College. She selects the JAVMA cover art and assists in judging an international animal art exhibition. A distinguished practitioner in the National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Audin is a member of the Illinois State VMA, Chicago VMA, and Phi Zeta. Her alma mater honored her in 2006 with the Dr. Erwin Small Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dennis M. McCurnin, DVM, MS, DACVS

As the chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee from 2000 until 2007, Dr. McCurnin oversaw the growth of the AVMA Annual Convention to include more than 1,300 topics, 600 world reknown speakers and its development into a premier veterinary meeting.

Dr. McCurnin received his veterinary medical degree and a Master of Science in surgery from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. From 1970 until 1976 he owned and operated a three-person small animal practice in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1973 he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dr. McCurnin joined the faculty of Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976 as an associate professor of surgery and assistant dean. From 1979 until 1990, Dr. McCurnin was professor of surgery and director of the veterinary teaching hospital at Colorado State University. He served as professor of management and hospital director, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 1990 until 2006. He returned full time to teaching practice management courses, counseling veterinary students, and providing career guidance to graduate veterinarians.

Dr. McCurnin has received the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, Iowa State University Stange Award, Arizona Veterinarian of the Year, Western Veterinary Conference Distinguished Service Award, AVPMCA Distinguished Life Member Award, and the AAHA Award. He has given more than 550 papers and presentations at professional meetings and seminars throughout the United States and 30 foreign countries, published more than 150 scientific articles and contributed to 11 textbooks. Dr. McCurnin is the co-editor of Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, (6th Edition, 2006) by W.B. Saunders Company, editor of Textbook of Veterinary Practice Management published by J.B. Lippincott, and co-editor of Small Animal Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Procedures, published by W.B. Saunders.

Dr. McCurnin is the immediate past president of the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Dallas, Texas. He served on AVMA's Continuing Education Advisory Committee, Convention Evaluation Task Force, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, and four working committees of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues.

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This annual award recognizes humane efforts on behalf of animals and exceptional compassion for animal welfare.

Bernard E. Rollin, PhD

Dr. Rollin is university distinguished professor, professor of philosophy, professor of biomedical sciences, professor of animal sciences, and university bioethicist at Colorado State University. He was a major architect of the 1985 U.S. Federal laws protecting laboratory animals.

Dr. Rollin is the author of more than 400 scientific articles and 14 books, including "Natural and Conventional Meaning" (1976), "Animal Rights and Human Morality" (1981, 1993, 2006) and <The Unheeded Cry: Animal Consciousness," "Animal Pain and Scientific Change" (1988, 1998), "Farm Animal Welfare" (1995), "The Frankenstein Syndrome" (1995), "Science and Ethics" (2006), "Veterinary Medical Ethics: Theory and Cases" (2nd edition, 2006), "Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Considered" (2003, with David Ramey), "The Well-Being of Farm Animals: Challenges and Solutions" (2004, with John Benson). He has edited a two-volume work, "The Experimental Animal in Biomedical Research" (1989, 1995), and "Harley Davidson and Philosophy" (2006). He writes a popular monthly column on veterinary ethics for the Canadian Veterinary Journal and edits an ethics column for "Veterinary Forum."

Dr. Rollin is one of the leading scholars in animal rights and animal consciousness. He has lectured more than 1,000 times in 28 countries throughout the world. He is a founder and board member of Optibrand, an animal identification company utilizing retinal images. Dr. Rollin developed the world's first courses in veterinary medical ethics, ethical issues in animal science, and biology combined with philosophy. He currently serves on the Pew National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production and on the Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) Council of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Rollin received his undergraduate degree from City College of New York, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is the recipient of numerous U.S. and international awards. In his leisure time, Dr. Rollin is a weightlifter, horseman, and motorcyclist.

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This award recognizes a veterinarian who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine and brought honor and distinction to the profession through personal and professional activities conducted outside the areas of organized veterinary medicine and research.

Catherine Lund, DVM

Dr. Lund received her veterinary medical degree from Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She is the owner of City Kitty Veterinary Care for Cats. In 2004, she created the Companion Animal Foundation, the first veterinary-based assistance program of its kind nationwide. To date, the foundation has distributed more than $80,000 to support the care of the pets of low income owners. The foundation's model is very simple and allows individual practitioners enormous flexibility in making treatment decisions. Each veterinarian in the state receives an equal stipend annually, with the only limitation on use being the income criteria. Clients are automatically eligible if they indicate on an easy-to-use form that they receive assistance such as food stamps. No documentation is required, and a percentage of recipients are audited each year for compliance.

Dr. Lund has received a great deal of public acclaim and recognition for an educational film that she developed and produced. The film project showcases Rhode Island veterinarians as they explain the basics of proper pet care to a middle-school-age audience, with an underlying goal of embracing the human-animal bond and changing negative behavior patterns such as the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. The film project, like the foundation, which continues under her direction, was funded through her grant-writing efforts. The public relations benefits this organization provides to the veterinary community have been remarkable.

Dr. Lund is a staunch community activist, works on Latino economic development groups and city advisory planning committees, and has served as a Providence Historic District commissioner for the past eight years. She is a former president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association (RIVMA), is a liaison with humane associations and the veterinary community, and has raised the profile of the RIVMA through several published opinion pieces. She lives with her husband and three cats in Providence's urban center.

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This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to international understanding of veterinary medicine.

M.D. (Mo) Salman, BVMS, MPVM, Ph.D., DACPVME, FACE

Dr. Salman is a professor of Veterinary Epidemiology in the Animal Population Health Institute of College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. He holds appointments in the Department of Clinical Science and Department of Environmental Health and Radiological Sciences. His educational background is in veterinary medicine, preventive veterinary medicine, and comparative pathology. He received his veterinary medical degree from the University of Baghdad, Iraq, and a master's degree in preventive veterinary medicine and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis. He is a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology.

Dr. Salman is the author of more than 180 refereed papers in scientific journals and has participated in numerous conferences and national and international meetings in more than 25 years as a faculty member. He has served on the board of scientific journals Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and the American Journal of Veterinary Research. He is the section editor for the epidemiology section of Animal Health Review and serves on several national and international professional and scientific committees in the animal health sectors. He was the chairman of the US Animal Health Association Committee on Foreign and Emerging Diseases. Dr. Salman is engaged in research and outreach projects in more than 15 countries around the world. He participated in the peer review of the European Union scientific review for the geographical assessment for BSE and was elected to be on the European Food Safety Agency's Panel for Animal Health and Welfare. He is the chairman of the Continuing Education Committee of the Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (AVEPM).

Dr. Salman's research interests are on the methodology of surveillance and survey for animal diseases with emphasis on infectious diseases. He is the editor of a book entitled Animal Disease Surveillance and Survey Systems: Methods and Applications.

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This annual award recognizes distinguished contributions to the field of laboratory animal medicine and science.

Susan Stein Cook, DVM, MS, DACLAM

Dr. Cook received her Bachelors' and veterinary medical degrees from Michigan State University. After a year in private mixed animal practice, she returned to Michigan State University where she received a Master of Science degree in pathology and joined the Laboratory Animal Care Service. Dr. Cook's responsibilities included providing clinical care for research animals, teaching in the veterinary technology and college of veterinary medicine programs and serving as relief veterinarian for the local zoo.

Dr. Cook served as the university veterinarian and director of the Office of Research Animal Ethics and Standards at Michigan State University from 2000 until 2005 when she established a consulting practice in laboratory animal care and education. Dr. Cook currently consults for academic institutions and biomedical research facilities.

Dr. Cook is a past president of both the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners and Michigan American Association of Laboratory Animal Science and an active member of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the Michigan Society for Medical Research. She served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association for many years and currently serves on the Legislative Advisory and Public Health Committees of that association.

Dr. Cook serves in the AVMA's House of Delegates representing the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners.

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This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to public health and regulatory veterinary medicine.

Michael M. Pullen, DVM, MPVM, MS, DACVPM

Dr. Pullen is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his veterinary medical degree from Auburn University and Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degrees from the University of California at Davis. He worked with the USDA as a veterinary medical officer and epidemiologist in the federal meat and poultry inspection program. In 1976, he joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine as a professor and extension meat hygienist responsible for teaching meat hygiene, food safety, and public health.

Dr. Pullen is the recipient of the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association's Outstanding Faculty Award. He has been invited to present meat and food hygiene lectures to veterinary students at 11 colleges and schools of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Pullen is recognized as one of the five founders of the Veterinary Public Health Program at the University of Minnesota. During a six-month sabbatical he was a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) advisor for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The focus was "HACCP and the International Trade of Meat and Poultry." He conferred with industry and government officials in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Denmark.

Dr. Pullen's expertise and knowledge is recognized and utilized in veterinary medicine and public health education. He is widely sought as a consultant and has worked with global agencies and corporations on food safety, meat hygiene, and public health. He was a member of two National Academy of Science committees on meat and poultry inspection. The resulting reports were Poultry Inspection: The Basis for a Risk Assessment Approach, and Meat and Poultry Inspection: The Scientific Basis of the Nation's Program. Dr. Pullen served for six years on AVMA's Council on Education and for seven years on AVMA's Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine.

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This annual award recognizes the outstanding work of veterinarians in increasing understanding of, preserving, and protecting human-animal relationships.

Samuel Costello, DVM

Dr. Samuel Costello received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major concentration in biology from Youngstown State University and a veterinary medical degree from the Ohio State University, where he was also a member of the Society of Phi Zeta.

Dr. Costello is a Delta Society Pet Partner with his chow-husky mix, Bear, standard poodle, Vickie, and one of his cats, Pedro. They visit at local hospitals, nursing homes, and libraries. He is a Licensed Delta Society Evaluator, and the veterinary advisor and board member of the Delta Society affiliate group, K-9's for Compassion. He was instrumental in developing and establishing an effective veterinary and human infection control policy for the K-9's for Compassion at the many hospitals and nursing homes the group visits. In 2006 he received the Most Distinguished Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Ohio Animal Health Foundation.

Dr. Costello spent the first year of his career in a private practice in Ellwood City, PA. He moved to Town and Country Veterinary Hospital in Warren, Ohio, where he is a partner in the eight-doctor practice. He routinely provides the veterinary care for all of the injured and orphaned wildlife that come through Birds of Flight Sanctuary.

Dr. Costello's interests include ultrasonography, cardiology, raptor rehabilitation and animal behavior as it relates to the human-animal bond. He has been interviewed on various subjects by Dog World Magazine and Dog Fancy Magazine. Dr. Costello and Bear, his dog, frequently speak at local schools about the veterinary profession and the human-animal bond.

Dr. Costello lives in Hubbard, Ohio with his wife Katie. They have seven dogs, five cats and one bird.

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This annual award recognizes and honors the achievements of an individual concerned with animal health that have significantly advanced human health through the practice of veterinary epidemiology and public health.

Primo Arambulo III, DVM, CPH, DAP&E, MPH, DPH, MPA

Dr. Arambulo is an internationally recognized veterinary public health advisor, educator, animal and human health advocate, and public health practitioner. His career with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) spans more than 25 years. He is currently a consultant for international affairs and global initiative on veterinary education with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Dr. Arambulo has held academic appointments in seven colleges of veterinary medicine and has received numerous awards for his service to public health.

Dr. Arambulo received his veterinary medical degree and a certificate in public health from the University of the Philippines, a diploma in applied parasitology and entomology from the Institute of Medical Research in Malaysia, a Master and Doctor of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.

Dr. Arambulo began his career in the Philippine Islands as Chief Public Health Veterinarian for the City of Manila, and as assistant professor of medical parasitology at the University of the Philippines College of Public Health. He served as a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel in food hygiene and zoonoses from 1972 until 1982. From 1977 until 1978 he was an assistant professor of veterinary preventive medicine at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Leon H. Russell, Jr. DVM, MPH, Ph.D., DACVPM

Dr. Russell, the first American to be elected President of the World Veterinary Association, is currently a professor at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Russell has been an active member of the WVA Veterinary Education Committee from 1994 until 1999, a council member from 1999 until 2002 and vice president from 2002 until 2005. He has served as president of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Food Hygiene Veterinarians.

Dr. Russell is an internationally recognized expert in public health. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. In 2000, his outstanding contributions to the international understanding of veterinary medicine were recognized when he was awarded the XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Russell received his veterinary medical degree from the University of Missouri, a Masters Degree in public health from Tulane University, and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University.

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This annual award recognizes an AVMA member for efforts to advance animal well-being, dedication to animal care, and contributions to the community and society.

James P. Reynolds, DVM, MPVM

Dr. Jim Reynolds received his veterinary medical degree and a master's degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced dairy medicine in California for 15 years. He completed a residency program in public health with the California Department of Health Services. He is currently chief of clinical services, dairy production medicine, at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine (VMTRC). He is responsible for clinical services, including the teaching of veterinary and graduate students in clinical dairy production medicine in the core herds serviced by the VMTRC.

Dr. Reynolds has consulted on dairy projects in Madagascar, Tunisia, Lithuania, Mexico, Armenia, and in England during the Hoof and Mouth outbreak of 2001. He lectures on calf management, animal welfare, dairy production, and food safety. He has published numerous research articles in veterinary journals and other refereed publications.

Dr. Reynolds is vice-chair and chair-elect of the Animal Welfare Committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association and past chair of the Animal Welfare Committee of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). He is a founder and secretary of the Professional Animal Auditors Certification Organization. He received the 2004 Quality Veterinarian of the Year award from the AABP.

Dr. Reynolds is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the National Mastitis Council, and the Academy of Dairy Veterinary Consultants.

Dr. Reynolds actively promotes efficient and humane production medicine techniques for livestock farming and conducts field work in disease control and epidemiological research addressing problems of food-producing animals. His goals include working on disease control on a herd, area, or country basis and to help provide livestock health management systems to developing countries for food production.

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This annual award recognizes lifetime achievement in veterinary medical research.

John R. Gorham, DVM, MS, Ph.D., DACLAM, DACVM

Dr. Gorham received his veterinary medical degree and a Master of Science degree from Washington State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He is a charter member of both the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Microbiology and an honorary member of the American College of Veterinary Pathology. He is a past overseas member of the British Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the National Academy of Practice. Dr. Gorham is a professor of veterinary microbiology and pathology at Washington State University. He retired from the Agricultural Research Service in 1995.

Dr. Gorham has traveled to veterinary laboratories in Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East as a cooperating scientist and lecturer. In 1974, he led the first veterinary delegation to the Soviet Union. He received the AVMA's XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize.

Dr. Gorham has authored more than 400 publications. He was the first veterinarian to be named to the Agricultural Research Service's Science Hall of Fame and was a recipient of the 1991 Distinguished Science Award. He is one of the few veterinarians in the world who has a special knowledge of fur animal diseases and has been inducted into the Fur Animal Industry's Hall of Fame.

Dr. Gorham received the Gaines Medal for canine virus research and in 1986 was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association. He was honored as a Legend in Veterinary Pathology by the Charles Davis Foundation and received the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society's Karl F. Meyer – James H. Steele Gold Head Cane Award in 2001. A cell adapted Aleutian disease virus strain that is used in all mink raising countries for diagnostic tests and a viral technique have been named after Dr. Gorham. He and Dr. Donald Cordy discovered the rickettsia that causes salmon poisoning. Dr. Gorham developed a spray vaccine that has been used world wide for the distemper immunization of millions of mink.

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This annual award recognizes excellence, innovation, and enthusiasm in the field of clinical veterinary science and education.

Stephen A. Hines, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP

Dr. Hines received his veterinary medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is currently a Berger Keats Distinguished Professor in the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology.

Dr. Hines began his career as a staff veterinarian at the West Salem Veterinary Clinic in West Salem, Ohio. He was a resident in anatomic pathology at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of Florida from 1982 until 1984. He was a graduate research associate, doctoral candidate, and instructor at the University of Florida College of Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine from 1986 until 1989 and graduate research assistant and doctoral candidate in the University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Pathology from 1984 until 1986.

Dr. Hines has received numerous honors. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Society of Phi Zeta. He received the Charles F. Simpson Memorial Scholarship for outstanding graduate student research. Dr. Hines was commencement speaker at the 1998 and 2005 commencement exercises for the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2000, he was named Professor of the Year for the State of Washington.

Dr. Hines has participated in numerous research projects and serves on several editorial boards and review groups. He has published more than 50 papers in refereed journals. In 1992, Dr. Hines and eight co-inventors received a patent in cloning of the Babesia bovis 60 kD antigen. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at scientific meetings and academic forums.

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This annual award recognizes excellence, innovation, and enthusiasm in the field of clinical veterinary science and education.

Robert Callan, DVM, MS, Ph.D., DACVIM

Dr. Callan is an associate professor at Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences and section chief of the Livestock Veterinary Services at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Callan received his veterinary medical degree from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Master of Science in reproductive physiology from Utah State University. Dr. Callan completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at and received a Ph.D. in virology from the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine at Madison.

Dr. Callan has been a faculty member at CSU since 1996 and provides clinical care for ruminant and camelid livestock at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Callan is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. His research interests focus on infectious diseases and immunity in livestock.