Swine veterinarians honor three who are a cut above

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

Members of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians recognized three peers Feb 26 in Nashville at an awards ceremony where secrecy bred added excitement.

The 2001 Swine Practitioner of the Year is Dr. Max Rodibaugh, who was praised for his professionalism in dealing with clients and colleagues. Earlier that day Dr. Rodibaugh had the additional honor of being the invited presenter of the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture (see page 1241).

Dr. Rodibaugh has owned and operated Swine Health Services, a practice and consultation service in Frankfort, Ind, since 1980. He grew up on a hog farm and was actively involved in the pig industry. After graduating from Purdue University in 1977 he was engaged in mixed practice before switching to swine.

Dr. Conrad Schmidt, a charter member and past president of the association, received the Meritorious Service Award, having demonstrated "an extreme service-oriented approach" to the organization. As chair of the AASV Foundation, Dr. Schmidt has energetically promoted the foundation and worked to build its permanent endowment fund to help ensure the future for swine veterinarians.


Dr. Max Rodibaugh
Dr. Conrad Schmidt

Dr. William Mengeling


A 1965 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Schmidt joined his father in practice for a number of years and later co-founded Oxford Laboratories. He is semi-retired but does some consultation in Worthington, Minn.

The Howard Dunne Memorial Award was presented to Dr. William Mengeling for his contributions and service to the AASV and swine industry. A 1960 graduate of Kansas State University, Dr. Mengeling is research leader, Virus and Prion Diseases of Livestock Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa. At Iowa State University he is professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine (collaborator).

Dr. Mengeling was credited with identifying parvovirus as the causative agent of stillbirth, mummification, embryonic death, and infertility (SMEDI) and for his continuing contributions to the study of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Dr. Mengeling said the award has special meaning for him because he worked with Dr. Dunne.