Hertzog, Rhodes elected to Executive Board
AVMA members in District VII and District IX have elected successors to their retiring Executive Board members. AVMA staff counted the mail ballots March 9.
In District VII, AVMA members elected Dr. Robert E. "Bud" Hertzog, Lees Summit, Mo. His challenger was Dr. F. T. Satalowich, Columbia, Mo. District VII comprises Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. AVMA members in District IX voted in Dr. R. Tracy Rhodes, Buffalo, Wyo. His opponent was Dr. L. Mac Cropsey, Littleton, Colo. District IX encompasses Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Drs. Hertzog and Rhodes will be installed July 22 during an Executive Board meeting at the AVMA Annual Convention in Salt Lake City. Dr. Hertzog will succeed Dr. Joe M. Howell, Oklahoma City, and Dr. Rhodes will replace Dr. Harold N. Lange, Columbus, Neb.
Attending the Executive Board meeting in early April at AVMA headquarters, Dr. Hertzog said, "I am obviously interested in all aspects of veterinary medicine, even though I've devoted my career to practice. We need to increase awareness of veterinary medicine so as to allow us to improve the status of the profession economically. I am honored to be part of the leadership and hope I can make a small contribution to veterinary medicine."
Dr. Rhodes said, "I decided to run for the board position because I am interested in trying to be part of the leadership efforts that will influence the future of our profession. I especially enjoy interacting with others in trying to find answers."
Dr. Hertzog has been a managing partner in a Lee's Summit Animal Hospital since he graduated from the University of Missouri in 1956. The general practice employs six veterinarians, including Dr. Hertzog's son David (MO '92). The new board member is also a charter shareholder, director, and past board chairman of Professional Veterinary Products (PVP), an Omaha distributorship owned by veterinarians.
In 1973 Dr. Hertzog earned the tribute of Missouri Veterinarian of the Year. He served two terms as chairman of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board, and presidency of the Missouri VMA (1971), Kansas City VMA, and University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.
A consultant at the Kansas City Zoo, Dr. Hertzog spent 25 years as zoo veterinarian. He is a charter member and former board member of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. Since 1992 he has been laboratory animal consultant to the Kansas City University of Health Science Medical School. For the past 31 years he has been official veterinarian to the Kansas City American Royal Livestock and Horse Show.
Politically active, Dr. Hertzog was a member of the Jackson County (Missouri) Legislature from 1979-1994 and served as vice chairman.
Dr. Rhodes was president of his 1960 graduating class at Colorado State University and began his career with four years in a predominantly feedlot practice in Mitchell, Neb. From 1964-1990 he owned a practice in Buffalo, Wyo, that was 80 percent cow/calf, 5 percent equine and ovine, and 15 percent small animal. Since 1990 Dr. Rhodes has done relief work and ranching.
Wyoming's 1990 Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Rhodes has been active in his state association, on the state examining board, and within the AVMA. He was president of the Wyoming VMA in 1974 and president of the Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine from 1973-1975.
His service at the national level began when Dr. Rhodes became Wyoming's alternate delegate to the AVMA from 1982-1985 and then delegate from 1986-1990. From 1987-1999 he was a trustee on the AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust. He has served as secretary, vice chairman, and from 1992-1994 as chairman of the trust.
Since 1990 Dr. Rhodes has been serving in elective office as county commissioner in Johnson County, Wyoming. His wife, Phyllis, spent four years as an officer of the national Auxiliary to the AVMA.
Community service has been an important component of both incoming board members' lives. Dr. Hertzog's involvement includes the Missouri 4-H Foundation, Rotary Club, First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, school board, hospital association, bank, sewer board, zoning board, farm bureau, and economic development commission. Dr. Rhodes has been active in the Johnson County Cattlemen's Association, Wyoming Stock Growers, Jaycees, Masonic Lodge, Congregational Church, chamber of commerce, and golf club.