Assemblies

Chicago VMA

Event: Winter Gala, Jan. 28, Chicago
Business: The Chicago VMA donated almost $29,000 for Hurricane Katrina animal relief to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Awards: Lifetime Merit Award: Dr. Bruce Little. A 1965 graduate of Kansas State University, Dr. Little practiced in Illinois at Normal and later Bloomington. He joined the staff of the AVMA in 1985, and became the assistant executive vice president in 1986. In 1996, he was named AVMA executive vice president. Dr. Little has been active through the years in the McLean County VMA, the Illinois State VMA, and finally the Chicago VMA. He has served as a trustee to the Professional Liability Insurance Trust and the Group Health and Life Insurance Trust. Dr. Little was a primary force behind the AVMA's purchase of buildings in Schaumburg, Ill., and Washington, D.C. He has overseen various activities to enhance the AVMA's communication with members, the general public, and pet owners. Merit Award: Dr. Susan Ferraro. A 1988 graduate of Ross University, Dr. Ferraro owns the Lincoln Park Dog & Cat Clinic. She is a past president of the Chicago VMA and a current member of the AVMA Committee on the Human-Animal Bond. Service award: Patricia Montgomery. Montgomery joined the staff of the Chicago VMA as director of public education in 1993. She became executive administrator in 1998 and executive director in 2002. She also works with Dawn's Clinic, a spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Costa Rica.
Officials: Drs. Jagit Brar, president; Kathleen Heneghan, president-elect; Shannon Greeley, secretary; Larry Fox, treasurer

International Embryo Transfer Society

Event: Annual conference, Jan. 8-10, Orlando, Fla.
Program: The meeting included 645 delegates, 17 exhibitors/sponsors, 382 poster presentations, and representatives from 35 countries.
Awards: Pioneer Award: Dr. Duane Kraemer, College Station, Texas. A 1966 graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Kraemer is a professor there in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology. He is a world leader in embryo transfer technology and reproduction and is an integral member of the research team at Texas A&M who has successfully cloned four species—cattle, goats, a deer, and a cat. He has worked with embryo transfer technologies since 1959. In 1971, Dr. Kraemer performed the embryo transfers that resulted in the first purebred calves to be produced by a commercial embryo transfer company. In 1991, he helped establish Project Noah's Ark to collect and preserve eggs, semen, embryos, and DNA from endangered mammals, birds, and reptiles. Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Victor Shille, Gainesville, Fla. A 1958 graduate of the University of California, Dr. Shille has served as a professor at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine and as editor-in-chief of the journal Theriogenology. He is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists.
Officials: Takashi Nagai, PhD, Japan, president; Matthew Wheeler, PhD, Urbana, Ill., immediate past president; Naida M. Loskutoff, PhD, Omaha, Neb., vice president; Dr. Richard A. Fayrer-Hosken, Athens, Ga., secretary-treasurer

Veterinary Dental Forum

Event: 19th annual forum, Oct. 13-16, 2005, Orlando, Fla.
Program: More than 600 participants from 18 countries attended the forum, co-sponsored by the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, the American Veterinary Dental College, and the American Veterinary Dental Society. Twenty-five wet laboratories and several lectures on basic and advanced dentistry were offered. There was a keynote address by Dr. James Gutmann on "Scientific perspectives and clinical realities in the delivery of successful endodontic procedures."

American Veterinary Dental College

Awards: AVDC Peter Emily Service Award, sponsored by Virbac Animal Health: Dr. Mark Smith, Blacksburg, Va., for outstanding contributions made to further the field of veterinary dentistry. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the AVDC, Dr. Smith practices at the Center for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery in Gaithersburg, Md. He is the editor of the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry and co-author of the text "Atlas of Approaches for General Surgery of the Dog and Cat." AVDC Outstanding Candidate Award, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health: Dr. Anson Tsugawa, Playa Vista, Calif. A diplomate of the AVDC, Dr. Tsugawa is head of the veterinary dental and oral surgery department at the California Animal Hospital and Surgical Group in Los Angeles.
New diplomates: Drs. Larry Baker, Decatur, Ill.; Eric Davis, Fayetteville, N.Y.; Sharon Hoffman, Jacksonville, Fla.; Lee J. Huffman, Madison, Wis.; John Lewis, Philadelphia; Colleen O'Morrow, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Keith Stein, Worthington, Ohio; and Eric Van Nice, Tustin, Calif.

Academy of Veterinary Dentistry

Awards: AVD Fellow-of-the-Year Award, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health: Dr. Fraser Hale, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in recognition of his service to the veterinary dental community. A diplomate of the AVDC and secretary of the AVD, Dr. Hale practices at Hale Veterinary Clinic in Guelph. 2005 AVD Fellows of the Academy: Drs. Brett Beckman, Punta Gorda, Fla.; and John Koehm, Reno, Nev.

American Veterinary Dental Society

Awards: AVDS Education and Research Award, sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition: Dr. Loic Legendre, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for outstanding contributions in the area of veterinary dentistry education and/or research. A fellow of the AVD and a diplomate of the AVDC, Dr. Legendre offers referral dentistry in the state of Washington and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.
Officials: American Veterinary Dental College—Dr. Barbara Stapleton, Barrington, Ill., president; Academy of Veterinary Dentistry—Dr. Tom Cusick, Watertown, Mass., president; and American Veterinary Dental Society—Dr. Robert Boyd, Houston, president

Kansas VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Jan. 20-22, Topeka
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Davy Harkins, El Dorado. A 1971 graduate of Kansas State University, Dr. Harkins has owned the El Dorado Animal Clinic since 1976. He volunteers at the El Dorado Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and the KVMA/Kansas State University Veterinary Medical and Birthing Center at the Kansas State Fair. Dr. Harkins also teaches veterinary science courses and offers his services to 4-H Club members.
Officials: Drs. Steve Joseph, Council Grove, president; Candace Layton, Baldwin City, president-elect; Robert Gentry, Beloit, vice president; and Randy Smith, Beloit, treasurer

Michigan VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Jan. 27-29, Lansing
Program: There were more than 1,600 attendees. One hundred fifty continuing education sessions were offered. Demonstrations were held on canine and feline agility, animal massage, and animal behavior.
Awards: Business Services Award: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., won this award, given to companies that have promoted the veterinary profession in any of its many facets. Hill's has supported the MVMA for several years, providing sponsorships and speakers at the Michigan, Mackinac Island, and Nine States veterinary conferences. In 2005, Hill's contributions amounted to more than $17,000. W. Kenneth McKersie Service Award: Dr. Nancy Kelly, Jasper, was recognized for her services and accomplishments benefiting the veterinary profession, the community, and the association. Owner of Kelly Veterinary Clinic in Adrian since 1984, Dr. Kelly has served on the MVMA board of directors and Insurance Committee, and assisted with the Ethics and Grievance Committee.
Officials: Drs. Paul Mesack, Grayling, president; Stephen Steep, Eastpoint, president-elect; Hylon Heaton III, Flint, first vice president; Paula Rode, Chelsea, second vice president; and Anne Hale, Stockbridge, immediate past president

Missouri VMA

Event: 114th annual meeting, Jan. 20-22, Branson
Program: There were more than 700 attendees at the meeting, which offered 70 continuing education lectures.
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Clark K. Fobian, Sedalia. A 1977 graduate of the University of Missouri, Dr. Fobian owns Thompson Hills Animal Clinic. Earlier in his career, he was in mixed practice in Nevada and Marshall, Mo. Dr. Fobian is past president of the MVMA and a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners. President's Award, given to individuals who are instrumental to the MVMA president's efforts to advance the veterinary profession for the betterment of animal health in the state: Dr. Ronald Palmer, St. Joseph. A 1979 graduate of the University of Missouri, Dr. Palmer co-owns East Hills Animal Clinic. He is a member of the Veterinary Critical Care Society. Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Roger G. Dozier, Jefferson City. A 1966 graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Dozier owns Southwest Animal Hospital. He serves as president of the MVMA. Honorary Membership Award of the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice: Dr. Taylor Woods, California, for distinguished, meritorious service to the veterinary profession. A 1959 graduate of the University of Missouri, Dr. Woods serves as assistant state veterinarian. He is an honorary member of the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice; ex-officio member of the MVMA Animal Health and Regulatory Medicine and Emergency Management and Public Health committees; and previously served on the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.
Officials: MVMA—Drs. Roger G. Dozier, Jefferson City, president; Michael B. Pfander, Springfield, president-elect; Steve Strubberg, Hermann, vice president; Kara Amstutz, Springfield, secretary-treasurer; and Allen G. Robinson, executive board chair. Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice—Dr. Sarah Bonstead, St. Peters, president; Dr. Kenneth M. Vroman, Glascow, president-elect; Dr. Jonathan Renfrow, Richmond, vice president; and Richard Antweiler, Jefferson City, executive secretary-treasurer. Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation—Dr. V.M. "Mac" Wilt, Paris, chairman; Dr. William J. Shore, St. Louis, vice chairman; Ann White, Perryville, secretary-treasurer; and Dr. James Howard, Jefferson City, museum director

Nebraska VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Jan. 18-20, Omaha
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Paul Lambert, Ord. A 1951 graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Lambert co-founded Ord Animal Clinic in 1959, practicing there until retirement. He served as president of the NVMA in 1977. Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Dee Griffin, Clay Center. A 1975 graduate of Oklahoma State University, Dr. Griffin is a professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska. A past president of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, he serves on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Animal Health, Drug and Biologic, and Meat Inspection subcommittees and the NCBA Beef Quality and Safety Assurance Advisory Board.
Officials: Drs. Jay Stewart, Grand Island, president; Ken Mertens, Bloomington, president-elect; Ron Wallman, Seward, secretary-treasurer; and Oliver Holbein, Cozad, immediate past president