Event: Annual awards dinner, April 29, Manhattan
Program: For the first time, the annual awards dinner was also a fundraising event to benefit newly adopted pets from the city's shelter system. Money raised will allow the New York Save Animals in Veterinary Emergency Inc., a nonprofit organization that the VMA of NYC helped establish, to pay for veterinary care for animals adopted from Animal Care & Control of New York City.
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Springfield, Mass. A 1989 graduate of Utrecht University in The Netherlands, Dr. van der Woerdt works at Angell Animal Medical Center in Springfield. Earlier, she was associate director of Bobst Hospital of The Animal Medical Center and staff ophthalmologist. Dr. van der Woerdt serves as president of the VMA of New York City and chairs its continuing education committee. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Outstanding Service to Veterinary Medicine Award: Dr. Amy I. Attas, New York. A 1987 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Attas owns City Pets House Call Practice. She serves on the executive board of the VMA of NYC and is involved with the Humane Society of the United States in devising a new campaign against puppy mills. Dr. Attas raised more than $50,000 to help the HSUS rescue animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. Merit Award: Dr. Jeffrey Levy, New York. A 1994 graduate of Mississippi State University, Dr. Levy is a veterinary acupuncturist and the founder of Housecalls For Your Pet. He chairs the VMA of NYC's ethics and grievance committee. Distinguished Life Membership Award: Dr. Jay D. Kuhlman, New York. A 1968 graduate of The Ohio State University, Dr. Kuhlman owns Gramercy Park Animal Hospital in Manhattan. A past president and long-time board member of the VMA of NYC, he serves on the Animal Care & Control of New York City board of directors. Dr. Kuhlman is also a board member of the Animal Fund of the Hamptons and chairs the Kaler's Pond Audubon Nature Center on Long Island. NY Save Animals in Veterinary Emergency Humanitarian Award: Katharina Otto-Bernstein, New York, received this award, given in recognition and appreciation of her continued support and generosity to NYSAVE. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, Otto-Bernstein is a board member of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Animal Legal Defense Fund. She has chaired the annual benefit of the Animal Rescue Fund in the Hamptons for three consecutive years.
Officials: Drs. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Springfield, Mass., president; Robert Reisman, New York, president-elect; Erin Burya, New York, secretary; and Sam Soliman, Queens, treasurer |
