Assemblies

Missouri VMA

Event: 119th annual convention, Jan. 21-23, Lake Ozark
Program: The convention, which offered 60 continuing education lectures, drew more than 600 attendees.
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Michael B. Pfander, Springfield. A 1982 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Pfander owns Cottage Veterinary Hospital in Springfield. He is a past president of the MVMA and past chair of the MVMA board of directors and the MVMA Public Relations Committee. Dr. Pfander was instrumental in the formation of the MVMA Political Action Committee. Distinguished Service Award: William H. Fales, PhD, Columbia. An honorary diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, Dr. Fales is a professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on antimicrobial resistance and on using and adapting automated methods to veterinary clinical microbiology and pathobiology. Volunteerism Award: Dr. William Wolff, Columbia, for outstanding commitment toward service to animals and their owners in a time of crisis. A 1954 graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Wolff is co-founder of the Missouri Volunteer Veterinary Corps. Members of the corps assist the state and federal government in the event of a natural disaster and animal disease outbreaks in Missouri. President's Award: Julie R. Vaughn, New Bloomfield. Vaughn is the operations manager for the MVMA and has worked on several projects, including the summer and fall equine medicine and dentistry seminars. Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Distinguished Service Award: Dr. James P. Howard, Jefferson City, for his more than 18 years of voluntary service and his assistance in expanding the foundation's mission of public education and charitable giving. A 1983 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Howard practices at Animal Medical Center in Jefferson City. He served as director of the MVMF's Veterinary Museum of Missouri for 30 years. Honorary Membership Award of the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice: Gregory M. Dennis, JD, Overland Park, Kan., won this award, given for distinguished or meritorious service to the veterinary profession. A charter member and past president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, Dennis works for Kent T. Perry & Company in Overland Park and serves as legal counsel for the MVMA. He co-edits veterinary reports of the Animal Legal Reports Services.
Officials: MVMA—Drs. Dana K. Gillig, Sedalia, president; James K. Schuessler, St. Louis, president-elect; Craig A. Payne, Columbia, vice president; Shelia L. Taylor, Springfield, secretary-treasurer; and Bruce P. Whittle, Trenton, Executive Board chair. Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice—Dr. Mark Lux, St. Louis, president; Dr. William Shore, St. Louis, president-elect; Dr. Tom Blumhorst, Marshall, 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. Roger Dozier, Jefferson City, museum director