Texas VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Feb. 3-5, College Station
Awards: Distinguished Career Achievement Award: Dr. Thomas Hairgrove, Bryan. A 1974 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Hairgrove has owned a rural mixed animal practice in northwest Texas for more than 30 years, focusing on bovine medicine and surgery. Since 2008, he has also served as program coordinator for livestock and food animal systems with Texas AgriLife Extension/Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station. Dr. Hairgrove is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in both beef cattle practice and food animal practice, and is the American Association of Bovine Practitioners' designated member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Wendy Blount, Nacogdoches. A 1992 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Blount serves as medical director of the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter. She also volunteers her time to other practitioners and serves as a mentor to veterinary students and high school and college students interested in veterinary medicine. Dr. Blount moderates and participates on the VetWitness4Him and TexasVet listserves. Equine Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Benjamin Buchanan, Navasota. A 2001 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Buchanan practices at Brazos Valley Equine Hospital. He chairs the TVMA Equine Practice Committee and is a founding board member of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association, also serving as editor of the TEVA's quarterly publication. Dr. Buchanan is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. General Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Darrell W. Kinnard, Mabank. A 1974 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Kinnard practices mixed animal medicine at Mabank Animal Hospital Inc. He is past chair of the TVMA Brucellosis Control, Farm and Ranch, and Bovine Practice committees. Medical Specialty Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Elaine R. Caplan, Austin. A 1981 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Caplan owns Capital Area Veterinary Specialists and Texas Veterinary Oncology. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Dr. Caplan is also certified in veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic. Non-Traditional Species Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Joe Ables, Decatur. A 2002 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Ables practices at Wise County Animal Clinic, with a special interest in cervid medicine and surgery. He is active in the Texas Deer and National Deer Farmers associations and teaches a third-year course on cervid medicine at the Texas A&M veterinary college. In 2011, Dr. Ables developed a treatment for epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer. Clinical Referral and Consultation Award: Dr. James H. Wright, Tyler. A 1968 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Wright retired in 2011 as a veterinarian with the Texas Department of State Health Services' Zoonoses Control Program. Earlier in his career, he served in the Air Force for 22 years, retiring as a colonel, and worked for the TDSHS as a meat safety assurance veterinarian. Dr. Wright is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Industry Representative of the Year: Kevin Walter, Infintech, Austin. Walter has helped generate non-dues revenue for the TVMA, contributed articles to the Texas Veterinarian about the business side of the profession, and been involved with the Texas VMA Industry Advisory Committee and TVMA Auxiliary. Heritage Practice Award, given to veterinary clinics that have been in continuous operation for 50 years or more: Ridglea Animal Hospital, Fort Worth; Holt Veterinary Clinic, Dallas; Sweetwater Veterinary Hospital, Sweetwater; and Animal Hospital of Denison, Denison
Officials: Drs. Orlando Garza Jr., El Paso, president; P. Jed Ford, North Richland Hills, president-elect; Michael Joyner, Killeen, treasurer; and John M. Morton, Athens, immediate past president.