Accolades
Academia
The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2012 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities. The awards were presented May 8 during the veterinary college’s graduation ceremony.
Dr. H.B. “Woody” Bartlett (AUB ’64) of Pike Road, Ala., owns Bartlett Ranches, which are located in Alabama, Texas, and Wyoming and account for more than 81,000 acres holding 5,000 head of cattle and more than 500 purebred horses.
Dr. Bartlett has received numerous honors and prizes as a premier breeder and trainer of Quarter Horses. He serves on the equine sciences advisory committees at Colorado State University and at Texas A&M University.
Dr. William Mack Burriss (AUB ’43) of Anderson, S.C., served as an Army veterinarian during World War II and the Korean War, returning home to South Carolina to work in private practice.
Following his retirement in 1982, Dr. Burriss became medical director of his local animal shelter. He served as veterinarian until 2009 for the Anderson County Spay/Neuter Clinic, championing the establishment of a low-cost or free spay-and-neuter clinic to reduce the number of animals euthanized because of overpopulation.
Dr. Dwight F. Wolfe (AUB ’77) of Auburn, Ala., is a food animal professor at Auburn’s veterinary college. The D.F. Wolfe Food Animal Barn on campus is dedicated in his name. He has contributed to the field of theriogenology as well as to the livestock industry through funded research, publications, and textbooks, among other things.
Dr. Wolfe is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. He is one of only four diplomates who have served as president of both the ACT and the Society for Theriogenology.
The veterinary college also presented the 2012 Young Achiever awards on April 13 to eight alumni celebrating their tenth anniversary. Recipients are known for their accomplishments in veterinary medicine, their outstanding community service, and their advancement of animal health.
Dr. Sara D. Allstadt Frazier (AUB ’02) of Davis, Calif., is assistant professor of clinical medical oncology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty area of oncology.
Dr. Wendy Gwinn (AUB ’02) of Tampa, Fla., is a veterinary radiologist with BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa. She currently evaluates images for 23 hospitals across the country, participates in teaching rounds for interns and residents, and lectures in a continuing education series provided by BluePearl to local veterinarians. Dr. Gwinn is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Dr. Benjamin C. Neat IV (AUB ’02) of Louisville, Ky., serves as a staff surgeon at Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists in Louisville. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Amy Carter Myers (AUB ’02) of Prattville, Ala., owns River Region Veterinary Services, a small animal clinic in Prattville. A community volunteer, Dr. Myers has been involved with local organizations, including the Autauga County Humane Society. She also helped provide emergency relief efforts following two tornadoes that struck the Prattville area in 2008.
Dr. Soren P. Rodning (AUB ’02) of Auburn, Ala., is an extension veterinarian and assistant professor with the Auburn University College of Agriculture. He recently served a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan as part of the 358th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services). Dr. Rodning is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists.
Dr. Kathryn H. Taylor (AUB ’02) of Mount Pleasant, S.C., joined the internal medicine team at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, S.C., in 2006, becoming the area’s first veterinary oncologist. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in oncology.
Dr. John L. Twehues Jr. (AUB ’02) of Williamstown, Ky., spent five years in private practice in Versailles, Ky., before joining his father’s practice in Williamstown. In 2010, Dr. Twehues purchased the Grant County Veterinary Clinic from his father, Dr. John Twehues Sr. The younger Dr. Twehues, whose special interest is in orthopedic surgery, is today the sole owner and practitioner at the hospital.
Dr. Robyn R. Wilborn (AUB ’02) of Auburn, Ala., is an assistant professor at Auburn University’s Large Animal Teaching Hospital and is co-director of the Equine Reproduction Center. She also created and led an elective course for third-year veterinary students focusing on financial planning and management. Dr. Wilborn is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists.
Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine honored Dr. Joseph H. Snyder (ORS ’83) of Portland, Ore., as an Alumni Fellow whose professional, civic, and volunteer accomplishments bring acclaim to the university. Dr. Snyder is a graduate of the first DVM-degree class at Oregon State. He went on to own Myrtle Veterinary Hospital in Myrtle Point, Ore. Now retired from practice, Dr. Snyder stays active in the profession through his work with the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners. He also continues to teach, both parasitology and small ruminant medicine at Oregon State’s veterinary college, and large animal medicine classes for veterinary technology students at Portland Community College.
Government
Dr. Barbara Knust received the 2012 James H. Steele Veterinary Public Health Award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April at the 61st annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference.
The annual award is named for the first chief of the CDC’s Veterinary Public Health Division, and it is given to current or recent Epidemic Intelligence Service officers for outstanding contributions to veterinary public health. Dr. Knust is a veterinary epidemiologist with the CDC Viral Special Pathogens branch and a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Public Health Service. She was honored for domestic and international work with zoonotic viruses and diseases, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
Organizations
The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics announced the results of its 2012 SVME Waltham Student Essay Contest, May 21. The topic for this year’s contest was “On the Question of ‘Human Exceptionalism’ and Its Bearing upon Veterinary Medical Ethics.” The winning essay was authored by veterinary student Michael J. White, who is entering his second year at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He will receive $1,000 and a maximum $1,000 stipend to attend the AVMA Annual Convention in San Diego and present his essay at the SVME plenary session.
Receiving honorable mention were submissions by Charles Byrd and Jana Mazor-Thomas, both from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and Carlie Koonce and Brittany Lasky from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Harold B. Rinker (OKL ’58) of West Fork, Ark., was posthumously given the Outstanding Service Award from the Academy of Veterinary Consultants. He died Jan. 2 (see obituary, page 38).
An announcement from the award sponsor, Merck Animal Health, states that Dr. Rinker was a leader in feedlot health and medicine, an author on feedlot medicine, a pioneer of preventive medicine, and a teacher who described the need for veterinarians to understand varied aspects of livestock husbandry.
The AVC presented the award to Dr. Rinker’s family in April in Washington, D.C.
The VMA of New York City presented five awards at its Annual Awards Dinner Dance on April 21.
Dr. Frank Borzio (UP ’72) was honored with the Distinguished Life Service Award, the highest honor conferred on members of the VMA of NYC.
Dr. Borzio founded Northside Animal Hospital in 1975, served as chief veterinarian for the Staten Island Zoo from 1985-2000, and now is a consultant to the zoo and an exotic animal veterinarian in the tri-state area. Dr. Borzio lectures for the New York City Department of Health on pet care for exotics.
Dr. Mark E. Peterson (MIN ’76) was given the Veterinarian of the Year Award. He served as head of endocrinology and nuclear medicine at the Animal Medical Center for more than 30 years. In addition, Dr. Peterson has held teaching positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University. He now sees patients at his private practice, the Animal Endocrine Clinic. Dr. Peterson obtained board certification as an internal medicine specialist from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Deirdre Chiaramonte (TUF ’97) received the Merit Award, which recognizes a member for substantial contributions to the VMA of NYC and advancement of the veterinary profession. She is a staff internist and director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service at the Animal Medical Center. Dr. Chiaramonte is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Mark J. Salemi (ROS ’87) received the Outstanding Service to Veterinary Medicine Award. He is owner and partner of Northside Animal Hospital, Staten Island, N.Y., which specializes in wild, zoo, and exotic animals. Dr. Salemi was heralded for his volunteer work with rescue dogs after 9/11 at Ground Zero and is now a member of the board of the New York City Veterinary Disaster Preparedness Committee.
Patricia Costello was awarded the Service to the Veterinary Community and the Welfare of Animals Award. She is the administrator for the New York City Veterinary Emergency Response Team, which formed after the Sept. 11, 2011, attack on the World Trade Center, at the request of the NYC Office of Emergency Management. Costello acts as liaison and organizer for the veterinarians on the NYC VERT board and the group of volunteer veterinarians.
Connecticut VMA
Event: Annual meeting, March 27, 2012, Hartford
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Peter Conserva, West Suffield. A 1974 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Conserva owns Conserva Equine Clinic. He founded the Connecticut State Animal Response Team’s Equine Response Unit in 2006 and leads the unit, educating fire departments, community emergency response teams, horse owners, and other groups on equine disaster preparedness and rescue techniques. Dr. Conserva serves as treasurer of the CVMA. Veterinary Health Care Team Member of the Year: Carol Truffini, Georgetown. Truffini is the office manager at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. She was recognized for her steadfast commitment to veterinary medicine, her clients, and their animals, while providing leadership to her practice, her community, and Connecticut. Distinguished Service Award: State representative Bryan Hurlburt of Tolland won this award, given in recognition of his steadfast commitment to the citizens and animals of Connecticut and for lending his wisdom and leadership in service to animal welfare.
Officials: Drs. Christopher Gargamelli, Rock Hill, president; Mohan Sachdev, Windsor, president-elect; Andrea Dennis, Bloomfield, vice president; Katherine Skiff-Kane, Cornwall Bridge, secretary; Suzanne Magruder, Killingworth, assistant secretary; Peter Conserva, West Suffield, treasurer; Aimee Eggleston, Woodstock, assistant treasurer; and Gayle Block, Vernon, immediate past president
Florida VMA
Event: 83rd annual conference, May 4-6, Tampa
Awards: Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Paul Gibbs, Gainesville, for exceptional achievements and contributions toward the advancement of veterinary medicine and the veterinary profession. A 1967 graduate of the University of Bristol in England, Dr. Gibbs recently retired as associate dean for students and instruction and professor of virology from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He taught courses in infectious diseases and veterinary epidemiology for more than 30 years, also leading and counseling disease control and eradication efforts in Florida through national and international organizations. Dr. Gibbs held joint appointments with the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ Department of Environmental and Global Health. President’s Award: Dr. Henry Richter, Sinks Grove, W.Va., for dedication and service to the veterinary profession and to his community. A 1960 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Richter owned a practice in Palmetto prior to retirement. During his career, he mentored several young veterinarians.
Officials: Drs. John R. Bass, Port Orange, president; Jerry L. Rayburn, Winter Haven, president-elect; Richard B. Williams, Jacksonville, treasurer; and James A. Kanzler, Bradenton, immediate past president