UGA alumni recognized

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Dr. Schaefbauer
Dr. Stephan Schaefbauer
Dr. Stinson
Dr. Walter T. Stinson
Dr. Nolan
Dr. Lisa K. Nolan
Dr.  Stinson
Dr. Rebecca E. Stinson

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine recognized four alumni with awards for service to the veterinary college and the profession during its 53rd Annual Veterinary Conference and Alumni Weekend, March 11.

Dr. Stephan Schaefbauer (Georgia ’06) of Ankeny, Iowa, won the Young Achiever Award. She earned a master’s in public health at the University of Minnesota; after that, she completed a residency at the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety there.

Afterward, Dr. Schaefbauer joined the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working first as a veterinary medical officer, then as an import risk analyst, and now, as an epidemiology officer based in Iowa. She currently serves on the AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Walter T. Stinson (Georgia ’57) of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, received a Distinguished Alumnus Award. He started his own practice, the Animal Hospital of Wilkes, in 1962, and by 1971, he began adding associates to his practice, which still operates today. Dr. Stinson also served in the U.S. Army and as an active member of the North Carolina VMA.

Dr. Lisa K. Nolan (Georgia ’88) of Ames, Iowa, was honored with a Distinguished Alumna Award. She became dean of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in January 2011. She started out as a “Triple Dawg,” earning her DVM degree and both her master’s and doctoral degree in medical microbiology from UGA in 1988, 1989, and 1992, respectively.

Dr. Nolan previously was a faculty member and academic adviser at North Dakota State University. In 1999, she founded the university’s Great Plains Institute of Food Safety. In 2003, Dr. Nolan joined Iowa State University as chair of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, serving in that capacity until 2008 and then as an associate dean.

Dr. Rebecca E. Stinson (Georgia ’02) of Reidsville, North Carolina, was given a Distinguished Alumna Award. Service to her profession has remained a constant in her life since she served with the Student AVMA, first as secretary, then, during her clinical year, as president.

Her current post as AVMA vice president caps nearly two decades of volunteer work within the national organization. Dr. Stinson also works as an equine practitioner in North Carolina, where she is a founding member of the Carolina Equine Hospital, located in Browns Summit and established in 2009.

She served the American Association of Equine Practitioners as a member of the Student Relations Committee, and, since 2005, has served the North Carolina VMA as its large animal committee chair.