March 15, 2021

Event

129th annual convention, held virtually, Jan. 21-24

Program

Registration for the convention included 291 members and 57 veterinary clinics. In excess of 80 virtual continuing education lectures were offered to the more than 950 CE registrants. The lectures will be available until April 30.

Awards

Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Steve M. Strubberg (Missouri ’89), New Haven. Dr. Strubberg has served as Missouri state veterinarian since 2019. Prior to that, he owned Hermann Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Hermann, for almost 30 years.

President’s Award
Dr. Missy Gourley (Missouri ’96), Mountain Grove. Dr. Gourley practices small animal medicine at Whetstone Veterinary Clinic in Mountain Grove.

Ortu Stella Award
Dr. Jessica Stroupe (Missouri ’12), Fayette, won this award, given for early-career leadership. Dr. Stroupe owns Howard County Veterinary Service in Fayette. She is a past president of the West Central VMA and is a member of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative.

William A. Wolff Volunteerism Award
Abbie Knudsen (Missouri ’22), Auxvasse. Knudsen was recognized for organizing a pet food drive during the pandemic. She is co-founder of the Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations and Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference. Knudsen has served as executive director for the National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrook.

Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Distinguished Service Award
Lori Muhlenbruch, Lake Ozark. Muhlenbruch is program coordinator for the MVMA. She is responsible for programs within the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation, including the Veterinary Honor Roll and Animal Archives. Muhlenbruch also serves as a staff member for the MVMF Board and Missouri VMA Academy.

Missouri VMA Academy Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Richard Linn (Missouri ’83), Ozark. Dr. Linn owns Ozark Veterinary Clinic. He is active with the Christian Veterinary Mission and the 4-H Club Veterinary Science Program and is a member of the Missouri Volunteer Veterinary Corps.

Officials

MVMA—Dr. Marcy Hammerle, St. Charles, president; Dr. Edward Migneco, St. Louis, president-elect; Dr. Matt Silvius, Riverside, vice president; Dr. Shelia L. Taylor, Springfield, secretary-treasurer; Dr. David L. Gourley, Mountain Grove, board chair and immediate past president; and Richard D. Antweiler, Jefferson City, executive director. Missouri VMA Academy—Drs. Caitlin DeWilde, St. Louis, president; Betsy Marziani, St. Louis, vice president; and Julie King, Ozark, immediate past president. MVMF—Drs. Philip R. Brown, Springfield, board chair; Scott Fray, Boonville, board vice chair; George Buckaloo, Lake Tapawingo, secretary-treasurer; William J. Shore, St. Louis, immediate past chair; and Roger Dozier, Jefferson City, museum director