American College of Veterinary Surgeons – October 24-26, 2024
Event
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) held its annual surgery summit from October 24-26 in Phoenix.
Awards
ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement
Dr. Amy S. Kapatkin, Davis, California, won this award, recognizing the contributions of an ACVS diplomate to the development of surgical techniques and methodology, and disseminating knowledge to colleagues, residents, interns, and veterinary students. A 1981 veterinary graduate of De La Salle Araneta University in the Philippines, Dr. Kapatkin is a professor of surgical and radiological sciences at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She previously served on the veterinary faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. An ACVS founding fellow in joint replacement surgery, Dr. Kapatkin is known for her expertise in hip dysplasia, gait analysis, total hip replacement, and nonunion management, and for her work using bone morphogenetic protein-2 to manage nonunions. She has served as an ACVS regent, a liaison to the ACVS Resident Credentialing Committee and what is now known as the ACVS Communication Committee, and represented the college on the AVMA’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties and the Veterinary Specialty Organizations Committee. She is a past president of AO North America and a past chair of the AO VET North America Education Committee.
Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Karen K. Cornell (Purdue ’88), College Station, Texas, for exceptional contributions to the ACVS. Dr. Cornell is the associate dean for professional programs and the Earline & A.P. Wiley endowed veterinary chair at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. A diplomate and a past president of the ACVS, she is a past chair of the ACVS Examination Committee and has served on the editorial review board for Veterinary Surgery. Dr. Cornell has also served as a lead facilitator for the former Institute for Healthcare Communication.
ACVS Foundation Lynn Wheaton Philanthropy Award
Dr. Shannon K. Reed (Missouri ’03), College Station, Texas, won this award, recognizing an ACVS diplomate who demonstrates intentional and altruistic social responsibility through their work with their community, an association, or other nonprofit organization. Dr. Reed is a clinical associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She was honored for her contributions to the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and to veterinary education. Dr. Reed has developed several programs related to the RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover project. She also designed a volunteer program for veterinary students to encourage and facilitate entry into equine practice.
Officials
Dr. Jan F. Hawkins, Raleigh, North Carolina, chair and immediate past president; Dr. Bryden J. Stanley, Flint, Michigan, president; Dr. Kelly D. Farnsworth, Pullman, Washington, president-elect; Dr. Julie D. Smith, Mountain View, California, treasurer; Ann T. Loew, Germantown, Maryland, chief executive officer; and regents—Drs. Jose M. Garcia-Lopez, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Laurent P. Guiot, Culver City, California; Ursula Krotscheck, Ithaca, New York; David G. Levine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Annette M. McCoy, Urbana, Illinois; and Jason Syrcle, Philadelphia
A version of this story appears in the January 2025 print issue of JAVMA