Missouri VMA - March 15, 2022

Event

130th annual convention, Jan. 27-30, Columbia

Program

The convention drew more than 500 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice staff members, and veterinary students. In excess of 60 continuing education lectures were offered to the participants.

Awards

Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Bruce Whittle (Missouri ’94), Trenton. Dr. Whittle co-owns Honey Creek Veterinary Hospital, a mixed animal practice in Trenton. He is a past president of the Missouri VMA and a past chair of the MVMA Equine Committee. Dr. Whittle has also served on the MVMA Legislative Committee. 

President’s Award
Dr. Carol Ryan (Missouri ’92), Wentzville. A mixed animal veterinarian, Dr. Ryan practices at Troy & Wentzville Veterinary Clinics. She also co-owns Elsberry Animal Hospital in Elsberry. Dr. Ryan is a past president of the MVMA. 

Ortu Stella Award
Dr. Sarah Meineka (Missouri ’14), Concordia. Dr. Meineka is an associate veterinarian at Concordia Veterinary Clinic. She is an active member of the MVMA’s West Central District and serves as chair of the MVMA Early Career Task Force.

William A. Wolff Volunteerism Award
Dr. John Fortman (Missouri ’72), Pilot Grove, for his many years of emergency management and response in Missouri. Dr. Fortman practices in Pilot Grove.

Richard D. Antweiler Servant Leadership Award
Richard Antweiler, Jefferson City, was the inaugural recipient of this award, given in recognition of his years of meritorious service and dedication to the MVMA. Executive director of the MVMA for more than 20 years, Antweiler is retiring as senior executive director in 2022.

Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Distinguished Service Award
Monica Bates, Barnhart. Bates was honored for her service as a volunteer for the foundation and for her financial support of the foundation’s annual silent auction.

Missouri VMA Academy Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Cliff Miller (Missouri ’00), Moberly, won this award, given in recognition of meritorious service in promoting and advancing continuing education in the veterinary profession. Dr. Miller owns Green Hills Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Moberly.

In addition, the MVMA honored Julie Braun, Jefferson City, with a plaque for her 10 years of dedication and planning of the association’s annual multiday Equine Dentistry Lecture and Wet Lab. Braun is executive director of the MVMA.

Officials

MVMA—Dr. Edward Migneco, St. Louis, president; Dr. Matthew Silvius, Riverside, president-elect; Dr. Kacie Ulhorn, Hermann, vice president; Dr. Shelia Taylor, Springfield, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Marcy Hammerle, St. Charles, board chair; Richard Antweiler, Jefferson City, senior executive director; and Julie Braun, Jefferson City, executive director. Missouri VMA Academy—Drs. Betsy Marziani, St. Louis, president, and Todd Taylor, Parkville, vice president. MVMF—Drs. Philip R. Brown, Springfield, board chair; Scott Fray, Boonville, board vice chair; and George Buckaloo, Lake Tapawingo, secretary-treasurer