Oregon VMA – March 7-9, 2025
Event
The Oregon VMA (OVMA) held its Oregon Veterinary Conference from March 7–9 in Corvallis.
Awards
Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Doug McInnis (Oregon State ’97), Klamath Falls. Dr. McInnis serves as vice president of veterinary leadership for Western Veterinary Partners. He previously owned West Ridge Animal Hospital in Klamath Falls. A past president of the OVMA, he serves as its delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. Dr. McInnis is a past member of the AVMA House Advisory Committee and has served on the board of directors of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Dr. McInnis founded the Animal Control Advocacy Task Force in Klamath County, addressing cases of animal neglect and abuse.
Veterinary Service Award
Laurie Cuddy, Ashland. Cuddy serves as president of Rogue Valley Street Dogs (RVSD), a nonprofit charitable organization in southern Oregon that works to improve the quality of life for pets affected by homelessness and poverty. RVSD conducts outreach events and service clinics across Jackson County, providing food, gear, vaccines, flea and tick preventives, and more to animals in need. In 2024, the organization helped spay and neuter more than 500 cats and dogs, assisted over 800 people and their pets at outreach events, and funded emergency veterinary care for 100 pets.
Practice Manager Award
Trina Neuwirth, Corvallis. A certified veterinary technician and canine rehabilitation therapist, Neuwirth is practice manager at West Hills Animal Hospital. She balances the complexities of managing a busy practice with its goal of providing progressive veterinary care with a heart of compassion. Neuwirth is known for her attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and ability to navigate the demands of a 32 team-member practice, helping the hospital meet its daily challenges.
Industry Representative Award
Alex Hacker, Portland. Hacker has worked in the veterinary industry for more than 18 years and serves as area business manager for Zoetis. He is known for building strong relationships, delivering innovative solutions, and helping veterinary teams succeed.
President’s Award
Drs. Heidi Houchen (Washington State ’92), Ridgefield, and Kurt Williams (Michigan State ’90), Corvallis. Dr. Houchen is an emergency and critical care veterinarian at VCA NW Veterinary Specialists, where she also serves as intern director and director of the critical care blood bank. A past president of the OVMA, she advocated for the veterinary profession during the COVID-19 pandemic and launched a statewide emergency care training program for emergency medical services and K9 handlers.
A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. Williams has served as director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) since 2022. The OVDL coordinates with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to perform avian influenza testing and tests milk samples from dairy farms in the state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OVDL assisted with the testing of human samples. Dr. Williams previously served as a veterinary pathologist at Michigan State University.
Business
Discussions were held and updates were provided on Oregon House Bill (HB) 2013 that would direct the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug; HB 2167 which would appropriate $10 million from the state’s General Fund for the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and $3.5 million for the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 327 that would prohibit a veterinarian from requiring a client to relinquish their pet because the owner does not have the means for payment of services; and SB 976 that would allow lay persons to practice equine dentistry and nonveterinarians to perform pregnancy evaluation of cattle.
The OVMA has suggested an amendment to exempt veterinarians from HB 2013, supports HB 2167 which has been referred to the Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and SB 327 and SB 976. Updates were also provided on participation in OVMA committees and task forces as well as on an Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) working group that recommends allowing the veterinarian-client-patient relationship to be established via telemedicine. The OVMEB’s current rule that requires the VCPR to be established by an in-person examination of the patient or a timely visit to the premises where the animal is kept remains in place.
Officials
Dr. Lynn Healy, Hillsboro, president; Dr. Gail Colbern, Ashland, president-elect; Dr. Charles Hurty, Siletz, immediate past president; and Glenn Kolb, Salem, executive director