Dr. Sandra Faeh announces 2025 AVMA President’s Award winners
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) July 2, 2025—In one of her final acts as president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Dr. Sandra Faeh presented AVMA President's Awards to three exceptional individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to the veterinary profession.
This year's recipients are Dr. Joe Kinnarney, Joanne Mazur and Dr. George Richards.
Dr. Joe Kinnarney
Dr. Kinnarney has volunteered in many capacities over the years for the AVMA and the profession. In 1990, he joined the AVMA House of Delegates as an alternate delegate for North Carolina, serving until 1999, when he was elected vice president of the AVMA. Upon completing his term as vice president in 2001, he rejoined the AVMA HOD as a delegate through 2007, while also serving as president of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association from 2001-07. He next served on the AVMA Board of Directors from 2007-13. He was voted president-elect of the AVMA in 2014, serving his term as president in 2015-16.
He served as director of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation from 2008-18, and then from 2018-24, he chaired the AVMA Trust, where he successfully led the merger of AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT.
In addition to his service within the AVMA and the veterinary profession, Dr. Kinnarney served as president of the Reidsville Veterinary Hospital (where he worked as a mixed-animal practitioner since 1980), Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital, Mebane Veterinary Hospital, The Animal Hospital at Lake Brandt and Carolina Equine Hospital.
Dr. Kinnarney was previously recognized for his service to the profession with the AVMA President’s Award in 2019 and The AVMA Award in 2023.
Dr. Faeh presented Dr. Kinnarney with the AVMA President’s Award "In recognition and gratitude for his leadership, dedication and mentorship on behalf of the veterinary profession, the AVMA Trust, the AVMA and SAVMA. He has been, and continues to be, a tireless supporter of students and young professionals, encouraging them to be the best they can be. Without his dedication to our profession, many of our leaders would not be where we are today. I am personally forever grateful for the large part he played in my professional growth and success."
Joanne Mazur
Mazur is a staff assistant in the AVMA’s Office of the Executive Vice President. She began working at the AVMA in 1998, first in the Finance Division, then the Convention and Meeting Planning Division. She managed AVMA Convention registration, housing, shuttles and other logistics, which allowed her to travel and meet AVMA members in person.
In 2012 she moved to the Office of the Executive Vice President where she organized the AVMA leadership travel calendar, coordinated Board of Directors meetings and other OEVP events, and warmly welcomed and interacted with visitors to AVMA headquarters.
Outside of the AVMA, Mazur has showed Himalayan cats and Shih Tzu dogs. Presently, she enjoys owning two Exotic Shorthair Persians. She also has been a certified yoga teacher for over 20 years.
Dr. Faeh presented Mazur with the AVMA President’s Award "In recognition and gratitude for her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to the Board Officers of the AVMA. Her attention to detail and her ever-present smile have had a tremendous impact on all those she has served. We are forever thankful for all that she has done for the Board Officers of the AVMA and for our profession."
Dr. George Richards
Dr. Richards (Illinois ’67) has dedicated his career to organized veterinary medicine. He represented Illinois as alternate and delegate in the AVMA House of Delegates from 1997-2016, served on the AVMA Political Action Committee from 2004-2010—including one year as chair—and was a member of the AVMA Taskforce on the Legal Status of Animals.
Dr. Richards served on the Illinois State Veterinary Association (ISVMA) board of directors for 19 years. He chaired the ISVMA Legislative Committee and its Political Action Committee for over 30 years along with three committees for the renewal of the Illinois Veterinary Practice Act. In 2016, he received the ISVMA President’s Award.
Dr. Richards was co-owner of three American Animal Hospital Association–accredited small animal hospitals in Danville, Illinois (Vermillion Hillcrest Animal Hospital, Stateline Hillcrest Animal Hospital and Danville Small Animal Clinic), before retiring after 41 years of practice.
Dr. Faeh presented Dr. Richards with the AVMA President’s Award "In recognition and gratitude for his leadership, dedication, mentorship and friendship on behalf of the veterinary profession, the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the AVMA PAC, and the AVMA. His continual passion for our profession, his belief in me and tireless support of my leadership path inspired me to be where I am today. I am forever grateful to have Dr. Richards be a part of my life and to know that I have his support and friendship."
To learn more about the AVMA President's Award and past recipients, visit www.avma.org/awards.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org (msanfilippo[at]avma[dot]org).
Serving more than 108,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.