On Saturday, July 15, six individuals were honored during the American Veterinary Medical Associations (AVMA) 143rd annual convention for their leadership, wisdom and contributions to veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
The awards, presented during a ceremony at the Hawaii Convention Center, are among the highest honors earned in veterinary medicine. This years awards and recipients:
The AVMA Award went to Allen Y. Miyahara, DVM, MS, of Honolulu. The AVMA Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the advancement of veterinary medical organizations. The gift includes a Tiffany crystal sculpture and $500. Miyahara was being recognized for 40 years of service to animals as well as his work as AVMA vice president from 1995 to 1997.
The Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award went to Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP, of Columbia, Mo. The award recognizes veterinarians outstanding work in increasing understanding, preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. The award includes a crystal obelisk and $5,000 for the recipient and $5,000 to a veterinary school or not-for-profit human-animal interaction program of the recipients choice.
Sen. Wayne Allard, DVM of Washington, D.C., won the Meritorious Service Award. The award recognizes a veterinarian who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine, and brought honor and distinction to the profession through personal and/or professional activities conducted outside the areas of organized veterinary medicine and research. The recipient also receives a Tiffany crystal sculpture and $500.
The Presidents Award had three recipients: Jeffrey S. Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, of St. Paul, Minn.; Tracy Rhodes, DVM, of Buffalo, Wyoming; and Leon Russell, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM, of College Station, Texas. The AVMA Presidents Awards recognize individuals and groups inside and outside veterinary medicine who have made a positive impact on animal, human or public health; veterinary organizations and the profession. Each year up to three individuals are selected by the current AVMA president for the honor.
Posted: July 15, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST