AASV Award Recipients Honored at Annual Meeting

March 12, 2008 — Tracy Ann Raef

The AASV honored five members for their contributions to the association and the swine industry. Dr. John Waddell, 2004 AASV president, presented the awards at the association's annual meeting in San Diego, March 10.

Dr. Jason Kelly (PUR '03) received the Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award. Established in 2008, the award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in his or her career. Dr. Kelly is a swine practitioner and managing partner at Suidae Health and Production, a swine-exclusive practice of six swine veterinarians serving clients in Iowa and the Midwest.

Dr. Robert Desrosiers (Montreal '79) was recognized as the Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year. Established this year, the award recognizes swine industry veterinarians who have demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in delivery of veterinary service to their companies and their clients as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry. Dr. Desrosiers is a technical services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. In 2006 and 2007, he was selected to serve on a task force charged with the development of a five-year plan to improve the health of Quebec's swine herds. Active in the AASV since 1980, Dr. Desrosiers is member of the Swine Health Committee of the AASV. He delivered the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture at the association's annual meeting in 2004. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Sandy Amass (PUR '93) received the Meritorious Service Award. The award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the association. Dr. Amass is a professor at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine. Active in the AASV since 1990, Dr. Amass was a lead reviewer on the editorial board of the Journal of Swine Health and Production and a former managing editor of the AASV's e-Letter. She was co-chair of the association's Collegiate Activities Committee and a member of the Communications Committee and AASV subcommittee of the AVMA Drug Advisory Committee. Dr. Amass is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She is a 2000 graduate of the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management.

Dr. Greg Stevenson (ISU '79) was presented with the Howard Dunne Memorial Award, recognizing AASV members who have made important contributions and provided outstanding service to the association and the swine industry. A well-respected swine diagnostician, Dr. Stevenson rose through the academic ranks at Purdue University to be head of pathology at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in 2002. He was a professor and swine pathologist until 2007 when he retired from the university to pursue a second career in full-time Christian ministry with Collegiate Impact Ministries. Prior to joining the faculty at Purdue University, Dr. Stevenson was an adjunct instructor of veterinary pathology at Iowa State University. From 1985 to 1987, he was vice president of production and research for NOBL Laboratories in Iowa. Early in his career, Dr. Stevenson was a mixed-animal practitioner in Victor, Iowa, and a swine practitioner in Ireton, Iowa. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologist.

Dr. Lisa Tokach (MINN '90) was named the Swine Practitioner of the Year. The award, given annually since 1977, recognizes swine practitioners who demonstrate exceptional service to their veterinary clients. It is the association's highest honor. Since graduation, Dr. Tokach has been a mixed-animal practitioner, primarily focused on swine population medicine, at Abilene Animal Hospital in Abilene, Kansas. She also serves as personnel director at the hospital that employs six veterinarians and 10 additional full-time employees. Since 1996, she has served as president of the Kansas Swine Alliance, Inc., a management company that promotes interdependence among smaller Kansas producers. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. In the words of her colleague and partner, Dr. Steve Henry, "The boundless energy and volunteerism Lisa has for the AASV, our practice and our clients impress me every day. She is the consummate supporter and encourager - valuing each person for what they bring and encouraging each in a most special way."

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Tracy Ann Raef, Communications Specialist, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University