OVMA Awards of Excellence
At ceremonies held during the 2010 Oregon Veterinary Conference in Corvallis, the OVMA honored the following for their service to the veterinary profession:
2010 Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Susan Loomis, Deschutes Veterinary Hospital, Bend
The OVMA's highest honor is the Meritorious Service Award, which is presented to a veterinarian who has generously contributed time and energy for the advancement of the organization and the profession as well as her or his community. Twelve distinguished members of the OVMA have previously received this recognition, and many others are deserving of the award for their commitment, their dedication, and for their leadership.
Ten years after graduating from the veterinary program at Washington State University, Dr. Susan Loomis was appointed by Gov. Vic Atiyeh to serve a four-year term on the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board, and was later appointed to a second four-year term. She was the first woman to serve in this capacity with the state’s licensing agency.
At the same time, 1981, Dr. Loomis was president of the Central Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and owner of Deschutes Veterinary Clinic – a companion animal practice she started near downtown Bend two years after she completed her veterinary degree in 1971.
Less than a decade later, Dr. Loomis reached another pinnacle in Oregon’s veterinary history, when she was the first woman to assume the presidency of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. Since Dr. Loomis was president in 1992, three other woman have served in this capacity – Drs. Carol Helfer, Linda Blythe and Jacqui Neilson – and another, Dr. Sheri Morris, will be the organization’s incoming Vice President, ascending to the office of president in 2013.
During Dr. Loomis’s term as OVMA president, the Association worked closely with the Veterinary Medical Examining Board in identifying and establishing minimum standards of care for practices which has enhanced the quality of patient treatment across Oregon. Under her leadership, your statewide organization also conducted a regional practice development and economic survey that reflected the climate in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Loomis’ leadership has been exemplified by thoughtful, steady and quiet guidance. She is not a person who looks to bring attention to herself, but rather is an individual who shares her accolades with others, and who receives pleasure in seeing that other people are credited for the accomplishments.
This has been evident during Dr. Loomis’ four years serving on the OVMA Executive Board, her three years as the OVMA representative for District 6, additional years participating on a number of OVMA committees, her four years with the Veterinary Medical Examining Board, plus her longstanding service and leadership with the Central Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.
2010 Veterinary Service Award
Larry Chusid, The Pongo Fund
The Veterinary Service Award recognizes an individual, group or organization that has promoted the veterinary profession and/or the well-being of animals.
It all started with an effort to feed two hungry dogs underneath the Morrison Bridge in Portland, Oregon. And little more than two years later, The Pongo Fund has become Oregon’s largest single charitable pet food resource.
With their mission of providing quality dog and cat food for the family pets of anyone in honest need, The Pongo Fund currently donates some 40,000 meals for more than 1,000 family pets each month; this adds up to more than 300,000 life-saving meals to date.
But this is about far more than just a bowl of kibble. Because when families must choose what to cut from their grocery lists, pets often are among those that suffer most. In reality the entire family suffers, as meals end up commonly shared between person and pet. And everyone goes to bed hungry.
Further pain is caused by the countless numbers of family pets that are abandoned or surrendered, simply because their families cannot afford to feed them. For folks already struggling, being forced to give up their beloved pet is akin to ripping their family apart. And that’s where The Pongo Fund comes in.
Through their partnerships with Canidae All Natural Pet Foods and Dogswell Pet Foods, The Pongo Fund is really part of the conduit keeping families together. By feeding the pets, they’re feeding the family. And their extensive distribution through The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank allows everyone the chance to have good food for their dinner.
Because, sometimes, a simple bowl of kibble is the force that both keeps a family together and saves the lives of the animals they love.
2010 Animal Welfare Award
Dr. Doug Evans, Bend Veterinary Clinic, Bend
The Animal Welfare Award recognizes a veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding compassion and/or developed programs that have been for the welfare of animals. Dr. Evans received this award for his work in starting Grassroots of Central Oregon, a hay bank for horse owners in need of assistance.
Two years ago, with many horse owners in his community struggling to care for their animals because of the challenging economic times, Dr. Doug Evans, a small animal veterinarian in Bend, stepped forward in a large way to lend a helping hand.
As economic hardship struck Central Oregon, Dr. Evans and his wife, Meghan, became concerned they would start to see more horses given to rescue groups, abandoned entirely, or euthanized – some even prematurely – because owners could no longer tend to the daily needs and requirements of the animals. The Evans’ were all too familiar with such challenges; they had adopted two horses from a rescue group called Hooves and Halos.
In the Bend Bulletin, Dr. Evans acknowledged the realities: that euthanasia and disposal of horses is considered to be expensive, and that the Central Oregon area has an abundance of horses. The situation was made even more difficult in that some of the rescue groups had already reached capacity.
Determined to make a difference, to help both people and horses, Doug and Meghan founded Grassroots of Central Oregon – a hay donation program. The Evans’ weren’t alone in reaching out to an affected equine community, but they were the first in Central Oregon to have an important and vital impact at such a critical time of need. And they haven’t attempted to do it by themselves. Grassroots of Central Oregon has used a barn of one of Dr. Evan’s colleagues – Dr. Byron Maas – to hold the hay, and Dr. Evans has sought assistance from other veterinarians and equine rescue groups to spread word about his program. The goal is simple, he said: “Help struggling horse owners through the winter.”
With Dr. Evans’ exemplary leadership and action, Grassroots has taken in several tons of hay for people and horses in need – including a two-ton donation from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. While the donations are a welcome relief to horse owners, the hay is dispersed in measured amounts, and those who need assistance must fill out paperwork and let him visit their facilities to check out the horses.
Grassroots of Central Oregon hopes it can become big enough to provide feed for local horse rescue groups. But for now it is focused on receiving more donations to help individual families care for their horses.
2010 Technician/Staff of the Year Award
Kimberly McKay, West Valley Veterinary Hospital, Sheridan
This award recognizes a veterinary technician and/or veterinary staff in clinical practice who has risen above and beyond the expected responsibilities of the practice to provide outstanding client and patient service, with community service also considered. Ms. McKay, a veterinary technician, is this year's honoree.
Dedication. Compassion. Humility. Intelligence. Communication. Each alone is a hallmark quality we would want to find in veterinarians and other members of a practice’s healthcare team.
Dr. Jennifer Choate, an associate with West Valley Veterinary Hospital in Sheridan, has had the privilege of working with – and watching – such an individual engage with clients, patients, and the entire team for the past six years. She has been impressed by this person’s important contributions to the practice – enough so that she nominated Kimberly McKay, a non-certified technician, for the Technician/Staff of the Year Award.
One might say that these five qualities should be expected for any position. But according to Dr. Choate, discovering each of the qualities in one person can prove difficult to find. And when that individual reaches a top level for each, she raises the standard for the practice.
Kimberly’s intelligence and attention to detail shine in all aspects of her work with the rural practice in the Willamette Valley. In surgery she ensures that each patient is well attended to and cared for and provides the veterinarians on duty with vital signs and what plane of anesthesia it is in – with the information delivered before the veterinarian ask for the signs.
Kimberly also effectively communicates with clients about their pets, carefully confirming medications, results from the laboratory, and all aspects of patient care instructions. Because of her vast experience, she is adept at explaining treatment options and is able to answer nearly any question posed by the clientele. This quality frees up the time the veterinarians in the practice to focus on caring for the more critical needs of the hospital.
Concern for the needs and interests of the veterinarians is another hallmark with Kimberly. She fully knows the preferences of each veterinarian in the operating room, as well as in working on cases and explaining treatment and conditions to clients. This helps the veterinarians to be more efficient and productive. Working with a number of veterinarians during her tenure with the practice has also enabled Kimberly to possess a wealth of knowledge about medical issues. Her perspectives are well-rounded and insightful, and are an invaluable aid to the doctors in gaining perspective on challenging cases.
Because of the practice's size, there are limited divisions in the positions among the staff. Everyone must work together and do what is needed to ensure that the needs of the hospital and its clientele and patients are met. And Kimberly never wavers to cross the boundaries of these different roles and get done what must be done.
2010 President's Award
Lara Smith, Smith Government Relations, Portland
Given at the discretion of the president to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the OVMA, outgoing OVMA President Dr. Rob Shimek presented this award to Lara Smith, the lobbyist for the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. Following is an excerpt from Dr. Shimek's remarks:
"We are one of a handful of clients represented by Lara, and our experience with her is that she eats and sleeps legislative affairs. What does this entail? It encompasses early morning and late hours meeting with clients, discussing issues with legislators and their assistants, attending fundraisers and special events, and countless hours on her cell phone and laptop. For starters.
Lara has extensive experience at the Oregon State Legislature. After graduating from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science, she began her career as a legislative staff person for a State Senator during the 1995 session. Following that, she worked as a campaign coordinator on a Congressional campaign for Shirley Gold and then on a statewide initiative campaign.
During that campaign she was offered a position with Dave Barrows & Associates, and was an associate lobbyist with that firm for 11 years before she started her own company, L &E Smith Government Relations two years ago. Today, Lara contracts with Dave Barrows to continue representing the OVMA.
Lara has a proven history of success in both moving legislation through the process, including the Ways & Means process, and protecting her clients from potentially damaging legislation. In the 2009 legislative session, Lara was vital to our passing legislation that exempted veterinary practices from the cumbersome pesticide reporting law. She also was instrumental in helping to ensure that the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab received only a 5 percent budget cut when the lab originally was facing a 60 percent reduction in its state funding.
Lara has been a great addition to the OVMA team. In the four-plus years in which she has represented us, we have valued her knowledge and experience; her existing relationships with legislators, legislative staff and other lobbyists; and her guidance and ability to navigate us through the intricacies of the legislative system. We also find her to be a distinct pleasure and joy to work with."
Past Award Winners
Centennial Award
1963 Dr. Vic Oliver
Honorary Membership
1952 S.L. Brown, Charles Evans, T. Sims
1954 E.L. Peterson
1972 Walter Leth, James Short
1989 Morrie Craig
1993 Nan Dewey
2000 Kelvin Koong
Award of Merit
1961 Dr. Herb Muth
1966 Dr. E. Derflinger, Dr. Ralph Plamondon
1970 Dr. Gary Bryan
1973 Dr. Dallen Jones
1976 Dr. Ed Wedman
1983 Dr. Linda Blythe, Dr. Daryl Leu
1985 Dr. Elwyn Coon, Dr. Norm Hutton, Dr. Charles Seagraves
1989 Dr. Jack Hardesty, Dr. Fay Rankin, Dr. Ron Schmidtke
1991 Dr. Gordon Cunningham, Dr. Richard Hillmer, Dr. DuWayne Penfold
1995 Dr. Andrew Mach, Dr. Ed Wedman, Dr. Robert Whittaker
Meritorious Service
Presented to a veterinarian who has generously contributed time and energy for the advancement of the profession and community.
1996 Dr. Richard Werner
1997 Dr. Billy Kuhl
1998 Dr. Dick Reid
1999 Dr. Roy Peterson
2000 Dr. Richard Coon
2001 Dr. Don Bailey
2002 Dr. Stan Blinkhorn
2003 Dr. Leo van Dijk
2004 Dr. DuWayne Penfold
2005 Dr. Marty DeWees
2006 Dr. Jerry Boggs
2009 Dr. Scott Hendy
2010 Dr. Susan Loomis
Outstanding Industry Representative
Recognizes an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the OVMA and the profession.
1996 Terrie Corcoran, Burns Veterinary Supply
1997 Leroy Ostrem, The Butler Company
1998 Rick Casey, Hoechst Roussel Vet
1999 Jim Houts, Summit Medical Equipment
2000 Linda Melton, IDEXX Veterinary Services
2001 Loren Heryford, The Butler Company
2003 Marge Strother, Merial
2004 Bruce Mackey, Hill's Pet Nutrition
2005 John Herkner, Pfizer Animal Health
President's Award
Given at the discretion of the president to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the OVMA.
1996 Dr. Martha DeWees, Dr. Scott Hendy
1997 Dr. Jerry Boggs
1998 Dr. Merry Crimi
1999 Mr. Glenn Kolb
2000 Dr. Doug McInnis
2001 Mr. Dave Barrows
2002 Dr. Kurt Schrader
2003 Dr. Steven Brown
2004 Ms. Marcia Keith
2005 Dr. Gordon Cunningham
2006 Spouses and Partners of Veterinarians
2007 Dr. Rich Holdren
2008 Ms. Marge Strother, Lilly Companion Pet
2009 Dr. Matthew Fricke
2010 Ms. Lara Smith
Veterinarian of the Year
Awarded to a veterinarian who has made outstanding contributions to the profession through service to local, state and/or national organizations.
1969 Dr. E.R. Derflinger
1996 Dr. DuWayne Penfold
1997 Dr. Doug Corey
1998 Dr. Don McCoy
1999 Dr. Andrew Clark
2000 Dr. Marty DeWees
2001 Dr. Scott Hendy
2002 Dr. Brad Frank
2003 Dr. Heidi Buehner-McKenzie
2004 Dr. Leon Pielstick
2006 Dr. Paul Jones
2007 Dr. Jon Betts
Animal Welfare Award
Recognizes a veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding compassion and/or developed programs that have been for the welfare of animals.
1998 Dr. Doug Evans
1999 Dr. Laird Goodman
2000 Dr. Bob Franklin
2002 Dr. Brad Pope
2004 Dr. Ken Fletcher
2009 Dr. Doug McInnis
2010 Dr. Doug Evans
Veterinary Service Award
Recognizes an individual, group or organization that has promoted the veterinary profession and/or the well being of animals. Emphasis for this award is placed on educating the public, research, or the practice of veterinary medicine.
1998 Kim Singer, KPTV-12
1999 Feral Cat Coalition
2000 Deborah Wood, The Oregonian
2001 Dr. Barclay Slocum
2002 The Halo Group
2003 Evan Kalik, Cat Adoption Team
2005 Dr. Howard Wagner
2006 Oregon Humane Society
2008 Dr. Matthew Maberry
2009 Dr. Jerry Boggs
2010 Larry Chusid, The Pongo Fund
Practice/Office Manager of the Year
Recognizes the role of the practice/office manager in clinical practice and salutes an individual who has exhibited exceptional professionalism in leading the practice.
2006 Linda Parisotto
2007 Lee Barg
2008 Debee Brown
Technician/Staff of the Year
Recognizes a veterinary technicians and/or veterinary staff in clinical practice who has risen above and beyond the expected responsibilities of the practice to provide outstanding client and patient service, with community service also considered.
2006 Leah Kennon CVT
2007 Gillian Cook CVT
2008 Kathy Charpilloz
2010 Kimberly McKay