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Saturday, December 8, 2007

HorsesDaily.com Joins Thousands of Equine Practitioners in Florida for the Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com

Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners Highlights Awards and Education

Not surprisingly, this year’s annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners featured highly educational seminars and lectures by leading international veterinarians. The convention was also the place to learn about the latest products and developments related to health care. It was also at the AAEP that the equine veterinary industry honored its own.

The George Stubbs award, an honor that recognizes the contributions made to equine veterinary medicine by individuals other than veterinarians, was given to those involved in the care and treatment of Barbaro. George Bagby, MD, MS, and Barbaro’s owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson and trainer Michael Matz received the award.

AAEP past President Robert D. Lewis, DVM, of Elgin, Texas, was recognized for his contributions to veterinary medicine and was honored with a Distinguished Life Member Award. He is currently president of Elgin Veterinary Hospital, Inc., which is a private hospital and referral practice owned and operated by five veterinarians, with an additional seven associate veterinarians.

Gary L. Norwood, DVM, received the Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to an individual who has provided exemplary service to the AAEP or a similar organization to the benefit of the horse, horse industry or the profession of equine veterinary medicine. Dr. Norwood is a 1965 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. He served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War. Presently, he is in line to assume the office of president of the World Equine Veterinary Association in 2008.

Also honored at the AAEP convention were veterinarians James N. Moore, DVM, and Howard E. Gill, DVM, for their work that has significantly impacted the development and training of equine practitioners. Dr. Gill received his veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1952 and served on the faculty of Michigan State University, beginning in 1966. Outside of academia, Dr. Gill led a four-doctor practice in Pine Bush, New York. Dr. Gill is now retired from practicing, although he still assists with surgeries at his old practice. Dr. Moore, of Georgia, is an award-winning veterinarian who received his education at the University of California, Davis. He has long been a leading veterinary researcher.

There was clearly something for everyone at this year’s AAEP convention. If you’ve never been to an AAEP convention, it’s worth a trip because you’ll certainly return home with far more knowledge than when you left.